aboard my friend and happy to have a new arrival to the state
As both Mannings and Thor mentioned, if you want to stay in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, there are a lot of choices.
With the real estate market being what it is for now, you should be able to find exactly what you want in that price range.
Venice, Nakomis, Naples, Port Charlotte, depends on how far south you want to go?
Left up to me, with your "resources", I'd be in one of those area as we write
Marks area is beautiful ane Manatee County has some of the best waterfront areas (IMO) in the area for single family, non-tract homesites
As a native here, and close to your age at 53 (in october), there are a few things you might want to keep in mind when looking for a place to roost:
1) We occassionally get our a$$es handed to us by hurricanes.
Living near or on the water is going to require that you evacuate when a storm approaches. Sometimes it in the form of a "suggestion" and at others, it's in the form of a "mandate." They're not going to force you out of your home. But if the crap hits the fan, you're on your own until or if rescue personnel can get to you.
Our Airboat Rescue Team (fl3ASAR) is in the process of working out an agreement (MOU) with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, to assist them with hurricane, flooding and other shallow water rescue, patrol and recovery work, as well as "other needs" as required. We use airboats and amphibious tracked vehicles areas unreacheable
quickly by conventional means.
Anyway, once the storm passes and you are finally allowed back into your neighborhood/home, you may then be confronted by the fact that you may not have a home
This is one of the hazards of living on/near the water in Florida. I wouldn't let that stop me because the percentage of risk (depending on where you live in the state) and the benefits I feel far outweigh the alternative.
I live inland in Tampa (about 15 minutes north of the closest open water area (Tampa Bay) and I'd move in a minute if I could!
2) Insurance- The insurance industry sucks here in Florida! You'll need flood as well as homeowners insurance, and good luck once the crap hits the fan, in getting the carrier to pay or pay in full and timely!
You can still see some "blue tarps" in the Venice/Port Charlotte area from years back
3) Check the flood maps for "local flooding" area. These are areas that flood when it clouds up
. Seriously, there are some ares that flood with just a couple of hours of hard rain, which we generally get during the summer months. This will effect your insurance as well as possibly your ingress/egress to your home.
4) Check the crime stats.
Bradenton/Sarasota are starting to become more of a haven for some of the gang bangers and wanna be types. Most here have a solution for the problem, but we'd need to change the thinking of the courts and the "hand wringers" and, oh yes, buy more ammunition!
Anyway, check the stats for the area you're looking at to see what you're up against.
Finally, look into future planning boards agendas.
I've seen great areas that in 5-10 years, were nothing more than condos, apartments and other stuff, built among the once single family non-tract houses
Don't mean to be a downer, but just want you to be happy with your choices.
I'm a native here (when I leave I'm taking the flag with me!!! Oh yeah! I "ain't leavin'!)
and retired LEO. I'm in Bradenton and Sarasota frequently on business so I stay pretty well in touch with the goings on down that way.
Also have a friend whose still a LEO with the Manatee Co. S.O.
If there's anything I can help you research, please feel free to ask here or pm me.
Welcome again
Gordon
Moving to FL, looking for home and Vetters
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