[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.

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

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!!!

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

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

[Aloha1]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

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]

Originally Posted by John41

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.