kcowan
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We did both. Prearranged in popular places like Key West and South Beach.Did you prearrange lodging or just move around spontaneously?
We did both. Prearranged in popular places like Key West and South Beach.Did you prearrange lodging or just move around spontaneously?
Thanks to those who suggested areas outside of S FL, but for us the entire motivation for winter outside of So CA is going somewhere we can wear swimsuits and shorts every day and get in the water comfortably. Anything in central FL or north of that won’t offer that.
If you are looking for sure warm weather and water , South Florida is the way to go. Keep in mind some beach bungalows have wall unit AC but NO heat. If the temps ever get chilly you can always use an extra blanket.Thanks to those who suggested areas outside of S FL, but for us the entire motivation for winter outside of So CA is going somewhere we can wear swimsuits and shorts every day and get in the water comfortably. Anything in central FL or north of that won’t offer that.
The weather in Southwest Florida is iffy mid Dec to mid Feb. a typical day is just warm enough for the pool mid afternoon, and weeks are broken up with hot periods and cold periods. Rain is rare in winter. Spring and fall are perfection, summer too hot for some.
Hurricane risk is mitigated by leasing rather than owning, moving inland, owning new construction under latest code, getting flood insurance or being elevated, concrete block to roofline. Owning along a power line connecting to a shelter or hospital is a plus for minimum power downtime.
Fort Myers Beach is more affordable due to brown water coming out of Calousahatchee occasionally. Water is much better towards Naples or Sarasota if that is important.
High season for tight rentals is Feb-March. You will pay more for lower quality going last minute.
If you like flat water boating, kayaking, Anglo mid western culture, and of course golf, tennis, Pickleball, lots of retirees to hang with, west coast Florida is better than east coast. East coast is attractive if you like busy, urban, more young people and New Yorkers about.
Naples is big huge large money mostly. Gets cheaper the more inland and the more north. Daniels Corridor Fort Myers is the edge of civilization until Sarasota, except right on the coast. Gasparilla is gentille big money. North of Sarasota and you start to catch more cold snaps.
Marco is seventies architecture looking like most of the East coast of Florida, but a stunning location for beach and boating. Sanibel is nice, Captiva is new big money.
We are in Daniels corridor, 10 minutes from the airport, and Marco up to Sarasota is our day trip play space. My hood, Paseo, unique, attracts California transplants. It’s a good base to start exploring from. We are close to Whole Foods.
Timing re traffic and restaurants is important in season.
I need to spend more time on the West Coast of FL. Spent a huge amount of my life in Central and South Florida. It's true about the comparison of East vs West in Florida. Excellent write up. But you didn't mention about all the alligators?Thank you, this is excellent information.
... But you didn't mention about all the alligators?
Visitors should know that during winter time that it feels like the world has descended to Florida to escape their colder climates. Small towns and even major cities populations significantly increase. Also visitors bring their $$$ to support Florida's economy and keep my property taxes low here in FL. The slower times to visit FL is Sept, Oct, and summer ( oppressive heat and hurricanes).My BIL is a cop in DelRay, and he lives in Boyton Beach on the SouthEast coast. We can hardly stand to visit him because of the Winter traffic. Tuesday/Wednesday morning at 10:00 am grid locked traffic on 4 laners, and the surface streets aren't much better. Lots of really slow moving New Yorkers with attitudes who park like they own the place.
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Given the choice, I would choose SW Florida.
Visitors should know that during winter time that it feels like the world has descended to Florida to escape their colder climates. Small towns and even major cities populations significantly increase. Also visitors bring their $$$ to support Florida's economy and keep my property taxes low here in FL. The slower times to visit FL is Sept, Oct, and summer ( oppressive heat and hurricanes).
But you didn't mention about all the alligators?
Moose too, very docile. They like rubbed behind their ears.Mostly they are nice. Very docile. I like to fit them with party hats. Much like the bears and the bison when I visit Yellowstone, they are also fun to pet.
Try it.
They like it.
It also depends if the area is a snowbird paradise. Here in New Tampa, there is no noticeable difference in winter population vs. anytime else.
It was one of the reasons of not moving to a 55+ Villages type community or right on the coast.
I need to spend more time on the West Coast of FL. Spent a huge amount of my life in Central and South Florida. It's true about the comparison of East vs West in Florida. Excellent write up. But you didn't mention about all the alligators?
Dunno....quick Google search "kayaker attacked by alligator in Florida" produced 443,000 results...No kayaker has ever had a problem on the many excellent creeks and rivers, inland flat water. Preserve park paths are mostly elevated boardwalks.
Good way to look at it until you seen one up close.. The locals FL rednecks have given a damn yankee like me, lot of advice on what to do or not to do when I come across one. It sure helped me when I moved to FL in the early 1990s. The best I like about it is deep fried gator bites, hot sauce and a cold beer.We are surrounded by retention Ponds (AKA Fla Lakes), we have not seen a gator in 10 years. Caught some nice large mouth Bass in them though. I would rate Noseeums higher on the to "try" to avoid scale rather than a gator. Makes me laugh when non locals worry about gators. The only gators to worry about here is the football team.
Tampa /Ste Petes is a ideal area for normal family life.