Censored Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 Im a Canadian. I can live in the USA for 6 months a year. The term "Snowbirds" is what we are called. To take advantage of all the "drive to" ports in Florida , with Royal Im looking for recommendations for a place to reside rent or buy (whatever is best) . Take into account all the expenses bond fees, HOA fees, taxes, maintenance, Maintenance condo fees if that applies, and then there is insurance. Lets factor in traffic congestion, weather, and crime/safety. What is the best value proposition for all of that? I also prefer the larger ships and not so sure what ports they are parked at. I do not cruise in summer as I enjoy summer here in Canada. I would say Dec-may thx in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 The big ships sail from Port Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. The other port in Florida is Tampa, but it can't handle a big ship because of the bridge. Ft. Lauderdale and Miami are about a 45 minute drive away from each other and Port Canaveral is only another 3 hours away at the most. If you're going to be driving to ports (consider gas, tolls and parking) then you pretty much can reasonably look anywhere along the east coast from near Port Canaveral south to Miami. If you want to minimize some of those costs, then you should look for something close enough to one of the ports where you can get a cab, Uber/Lyft or a friend to drop you off at the port. Ft. Lauderdale and Miami city proper are going to likely cost more $$ than the Port Canaveral area. Ft. Lauderdale and Miami are closer to airports, though. But if you're going to factor in the costs of parking and driving to the port no matter what, you can look further out to the suburbs and the West Palm Beach area or even Port St. Lucie. It also depends on what you want out of where you are living. You could go more towards the Central Florida area (Ocala - Orlando - Tampa) and probably find some more value, but again your commute to the cruise ports will be a little more costly. Rene Desmarais 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 I have an entire thread about moving to FL as it relates to cruising. There are so many things to consider but after many visits and much analysis, we chose the Treasure Coast as it is equidistant between MIA/FLL and Port Canaveral. It is only slightly further over to Tampa. We chose this area strictly b/c of its location relative to the cruise ports. We built a house in Port St Lucie, which is 1 hr north of West Palm Beach. This area is exploding with development which is both good and bad. Prices are becoming completely unreasonable and we are fortunate to have made our move when we did (signed construction contract in Sept 2020 and moved down here in Nov 2020 while the house was being built). FL is like anywhere else….different parts of FL have different vibes and different influences. As a general rule (always exceptions), south FL is more expensive than northern FL and the west coast is less expensive than the east coast. The interior of FL is rural. These are all generalizations and there certainly are exceptions but that will give you a good rule-of-thumb. I guess if I have any advice it would be -DON’T WAIT. I mentioned prices. It’s really getting insane. The base price of the house we built has gone up $109K in 16 months….and you can’t build my house right now at ANY price b/c all of the lots are long gone. Of course, like anything else, it depends on what you’re looking for. We wanted an over-55 gated community but there are plenty of other options. Since you are going to be snowbirds, I would definitely recommend some type of gated community just for the security since you will be living elsewhere for months at a time. There are many others on this blog that have made that move somewhat recently, so, no doubt, you will get lots of other advice ! IRMO12HD, kadmgs, Kata and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debstr66 Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 I've been in Port St Lucie going on 7 yrs, 6 in Veranda Gardens right off the Turnpike. Easy drive to Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) as well as Port Canaveral. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 I could never live in Florida. Hurricanes and heat and humidity. No thanks. But man that sure would make cruising more convenient. Maybe when I'm of retirement age I'll change my tune. Rene Desmarais, SpeedNoodles and BeachGal 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 13 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: I could never live in Florida. I said these exact words to my wife two Saturdays ago when we had an extra day in Miami. We were wandering around outside of the touristy area. My statement was based on all the creepy crawly things that you don’t see in places where the temps drop below 0° F, but I agree with your reasons, too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 31 minutes ago, Debstr66 said: I've been in Port St Lucie going on 7 yrs, 6 in Veranda Gardens right off the Turnpike. Easy drive to Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) as well as Port Canaveral. We're actually in Tradition, but PSL is close enough for reference ! LOL Debstr66 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 We are between St Augustine and Jacksonville in North Florida. We actually have a change of seasons here and very few snowbirds. We are 2 hours to Port Canaveral, 4 to Fort Lauderdale and 4 1/2-5 from Miami depending on traffic. I’d personally look around the Space Coast. Melbourne etc. That would put you basically at Canaveral and then just 2-3 hours to Everglades and Miami. Prices will be more reasonable. You’ll also be close to I-4 (or Bee line) to shoot over to Tampa. WAAAYTOOO and cdixon22 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 1 hour ago, smokeybandit said: I could never live in Florida. Hurricanes and heat and humidity. No thanks. But man that sure would make cruising more convenient. You're not wrong. Humidity is brutal and then there's the russian roulette every summer of will you or wont you get slammed by a major storm. I tend to forget about all of that when I do my 1-3 hour drive to the ship instead of flying. Rene Desmarais, greenline627, WAAAYTOOO and 6 others 6 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAYNO Posted February 8, 2022 Report Share Posted February 8, 2022 We have also thought about moving South. My research tells me I oughta live in central/inland Florida. That's still less than 2-hours drive to a couple of the cruise ports, the houses are much cheaper than on the beach, and hurricanes often slow down a little bit by the time they get inland. Winter Haven is on my radar. WAAAYTOOO and Vancity Cruiser 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluer101 Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 We are in Boca Raton since 1982. It’s nice to be so close to all the action, ports, theme parks, ships, Florida Keys, Bahamas by personal boat, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 I have been in Fort Lauderdale for my entire life and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Once your acclimated to the humidity it’s not even a thing. Hurricanes dodge downtown Fort Lauderdale for some reason we always get lucky! If you invest the money to install impact glass and home solar/generation systems then hurricanes and major storms are almost a non issue. Having access to two major cruise ports is wonderful and gives you the option to book quick weekend cruises year round. The downside is the cost of living in downtown proper is very expensive (well worth it though IMHO). You could always look for something in the surrounding suburbs like Hollywood, Plantation, Miramar or Pompano which offer a lower cost of living (in most cases) and still are in close proximity to Fort Lauderdale/ Miami. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 4 hours ago, smokeybandit said: I could never live in Florida. Hurricanes and heat and humidity. No thanks. But man that sure would make cruising more convenient. Maybe when I'm of retirement age I'll change my tune. We say the same thing about anyone who does not live in SoFL wondering how people can deal with the cold. It’s jacket weather here if the temp drops below 70F. Hurricanes & humidity aside there’s something to be said about an endless Summer. I’ve left reluctantly a few times and visited somewhere with snow and a real Winter and I find myself kissing the ground when we land back at FLL vowing to never leave again. WAYNO, WAAAYTOOO, cdixon22 and 2 others 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser4Life Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 6 hours ago, Jill said: We are between St Augustine and Jacksonville in North Florida. We actually have a change of seasons here and very few snowbirds. We are 2 hours to Port Canaveral, 4 to Fort Lauderdale and 4 1/2-5 from Miami depending on traffic. I’d personally look around the Space Coast. Melbourne etc. That would put you basically at Canaveral and then just 2-3 hours to Everglades and Miami. Prices will be more reasonable. You’ll also be close to I-4 (or Bee line) to shoot over to Tampa. I personally second this recommendation for space coast/Melbourne/cocoa beach area if you are looking to relocate to Florida. I live in west Broward county (west of ft lauderdale/port Everglades) and although happy here with the quick access to ports, just love that central area of Florida. We are a military family and with the base up there, it is a beautiful, quiet, friendly and patriotic beach area, only an hour from Orlando. WAAAYTOOO and bryresangel 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser4Life Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 46 minutes ago, Cruiser4Life said: I personally second this recommendation for space coast/Melbourne/cocoa beach area if you are looking to relocate to Florida. I live in west Broward county (west of ft lauderdale/port Everglades) and although happy here with the quick access to ports, just love that central area of Florida. We are a military family and with the base up there, it is a beautiful, quiet, friendly and patriotic beach area, only an hour from Orlando. Oh.. and I feel like the hurricanes also somehow avoid this area… the last couple times a storm was headed for SoFla, we hightailed it up to Melbourne and relaxed without having to worry about the base or surrounding hotels lose electricity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetmojo Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 We moved two years ago to a small town called Deland. We are 20 mins from the beach, a little over an hour from Port Canaveral, 2 hours from port of Tampa, an hour from Disney, we can get to 3 airports and we can even get to Ft. Lauderdale in a little over 3 hours and it's not a bad drive. We love it here, it's the best thing we have ever done. WAYNO and kadmgs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rene Desmarais Posted February 9, 2022 Report Share Posted February 9, 2022 my parents were Snow birds for a couple of years in a gated retirement community(Springhill) and enjoyed it. We have family in Springhill and Lake Placid when I think about retirement plans, my mind brings me in a journey of places I visited and reminders of my Parents experiences. Had a recent chat with my wife concerning this and she had a smile on her face. She said "We could rent our current house for additional income and buy something in Florida" hmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryresangel Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 23 hours ago, Cruiser4Life said: We are a military family and with the base up there, it is a beautiful, quiet, friendly and patriotic beach area, only an hour from Orlando. Patrick is one of my absolute favorite bases I have had the good fortune to visit. Wish I could have been stationed there! Cruiser4Life 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RorySC Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 Thank you Edmund, Great topic! Will be following this one very closely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadmgs Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 We are looking at the Kissimmee area, eventually. We have to wait until I retire from public school in 9-10 years. We are also a military family, so being close to a "good" VA hospital and relatively close to an exchange is important. Besides cruising, Disney is big for us, so being close to the Mouse is a priority. I'm ready to get my Florida resident AP pass. Our timeshare program also has locations in Orlando and Cape Canaveral, so Kissimmee puts us close to both. However, if money wasn't an issue, we would buy in Key West tomorrow. LOL! VirtKitty and RorySC 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 On 2/8/2022 at 3:47 PM, smokeybandit said: I could never live in Florida. Hurricanes and heat and humidity. No thanks. But man that sure would make cruising more convenient. Maybe when I'm of retirement age I'll change my tune. Lived in Fl all my life so I guess I'm used to it. There is a new invention call air conditioning. Every car, business, and home have it. We live inland some so the hurricanes (when and if they hit} are usually not as strong as on the coast. If you invest in a whole house generator you have beat the hurricane thingie by about 90%. It's all about how you are prepared. Rene Desmarais, RorySC, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovetoCruise87 Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 I love living in Florida. Hurricanes are much less often that snow storms up north. The heat you sort of get used to. Also, I live only 30 minutes from Port Canaveral....huge bonus!! WAAAYTOOO and kadmgs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovetoCruise87 Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 On 2/8/2022 at 11:41 PM, Cruiser4Life said: Oh.. and I feel like the hurricanes also somehow avoid this area… the last couple times a storm was headed for SoFla, we hightailed it up to Melbourne and relaxed without having to worry about the base or surrounding hotels lose electricity. We are in Brevard county and lived through the 2004 season of 4 hurricanes! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolly Ogre Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 On 2/8/2022 at 3:47 PM, smokeybandit said: I could never live in Florida. Hurricanes and heat and humidity. No thanks. But man that sure would make cruising more convenient. Maybe when I'm of retirement age I'll change my tune. Good!!..Stay out of my swamp! I like the heat and the humidity and all the creepy crawly things. WAAAYTOOO, PRebecca, MikeK and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 The heat isn't the issue. Our summer high last year was 95. But that was with 20% humidity. Not that 70/80% stuff you Floridians swim through VirtKitty and PRebecca 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kadmgs Posted February 10, 2022 Report Share Posted February 10, 2022 16 minutes ago, MikeK said: Lived in Fl all my life so I guess I'm used to it. There is a new invention call air conditioning. Every car, business, and home have it. We live inland some so the hurricanes (when and if they hit} are usually not as strong as on the coast. If you invest in a whole house generator you have beat the hurricane thingie by about 90%. It's all about how you are prepared. Living in Houston is not much different than Florida when it comes to climate and hurricanes. Our Generac is a life saver. Funny enough, the first time it was really tested was the snowpocalypse last February when the Texas electrical grid collapsed. I'm a Gulf Coast girl, so I'll take 90+ degrees and 100+ mph winds over snow and ice any day. MikeK and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted February 11, 2022 Report Share Posted February 11, 2022 7 hours ago, smokeybandit said: The heat isn't the issue. Our summer high last year was 95. But that was with 20% humidity. Not that 70/80% stuff you Floridians swim through Perhaps, but this probably isn’t what your swimming through in your backyard. The many positives certainly outweigh maybe a few negatives. Rene Desmarais and kadmgs 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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