Floridians where to move for palms?

[Hardypalms]

Hi

I am in the process of researching an area to buy in Florida for a second home to eventually move there in 4 years when my daughter is done with college here in Atlanta.

I have 4 areas I am investigating (Greater Tampa, Orlando, Fort-Myers, Port st-Lucie).

I just came back from St-Pete/Tampa/Clearwater, we absolutely loved St-Pete downtown and Fort Desoto. Tampa was a disappointment but we spent only 1 day there, people seem so poor and homes so old and small, it's a shame as I love the location of that city, far enough inland for hurricanes and low insurance, far south enough for palms (Saw some/few coconuts, Royals, foxtails).

I visited Kopsick palm arboretum in St-Pete, I spent 2 1/2 hours there while my wife hung at the beach there, great times! Some palms were burnt but lots of crown shafted palms were not after the cold winter. The royals are so huge it's simply amazing!!!

We are looking at Orlando too, lots of people hate Orlando but we don't, I like to be inland but not too far for a day trip to the beach. What can be grown palmwise in Orlando (More than likely we would buy in the north portion/suburbs) beside the obvious (Washies/queens/palmettos so on...), any crown shafted palms?

Then I just discovered 2 very cheap areas which got hit hard by the economy, Port st-Lucie and Lehigh acres near Fort Myers (Zone 10a ). I know about Chinese drywall issues and will avoid them. Also we don't need jobs as we work for nationwide companies represented there. Empty homes next door no problem, grass not cut next door no problem. High crime and high insurance would be an issue.

Any other areas we should consider please let us know.Sarasota is too high as is West palm beach south to the keys. North of Orlando is out too. I have loved palms all my life and beside windmills, sabal minor and Needles I have killed all else here. Even my hardy Musa basjoo banana managed to die last winter, it's depressing.

We are looking at 50k to 150k homes with low insurance and no home owner association fees.

Thanks a lot

Patrick

[Xenon]

Don't have a clue about home prices, but these areas seem to have good climates for palms, based only what I've seen posted by palmtalk members...

Cocoa Beach/Merrit Island (borderline 10b)

Daytona/New Smyrna Beach (9b, Islands seem to be near 10a)

Vero Beach (Zone 10a)

Any of the Gulf Islands south of Clearwater (Zone 10bish)

Lake front south of Orlando (Zone 10a/b depending on lake size)

Tampa and St. Petersburg seems to all depend on proximity to water (9a/b inland to 10a/b on the beach)

I don't even live in Florida , guess I spend too much time thinking of moving there (or Hawaii...).

Just my 2 cents,

Jonathan

Edited April 24, 2011 by Xenon

[PalmatierMeg]

The further south you go in FL the more tropical the landscape. I find Tampa the boundary between subtropical/continental US landscape. Any inland location in FL will have a much harsher winter climate than on the coast. That goes for Orlando and even Lehigh Acres. People in Lehigh can't grow all the same palms as I can in Cape Coral. You might want to check out Pine Island just west of Cape Coral. Its winters are milder than mine even though it is only 20 minutes from my house. But insurance is also higher because of proximity to the Gulf - you will definitely need flood insurance. Flood insurance is also a must in coastal Cape Coral but I live in central Cape and don't need it. Cape Coral/Ft. Myers have one of the worst real estate markets in the country after Los Vegas. The City of Ft. Myers does have a crime problem. South Ft. Myers in Lee County has become the "go-to" place for home buyers but also has many gated communities and HOAs. Cape Coral is much bigger that FM but is less known. It was intended as a retirement/bedroom community to FM but has come into its own since I moved here in 1993. I see many, many abandoned properties in the Cape because of overbuilding during the housing boom. And Cape Coral has a low crime rate compared to many other cities in FL. The nice thing about having a house on a lot like mine is that there are no HOAs, etc. after me. Of course, the downside is my lot is only 85' x 125' with a house which limits my botanical efforts. I'd love to buy the vacant lots on either side of me but the elderly owners still think their properties are worth fortunes when the lots are worth little or nothing.

[palmmermaid]

Port St. Lucie is a good place to but now. Cheap, cheap. Even palm Beach County has cheap deals right now. You can get a decent house with an acre of land where I am for less than $180K. And no matter where you buy in Florida you should have flood insurance. It is less than $400/year and worth every penny of it. We live 16 miles west of the required flood zone but we still have flood insurance.

[Palmə häl′ik]

Definatley still a buyers market right now.

[Hardypalms]

Hi

Well I appreciate the 3 answers so far, I hope more are to come. I learned stuff from the 3 posters so far.

Jonathan

Daytona here is an area than I haven't considered and I read a lot of good about it often, I will investigate it further.

Meg

Very good info on inland Florida areas beeing cooler than coastal ones, I didn't know that. I need to drive down there and check the whole Fort Myers area out. I understand your problem of being on a small lot and wanting to grow tropicals. I am really looking for half an acre or a regular quart of an acre but with vacant lots all around me to make my yard bigger.

Kitty

Great tip on buying a flood insurance no matter what, I will definitely buy one. 180K might get you a lot in west palm beach but is still a little high for us, I might really stick to Port St-Lucie and try to grab a home and an extra lot for cheap next to it. Pool, palms and bananas galore, I am already there

I hope I get more answers

Thanks so much

Patrick

[Dave-Vero]

Hurricanes are a huge problem. So is the current jury-rigged insurance system, which will likely collapse after the next serious storm (the Sarasota newspaper won a Pulitzer for its investigative series on insurance).

Climatologically, coconuts become reliably hardy on the coast near Stuart. Vero Beach had 26 degrees this past winter, with a great deal of palm damage. Oddly enough, Leu Gardens in Orlando seems to have fared about as well as us. The city's become big enough to be the center of a heat island.

Port St Lucie has some problems with layout and infrastructure. The place was one of the massive scammy real estate promotions, where streets (of sorts) were laid out and lots sold in expectation that above-ground power lines would eventually be installed, and that residents would likely as not build their own wells for water and septic tanks for waste. The well business resulted in a number of houses burning down during a wildfire a few years ago. Power had been shut off as a precaution. Here in Vero, older neighborhoods with powerlines running through back yards were expensively refitted to underground power lines after falling/flying branches wrecked the lines during the 2004 hurricanes.

That said, PSL seems to have a decent economic future.

National Weather Service climatology is here. Note that Charleston, S.C. is in an area with long return periods, but a category 4 hit north of the city in 1989.

[DoomsDave]

HP:

Lucky you!

Prices in Florida are much lower than they'll ever be in California again . . .

I'm not of there, but will share one observation:

If you go inland away from water, it gets a LOT COLDER. La Belle is inland from Fort Myers about 30 miles, and palms all but disappeared from general landscape use there. FM was palmy up the wazoo, but only a palm here and a palm there in La Belle.

I spent a night in a Motel From Hell in La Belle, almost froze. Well, exaggerating some, but it was a lot colder than FM.

Then, I roared off to Lake Okeechobee, even further inland, and, near the little cities on the lake, the palms appeared again, including coconuts in profusion. The only problem I can see is that those little cities were probably going to be a huge bore for someone used to a big city.

I'm sure the Floridians will also note other disadvantages, but on the lake you might escape hurricane damage? Possible? (I've given the idea some thought . . . )

Whatever you do, HP, let us know . . .

dave

[Dave-Vero]

I think even Okeechobee might be vulnerable to flooding from levee breaks in the event of a hurricane. Most of the environs of the big lake are agricultural and impoverished.

Newspaper story on Pt. St. Lucie's growth here.

[Walter John]

most posts here sound so bleak...I was expecting cheery positive posts. Just an observation, don't shoot me.

[Hardypalms]

Dave south cal:

Thanks for the post. You are the second one to warn me about colder temperatures inland, I guess I might rethink my strategy. The motel from hell got a good laugh out of me. I have stopped in 2 motel from hell in the past, one in Panama city with my wife and it was absolutely dirty and awful and another while vacationing in Mexico with a friend when I was younger, there was no mattress you slept on a bed of concrete with no blanket, the real nightmare. LOL!

Dave-Vero:

I enjoy your posts and links a lot, you know the area a lot. PSL is very attractive, more than lehigh acres which has the same problems. It seems PSL will recover earlier. We have a week in September and will travel Florida further to check areas out.

Thanks a lot for the posts

Patrick

[pdleft]

While you are down this way, try to check out Loxahatchee and the Acreage. Like Kitty said we are 16 miles inland from West Palm Beach. There are tons of forclosures on acre lots or larger. I have had a palm nursery since 1987. We had a serious freeze in 1989 and this year. Other than that I had no trouble growing tropical palms even Cyrtostachys in an uncovered screen house. I hope this has been the end of the severe cold but who knows. Our temperature on the east coast up to Vero Beach is tempered by the Gulf Stream which comes very close to our coast at this point. Being inland, we have 5-6 degree colder or warmer temperatures than West Palm Beach. I have seen some great homes for ridiculous prices due to forclosure.

[Hardypalms]

Betty

You are not kidding, I just checked homes in the 90k-130k range, you get nice homes out there with huge yards, a palm nut paradise. I understand you grow the red sealing wax palm in your greenhouse but how do coconuts fare over there?

A very interesting area which might be on top of my list now. I googled the time and it's 25mn to west palm, that is nothing.

Thanks for a great tip, I am glad I posted.

Patrick

[ErikSJI]

Why not double up your investment and buy a palm nursery. I have been watching the market in Florida for awhile and there are many small palm farms for sale with homes on them at a reasonable price.

[Vincent]

You should have no problem finding a three bedroom two bath 2 000 sq. foot new home in Cape Coral for $60,000. There are 18,000 abandoned homes to choose from. Some of them have really nice palm trees though- royals, queens, foxtails,etc. Finding a job might be a little more challenging, but it sounds like you are retired so that should not be an issue.

[Hardypalms]

Why not double up your investment and buy a palm nursery. I have been watching the market in Florida for awhile and there are many small palm farms for sale with homes on them at a reasonable price.

Erik

Not a good idea. I was in the restaurant business for years as an employee and a boss and it was so bad but I think owning a tree nursery would be a lot worse. I might help for a few bucks or fun in one eventually but own one, never. I think it would take the fun out of growing palms.

Both me and my wife have transferable jobs, so work is not an issue.

But thanks for the idea.

Patrick

[pdleft]

Yes, coconuts as a general rule are fine. This year the freezes did a lot of damage but most years they are ok. They may get a little tip burn from the occasional frost but grow out of it. When I was growing up, the line for Royals and Coconuts was Vero Beach to Ft. Myers . Now however, people like to stretch the limits with great results until we have the occasional hard winters. Betty

[ErikSJI]

Ok let me put it another way. Florida real estate in some parts are doing so poorly that you can get your field full of palms for free with your $250,000 house.

Why not double up your investment and buy a palm nursery. I have been watching the market in Florida for awhile and there are many small palm farms for sale with homes on them at a reasonable price.

Erik

Not a good idea. I was in the restaurant business for years as an employee and a boss and it was so bad but I think owning a tree nursery would be a lot worse. I might help for a few bucks or fun in one eventually but own one, never. I think it would take the fun out of growing palms.

Both me and my wife have transferable jobs, so work is not an issue.

But thanks for the idea.

Patrick

[Mandrew968]

My neighbor just moved onto the block with a foreclosure for 109k. Miami florida--great grow for palms. People are unfriendly...

[sonoranfans]

Hi

I am in the process of researching an area to buy in Florida for a second home to eventually move there in 4 years when my daughter is done with college here in Atlanta.

I have 4 areas I am investigating (Greater Tampa, Orlando, Fort-Myers, Port st-Lucie).

I just came back from St-Pete/Tampa/Clearwater, we absolutely loved St-Pete downtown and Fort Desoto. Tampa was a disappointment but we spent only 1 day there, people seem so poor and homes so old and small, it's a shame as I love the location of that city, far enough inland for hurricanes and low insurance, far south enough for palms (Saw some/few coconuts, Royals, foxtails).

I visited Kopsick palm arboretum in St-Pete, I spent 2 1/2 hours there while my wife hung at the beach there, great times! Some palms were burnt but lots of crown shafted palms were not after the cold winter. The royals are so huge it's simply amazing!!!

We are looking at Orlando too, lots of people hate Orlando but we don't, I like to be inland but not too far for a day trip to the beach. What can be grown palmwise in Orlando (More than likely we would buy in the north portion/suburbs) beside the obvious (Washies/queens/palmettos so on...), any crown shafted palms?

Then I just discovered 2 very cheap areas which got hit hard by the economy, Port st-Lucie and Lehigh acres near Fort Myers (Zone 10a ). I know about Chinese drywall issues and will avoid them. Also we don't need jobs as we work for nationwide companies represented there. Empty homes next door no problem, grass not cut next door no problem. High crime and high insurance would be an issue.

Any other areas we should consider please let us know.Sarasota is too high as is West palm beach south to the keys. North of Orlando is out too. I have loved palms all my life and beside windmills, sabal minor and Needles I have killed all else here. Even my hardy Musa basjoo banana managed to die last winter, it's depressing.

We are looking at 50k to 150k homes with low insurance and no home owner association fees.

Thanks a lot

Patrick

You an an interesting dilemma in that closer to the water is better for warmer winter temps, its more important than the N/S. Also closer to the water will be higher in flood insurance. I dont need flood(27 above sea level), my total homeowners insurance is about 1k/yr, but I would say that closer to the water would have allowed for more of the tender species at around 2-3x the insurance price(house has hurricane shutters, is new construction). The difference between holmes beach(and st pete) and my place was 6F last winter. Parrish 5 miles east inland was another 4F lower, so you can see the dropoff away from the water. When wind comes from the NW(typical cold pattern) being near the water can be almost 1 degree per mile in warmth in winter. N/S is not so dramatic as anna maria island was the same as cape coral 200 mile sot the south. St pete is one of the warmest areas, the peninsula is surrounded by water, SW st pete would be the warmest spot in pinellas. Across the mouth of tampa bay to the south is the sleeply little town of cortez, also very similar to st pete in winter lows and probably more reasonable in $$. Lots of crownshafted action is possible in cortez within 3 miles of the water.

I am where I am because of my job/commute, but I also like that the "big storm long term history" is less here in the greater tampa area than on the east coast or further south. As you move into the higher probability hurricane zones, insurance goes up.

[Mandrew968]

Hi

I am in the process of researching an area to buy in Florida for a second home to eventually move there in 4 years when my daughter is done with college here in Atlanta.

I have 4 areas I am investigating (Greater Tampa, Orlando, Fort-Myers, Port st-Lucie).

I just came back from St-Pete/Tampa/Clearwater, we absolutely loved St-Pete downtown and Fort Desoto. Tampa was a disappointment but we spent only 1 day there, people seem so poor and homes so old and small, it's a shame as I love the location of that city, far enough inland for hurricanes and low insurance, far south enough for palms (Saw some/few coconuts, Royals, foxtails).

I visited Kopsick palm arboretum in St-Pete, I spent 2 1/2 hours there while my wife hung at the beach there, great times! Some palms were burnt but lots of crown shafted palms were not after the cold winter. The royals are so huge it's simply amazing!!!

We are looking at Orlando too, lots of people hate Orlando but we don't, I like to be inland but not too far for a day trip to the beach. What can be grown palmwise in Orlando (More than likely we would buy in the north portion/suburbs) beside the obvious (Washies/queens/palmettos so on...), any crown shafted palms?

Then I just discovered 2 very cheap areas which got hit hard by the economy, Port st-Lucie and Lehigh acres near Fort Myers (Zone 10a ). I know about Chinese drywall issues and will avoid them. Also we don't need jobs as we work for nationwide companies represented there. Empty homes next door no problem, grass not cut next door no problem. High crime and high insurance would be an issue.

Any other areas we should consider please let us know.Sarasota is too high as is West palm beach south to the keys. North of Orlando is out too. I have loved palms all my life and beside windmills, sabal minor and Needles I have killed all else here. Even my hardy Musa basjoo banana managed to die last winter, it's depressing.

We are looking at 50k to 150k homes with low insurance and no home owner association fees.

Thanks a lot

Patrick

You an an interesting dilemma in that closer to the water is better for warmer winter temps, its more important than the N/S. Also closer to the water will be higher in flood insurance. I dont need flood(27 above sea level), my total homeowners insurance is about 1k/yr, but I would say that closer to the water would have allowed for more of the tender species at around 2-3x the insurance price(house has hurricane shutters, is new construction). The difference between holmes beach(and st pete) and my place was 6F last winter. Parrish 5 miles east inland was another 4F lower, so you can see the dropoff away from the water. When wind comes from the NW(typical cold pattern) being near the water can be almost 1 degree per mile in warmth in winter. N/S is not so dramatic as anna maria island was the same as cape coral 200 mile sot the south. St pete is one of the warmest areas, the peninsula is surrounded by water, SW st pete would be the warmest spot in pinellas. Across the mouth of tampa bay to the south is the sleeply little town of cortez, also very similar to st pete in winter lows and probably more reasonable in $$. Lots of crownshafted action is possible in cortez within 3 miles of the water.

I am where I am because of my job/commute, but I also like that the "big storm long term history" is less here in the greater tampa area than on the east coast or further south. As you move into the higher probability hurricane zones, insurance goes up.

I'm less than a mile from the sea and i'm 12 feet above sea level.

[Eric in Orlando]

It varies around Orlando. The warmest areas are around the downtown and Winter Park areas. also in south Orlando near bigger lakes. The northern and western suburbs saw low/mid 20sF and tender palms like foxtails were killed and even queen palms were damaged while the warmer metro areas foxtails, kings, piccabeans,triangles, royals survived.

But Orlando has many drawbacks. I have lived here 32 years and dont like a lot of what it has become. Very high crime, horrible traffic and lots of rude people and drivers. Also check out areas very closely as parts of Orlando area are very ghetto and turning 3rd World trashy.

For the most part I like living here but I live close to my job. No way I would would want to commoute 10-20 miles like lots of others. I love the climate as it is the temperate/tropical mixing area and can growing many interesting plants.

[Eric in Orlando]

It varies around Orlando. The warmest areas are around the downtown and Winter Park areas. also in south Orlando near bigger lakes. The northern and western suburbs saw low/mid 20sF and tender palms like foxtails were killed and even queen palms were damaged while the warmer metro areas foxtails, kings, piccabeans,triangles, royals survived.

But Orlando has many drawbacks. I have lived here 32 years and dont like a lot of what it has become. Very high crime, horrible traffic and lots of rude people and drivers. Also check out areas very closely as parts of Orlando area are very ghetto and turning 3rd World trashy.

For the most part I like living here but I live close to my job. No way I would would want to commoute 10-20 miles like lots of others. I love the climate as it is the temperate/tropical mixing area and can growing many interesting plants.

[Eric in Orlando]

It varies around Orlando. The warmest areas are around the downtown and Winter Park areas. also in south Orlando near bigger lakes. The northern and western suburbs saw low/mid 20sF and tender palms like foxtails were killed and even queen palms were damaged while the warmer metro areas foxtails, kings, piccabeans,triangles, royals survived.

But Orlando has many drawbacks. I have lived here 32 years and dont like a lot of what it has become. Very high crime, horrible traffic and lots of rude people and drivers. Also check out areas very closely as parts of Orlando area are very ghetto and turning 3rd World trashy.

For the most part I like living here but I live close to my job. No way I would would want to commoute 10-20 miles like lots of others. I love the climate as it is the temperate/tropical mixing area and can growing many interesting plants.

[PalmatierMeg]

Statistically, in any given year the chances of Cape Coral/Ft. Myers taking a direct hit from a hurricane is 4%, about the lowest % in FL. Its location on the SW coast makes it very difficult for a storm to make a sharp turn to take aim. Pensacola, on the other hand, has a 12% chance of a hit. Percents are comparable on the FL east coast. Most hurricanes have to cross from the east coast and lose power, i.e., Andrew in 1992. Or they roar through the FL Straits into the Gulf and head for TX, LA, MS, AL or FL Panhandle (Ivan). Usually such storms miss or brush past Ft. Myers and cause coastal flooding and rain. From Donna in 1960 till Charley in 2004, no hurricane of serious magnitude hit this area. In fact, some idiot local columnist in early 2004 proclaimed Fort Myers hurricane-proof - and we all know what resulted from that boast.

If you want land, lots of land, you might also check out North Fort Myers, an unincorporated part of Lee County that still retains many rural characteristics and where you could find a decent, older home on acreage. NFM tends to be chillier in winter than the Cape of FM but not as cold as Lehigh or Labelle.

[sonoranfans]

Much of what I have read claims that other parts of the gulf coast have a higher probability of a hurricane hit than florida. Im not sure what these statistics are founded upon, but the west coast of florida has a realtively low probability. Also the colder the water, the faster the hurricane runs out of steam(high winds). I am not particularly worried about a hurricane hit, as the probabilities are pretty low, but I do pay attention to the cost of homeowners insurance, a hopefully fixed cost, which is related to the likelihood of a hit in some way. That said, elevation above sea level and proximity to the coast are two factors that determine your risk. proximity to the coast is good for palms, not so good for risk. At 27' elevation and 4mi NW, 10mi W inland I am not even in an evacuation zone.

http://www.bestplaces.net/docs/studies/hurricane_hotspots.aspx

[Mandrew968]

If you really are moving to Florida for palms, then the best place would be the lower half of the keys...

[Dave-Vero]

But lower Keys have problems with lack of soil, low rainfall (much lower than Miami), and high hurricane probabilities. But there'll never be a freeze.

Eric's comments about ghetto/third world are unfortunately correct. Census figures show that older, established urban neighborhoods consistently lost population. I strongly suspect that most of them declined in terms of per capita income. Orlando, on the New York Times interactive map, looks like a donut hole surrounded by puffy new 'burbs, which themselves won't last long. I recall driving by a new subdivision in the town of Lake Wales a month ago. I think the houses had been sold during the boom. Already, every last lawn was dead.

This is not the place for politics, but Florida never invested much in its own citizens and is cutting that back severely (schools, universities, etc.). Also, I wonder about cutbacks at IFAS, the University of Florida's wonderful agriculture school. I suspect that a good deal of Florida will be less well-off than a good deal of Chile within a few years.

Also, beware health care. Some of what's available is superb, but southern Florida is an extremely high cost area, with astounding levels of Medicare fraud.

An addition to the inland/coast bit: camellias require winter chill. You can grow a few varieties inland in Vero and Ft. Pierce. At least one will flower reliably in Homestead, which isn't very far inland at all. But you shouldn't try camellias on the barrier island south of, maybe, Cocoa Beach. I think this is reflected in plant distributions. Tropical gumbo-limbo trees were native as far north as Cocoa Beach. You absolutely do not see them inland.

[Ken Johnson]

Near us in South Dade there are houses for $50K. Been here for 50 years.

[Ken Johnson]

If you live near me your backyard may look like this.

[Takil-Explorer]

Well Musa basjoo comes back here much farter north then Atlanta! Well you need a bit of patience, ando good warm weather...

Alexander

[Tropicgardener]

If only house prices were that cheap where I live.....this area has gone crazy in regards to prices.....would love to have a bigger block but simply can't afford to. My land only valuation for my less than 1/4 acre block is currently around $400 000 (land only)....Luckily I only have a couple of years left on my home loan. I feel sorry for the renters with homes similar to mine going for $1200 a week in rent...just crazy.

[ariscott]

Yeah... Can't believe how cheap houses are!!!! Still paying mine for the rest of my working life!!!

Andrew, 2 more years? Lucky you!!

[Mandrew968]

But lower Keys have problems with lack of soil, low rainfall (much lower than Miami), and high hurricane probabilities. But there'll never be a freeze.

Eric's comments about ghetto/third world are unfortunately correct. Census figures show that older, established urban neighborhoods consistently lost population. I strongly suspect that most of them declined in terms of per capita income. Orlando, on the New York Times interactive map, looks like a donut hole surrounded by puffy new 'burbs, which themselves won't last long. I recall driving by a new subdivision in the town of Lake Wales a month ago. I think the houses had been sold during the boom. Already, every last lawn was dead.

This is not the place for politics, but Florida never invested much in its own citizens and is cutting that back severely (schools, universities, etc.). Also, I wonder about cutbacks at IFAS, the University of Florida's wonderful agriculture school. I suspect that a good deal of Florida will be less well-off than a good deal of Chile within a few years.

Also, beware health care. Some of what's available is superb, but southern Florida is an extremely high cost area, with astounding levels of Medicare fraud.

An addition to the inland/coast bit: camellias require winter chill. You can grow a few varieties inland in Vero and Ft. Pierce. At least one will flower reliably in Homestead, which isn't very far inland at all. But you shouldn't try camellias on the barrier island south of, maybe, Cocoa Beach. I think this is reflected in plant distributions. Tropical gumbo-limbo trees were native as far north as Cocoa Beach. You absolutely do not see them inland.

Dave, your right; many people aquire two social security numbers when they get into this country, and leach benefits from both! I have met some of these winners...

Edited April 26, 2011 by Mandrew968

[Tomw]

I live in Palm Beach County and it’s a great place to live, and I’ll break down some of the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Closets to the Gulf Stream (wormer in the winter cooler in the summer compared to Tampa/St. Pete, 3 to 7deg)

• Having the Gulf Stream so close gives you Great fishing, top 10 in the world for drift Scuba Diving.

• A number of nursery’s that are specializing in Palms and Cycads (convenient for starting your collection).

• A great Palm and Cycad Society (great way to feed your Palm habit/sickness)

• 3 metropolitan city’s within 1½ hour drive (including two world-class gardens: Fairchild Tropical Gardens and Montgomery Botanical Center)

• Much less prone to title surges from Hurricanes, due to the topography of the ocean.

There are more pros, but you get the idea.

Cons:

• The people in general are not as friendly as the people that you’ll find on the west coast of Florida (west coast pulls from the Midwest and the east coast pulls from northeast New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and so on).

• Insurance will probably be more (Home, Car)

• Cost of living may be marginally higher (city compared to city), I don’t know.

As far as one place being less likely than another to get a hurricane, I don’t by it! Don’t buy that if a hurricane comes ashore on the east coast you don’t have to worry because you’re on the west cost. It’s true that the flooding risk will be lower in that scenario but not necessarily the wind. According to the wind measurements on the ground for Hurricane Wilma there were higher gust on the east coast than the west coast(Cudjoe Key 123mph peak gust west coast and South Fork of St. Lucie River 133mph peak gust east coast), and the storm entered on the west coast. So anywhere that your looking could have issues with Hurricanes (winds), title surges of course is a different story.

[cfkingfish]

If you are going to put hard earned money into a house in FL, I would look for quality of life as well as temps. I was so set on moving as far south as possible, but that does not always define climate zones. NE St. Pete looks a lot like Coral Gables, as does downtown areas, minus the hill.

I would not recommend buying in Lehigh or Golden Gate. It drops in the winter, and Royals will grow in Lehigh, but no Coconuts.

Of the places you listed, I would look into South Fort Myers/Estero area, closer to the beach. Lakefront Orlando, immediate St. Pete area, and actually Sarasota/Bradenton are fairly warm. West Bradenton and St. Pete have almost identical climates. Orlando area you should find more real estate for your dollar, but location is so key to what your house will be worth come a further drop or rise in the economy. Look for established plants where you are and if you see no Royals, Foxtails, Coconuts, they probably will not grow there.

Another place is downtown Punta Gorda. Very mild in these last winters, smaller town with an old feel to it. Lots of foreclosures and cheap standard of living, with water nearby.

[redant]

PSL is the armpit of SE FL, just my opionion though.

[Tomw]

If you are going to put hard earned money into a house in FL, I would look for quality of life as well as temps. I was so set on moving as far south as possible, but that does not always define climate zones. NE St. Pete looks a lot like Coral Gables, as does downtown areas, minus the hill.

I would not recommend buying in Lehigh or Golden Gate. It drops in the winter, and Royals will grow in Lehigh, but no Coconuts.

Of the places you listed, I would look into South Fort Myers/Estero area, closer to the beach. Lakefront Orlando, immediate St. Pete area, and actually Sarasota/Bradenton are fairly warm. West Bradenton and St. Pete have almost identical climates. Orlando area you should find more real estate for your dollar, but location is so key to what your house will be worth come a further drop or rise in the economy. Look for established plants where you are and if you see no Royals, Foxtails, Coconuts, they probably will not grow there.

Another place is downtown Punta Gorda. Very mild in these last winters, smaller town with an old feel to it. Lots of foreclosures and cheap standard of living, with water nearby.

Don't the smaller towns over there roll up the sidewalks at 9:00pm?

[Eric in Orlando]

Most places have their good and bad sides. I have friends who have lived in other parts of Florida and some alsways come up with negative nicknames after living there. Some I have heard over the years, just for chuckles and yuks !!!

Orlando- Borelando, Poorlando (because of all the low paying tourism jobs)

Eustis- Useless

Leesburg- Sleezeburg

Tampa-Tampblah

Ft. Myers- Fart Myers

Miami-Miyakmi

Ft. Lauderdale- Ft. Liquordale

Port St. Lucie- Port St. Loser

Vero Beach-Zero Beach

Melbourne- Melboring

Palm Bay- Crime Bay

Jacksonville- Jackassville (or Stinks Like ***ville because of the odoriferous pulp mills)

[BeerPlant]

I remember Eustis being Useless, thats because I went to school in nearby Deadland (Deland)

Most places have their good and bad sides. I have friends who have lived in other parts of Florida and some alsways come up with negative nicknames after living there. Some I have heard over the years, just for chuckles and yuks !!!

Orlando- Borelando, Poorlando (because of all the low paying tourism jobs)

Eustis- Useless

Leesburg- Sleezeburg

Tampa-Tampblah

Ft. Myers- Fart Myers

Miami-Miyakmi

Ft. Lauderdale- Ft. Liquordale

Port St. Lucie- Port St. Loser

Vero Beach-Zero Beach

Melbourne- Melboring

Palm Bay- Crime Bay

Jacksonville- Jackassville (or Stinks Like ***ville because of the odoriferous pulp mills)