I’m looking to relocate to Florida. I’m pretty much done with wanting to hand a state $12k/year for state income taxes, amongst other screwings that the great state of Virginia provides. So with that, I’m looking to hear what Florida mariners can say, as far as best and economical cities to live in. I’m leaning towards the Pensacola area as of now. Any help would be appreciated.
I have lived in Florida since the early 90’s. I was in Naples for almost 10 years but got tired of putting up with all of the “Rich” that thought they were better thab everyone else, their parents were great people but the next generation sucked!
We came up to Central Florida *about 45 miles NNW from Orlando) to visit my Sister and Brother-In-Law and fell in love with the area. We can be at either coast in 45 minutes. We are in Lake County which as the name says has a lot of large lakes. We live on one that it about 2 x 5 miles, so if you like to fish fresh water this is the place to be.
The homes around here can be very reasonable, You can find a home with a couple of acres for right around $150,000 (or less if you take your time). Also, the Homeowners Taxes are very reasonable compared to living up North.
If you want more info PM me and we can talk more.
For salt water Dunedin, FLA.
[QUOTE=ForkandBlade;157205]I’m looking to relocate to Florida. I’m pretty much done with wanting to hand a state $12k/year for state income taxes, amongst other screwings that the great state of Virginia provides. So with that, I’m looking to hear what Florida mariners can say, as far as best and economical cities to live in. I’m leaning towards the Pensacola area as of now. Any help would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]
Hey Fork and Blade,
I did the same thing 12 years ago and do not regret it for one second. I looked in Navarre, FL but was in love with Destin. The thing about DEstin though were the outlandish housing prices. I settled in Fort Walton Beach, FL due to more affordable housing. I personally would stay away from Pensacola. If you are really sold on that area, pick Navarre. They have a lot more going for them than Pensacola. You have Mary Esther, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville. There are many developing areas in the panhandle better than P’cola.
I seriously considered Florida. If I were going to move to Florida, I would move to the central Keys. Talk about boating and fishing opportunities. Much better weather in the winter, and cooler in the summer. Pricey real estate, but it holds its value better and it sells faster. longterm it can only go up.
Another no tax state for someone from the Mid-Atlantic region to consider is Delaware.
Not for sure if you are just wanting to be around SALT water but don’t look past Tennessee either. I live in P’cola and looking for land in Tenn. to move to. Luckily I never found the right piece of land before the downturn.
Property taxes are not that cheap in Florida but still better than paying income tax.
I will not recommend where to move because enough is not giving to make that call. Schools is one example, are you retired military and if you want some land would be others (2-5 acres). What’s your hobbies would be something else to consider. If you like to go to events, then P’cola is a good choice. I don’t step foot on P’cola beach but go over to Orange Beach all the time.
In my day, I made the move to south Florida as a single man. As a youngster, I was not interested in buying property then (my mistake), but moving there was a good option for me since I was in Port Everglades, generally at least once or more each hitch. Economics is different now, of course, but I did enjoy my time in Lauderdale as things were pretty open back then. A few crew changes made without hopping on the big silver bird. . . .even the opportunity to visit the house and go through the mail during the hitch (or even more once I got married). . . . To be honest, I probably would have stayed down there if I kept sailing; but these things being what they are, I came ashore after a few years and took that ABS job in the Houston area. . . .
Thanks for all the advice. I think I’ve pretty much narrowed my areas down to Destin, Navarre, Milton, Cantonment and those areas. Other than Destin, the property taxes aren’t bad and the houses are very affordable.
Hurricane alley, shipmate.
I’ve been in Dunedin since 1981. It’s the peninsula on the peninsula. Dunedin and Clearwater have some of the best beaches in the world.
As stated above, Destin is hurricane Alley. My sister in law lost everything 3x from hurricanes coming through that area. Beware and good luck.
All so, The Panhandle can and does get COLD!!! As someone that used to live in South Florida, the Panhandle gets little too cold for my liking. Central Florida where I am now does get cold but it usually only lasts for a week before it gets nice again.
As for the Hurricanes, my Wife is an Insurance Agent and when we were looking to move out of Naples she wanted to be as far from the Coast / Coasts as possible. So, we are dead center of the State, If I had my choice I would be living on the East Coast or down in the Keys.
[QUOTE=ForkandBlade;157205]I’m looking to relocate to Florida. I’m pretty much done with wanting to hand a state $12k/year for state income taxes, amongst other screwings that the great state of Virginia provides. So with that, I’m looking to hear what Florida mariners can say, as far as best and economical cities to live in. I’m leaning towards the Pensacola area as of now. Any help would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]
Pensacola sucks. I grew up there and my dad was a naval officer (that’s why we moved here) and it still sucked. In Orlando right now but buying a house in the Orange Beach/ Foley, Alabama area soon. I don’t speak Spanish and am from America so Orlando isn’t for me… If you you know what I mean…
I lived in Sarasota on the west coast for 7 years, then Boca Raton for a year. West coast wasn’t so bad, but I second the Spanish issue. Very prevalent on the east coast. Mt. Dora, Lake county as mentioned earlier is very nice. It’s the real south; some farms, small town feel. Not too far from MCO.
Living back in North Carolina now, glad to be back closer to family when I’m gone 1/2 the year.
You need to be a quick drive or SuperShuttle ride from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa, or Orlando. Otherwise the airfare to/from work will be astronomical and negate the savings.
[QUOTE=ForkandBlade;157205]I’m looking to relocate to Florida. I’m pretty much done with wanting to hand a state $12k/year for state income taxes, amongst other screwings that the great state of Virginia provides. So with that, I’m looking to hear what Florida mariners can say, as far as best and economical cities to live in. I’m leaning towards the Pensacola area as of now. Any help would be appreciated.[/QUOTE]
NOTHING wrong with Jacksonville! Got an International Airport damn near in the middle so it’s easy to get to from just about anywhere. Certainly ain’t Hurricane Central. Been here for going on 8 years and MORE than happy with the decision. 4 seasons. It ain’t a big city like Tampa and it ain’t littered with senior citizens like Sarasota.
Are you born and raised from the North East? If so I wouldn’t be so sure of the Panhandle, it’s a different way of life. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but if you want less culture shock and less extreme temperatures, I would suggest East Central Florida.
Driving down Florida, in JAX there’s nothing but country on the radio. In Fort Lauderdale and down, you can’t fine a station in English. In Central Florida, it’s just kind of like anywhere else.
Had to laugh.
“It ain’t a big city like Tampa”. I tell people Tampa’s a hick town. Got a nice airport, tho.
Doesn’t have to be FL.
[ATTACH]4202[/ATTACH]
I would love to move to FL. Somewhere near Tampa or Ft Meyers/Naples.