[retiredguy123]

I would like to buy a beachfront condo close enough to The Villages for weekend trips. It will not be used as rental property. What city in Florida would you recommend that I look?

[Gerry P.]

I would try Marco Island. We own a condo on the island and love it. I also have a friend that owns two units in Island Manor on Marco that he needs to sell.
PM me and I can give you all the details.
I know you don't want to rent but the rental history on Marco @ Island Manor is incredible.

[John_W]

Pinellas County area, you have many choices from St. Petersburg Beach on the south end and working north to Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Redington Beach, Indian Rocks Beach to Clearwater Beach. The further north you go, the higher the prices. These are some of the most beautiful beaches in the USA, anywhere on the Gulf coast has nicer beaches and beautiful aqua-blue water, especially when compared to the Atlantic.

On St. Petersburg Beach you can find condos under $200K and in these beach areas in general most condos are going in the $200K to $400K range. They are only about a 2 hour drive from TV or even less depending on Tampa traffic.

The Marco Island the above poster mentioned might be a little self-servicing. It's a good 4 hour drive and the area prices are mostly in the $1 million dollar range. You didn't list a price range, but for a quick survey just go to Zillow.com, choose map and pick an area and list your requirements and look for yourself. You can write in St. Petersburg Beach and once the map comes up, you can get other areas information just by clicking on the map in those areas. I might be alittle bias since I grew up in St. Petersburg.

Clearwater Beach



Daytona Beach

[Chi-Town]

Originally Posted by John_W

Pinellas County area, you have many choices from St. Petersburg Beach on the south end and working north to Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Redington Beach, Indian Rocks Beach to Clearwater Beach. The further north you go, the higher the prices. These are some of the most beautiful beaches in the USA, anywhere on the Gulf coast has nicer beaches and beautiful aqua-blue water, especially when compared to the Atlantic.

On St. Petersburg Beach you can find condos under $200K and in these beach areas in general most condos are going in the $200K to $400K range. They are only about a 2 hour drive from TV or even less depending on Tampa traffic.

The Marco Island the above poster mentioned might be a little self-servicing. It's a good 4 hour drive and the area prices are mostly in the $1 million dollar range. You didn't list a price range, but for a quick survey just go to Zillow.com, choose map and pick an area and list your requirements and look for yourself. You can write in St. Petersburg Beach and once the map comes up, you can get other areas information just by clicking on the map in those areas. I might be alittle bias since I grew up in St. Petersburg.

Clearwater Beach



Daytona Beach

The OP wants a beach front condo, not a beach area. That's a whole new price point.


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[Chatbrat]

Palm Coast--not much traffic-less than 2 hrs from the Villages--Also the Atlantic is much cooler than the Gulf

[jane032657]

We own a condo direct Ocean Front, non obstructed view, take the elevator to the first floor, walk out to the pool and then down the steps and onto the beach. Older perfectly maintained building (I am on the Board), each unit has a deck overlooking the ocean. It is a drive on beach and located in Daytona Beach Shores. It is often very quiet but on weekends more active and holidays. Mornings and evenings the beach is empty. It is not terribly crowded ever. Condo's on direct oceanfront can be very reasonable in Daytona Beach Shores, which is much nicer than Daytona Beach in regards to the area. It is close to Wilbur by the Sea. I would suggest if you are interested in being right on the beach, with no obstruction, on the Atlantic which we find clean and lovely, that is another option. If you message me I can direct you to look at the condo to see what it is like and then you will have an idea if it is worth looking out that way.

[billethkid]

Include Siesta Key in your search, about a 2 hour ride.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Chi-Town

The OP wants a beach front condo, not a beach area. That's a whole new price point.


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They didn't give a price point, therefore I gave them a range of prices. If you want to face the water, for the best prices concentrate on St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island. The beachfront lowest is a 1 BR in the building below on St. Pete Beach for $250K, most are in the $400K to $500K range and a few in the $600K to $700K range. If you're willing to walk a couple of blocks, then it's like my earlier post, $200K to $400K is what you'll pay.

Real Estate - 137 Homes For Sale | Zillow



On Marco Island the lowest is a 1BR unit below for $385K in the building below, the rest are mostly in the $600K to $800K range and many well over a $million.

Marco Island Real Estate - Marco Island FL Homes For Sale | Zillow




When I was on St. Pete Beach in 2013 for my high school reunion, condo prices were very cheap. Units just a block off the sand were going for less than $100K. In 2012 FEMA was going to stop backing flood insurance because they were billions in debt. Suddenly a policy costing $20K a year was not uncommon. If you're moving into a flood zone area, make sure to know what the insurance costs area. They've rewritten flood zones and changed a lot of rules since 2014, here's a link to an article with some info.

Flood insurance rates set to increase April 1 - Sun Sentinel

[ConnieNonnie]

Hi. I ,too, own in Daytona Beach Shores. Direct Oceanfront. I rent my studio unit 2night min.
If you want to check out the area. When my parents built in TV in 1997, I knew I needed an
Oceanfront studio to get away to. I rented it out full time for awhile. In April we gutted & redid
The unit. It's only 70 miles from here. If interested, email me. ConnieLaux717@yahoo.com

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

Palm Coast--not much traffic-less than 2 hrs from the Villages--Also the Atlantic is much cooler than the Gulf

Yes, we've visited in Palm Coast in a condo on the beach and it is uncrowded in the winter, because it can be cold there. I've heard it is more populated in the summer. The difference in the Atlantic from the Gulf, I think, is that color of the Atlantic is a beautiful dark blue with deep water and waves, a real ocean, but with a brownish sand beach. The Gulf is relatively shallow with white beaches and sand and lots of people until you get to the Panhandle. In my view, the Atlantic side and the Gulf side are very different. It's all what you prefer.

[VApeople]

Beaches and their nearby communities are very different from each other. You might hate a beach that others love. That is why you have to visit each one to make your decision.

That is why it is nice to rent. You can try different places. We have rented condos in Fort Myers Beach and St. Augustine, very different types of places but we enjoyed both of them tremendously.