MOVING TO FLORIDA KEYS - NEED ADVICE - WHERE DO I GO?

JasonG · 03-08-2006, 11:27 PM

Hello!

I need some help. My wife & I have had it with the cold ( New Hampshire ). We are moving in about 8-12 months. We want the FL Keys. We love Key west as most do, but not realistic for an affordable home.

I have 3 kids, ages 2-14. We all love the water & boating, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to move? I am looking for the ideal location. Good schools, fair housing market, etc. We are in the 4 bedroom 2000 sq ft home for 400 k range. Very difficult to do down there. I am open from Key West to Key Largo. Not looking for a run down area.

My Real Estate broker is suggesting Islamarida or Marathon because of the kids. I never stayed there, but from what I understand there are parks & rec there for the kids. Is marathon a problem because of the airport ( any noise? ) Keeping in mind we want to keys because of boating/beaches, etc does anyone agree?

Thank you!
Jason

signmansez · 03-09-2006, 12:12 AM

jason, i would suggest the middle to lower west coast of florida. the keys are an awesome place to vacation but probably not the best place to raise your family. you will find nicer beaches and in my opinion a higher quality of life on the west coast of florida. i am talking about clearwater to ft. myers. the keys have become such a tourist destination that the peace and quiet that everyone dreams of is hard to find anymore. the lower west coast is still very much like the old keys but even that is changing with the rapid growth we are going through down here. the schools jobs and housing availability are also far superior out of the keys. i moved to florida 20 years ago from connecticut and have not regretted it one bit. i have spent enough time all over the keys to know that it is fun to visit but would not want to live there. my wife and i now get down there 3 to 4 times a year but spend most of our weekends at our beach house in madeira beach which is near clearwater. we love the beaches boating and lifestyle of the west coast. hope this helps a bit. if you can, spend an extended period of time in the keys and i think you will understand what i am talking about.

HenryJ · 03-09-2006, 10:46 AM

I agree with signmansez, not the best place to have your children grow up. West coast sounds good. Here on the east coast you would most likely have to look above palm Beach to find quiet. Take two weeks vacation and drive the lower west coast and the east coast. Stay away from the keys and good luck.

Keys Capt · 03-09-2006, 11:11 AM

Jason, 400K might, I say might, get you a single wide trailer in the Lower Key. You won't get anything in Key West for that. Our schools are loosing 500 students a year. We can't keep teachers, policeman, firemen and other vital civil servants that make society function. Waiters and other service personnel are impossible to find. This crisis is because of the housing situation. To make matters worse the state is talking about a 60% increase on winds storm insurance. We are suffering Conch Flight; multi-generational families are picking up and moving to Ocala, just to get affordable housing. I know it's cold in NH but before coming to the Keys better look before you leap

Anthem · 03-09-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Keys Capt - 3/9/2006 11:11 AM

Jason, 400K might, I say might, get you a single wide trailer in the Lower Key. You won't get anything in Key West for that. Our schools are loosing 500 students a year. We can't keep teachers, policeman, firemen and other vital civil servants that make society function. Waiters and other service personnel are impossible to find. This crisis is because of the housing situation. To make matters worse the state is talking about a 60% increase on winds storm insurance. We are suffering Conch Flight; multi-generational families are picking up and moving to Ocala, just to get affordable housing. I know it's cold in NH but before coming to the Keys better look before you leap

This is right on regarding the housing situation. I live in Jupiter (which is high enough too!) and wanted to look into getting a condo near or with water access for my boat when we go and visit, well no go, nothing under a million that is half way decent. Some are $750K and up and they look pretty run down. A lot of the above comments on the public schools is accurate as well. If your set on going, you might want to look to see if their are any reputable private schools. Good luck!

JasonG · 03-09-2006, 04:25 PM

Hello
I have heard this about the west coast of FL. I use to live in Boca Raton. Form what I understand the west coast areas youa re refering to are in the same staes that the east coast was "before " the condo rushes fo the 70's & 80's on the east.

Does anyone have any input on what towns on the west coast there are? I am not looking for the city life. I am looking for an area where you can have a talk about boats and people actually know what you mean. I dont golf, gamble, or play shuffleboard. I dont mind being 10 minutes from the local best buy, super market, etc.

Is a 4 bedroom home reasonable for $ 400k ( or less ) in this region?

Thanks!
Jason

flyau98 · 03-09-2006, 09:02 PM

I disgree about this not being a place for kids. All we are missing is a mall, and the kids are probably better off with out it. Nothing is better than a kid on a boat with a waterski or fishing pole.

I like Marathon, kinda a nice medium...not quite Key West, but not quite Miami, but not too far from either.

Insurance could be a problem down here. I think you could find a place around 400k though.

Sea Six · 03-10-2006, 12:51 AM

There are a lot of nice areas in SW Fla where you could get a home in that price range. Take a drive down route 41 from Port Charlotte to Everglades City and you'll find an area you like. Also spend time doing searches on realtor.com and you'll see what you can get for your money.

myakka · 03-10-2006, 05:47 AM

If you are good with your hands and you want to live on the water try this link
http://www.charlotteareamls.com/cha/pubmain.php
section E-71 I think the MLS # is R 626323A
New unfinnished and on the water

CayoHueso · 03-10-2006, 11:19 AM

Key West is a great place to raise kids. Mine come home from school, hop in the boat and spear some hogfish or snag some lobster for dinner. Driving presents no worries for me as a parent as there is no place for the kids to be too stupid. If they happen to skip school, it is very likely that someone will see them and give a call. It is a small town but has a lot to offer. New town is where most families live.

JasonG · 03-10-2006, 09:30 PM

HELLO

What do you mean by GOOD WITH YOUR HANDS?

Thanks!
Jason

myakka · 03-10-2006, 11:20 PM

JasonG
The house is just weather tight. Its someone elses project and they ran out of money ,as far as i can see. were you able to find the house on the MLS link?

JasonG · 03-11-2006, 01:52 AM

Duh, my bad. However I cannot log in, nor can I see a way to register.

gillgetter · 03-29-2006, 08:01 PM

After reading these posts about high housing costs, I gotta ask - If houses are 750,000 - 1 million on average, how much are the jobs paying down there? Janitors at $30/hr, managers at 100,000+ ? and its not just the cost of the house, but how about property taxes ad insurance? The same jobs down there must pay ALOT more than here in Michigan.

signmansez · 03-29-2006, 08:39 PM

they live in trailer parks or with a dozen people crammed into a 3 bedroom house. Definately not quality housing.

TeamTeke · 03-30-2006, 06:34 AM

Quote:

gillgetter - 3/29/2006 8:01 PM

After reading these posts about high housing costs, I gotta ask - If houses are 750,000 - 1 million on average, how much are the jobs paying down there? Janitors at $30/hr, managers at 100,000+ ? and its not just the cost of the house, but how about property taxes ad insurance? The same jobs down there must pay ALOT more than here in Michigan.

This is EXACTLY the problem that we have in the Keys. Saleries are only slightly more than the mainland. The real estate market is experiencing a slowdown and some prices may fall. But the average guy is looking to cash out and move to central Florida for affordable housing. I have purchased a 1/2 duplex in KCB and as costs rise around me I too wonder it I can keep this place in my future retirement. A bus line now transports workers from Florida City each day to the Keys.

Jellybean · 03-30-2006, 08:02 AM

I agree that the Keys are a great place for kids to grow up. Mine grew up here and are doing great. As for SW Florida being like the old Keys, that's absurd. The SW coast is nothing like the Keys, and is the most overcrowded and ccongested part of the state. Plus, the average age is about 80.

The Keys are only crowded for short periods of time, like holiday weekends and spring break (now). But most of the time, it's laid back, quiet, and it has the best fishing in the state available 365 days a year. It's paradise. And if you're patient, you will find the right home for that $400K number.

DOUBLE DOWN · 03-30-2006, 04:10 PM

I live part time in Islamorada. Wife and I bought a townhouse in Miami 4 years ago and rent a studio apartment in Key Largo. With a combined income of over 250K, we still can not afford to buy down here. We looked at a 2/2 townhouse with canal access last week, 975K!!! Add to that insurance and property taxes; plus most houses won't appraise for their asking price so you have to come out of pocket with lots of $$$$.

Then, when all that is done, you have to run from the house 5-6 times a year when a hurricane is threatening to send a 15 foot storm surge across your living room and total out everything you own. Our rental apartment had 3 feet of water in it when Katrina passed through, and suffered roof damage from Hurricane Rita that led to a leak over the kitchen appliances.

That being said, I commute to work by boat and put over 1500 hours on my boat in the most beautiful waters you can ask for over the last 4 years. So I guess it all evens out.

slowtroll · 03-31-2006, 12:16 PM

At today's average tax rate throughout the state, annual taxes on a $400,000 home with a $25,000 homestead exemption and assessed at $375,000 will be estimated at $9,750. Your homeowners insurance will average $1500 to $3500 per year depending on how you structure your policy. Keep these costs in mind when signing an offer sheet.

Many buyers have a cardiac moment after signing an offer and then finding out the true cost of their purchase.

Jellybean · 03-31-2006, 02:31 PM

I've lived in the Keys 9 years and have only left for one hurricane, Georges in 1998, and I shouldn't have left for that one. In fact, a lot of my friends from the Palm Beaches came HERE during Frances and Jean. We had a hell of a couple of hurricane parties. The truth is that no part of coastal Florida is immune to the possibility of hurricane damage.