Part-Timing In Florida

[NH-to-FL]

Davenport is a perfect location, in my opinion. You are 20 minutes away from Disney, yet far enough away that it feels like you are living your day to day life, not living as a tourist. This is really important to differentiate that we are not on an extended vacation. Yet, on the other hand you are close enough for when you want that Disney magic.

Even though we bought a house in a community that allows short term rentals it feels like a home to us. Yes, we are surrounded by homes that rent out and the occupants come and go. But there are a few full time residents. And a few part time residents like us. School buses do make the rounds. We enjoy getting together with one retired couple who live up the street. When we are there we are, as 'aleksandr' says, just living our life. Twenty minutes from Disney.

I would stick to a home for sure.

There's lots of new development going on as well, but I also have concerns about the techniques and speed in which they put up these houses.

Yes, you do have to be careful about build quality. We made sure to buy a home built after the new hurricane protection requirements went into effect in 2002(?). We looked at a number of developments in Davenport. Some nice, some it was clear were starting to fall behind in care. We got a one story concrete block house built in 2004. Located in a very well maintained development. The kitchen and bathrooms are a bit 'dated' but in good shape. We do not need to have the latest tile/counters/cabinets. We made a very good deal on the property. But, as I mentioned above, we are now replacing the failing appliances. Expenses we budgeted for. The HOA does a very good job maintaining the yards and the common areas, keeping the community looking good. This is especially important since there is still new building going on in the community. Though the homes they are building now are mostly bigger, fancier, and much higher priced. Overall we remain very happy with our decision to purchase a home in Florida.

 

[spiceycat]

my experience in Al - first brought a mobile home in an area that was great - no pool, but they did cut the grass - it was wonderful - but one day one of my neighbor shot someone and the owners of the park immediately sold it. moved to a much more expensive area and hated it - the neighbors there were rude and not helpfully - now did have some great ones but they moved.

one of the tornadoes (AL has some every year) - finished it.

next condo - the first few years were great. Then because of deaths the HOA committee changed. it began more of you can't have that - so you can't what you need - it was down right silly. After some of the people who had difficulties with the others finally moved out. It did become better and I decided (after being retired ) to move to Florida. Have a house here - so only have myself to blame if something goes wrong.

what was so bad with mobile home and HOA - committee for the condo - was it was not in my control. Yes you voted for the people on the HOA - but some of our members were elderly and voted for some non-management type - and if you are having a problem - you were alone.

Right now happy in my house - but nothing has guarantees.

I wanted to live in Minneloa - it is a pretty nice area - but during the depression they got rid of the police. this area before had just about no crime at all - after this crime was at least a weekly thing if not a daily thing. Now pretty sure they have police again - so it should be a safe area. It is also along US27 - so it is in a traffic area.

If you want to live in a traffic area - near Interstates or major highways - criminals can and do use the same networks to do their crimes and get away easily.

Also looked in Kissimmee and Davenport - Davenport did not have the lakes that I wanted. Kissimmee well always make a habit of meeting the people who could be my neighbors - they HATED WDW. sorry moving to florida for WDW did not want to be around those who hated it.

So went with safety and fairly close to WDW - about hour to 90 minutes away - can actually do it in less than a hour - 43 to 53 miles (depending upon the WDW park) Tavares, FL it is the county seat of Lake county. So it has local, county, and state police - guess when you are single female - some things matter more. the worst crime is people breaking into cars. (this is a neighborhood where until lately - no doors were locked, and people left their car keys in the car) - I came from Birmingham and lock everything. So it is hard for me to understand not locking up everything.

It is about the same time to either the gulf or ocean - now they are definitely further away than WDW - but since the area is surrounded by lakes and started long before WDW - you have to go around several lakes.

Minneola is about 30 minutes away from WDW (sometimes less others more - depending upon traffic and the lights) it is 20 to 35 miles away

Orange County is the only one near WDW that has no short term rentals - period.

forgot - have owned DVC since 93 - now in those years it was good bargain - although few here believed it. Now would go with resales even with the junk that DVC has put on resales - they can't do much besides the DVC part. but if that is all you are interested in then you are fine.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Your parents, if retired, may want to look into declaring FL their primary residence if you do go through with a purchase. There is no state income tax in FL, which could be another saving overall depending on where you are from.

 

[dekraut]

It sounds like you are being careful not to let your emotions and excitement of a life near Disney take over your thinking.

Thank you. We are actually too careful, if there is such a thing, and won't do it unless it makes sense in the numbers. We are unfortunately too practical sometimes. Usually that works in our favor, but sometimes I feel like we miss out on some extra "irresponsible" fun because of it.

I would stick to a home for sure.

I think this is the direction we are focused now. As much as being a long-distance landlord stinks, there is at least the possibility of renting it out and using a prop services company to manage it. Not sure if it will be worth it in the end, but owning our own home with or without renting it out to friends or family, might be our best option.

Davenport is a perfect location, in my opinion.

I am unfamiliar with Davenport, but I will certainly add it to the list of places we are considering. Thank you!

 

[dekraut]

Now would go with resales even with the junk that DVC has put on resales

I actually have interest in buying points from DVC members, especially if we don't end up buying things in Florida, but dealing "privately" always makes me nervous. I know there are official sites used to buy points, but I haven't educated myself on how that works well enough to feel comfortable trying it.

Thanks for your info!