Venice Florida

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Originally Posted by Razor

Anyone know anything about the Panama City area?

Stick with Venice.

[REWahoo]

Doc, you don't think much of the Redneck Riviera?

[Razor]

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa

Stick with Venice.

Why do you say that? Venice still is at the top of the list, but we want to explore other possibilities.
Every place looks good on the internet.

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Originally Posted by Razor

Why do you say that? Venice still is at the top of the list, but we want to explore other possibilities.
Every place looks good on the internet.

Well, in fairness I don't have in-depth first hand knowledge. It has a strong element of tourist mania, and is a notorious spring break destination, hibernating much of the remaining months. Nice beaches. Not close to a big urban center, though Tallahassee not too far. Half a million spring-breakers this year.

Cities I like in Florida (besides Venice and Sarasota) include Tallahassee, Gainesville, Vero Beach, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Tampa (not necessarily as a destination retirement city). Longtimers like Moemg and LG4NB will have better information.

[Moemg]

I not really a longtimer in Florida only 12 years but I agree with Rich's selection of towns . The Panama City area does seem to get hit with hurricanes more often then the rest of western Florida .

[Razor]

Thanks for the input. We do want to be close to the gulf. Anyplace in the panhandle worth looking in to?

[RhysOrd]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum, mid 50's, and also very interested in learning more about the Venice area as a possible retirement destination, primarily during the winter months.

My wife and I are heading down from New Jersey in May for a few days to get a feel for the area. We're hoping to stay in Venice a few nights and travel up the coast a bit for a few more nights.

We are too many years away from retirement to look at actual houses for sale with a realtor, but would like to drive around the neighborhoods a bit, both on and off Venice Island. I like the idea of spending winters in a gated community with a clubhouse, pool, and maintenance paid through a HOA; she likes the idea of being closer to the beach with a private lot and no HOA to deal with. We have a lot of time to consider both options. If anyone has any recommendations on neighborhoods to check out, I'd love to hear. I imagine if communities are "gated" you can't go easily driving through them to gawk. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

Rhys

[Moemg]

There are tons of developments in Venice with deed restrictions so they are very nice but not necessarily gated . If you drive Jacaranda Blvd . you will see several that you can drive thru .also Venice Ave . has a lot of those kind of developments . I lived in the Isles in Chestnut creek and loved it because it was so centrally located . I think there is a lot of development going on below Venice in what was Taylor ranch ( straight down rt.41 ) . To live on the island you pay a high price ( maybe lower now ) for a house that needs a lot of work . If you stay in Venice for a few days I'd highly recommend The Inn at the Beach . It's across from the Beach and walking distance to restaurants and shops .Hope this helps !

[Khan]

Originally Posted by REWahoo

Doc, you don't think much of the Redneck Riviera?

Panama City is way over developed; Gulf Shores ( the original Redneck Riviera) is tending that way (see Orange Beachless).

[RhysOrd]

Moemg,

Thanks! We are staying at Inn on the Beach for those first two nights. I hope to see a little of Sarasota as well.

Rhys

[Moemg]

Originally Posted by RhysOrd

Moemg,

Thanks! We are staying at Inn on the Beach for those first two nights. I hope to see a little of Sarasota as well.

Rhys

If you are going to Sarasota from Venice go rt.41 slower but more scenic . Plus check out downtown Sarasota lots of sidewalk cafes and little shops . If you need more info please feel free to PM me . I lived in Venice for six years. Funny story how I ended up in Venice . My husband & I were looking at property in Sarasota & Bradenton . We were on a flight down from New Jersey to scope out the area and the man in the next seat said " Look at Venice " . We did and we fell in love with the area and moved there .

[calmloki]

Today we looked at a 55+ mobile park right on the intercoastal just at the bridge into Venice from Nokomis. A tiny old 1 bedroom with a boat tieup right outside is for rent for $1100 short term or $650/month long term. That includes sewer/water/garbage and lawn care. Tenant pays electric/propane. There was a somewhat larger trailer for sale on it's own land for $60k, not on the water. Taxes are claimed to be $650/year, though that would probably be higher for a new buyer, and $1100/year tenant fees, which, again, cover sewer, water, garbage, and lawn care.

Had dinner at Pelican Bay, right under the bridge to Casey Key. good grouper, GREAT cuban black beans and rice! Tracked down Althea's for tomorrow

[Moemg]

Originally Posted by calmloki

Today we looked at a 55+ mobile park right on the intercoastal just at the bridge into Venice from Nokomis. A tiny old 1 bedroom with a boat tieup right outside is for rent for $1100 short term or $650/month long term. That includes sewer/water/garbage and lawn care. Tenant pays electric/propane. There was a somewhat larger trailer for sale on it's own land for $60k, not on the water. Taxes are claimed to be $650/year, though that would probably be higher for a new buyer, and $1100/year tenant fees, which, again, cover sewer, water, garbage, and lawn care.

Had dinner at Pelican Bay, right under the bridge to Casey Key. good grouper, GREAT cuban black beans and rice! Tracked down Althea's for tomorrow

All those trailer parks that are on the water are living on borrowed time .They are all being bought my developers for the land .

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Mobile Home = Flying Home

[mn54]

It appears to me that everyone is talking about living on the gulf coast side, never discussing the east side. Is the gulf side of FL. that much better? Is it less of a target for a hurricane? Just curious.

[Rich_in_Tampa]

Originally Posted by mn54

It appears to me that everyone is talking about living on the gulf coast side, never discussing the east side. Is the gulf side of FL. that much better? Is it less of a target for a hurricane? Just curious.

Ocean is more dynamic than the gulf, but the beaches are beautiful both sides. Hurricanes - not sure but both sides are vulnerable.

Main difference is look and feel. Purely subjective, the east is more developed and tends to reflect its large northeast influx (somewhat faster pace) while the gulf coast has more of a midwestern feel. Both have lots of great places.

[HFWR]

My opinion is influenced by several visits to Daytona Beach for spring break. Jellyfish out the wazoo...

I much prefer Clearwater Beach. They do indeed have clear water, no jellyfish, and minimal seaweed.

So, I prefer the Gulf, though those two data points are undoubtedly misleading.

[JPatrick]

Originally Posted by Razor

Thanks for the input. We do want to be close to the gulf. Anyplace in the panhandle worth looking in to?

A few years ago we looked seriously at Fairhope Al. A neat little town on Mobile Bay that will defy the stereotype. A couple of great golf course developments or opportunities to live in historic ares. Big city Mobile is accross the bridge if you need it. I'm told the personality of the area has taken a turn since the hurricanes and just lately the home insurance problem has arrived. Still worth a look.
Going east on the panhandle it is a story (IMO) of yesterdays paradise thanks to massive development in places like Destin and beyond.
For someone wanting a medium size city, Pensacola has some merit.
We would still like to live on the panhandle, but the places we lusted for over the years just ain't what they used to be.

[Dude]

Originally Posted by Razor

Anyone know anything about the Panama City area?

My brother lives in Panama City, I live in west Saint Petersburg about 5 minutes from Treasure Island/Gulf of Mexico.

One advantage of Panama City over here is that if you plan to do alot of deep-sea type fishing, the water up around Panama City gets much deeper quicker than here. In Panama City about a mile out you're in about 100ft of water from what I recall, here you have to go 20+ miles out to get the same depth, where the big fish are. You can also hunt (e.g. deer) more places around Panama City.

A downside of Panama City is that I think they still have an operating paper mill which stinks up the place.

I was born in St. Pete and lived here all of my life (37 years) except for time away at college in Tallahassee (go 'Noles). I like it here, although housing costs/taxes/insurance are not cheap for sure!

- Dude

[lazygood4nothinbum]

Originally Posted by Rich_in_Tampa