merryweather's twin said:
We do not care about the neiborhood as long as it is clean and safe. As for price range I would love to stay under$2500. total... I know that is low but Hubby is picking up the tab on everything except gas so we need to get good deals where we can. As for 2 houses it is an option if they are next door. Thanks for any suggestions ...
Bobbie
If I'm doing the math right, that allows for abour $192/night including tax. For the size home you need, and this close to XMAS, it may be near impossible. You're also trying to rent 13 nights, which is a fairly long stay, and it's likely that people may have some, but not all of your dates open. I do think you'll have to expand your search to some of the neighborhoods out on I-27. I really don't think you'll find that size of home available in your price range in the more "preferred" neighborhoods in the Formosa Gardens area (like Windsor Palms, Emerald Island, Windsor Hills, along with Oak Island Cove, Indian Creek, and others). For Dec 2004, I was looking 18 months ahead for 2 weeks at XMAS time for 6 bedroom home (to sleep 12 - we didn't want anyone on a sofa bed). We stayed in a 6 bedroom home in Oak Island Cove for $170 a night, but it no longer seems to be available. And I think they gave me a great price for booking so far ahead.
OK, I'm checking my very old notes from Summer 2003 for a stay XMAS 2004, and these are the places that were my runner-ups and at that time would have been in your price range, but no telling now. These are also the closer neighborhoods like Formosa Gardens area, but they only sleep up to 12:
http://www.vrbo.com/11247 but it's not available for some of your dates.
http://www.vrbo.com/24139 - also not available for some of your dates.
http://www.vrbo.com/vrbo/7750 - can't tell availability.
I really think that looking for XMAS only 3 months ahead - you'll probably have trouble finding anything regardless of price, and I suspect you'll pay a premium price.
I just checked Cypress Pointe condos through hotelkingdom.com where you could get by with two 3-bedrooom condos at a price of $135.70 each plus tax, and it's available for all but the last night. It would be a little over $3000 which is over your budget.
I really love challenges like this, and I do wish you luck!
We also picked up the tab for our extended family trip XMAS 2004 and it was very nice to all be in a house together. I do think you should expand your search to neighborhoods farther away. Hopefully someone else here familiar with those neighborhoods can give some direction, because I've never stayed there. I seem to recall hearing about Davenport, so perhaps look into that.
, and you're bumping up to a bigger house, too
