Moving to Florida Beach Town ***(WHICH ONE???)***

[SNylund]

We're getting close to having to get serious about our big move to Florida!! We are still going to do one more tour of the rim starting from Pensacola - Panama City Beach - Clearwater - Naples area - Ft. Lauderdale area - West Palm Beach area and then up towards Cocoa Beach.

We have hit most spots here and there in scouting trips (Except the Naples area and I've heard this area is maybe the best of all). We are still undecided and a big part of the decision will of course be the best house for the best price with the best possible location (on the beach hopefully, or at least near beach.)

She likes the West Palm Beach/Jupiter area, and I'm ok with it, I could deal with the panhandle area (Pensacola/Panama City Beach) but she doesn't like this area because of the fact it gets colder in the winter in this area than the other. But I like it because of the white sand and really clear/emerald green water.

Any suggestions? Any thoughts on best weather/best beach area/ best town etc. Our budget is decent, but we're not in the $5 million dollar plus home market or anything. We're looking at a payment of anywhere from $1500 to maybe $3000 a month. We may both want to go with the Naples area if it turns out to be as nice as we've heard, but as mentioned, we've never been to this area. Thoughts and comments from those with more experience in these areas would be great, thanks.

 

[npmommie]

Hi,
My dh was stationed USCG in clearwater ( we lived in clearwater beach ) and cape canaveral ( we lived in satellite beach which is south of cocoa beach ).

both coasts have their pluses and minuses. personally i like the gulf coast. i liked clearwater beach a lot.
i can't speak on housing since it was military and paid for........

but I know we did look at purchasing a home in clearwater beach and they were reasonable priced.

good luck deciding!

 

[sbsteel]

I'm in the Clearwater area and we really like it here (we've been here about two years now). Naples is very nice, but I think the Clearwater/St. Petersburg/Tampa area has a lot to offer and is a short drive from Orlando and Sarasota. Housing prices are reasonable and taxes aren't bad.

Clearwater Beach is nice and the sand is so nice. I would definitely pick the gulf coast over the Atlantic coast if you're going to be spending a lot of time at the beach.

 

[AshleyW]

My parents just moved to Dunedin in February - right by Clearwater. They both seem to really love it. They spent a TON of time at the beach, and when they're not there, they can always find something fun to do. I haven't been there yet (going in December!!) so I can't attest to it personally, but my mom is always raving about the area.

 

[eeyore65]

I am on the East coast and really love the atlantic beaches. I live about two blocks from the beach and it is VERY expensive here to live close to the beach. You certainly wouldn't be able to buy a house with an ocean view for under $5mm. Maybe a condo, or a house in a nearby beach community. In my beach community, small 2-3bdrm homes that are older and need some work go for $500,000- to $1,000,000. There are just not many houses really near the beach because it is a barrier island so they go for a premium. But I love being able to walk to the beach after work!

I like the Jupiter area but I like the more urban environment and what So East FL has to offer. That is what is great about FL so many beaches to choose from! There is something for everyone.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We live in Brevard County and Beachside properties (dependent on specific size, age, location) can run from mid-$100s to the millions. There is a long barrier island and that is where your "beachside" properties are.

I do like that even if you live mainland (you tend to get a larger home/lot for the same amount of money) that it is a quick ride to the beach.

Except for Cocoa, I like that the beach community isn't touristy where we are at.

The variables you want to look for when choosing your beach time:

Employment opportunities (we are engineering heavy and KSC and their subcontractors will be laying off a bit of folks as the shuttle program is ending--though there is behind the scenes talk that this could be a short term problem that will go away when a replacement program activates).

Proximity to the beach (how short or long a drive to the beach).

What you want your beach to "look" like--the Emerald Coast (up in Destin) has beautiful green waters and white sand beaches, gulf coast tends to have a bit more "shore" (amount of sand that defines the beach). Our beachs--the water is a bit more gray/dark at times as the currents stir up all of the sand. The shore line is more "narrow"--and it is not too level in certain portions (i.e. when you are laying out--you can fill the "slant" of the shoreline.) But surfing is good where we are at.

Overall community. Around here, beachside style is a bit more laid back and relaxed.

We can walk to the beach from our house--Zillow presently has us at $209K in value, but that is give or take about $10-$15K (actually more--"take"). This is for 1500 sf on a .23 acre lot. I live off of A1A. Middle Income homes are in the ball park of $250-$400,000.

 

[5 'LIL *TWINKERS*]

Don't have any recommendations for you, just wanna say YOU'RE A LUCKY BUM!!!!

 

[perdidobay]

I don't live in florida but have a place on the beach in the Pensacola area.
Love it, but if it came to full time living I would move to the Clearwater area.
The water and beach is just as pretty as it is in the panhandle and it is 10 degrees warmer in the winter.
Plus it's so close to theme parks, spring training games and cruise ports!

 

[Muushka]

I used to live in Jupiter. A very nice area. I lived on the barrier island portion, 1 mile from the beach. The houses are currently going for around 330K to upwards of a million depending on location. These are 1850 sq ft 3/2 2 car garage.

Good luck!

 

[SNylund]

Don't have any recommendations for you, just wanna say YOU'RE A LUCKY BUM!!!!

Believe me its a long time coming with a lot of hard work involved.

Does anyone know if the water and sand is clearer/nicer in the Naples area as opposed to the CLearwater/Tampa area. The only place I've really spent time at in the Clearwater area was in the Treasure Island area outside of Tampa/Clearwater and I don't know if I was just there in a bad time of year, or what, but the water was very merky/dark, not clear at all like the Destin area. Is Naples more like Destin? It kind of looks that way from the pictures.

 

[golfgal]

Believe me its a long time coming with a lot of hard work involved.

Does anyone know if the water and sand is clearer/nicer in the Naples area as opposed to the CLearwater/Tampa area. The only place I've really spent time at in the Clearwater area was in the Treasure Island area outside of Tampa/Clearwater and I don't know if I was just there in a bad time of year, or what, but the water was very merky/dark, not clear at all like the Destin area. Is Naples more like Destin? It kind of looks that way from the pictures.

No, the sand in Naples is crushed shells and not very good for barefoot walking. The water isn't any different there then any lake or other part of the ocean along the Atlantic (I know, Naples is gulf side). I don't like the Naples area personally, it is very crowded and expensive and actually pretty dumpy in the public areas. There are some amazing homes there though.

 

[tegdig]

I agree with the beach walking comment about the Naples area. I have been there and have spent considerable time walking the beaches on Sanibel too. Although it is beautiful, and fun to see and collect the shells, it is harder beachwalking.
I adore the texture and the color of the sand along the Gulf coast much better than the Atlantic coast. My favorite area is the Sarasota area or mid/coast on the gulf....I just like the feel of that side versus the East coast.
Have you been able to spend actual time in the areas that you are looking into? Living in an area is sometimes a lot different than vacationing in an area.
Sounds like an exciting adventure for you!!!!! Good luck!