FL move: Villages or shoreline?

[ZippyFireRider]

Hi guys: I'm a single guy less than a year away from retiring and moving to FL.
It seems to me there are two choices:
1) Move to TV get a house and cart and make lots of new friends and commence with having fun.
2) Move to the shore area to enjoy what makes FL special, the awesome beautiful beach communities that put you in that everyday vacation spirit.

Has anyone struggled with this decision prior to deciding on TV?

[rustyp]

Hi guys: I'm a single guy less than a year away from retiring and moving to FL.
It seems to me there are two choices:
1) Move to TV get a house and cart and make lots of new friends and commence with having fun.
2) Move to the shore area to enjoy what makes FL special, the awesome beautiful beach communities that put you in that everyday vacation spirit.

Has anyone struggled with this decision prior to deciding on TV?

#2 can include the attributes of choice #1 however #1 can not include the attributes of #2. My decision was easier than your will be since I don't like the beach.

[Lottoguy]

Shoreline like by the gulf or ocean? Make sure you can afford the insurance at those locations. Hurricane insurance is expensive.

[CFrance]

My neighbor had a condo at the beach. He said all they did was go to the beach and then decide where to go out to eat. He moved to TV in order to be more active. If you decide on the beach, look for a private community that would have amenities and a club.

[rustyp]

Hi guys: I'm a single guy less than a year away from retiring and moving to FL.
It seems to me there are two choices:
1) Move to TV get a house and cart and make lots of new friends and commence with having fun.
2) Move to the shore area to enjoy what makes FL special, the awesome beautiful beach communities that put you in that everyday vacation spirit.

Has anyone struggled with this decision prior to deciding on TV?

I missed the part of you being a single guy just retiring (assumption fairly young). I have had several friends visit me that fall more into your demographics than mine. They all decided the fishing is better by the sea.

[wrestle1]

You can only walk the beach and stare at the water so many times. TV is in the middle of the state and a short drive to either coast. If you’re looking to stay active with a variety of things to do every day TV is the choice

[John_W]

I grew up on the coastline, graduated St. Petersburg High '68, and also lived in Pensacola for six years. I miss the beach, but when I lived there I only went a couple of times a year, which you can accomplish with a two hour drive from TV. Other activities for me would be golf, yes there are courses nearby, but many are private or require part membership, or are more expensive. Homes near the water require higher insurance rates and maybe even flood insurance. Then the hurricanes, here in TV I've ridden out two without leaving, at the beach, you'll be evacuating.

If you needed proving, go to Treasure Island or St. Pete Beach and look for a condo for under $200K, it won't on the beach but within a few blocks. See how it goes, after a year if you don't like, you can resell it and at very least break even. If you don't mind college kids and like being around younger people, families, spring breakers, go to Panama City Beach. A whole lot of condos there for 30 miles, beautiful beaches and a lot of things to do. They get more real winter weather however.

My neighbor that I play golf with, for some reason has gotten really into fishing big time. He and wife have gone to the beach just about every week for the past year. They even spent a week in Destin in the panhandle and two trips to Key Largo in the Keys. Their favorite place is Venice Beach, they were just there for a week. I haven't been to Venice in 40 years, so I can't tell you much about it. For really good prices look at Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte areas, you can get a masonry home on a canal with a pool for in the $300,000 range. Here's a link.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/house,condo,townhouse_type/?searchQueryState=%7B%22mapBounds%22%3A%7B%22west% 22%3A-82.20916314651889%2C%22east%22%3A-82.00831933548373%2C%22south%22%3A26.9079316675672 %2C%22north%22%3A27.030632151910062%7D%2C%22isMapV isible%22%3Atrue%2C%22filterState%22%3A%7B%22ah%22 %3A%7B%22value%22%3Atrue%7D%2C%22mf%22%3A%7B%22val ue%22%3Afalse%7D%2C%22manu%22%3A%7B%22value%22%3Af alse%7D%2C%22land%22%3A%7B%22value%22%3Afalse%7D%2 C%22apa%22%3A%7B%22value%22%3Afalse%7D%7D%2C%22isL istVisible%22%3Atrue%2C%22mapZoom%22%3A13%7D

[Bilyclub]

Unless you're right on the beach what's the difference ? Those storm surges are getting bigger and scarier.

[KsJayhawkers]

We love the beach as well but hate the devastation caused by the salt water. As others have said, it breaks down to personal choice and what you will enjoy doing in retirement. For the beach, I really like the Naples area and beaches. Lots of golf, water activities, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment. For The Villages, I chose it for the beauty, people, golf, activities, restaurants, and like-minded individuals. I think you would find more of a "neighborhood" feel in TV.

[ZippyFireRider]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the responses and perspectives.
I'm 64 and was either thinking TV for all the fun or Sarasota area for the beach and local flavor. You folks are right, those HOA fees can run easily > $700 / mo.
In TV I presume there's so many options of things to do and new friends to meet that you do not miss being within 20 minutes of beach.

[JohnN]

My good buddy lives in Sarasota and he likes it there, but that's his home town too.
I like The VIllages, and then to visit the beach for a bit now and then.

[John_W]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the responses and perspectives.
I'm 64 and was either thinking TV for all the fun or Sarasota area for the beach and local flavor. You folks are right, those HOA fees can run easily > $700 / mo.
In TV I presume there's so many options of things to do and new friends to meet that you do not miss being within 20 minutes of beach.

If you do come to TV, there are singles clubs. There is 3 squares with a live bands and plenty dancing everyday. There is many bars, the MVP Gym at Brownwood I go to has a lot of women and many are single, there's a lot of places. My neighbor who is single and when he wants to meet and talk to women goes to City Fire outside bar at LSL. He also used match.com and met a nice girl that way.

The Villages Singles Club | (https://tvsinglesclub.com/)

City Fire at Lake Sumter Landing, is always packed.

https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/136417954_1835480239949833_7693788078239717508_n.j pg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=bNpqW_SUSB0AX99bp8K&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=1d0d575e66ed95a37954d8865bda5c78&oe=601BCE20

Brownwood Square gets some of the younger residents and has some big crowds.

https://www.thevillagesentertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/brownwood.jpg

Check out the squares on the webcams.

The Villages Squares Webcams (http://www.stockers.ch/thevillages/)

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Zippy, I'm a recent retiree and also single. I struggled with the same decision so I did both. I have a house in the Villages and one in southeast Florida two miles from the beach.

If you can't do both, it comes down to a decision between wanting all the activities and other attractions of the Villages, or do you want the beach lifestyle? Unless you'd like to be at the beach or on the water almost every day, my opinion is that the Villages will keep you more engaged with a wider variety of things to do in your retirement.

If you consider doing both like some of us here, you might be surprised how cheap a decent condo can be near the beach. Check out condos on or near Daytona Beach.

This also comes right to mind, in Delray Beach, a happening place in southeast Florida. You can still get a one bedroom for under $50k. But yes, condos have monthly fees. You can expect $250-600 for those, for all the amenities, water, cable, etc. Kings Point, Delray Beach, FL Real Estate & Homes for Sale | realtor.com(R) (https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Kings-Point_Delray-Beach_FL)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I was also very torn over these two choices. I grew up in a beach town and love the beach. One of my two complaints about The Villages is that it is so far from a good beach. The other is that it is so far from a major highway.

I think that I ended up here #1 because I could afford it. If I was going to live near a beach, it would be on the Gulf and preferably Clearwater, or Naples. But real estate there is so much more and insurance is outrageous because of potential hurricane damage.

In retrospect, it's been a great move. Although I do miss being able to go to the beach as much as I would have liked, there is so much to do here that it makes up for it. I can drive to Clearwater Beach a few times a year and get my fix. I don't know what I'd be doing with myself every day if I lived there however.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Zippy, Fort Island Gulf beach is the closest beach to the Villages - a little over an hour away. Like the old daily commute for many of us when we worked!

[pmbinnj]

US News & World Reports just rated Sarasota as "#1 best place to retire" in US.
Sarasota was also ranked #16 as best place to live for all ages.
If you're consdering the shoreline then that seems to be a good place to visit.

[rustyp]

Zippy - Did you also propose your question to the residents of Sarasota (like a next door neighbor site or equivalent of TOTV) ? Of course that would be the best way to get of a getting a fair evaluation. I would be interested in their replies.

[John41]

Hi guys: I'm a single guy less than a year away from retiring and moving to FL.
It seems to me there are two choices:
1) Move to TV get a house and cart and make lots of new friends and commence with having fun.
2) Move to the shore area to enjoy what makes FL special, the awesome beautiful beach communities that put you in that everyday vacation spirit.

Has anyone struggled with this decision prior to deciding on TV?

We didnt even consider anyplace but SE coast of Florida because of the weather being much better than Central Florida. Cooler in the Summer and warmer in the Winter. After the hurricanes we moved to The Villages and dont regret the decision. But do miss the beach.

[buzzy]

Good grief, don't be influenced by people who have never lived by the beach. At your age and single, go for it. Buy something simple, not in a FEMA flood zone. Even better, rent a condo and spend the rest on a boat. Florida's crown jewel is its shoreline. Can be a life changing experience. Doesn't have to be forever. Save The Villages for when you are ready to slow down.

Ron (Long Island, North Palm Beach, The Villages)

[Swoop]

We had a house in Key Largo for 14 years. As we got closer to full retirement we spent more and more time down there. While we were still working it was great. Relaxing fishing, diving, fun bars and restaurants. But that can only keep you so busy. We visited friends in The Villages and were sold on the amount of physical activity. After 2 years in The Villages, we sold the house in Key Largo. We bought another boat and keep it at Crystal River so I can still fish. When we want a beach day, we go to Clearwater. Building in The Villages was a great decision for us, absolutely no regrets!!

[DeanFL]

.
.
simple answer. Do #1>

1) Move to TV get a house and cart and make lots of new friends and commence with having fun.

And simply wait for some time, perhaps a decade or two. If the Global Warming folks are correct, The Villages will be prime Florida beachfront (both Ocean & Gulf) properties

2) Move to the shore area to enjoy what makes FL special, the awesome beautiful beach communities that put you in that everyday vacation spirit.

[John41]

Shoreline like by the gulf or ocean? Make sure you can afford the insurance at those locations. Hurricane insurance is expensive.

So is sinkhole insurance!!!

[John41]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the responses and perspectives.
I'm 64 and was either thinking TV for all the fun or Sarasota area for the beach and local flavor. You folks are right, those HOA fees can run easily > $700 / mo.
In TV I presume there's so many options of things to do and new friends to meet that you do not miss being within 20 minutes of beach.

If you are thinking of the coast here are some suggestions: Stuart (we lived there 20 years), Port St Lucie, Fort Pierce, Sebastian, Jupiter, Melborne, Sarasota.
Honestly, while we love The Villages, we were shocked when we drove through the Leesburg area 14 years ago at the dumpiness of the area outside The Villages. Its improved since then a little but do miss Stuart.

[stanley]

More bang for the buck here in The Villages, that's why I made the move here. If I could afford more, The Villages would not be my first choice.

Edited:

The single life for a mid to younger 60's male is not all that's cracked up to be here....that is ...unless you are into "mature" "single"?? women a decade or two older. The truth hurts!

[Art cov]

If you really love the beach rent for a month or two to really get a feel. Siesta key, Naples, between St Pete and Clearwater or many Atlantic coast area’s then rent in TV for 2 months. Nothing like the feel of looking out over the water and going for the walk on the beach. But community, activities, ect in TV is hard to beat. Traffic and people are everywhere especially winter. Or buy in TV and spend a couple weeks a quarter at the beach. Singles are everywhere and easy to meet. That depends on you. Wish you the best!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Thanks guys I really appreciate the responses and perspectives.
I'm 64 and was either thinking TV for all the fun or Sarasota area for the beach and local flavor. You folks are right, those HOA fees can run easily > $700 / mo.
In TV I presume there's so many options of things to do and new friends to meet that you do not miss being within 20 minutes of beach.

I lived in Sarasota back in the 80s but not on any of the keys. But it was a 15 minute drive to Siesta Key Beach. It was nice but I don't know what I'd do there now. Back then we were raising kids and working so it was a different life.

[golfing eagles]

I was also very torn over these two choices. I grew up in a beach town and love the beach. One of my two complaints about The Villages is that it is so far from a good beach. The other is that it is so far from a major highway.


I take it you don't consider I-75 or the Turnpike major highways????

[Aloha1]

US News & World Reports just rated Sarasota as "#1 best place to retire" in US.
Sarasota was also ranked #16 as best place to live for all ages.
If you're consdering the shoreline then that seems to be a good place to visit.

Sarasota has become an overcrowded area. I remember when University Parkway from 41 was a 2 lane road up to I-75. Now it's an 8 lane divided highway with mega malls on either side . We have friends living about 10 minutes from SR41. It takes them almost 50 minutes on any given day to get to St. Armands Circle.

[Topspinmo]

I take it you don't consider I-75 or the Turnpike major highways????

Only run north and south as most major highway in Florida except I-10 and I-75 across Everglades. Fine in you’re going north or south.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

We didnt even consider anyplace but SE coast of Florida because of the weather being much better than Central Florida. Cooler in the Summer and warmer in the Winter. After the hurricanes we moved to The Villages and dont regret the decision. But do miss the beach.

I can vouch for that. The reason I'm not in the Villages year round is because the winters are waaaay too cold in the Villages. (This winter is an exception because I'm remodeling). And summers too hot. Southeast FL's climate is much better those two seasons.