We have looked at homes in the Villages, and really enjoyed our visit, but we've decided that we would like to live closer to the water. We are looking in the Sarasota/Venice area. Does anyone have any suggestions for 55+ communities in that area? Our budget is $250K to $400K and are more interested in the beach than golfing. Thanks in advance for your help. After spending time in the Villages we can see why so many have chosen it as their place to retire!

[ilovetv]

Many of us can relate to wanting to be on or near the Gulf beaches. But be careful about ability to get good homeowner insurance with hurricane coverage.

Also be aware of this jolt to the ability to get flood insurance in coastal areas (and designated inland areas, too).

Originally Posted by janmcn

New flood insurance rules have consequences for Florida's economy | Tampa Bay Times

Read this article for an update on what's happening to flood insurance rates in Florida effective Oct 1 because of the Biggert-Waters Act passed by congress in 2012. One new home owner's rates are increasing from $1700 per year to $10,000 to $12,000 per year.

These are some of the many reasons we chose to buy in Central Florida and TV in particular.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by hollander

We have looked at homes in the Villages, and really enjoyed our visit, but we've decided that we would like to live closer to the water. We are looking in the Sarasota/Venice area. Does anyone have any suggestions for 55+ communities in that area? Our budget is $250K to $400K and are more interested in the beach than golfing. Thanks in advance for your help. After spending time in the Villages we can see why so many have chosen it as their place to retire!

I would suggest you look in the Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral area if "beach" is your passion. Because of the recent layoffs at NASA and others involved in the Space program you will find some real estate bargains along this coast of Florida. In addition, the beaches are beautiful. Good luck.

[buggyone]

Check out the planned community of Ave Maria which is near Naples.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by hollander

We have looked at homes in the Villages, and really enjoyed our visit, but we've decided that we would like to live closer to the water. We are looking in the Sarasota/Venice area. Does anyone have any suggestions for 55+ communities in that area? Our budget is $250K to $400K and are more interested in the beach than golfing. Thanks in advance for your help. After spending time in the Villages we can see why so many have chosen it as their place to retire!

I don't know if you are familiar with Where to Retire magazine but if you are not, you may want to get a subscription to this magazine or check out back issues at your local library. It is designed for those who want to relocate to different areas of the U.S. during their retirement.

[gomoho]

As someone has already mentioned - be sure to make the ability and cost of flood insurance a contingency in your contract. The government no longer subsidizes flood insurance effective 10/1 and we are hearing horror stories of people paying $10k+ a year for just flood insurance.

[784caroline]

The only developments that are highlighted or even make it into the "Where To Retire" magazine are the ones willing to advertise in their magazine. There is nothing independent about that publication.

We will subscribe to Where to Retire magazine and will drive to Ave Maria to check it out! Thank you for the insurance tips, we will check before we buy. Hope everyone has a great weekend and Thanks Again!

[NotGolfer]

talk to the locals too! Some folks love a place while vacationing only to move there and it's not as it seemed!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by hollander

We have looked at homes in the Villages, and really enjoyed our visit, but we've decided that we would like to live closer to the water. We are looking in the Sarasota/Venice area. Does anyone have any suggestions for 55+ communities in that area? Our budget is $250K to $400K and are more interested in the beach than golfing. Thanks in advance for your help. After spending time in the Villages we can see why so many have chosen it as their place to retire!

Yes. I am a person that vowed never to retire to Florida. But here I am.

Happy as a clam. Or a frog...smack dab in the middle of Florida where there was once a bunch of useless, cheap, land.

Living with a bunch of old-er people who I think are great fun.

Who knew that life really begins somewhere in the area of 70 years of age.

Love it. love it love it.

[jojo]

My parents wintered in Venice and so we visited for years. It is beautiful. Check out beach access as traffic is brutal. There are some new home developments south of Venice off of 41 that are more accessible to the beach. I like Englewood which is south of Venice. Sarasota is lovely but very congested.

[dengid]

Ava Maria is in the sticks. A good 30-35 miles from the beach

[Carl in Tampa]

Things to consider when deciding between the Atlantic beaches and the Gulf beaches in Florida.

1. Will you get more enjoyment out of watching sunrises over the water or sunsets over the water? (I prefer sunsets.)

2. Be aware many more hurricanes strike the gulf side of Florida as compared to the Atlantic side.

3. Do you want to be directly on the beach (incredibly expensive) or just on a waterway like a canal? There are many more canal developments on the Gulf side than the Atlantic side.

4. What is your expectation for winter time? Living south of State Road 60, running east to west across the state, puts you in the relatively frost-free area of the state with regard to having plants in your yard that will not have to be protected from the cold.

Wherever you settle will probably turn out to be a good choice for you. Happy retirement.

[senior citizen]

.........................

[manaboutown]

I eventually developed pneumonia after spending a week or so on Longboat Key off Sarasota back in the eighties. The Red Tide initiated bronchial problems which eventually led to my hospitalization. I could not live in an area experiencing Red Tide.