How to decide where to move?

[FairestOfThemAll37]

So I have a similar thread on CB, but you guys are always so helpful and this is budget related since moving affects your entire budget!

I'm in a bit of an odd situation in that I want to move to the coast (from the middle of Florida). I'd like to be near a beach and a grocery store and have access to a pool lol. Everything else is pretty negotiable.

I'm having trouble getting started. I've explored zillow a bit to see what rentals look like, but I know there are options beyond zillow.

How would you decide where to go? How do you research an area? The last time I moved it was for a purpose so my area was very limited.

I know this is a bit of a whacky idea but thanks for any help!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I think you'll need to narrow it down a little more. Do you want to be in Central Florida (i.e., an hour or two from Disney)? Do you like the Atlantic coast or the Gulf coast? What kind of cost of living are you looking at? Do you need employment? Need to be near a major hospital? Do you need access to public transportation?

I live in the Florida panhandle, about a 20-minute drive from the Gulf. Close enough for me, but I have plenty of friends that live on the beach and love going there all the time. All the condos and apartment complexes have pools and so do a lot of private rental homes. We're about a 6-hr drive to Disney, close enough for a long weekend, but not close enough for a day-trip.

 

[fofinia]

Well not what you asked exactly. But I love Vero Beach. We've gone and stayed at Disney's Vero Beach resort and driven around the area a lot. It's similar to Fort Lauderdale beach wise ( I used to live there). But it's much more small town feel. Not as many high rises. There is a Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Publix all close by. I've never been to the west coast of Florida. But I've been up and down the East Coast and Vero Beach/Sebastian are my favorite.

So I would suggest maybe going and staying for a couple of days in a new place. It's not the same when you are on vacation. But definitely better than just checking out places online.

Good luck! Wish I could move back to Florida. Maybe when I"m 80 my husband will be interested.

 

[ceecee]

It would depend on where your job is? The rent is higher is certain areas. Why not explore some different areas before packing up and moving?