Retiring in Central Florida?

[pwdebbie]

Thanks for all the input. Solvita looks very appealing. And yes, I will definitely check out the taxes and insurance. I'm a detail person and like to have the full picture. We can't do anything right this minute, but changes may be coming our way in the near future and I want to have researched some viable options. The Villages and Grand Island are a little further from WDW than I would choose (we don't drive 90 minutes to go places now, I won't expect that to change in the future). And Windemere is a little pricey for us. But keep those suggestions coming!

 

[geffric]

I can't personally vouch for it but my old boss retired and moved to a town called Homosassa, FL. Sorry if the spelling is off. It is not a retirement community; however, the majority of the residents in his neighborhood are retired (it is a golf course community). He was pretty happy with the prices and it has a smaller town feel than some other communities he looked at. I believe he is closer to Tampa that Orlando but can get to Orlando in about 90 minutes.

I have an Aunt in that area.. it looks lovely..

 

[portocall]

I was going to have you check out the Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda area as well. Beautiful place. Arcadia isn't bad either.

 

[Art 1]

Palm Valley in Oviedo. Lots of places for sale. 55 and over.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The 55 age limit is a Federal law to get around age discrimination rules. But following this law is the only way they can restrict people under 18 from being residents.

 

[GeorgeG]

Taxes and insurance depend on two basic things:
1) How far you live from either coast.
2) If your house is constructed according to the latest Florida building codes.

Well-built homes in the inland counties do have much lower insurance rates and, aside from the immediate Orlando area, the taxes are lower. Bottom line, it costs to be near the coast.

We're in The Villages and we can be from our driveway to the Epcot gate in an hour (I'm told I drive too slow...).

There are some nice communities, not necessarily retirement communities, where you don't need to be 55+ to buy. We have a few of them right near here.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Ridgewood Lakes/High Vista & Del Webb Orlando are in Davenport. There are beautiful lakes & walking areas right within the communities. Although only 15 min or so from WDW, we found the surrounding area to be quite rural but with many restaurants, shopping & medical facilities very close by. And did I mention only 15 min to WDW???

 

[Acklander]

I'm about as far from a financial expert as you can get, but it seems like I've heard more than one money guru advise agaisnt paying cash for a house. Of course it's different in all situations but thought I'd throw that out there.

Good luck with your search.

Your tax/financial situation changes once you retire so they would be looking at it from a different perspective.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I suggest www.city-data.com and www.zipskinny.com to check out demographics, cost of living, tax info tc. for any of the cities you are considering.

Try google mapping out an area too. I saw more deer the last time we went to FL than I ever see here in a semi-rural area. I was surprised.