We are retired and enjoying life. We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar. Requirements:
1. On the water (not averse to lake living if it meets #2)
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
3. 2 bedroom / 2 bath (does not need to be large)
4. Townhouse or condo (do not want to maintain grounds)
5. $1M budget
6. Additional requirements we have not thought of (you don't know what you don't know)
We were looking in Marco Island, FL and found some nice places that met our requirements but I thought I would ask here to see if we should look at additional areas. Hate to make the capital investment but so far we have not been able to find a rental that meets our requirements and allows our doodles. If they met them, they would let us rent their place. They are perfect!
Consistently sets low goals and fails to achieve them.
BarbBrooklyn wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:54 pm
You can't find something on Airbnb or VRBO to rent for 3 months on the water in say, New Smyrna Beach that will accept your doodles?
My wife says she cannot. At least nothing she would rent. Our friends go down to Marco and rent a place for $50k for three months but they don't have dogs. I would much rather rent.
Consistently sets low goals and fails to achieve them.
Be aware of the turmoil going on in Florida's condo market right now. Many older buildings are undergoing huge special assessments. Those that haven't yet, will be soon.
mw1739 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 2:10 pm
Be aware of the turmoil going on in Florida's condo market right now. Many older buildings are undergoing huge special assessments. Those that haven't yet, will be soon.
yes; and insurance is sometimes an issue. Friends of mine had fortune of selling off their condo in Naples in 2019 before things hit the skids.
When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
I have a doctor that I work with that has a condo around Rosemary Beach that LOVES when they get a 3 month tenant through the winter months. I would think that is a good option. They also give these tenants a deal for a longer-term stay, and there surely has to be others that enjoy this type of tenant?
flgatorguy87 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 2:16 pm
I have a doctor that I work with that has a condo around Rosemary Beach that LOVES when they get a 3 month tenant through the winter months. I would think that is a good option. They also give these tenants a deal for a longer-term stay, and there surely has to be others that enjoy this type of tenant?
Maybe we should contact some of the places we like and see if they will accommodate our two doodles. They are very good and we would be happy to pay an appropriate (or excessive) pet fee/deposit.
Consistently sets low goals and fails to achieve them.
Marco island, Sarasota, fort Meyers, Captiva/Sanibel, Keys, are all on the same vein as Marco. East coast has a variety as well if you look at the map and start heading north from Miami..... Really comes down to how easy it is to travel there, cost of housing (which you should beable to accomodate with your budget), and atmosphere. Go visit them all and enjoy the hunt before picking IMO.
I hold index funds because I do not overestimate my ability to pick stocks OR stock pickers.
I would not buy a condo in South Florida right now due to high special assessments and rapidly rising insurance rates.
I know Marco Island quite well. If you want to live on the water and swim that is the beachfront and it's mostly condos. Problem is all these condos restrict pets by weight and number. Weight restrictions vary by condo but generally it's a 10-35 pound max weight limit.
If you're set on Marco I'd look to rent a house inland. It's easy to maintain the grounds, it might be included in your rent or just hire a lawn service. The dogs would probably like the yard.
If, after a few years, you like it there consider buying. With an inland house you're still very close to the beach and Marco has excellent beach access points. Their Residents Beach access is huge and right in the middle of the crescent beach.
There are many other desirable beach areas in SW Florida .... such as Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Sanibel, Boca Grande, Sarasota just to name a few. SW Florida is a beautiful area, good luck in your search
Francis
"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get." |
Dale Carnegie
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
....We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar.
......
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
I have never lived there but be sure to have realistic expectations about just what "warm" is actually like there.
There might not be snow or ice there may be a very limited number of days when you might be able to swim even in extreme south Florida.
Depending on the local ordinances dogs may also not be allowed on the beaches.
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
....We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar.
......
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
I have never lived there but be sure to have realistic expectations about just what "warm" is actually like there.
There might not be snow or ice there may be a very limited number of days when you might be able to swim even in extreme south Florida.
Depending on the local ordinances dogs may also not be allowed on the beaches.
Good call about if they allow dogs on the beach. I looked up the ordinance. It states "It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having under their control any animal, to permit such animal upon the beach, except service dogs accompanying persons with special needs"
Francis
Last edited by fsrph on Tue Sep 24, 2024 7:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get." |
Dale Carnegie
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
We are retired and enjoying life. We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar. Requirements:
1. On the water (not averse to lake living if it meets #2)
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
3. 2 bedroom / 2 bath (does not need to be large)
4. Townhouse or condo (do not want to maintain grounds)
5. $1M budget
6. Additional requirements we have not thought of (you don't know what you don't know)
We were looking in Marco Island, FL and found some nice places that met our requirements but I thought I would ask here to see if we should look at additional areas. Hate to make the capital investment but so far we have not been able to find a rental that meets our requirements and allows our doodles. If they met them, they would let us rent their place. They are perfect!
1
"doodles" might be a big hurdle for a short term renter of a condo/townhouse.
2
Swimming and boating in "clean" water means ocean shores and bays, usually less "e-coli" etc than lakes?
Renting or bring your own boat?
3
Driving from Ohio to destination and back (with boat trailer?), or flying (no boat)?
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
....We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar.
......
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
I have never lived there but be sure to have realistic expectations about just what "warm" is actually like there.
There might not be snow or ice there may be a very limited number of days when you might be able to swim even in extreme south Florida.
Depending on the local ordinances dogs may also not be allowed on the beaches.
Good call about if they allow dogs on the beach. I looked up the ordinance. It states "It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having under their control any animal, to permit such animal upon the beach, except service dogs accompanying persons with special needs"
Francis
Hmmm... that isn't a show stopper but is a bummer.
Consistently sets low goals and fails to achieve them.
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
....We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar.
......
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
I have never lived there but be sure to have realistic expectations about just what "warm" is actually like there.
There might not be snow or ice there may be a very limited number of days when you might be able to swim even in extreme south Florida.
Depending on the local ordinances dogs may also not be allowed on the beaches.
Good call about if they allow dogs on the beach. I looked up the ordinance. It states "It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having under their control any animal, to permit such animal upon the beach, except service dogs accompanying persons with special needs"
Francis
Hmmm... that isn't a show stopper but is a bummer.
It's not all bad. There are plenty of places in SW Florida that do allow dogs on the beach. Maybe explore some of these towns.
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
We are retired and enjoying life. We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar. Requirements:
1. On the water (not averse to lake living if it meets #2)
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
3. 2 bedroom / 2 bath (does not need to be large)
4. Townhouse or condo (do not want to maintain grounds)
5. $1M budget
6. Additional requirements we have not thought of (you don't know what you don't know)
We were looking in Marco Island, FL and found some nice places that met our requirements but I thought I would ask here to see if we should look at additional areas. Hate to make the capital investment but so far we have not been able to find a rental that meets our requirements and allows our doodles. If they met them, they would let us rent their place. They are perfect!
I'd give serious consideration to many Caribbean locations.
1) Invest you must 2) Time is your friend 3) Impulse is your enemy |
4) Basic arithmetic works 5) Stick to simplicity 6) Stay the course
Check out Coronado, CA. Not to buy...but to rent. Look up Coronado Shores Condominiums....the rental units. A spectacular place for 3 months. Spectacular.
abner kravitz wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 3:25 pm
If one of your desires is swimming, I would cross lake living off your list
Are there no lakes that we can swim in?
The combination of warm water, all year round, plus the rapid urban development of Florida is probably not a good one.
For example municipal sewer systems may overflow during periods of heavy rainfall - and thus dump raw sewage (this is true of sewer systems on the eastern side of North America, generally, I believe. It may not be true of newer systems in western North America).
Also septic systems may have leaks or not be well maintained.
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
We are retired and enjoying life. We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar. Requirements:
1. On the water (not averse to lake living if it meets #2)
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
3. 2 bedroom / 2 bath (does not need to be large)
4. Townhouse or condo (do not want to maintain grounds)
5. $1M budget
6. Additional requirements we have not thought of (you don't know what you don't know)
We were looking in Marco Island, FL and found some nice places that met our requirements but I thought I would ask here to see if we should look at additional areas. Hate to make the capital investment but so far we have not been able to find a rental that meets our requirements and allows our doodles. If they met them, they would let us rent their place. They are perfect!
I'd give serious consideration to many Caribbean locations.
Yeah, Florida may not be south enough.
"The best tools available to us are shovels, not scalpels. Don't get carried away." - vanBogle59
cableguy wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2024 12:49 pm
Check out Coronado, CA. Not to buy...but to rent. Look up Coronado Shores Condominiums....the rental units. A spectacular place for 3 months. Spectacular.
OP mentioned swimming.
The Pacific is pretty cold in winter? (I don't know that far south). Google is telling me 59 degrees in Jan- March? You'd need a really good wetsuit
I would not buy a condo in South Florida right now due to high special assessments and rapidly rising insurance rates.
It is always wise to rent before buying in any new area. The sales people are often living on commissions with only some paltry monthly salary.
And there's so many things that are not obvious, or not discovered in yourself, when you pick an area.
Until Covid, I didn't realise how important it was to me to be able to walk to some place in the AM, buy coffee, chat to the regulars (sitting outside at that point). Working from home, I can go all day without speaking to anyone - if I did not have that.
BarbBrooklyn wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:54 pm
You can't find something on Airbnb or VRBO to rent for 3 months on the water in say, New Smyrna Beach that will accept your doodles?
My wife says she cannot. At least nothing she would rent. Our friends go down to Marco and rent a place for $50k for three months but they don't have dogs. I would much rather rent.
Say what?? 50k for three months?? USD??
"Happiness Is Not My Companion" - Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren. |
(Avatar is the statue of Gen. Warren atop Little Round Top @ Gettysburg National Military Park.)
BarbBrooklyn wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:54 pm
You can't find something on Airbnb or VRBO to rent for 3 months on the water in say, New Smyrna Beach that will accept your doodles?
My wife says she cannot. At least nothing she would rent. Our friends go down to Marco and rent a place for $50k for three months but they don't have dogs. I would much rather rent.
Say what?? 50k for three months?? USD??
If it’s on the water on Marco Island and in the prime 3 winter months, that makes sense. That’s probably the majority of the annual rental value. That’s when everyone from up North wants to rent.
BarbBrooklyn wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:54 pm
You can't find something on Airbnb or VRBO to rent for 3 months on the water in say, New Smyrna Beach that will accept your doodles?
My wife says she cannot. At least nothing she would rent. Our friends go down to Marco and rent a place for $50k for three months but they don't have dogs. I would much rather rent.
Say what?? 50k for three months?? USD??
Have you been to South Florida? If not, go explore! Some of the finest (and most expensive) real estate is there.
The OP needs to be south of Sarasota for the desired temps in Jan-Mar. Not a bad drive straight down I-75. A week or two in Key West in January is at the very top of my retirement to-do list. OP might like it, too.
Follow the tarpon up and down the coast from Key West to Boca Grande.
Check each of the monthly temperatures, then travel there at the limit of your comfort, during a month that is distant from the ideal temperatures of peak season. In that off season visit, tour currently vacant rentals that would be occupied/unavailable during the peak season. If your mentioned price is for a condo, consider renting one for an entire year before trying to buy one. There could easily be problems that no one mentions since that would hurt their property values. Is there a damp, buggy season when you can't sit out to see sunrise, sunset, or stars due to the no-freeze climate? In some Florida places, a dehumidifier is constantly run in a vacant house to avoid growing mold indoors. When the residents are there, the AC resolves that problem.
During the initial visit, look for dog-friendly BnBs or motels for at least a short term visit during the next peak winter season. Maybe no one mentions that peak season has slowed, all day, traffic congestion. Are there distant, inland Florida towns with rental accommodations available during peak season, with those towns being within an hour's drive from your desired location?
you can try Residence Inn by Marriott to try out different locations. They are not fancy but do allow dogs. If you stay more than 30 days you can request to get back your tax off the bill. Free breakfast and room service. Laundry, Cable. You can get discounts to the rate if you stay long and talk to the location directly. You'll get points too that you can in turn use later. They do have 2 brs too.
cableguy wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2024 12:49 pm
Check out Coronado, CA. Not to buy...but to rent. Look up Coronado Shores Condominiums....the rental units. A spectacular place for 3 months. Spectacular.
OP mentioned swimming.
The Pacific is pretty cold in winter? (I don't know that far south). Google is telling me 59 degrees in Jan- March? You'd need a really good wetsuit
That water is cold in the summer. In the winter it’d be miserable
“Life is more than grinding it out in some drab office setting for an arbitrary number. This isn't a videogame where the higher score is better” |
- Nathan Drake
nchunter wrote: ↑Wed Sep 25, 2024 3:12 pm
I would seriously consider 3 month rental in Grand Cayman. Guaranteed to be able to swim all winter. Especially coming from Ohio.
Far cheaper than that $50,000 for 3 month place in Florida.
Seriously, $50,000?
Let me take 2 minutes of VRBO to see what one gets for $15,000 a month.
Edit: Okay, do NOT use VRBO for monthly rentals. So far, I'm getting nightly rates (for 90 days), which is insane.
Try AirBnB... getting the SAME kind of rental places as VRBO but with monthly rates (so instead of $15,000 a month, more like $4000 a month). and plenty of pet friendly places.
"The best tools available to us are shovels, not scalpels. Don't get carried away." - vanBogle59
With Hurricane Helene about to hit Florida before you buy a Florida 2nd home consider the cost and stress it would be right now compared to a rental.
Also I am not a Florida or dog expert but I would wonder alligators are everywhere in Florida and they do absolutely interfere in dog and human swimming safety
CaptainT wrote: ↑Thu Sep 26, 2024 12:19 am
With Hurricane Helene about to hit Florida before you buy a Florida 2nd home consider the cost and stress it would be right now compared to a rental.
Also I am not a Florida or dog expert but I would wonder alligators are everywhere in Florida and they do absolutely interfere in dog and human swimming safety
I've been coming to Florida since 1995 and have lived here since 2001. In all that time, I've never seen an alligator (except those on TV). Saying that they're "everywhere" is simply not true.
I would pick a destination first and then search for rentals. I can't see any scenario in which you don't come out ahead renting 3 months out of the year vs. buying. We rent homes in Palm Springs, CA all the time and most of them allow dogs. (If you stretch your definition of "on water" (forgive me), Palm Springs has many fine rental homes with giant swimming pools. Jan/Feb most days are in the 70s but March gets a lot of 80+ days.)
cableguy wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2024 12:49 pm
Check out Coronado, CA. Not to buy...but to rent. Look up Coronado Shores Condominiums....the rental units. A spectacular place for 3 months. Spectacular.
OP mentioned swimming.
The Pacific is pretty cold in winter? (I don't know that far south). Google is telling me 59 degrees in Jan- March? You'd need a really good wetsuit
Yup. A friend of mine who went through SEAL training there twice (medical roll the first time) says he's never in his life been as cold as swimming off the coast of Coronado in the winter.
corn18 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2024 1:04 pm
We are retired and enjoying life. We live in SW Ohio and want to leave from Jan through Mar. Requirements:
1. On the water (not averse to lake living if it meets #2)
2. Warm enough to swim and boat in said water
3. 2 bedroom / 2 bath (does not need to be large)
4. Townhouse or condo (do not want to maintain grounds)
5. $1M budget
6. Additional requirements we have not thought of (you don't know what you don't know)
We were looking in Marco Island, FL and found some nice places that met our requirements but I thought I would ask here to see if we should look at additional areas. Hate to make the capital investment but so far we have not been able to find a rental that meets our requirements and allows our doodles. If they met them, they would let us rent their place. They are perfect!
Despite the difficulty you are finding renting with dogs, I would strongly recommend renting for at least one season before buying, even if the apartment or house you rent is not ideal. Your post suggests that you may not be all that familiar with options in Florida, and they vary a lot in type of community, vibe, politics, culture, etc...much more than you would think. While you are there, travel around and explore. Talk with a lot of different people from different backgrounds and get their opinions. You might find a place that better suits your needs, before you lay down the big bucks on a home purchase.
Like you said, you don't know what you don't know.
50k for three months?? USD??
Jan/Feb most days are in the 70s but March gets a lot of 80+ days.)