Looking to buy a home in Florida where I can find a lot of Canadians

[Theta]

We are looking to buy a home in Florida as we are getting close to retirement. We are originally from Western Canada but have lived in a number of locations in eastern US. I really miss Canadians and would like to find a location where we can find some friends.

We spent some time in the Phoenix area where there are tons of western Canadians, but I really don't like the desert and the evenings and nights are just too cool for us.

I would love some suggestions where to start looking.

 

[FigmentSpark]

My in-laws used to rent in New Smyrna Beach, Fl (near Daytona). It was getting too expensive and they were getting older, so they stopped a couple of years ago.

Maybe look at what kind of rentals are around an area. That might be the first hint that it will draw snowbirds.

 

[mommasita]

We grew up with my Dad having a condo in Tampa Bay, and that was just ok, not too many Canadians, and then he purchased a home in Deerfield Beach, love it there. Lots of Canadians, close to shopping, the Beach, not far from Miami et al.

We try to spend 4-6 weeks there from Dec 19 or so onwards. We attend a few hockey and basketball games, which aren’t far Either. Shopping is good, Boca is right next door!

 

[Kaadk]

Generally speaking, I think they're kind of spread out. For instance, when I was younger, my grandparents used to have a trailer in a trailer park about an hour outside of Orlando. One of my friend's parents rent a condo for a month every winter near Ft. Myers, another friend's parents love Key West, and my now retired family doctor owns a condo in Miami.

So, I wouldn't worry too, too much about a specific area that draws Canadians, as much as just pick the place you like, and then look for the Canadians who'll be there.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

My aunt and uncle also rent in New Smyrna Beach, they didn't go this year as the price was skyrocketing. But they love that area.

 

[isabellea]

My parents own a condo in Lauderdale Lakes (basically Fort Lauderdale) and 80% of the residents in their complex are Canadians. Many are from QC in that area but there's also many cars from ON.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Are you thinking of moving there year-round, or just for the winters? HUGE difference in weather. We have lived on both the west coast (BC) and in Ontario, visited both Texas/Arizona and often stay in FL where my parents have a house. There's a major difference in the dry heat of the west vrs. the humid stickiness in FL!

What do you mean by house? A lot of Canadians buy/rent mobile homes in parks, areas like Tarpon Springs are quite popular.

 

[Eeyore daily]

I live in Holiday so right next to Tarpon Springs and there seems to be a great influx of Canadian drivers here during winter. Houses in my neighborhood aren't too expensive and there seems to be a lot of Canadian Medical Shops here.

 

[Theta]

Are you thinking of moving there year-round, or just for the winters? HUGE difference in weather. We have lived on both the west coast (BC) and in Ontario, visited both Texas/Arizona and often stay in FL where my parents have a house. There's a major difference in the dry heat of the west vrs. the humid stickiness in FL!

What do you mean by house? A lot of Canadians buy/rent mobile homes in parks, areas like Tarpon Springs are quite popular.

We would probably be there part time. We have friends who bought homes in central Florida. Some acquaintances bought in The Villages and Leesburg. They said there were a handful from Ontario.

 

[Bowen Family]

We would probably be there part time. We have friends who bought homes in central Florida. Some acquaintances bought in The Villages and Leesburg. They said there were a handful from Ontario.

Just a friendly word of caution. My parents have been in The Villages for about 15 years. There is a ‘loonies and toonies’ club there for Canadians to connect with each other, and my parents are increasingly finding this is the only group they can socialize with. The politics in that place are really getting out of hand. They’re honestly afraid to get paired up with strangers for a round of golf, since people are constantly pressing and challenging you on your political beliefs and values. We used to love visiting The Villages. Not so much any more. You can’t even go out for dinner without being subjected to these absurd golf cart political rallies.

 

[Theta]

Just a friendly word of caution. My parents have been in The Villages for about 15 years. There is a ‘loonies and toonies’ club there for Canadians to connect with each other, and my parents are increasingly finding this is the only group they can socialize with. The politics in that place are really getting out of hand. They’re honestly afraid to get paired up with strangers for a round of golf, since people are constantly pressing and challenging you on your political beliefs and values. We used to love visiting The Villages. Not so much any more. You can’t even go out for dinner without being subjected to these absurd golf cart political rallies.

Oh my gosh! Not what I wanted to hear, but I suspected that the last time I visited, as there were few too many political hats and flags flying.

We have actually been to a Loonies and Toonies event and there were some good folk there.

 

[Bowen Family]

Oh my gosh! Not what I wanted to hear, but I suspected that the last time I visited, as there were few too many political hats and flags flying.

We have actually been to a Loonies and Toonies event and there were some good folk there.

The Villages has always leaned heavily in one direction, which is fine. My parents discovered that when renting there for a few years before they bought. And they used to be able to overlook it all because they loved the weather, low cost of living, year round golf, and active social life. But in the last few years they say it’s really just gotten too weird.

 

[lorenae]

I live on the central west coast in the winter. We have a mix of people from Scotland/Great Britain, Canada (particularly Ontario) and the midwest US. Also, for some reason, we have quite a few people who reside in Colorado in the summer. There are a few who migrated from South Florida when it got more crowded there as well.

It's a good mix of people, but not heavy to any one area at all. And the religious mix is interesting- Southern Baptist, Lutherans, and Catholics mostly, but we have a Jewish neighbor. It's sort of a "live and let live" neighborhood with no political signs or pressures.

 

[Sue M]

We grew up with my Dad having a condo in Tampa Bay, and that was just ok, not too many Canadians, and then he purchased a home in Deerfield Beach, love it there. Lots of Canadians, close to shopping, the Beach, not far from Miami et al.

We try to spend 4-6 weeks there from Dec 19 or so onwards. We attend a few hockey and basketball games, which aren’t far Either. Shopping is good, Boca is right next door!

We love Deerfield Beach. We’ve been going for years before WDW To visit family. So we spend 7-10 days in a motel style place a Block from the beach Along A1A that has full kitchens.
I haven’t run into too many Canadians there personally. I guess it depends on where you stay. But it’s a great place. Beach is clean and the town is safe. Lots of restaurants around and 5 min down the road, US1, from Boca.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

My parents loved Port Charlotte near Fort Myers, they spent many winters there very happily. They found the community through a Canadian company who specialize in 6 month rentals for Canadians. My neighbours across the hall spend winters in Sarasota at their condo there, they are boaters and seem to be a part of a Snowbird community there.

 

[Trainerdude]

My parents own a place in Bradenton in a park and they love it there. close to the beach and not too far from sarasota or Tampa if needed. I have been a few times and last time I visited was able to attend "Canada" night at the hall. Lot's of Canadians for sure..

 

[pigletto]

I live in Holiday so right next to Tarpon Springs and there seems to be a great influx of Canadian drivers here during winter. Houses in my neighborhood aren't too expensive and there seems to be a lot of Canadian Medical Shops here.

My grandparents had a place in Holiday when I was a child and visiting them there are some of my fondest memories.

 

[Theta]

I live on the central west coast in the winter. We have a mix of people from Scotland/Great Britain, Canada (particularly Ontario) and the midwest US. Also, for some reason, we have quite a few people who reside in Colorado in the summer. There are a few who migrated from South Florida when it got more crowded there as well.

It's a good mix of people, but not heavy to any one area at all. And the religious mix is interesting- Southern Baptist, Lutherans, and Catholics mostly, but we have a Jewish neighbor. It's sort of a "live and let live" neighborhood with no political signs or pressures.

Thank you for your info. Approx. where in central west coast is this community?

 

[Sue M]

Just a friendly word of caution. My parents have been in The Villages for about 15 years. There is a ‘loonies and toonies’ club there for Canadians to connect with each other, and my parents are increasingly finding this is the only group they can socialize with. The politics in that place are really getting out of hand. They’re honestly afraid to get paired up with strangers for a round of golf, since people are constantly pressing and challenging you on your political beliefs and values. We used to love visiting The Villages. Not so much any more. You can’t even go out for dinner without being subjected to these absurd golf cart political rallies.

I think that’s become true in a lot of places in Florida. We were sitting on a bus in Universal and a man sitting near us figured out we were Canadian. He asked (what I thought was an innocent Question) what we thought of our medical care. I answered that I was happy to have it, and I’ve recieved good care. Then things went downhill and he started lecturing me about the ills of our medical system and how we deny care to elderly. I wanted to shut down that conversation pretty quick so I looked at him and told him I live there, don’t lecture me on something you know nothing about!
Politics seems to be a powder keg these days.

 

[lorenae]

Thank you for your info. Approx. where in central west coast is this community?

I live in Ozello, an unincorporated area of Crystal River. It's a series of islands, connected by a road.