Some people will ultimately decide that life in a Florida retirement community is not for them.
While I am a big fan of many communities, I have one big problem. I love the ocean and get the shakes if I go too long without smelling the salty air.
In 2012 we moved into a Florida oceanfront condo and I'm not gonna lie, we love it, and it would be very hard to get us to leave.
But, there are several things about living in an oceanfront condo that I could do without.
I know for certain that for some people, these annoyances would be enough to get them to leave.
Years ago when I sold homes in a Florida active adult community, I saw people that lived in condos come in every month and buy houses after realizing they could not hack condo living for one reason or another.
In no particular order, here's what they don't tell you in the ads and MLS listings for oceanfront condos.
1. You WILL hear the people above you
Admittedly, I was naive and didn't think this would be a huge issue.
The condo we live in was built in 2003 so I thought condo construction practices had evolved to the point of eliminating this pesky problem, but apparently not.
Everyone gets along here at the condo, but I think everyone has moments where they wish the people above them would just stop moving around.
Our biggest problem is that we tend to be late risers. Meanwhile, the lady that lives above us is an early riser and goes out onto her patio to watch the sunrise every single morning.
Because of where our bedroom is in relation to the patio, which is the same as her bedroom and patio we hear her get out of bed, use the bathroom, flush the toilet, open the sliding glass door, and adjust her chair to just the right sunrise viewing position.
Then 20 minutes later, we pretty much hear the same, just in reverse.
If you're thinking about moving into a condo, and it's not the penthouse, plan on having to deal with this issue!
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2. You can't pick your neighbors
And I don't mean your neighbors in the condo. We actually don't ever hear the people that live beside us, and they claim to not be able to hear us, which I have my doubts about…I can get pretty animated sometimes 🙂
What I mean here is that in a normal community, you can pretty much count on another house being right next to you. Heck, it might even look exactly like yours.
Here at our condo, just to the south of us, we have a vacant lot and then an old hotel. The old hotel is currently shut down and undergoing renovations. I believe it is supposed to be a Hyatt Place when they are through, so that's not too bad.
But my biggest worry is what will become of the vacant lot. Now, I know the city, county, and local planning departments will have a say in what can and will ever go there, but who knows? Dumb projects get approved all the time.
Nothing you can do about this though, and again, for us, it's not enough of a worry to make us want to leave. I think the condo market in this part of the state is what it is, it will be a while before anything is built there. (You should see how hard I'm knocking on this table right now!)
3. You can't control the weather
In the last community and house we lived in, we didn't worry too much about hurricane season. As long as there wasn't a category 4 or 5 bearing down on us the routine was to buy water, buy batteries, and let the hurricane party begin. We were several miles inland.
In the 7 months that we've been here at the condo, we have not had any major hurricanes, but we had one on the verge of a category 1 go through, a few pass by 100+ miles offshore, and another that never got a name but probably should have.
Now, this place feels like it's built like a fortress. It probably is. I have little concern about it blowing over or the roof blowing off. But what puts you on edge during big storms is the sound.
The wind finds any and every way it can to enter the building…hallways, vents, underneath doors…and when it does, it sounds like a constant train whistle blowing. It's not so bad during the day, its kind of fun to watch the palm trees blowing in the wind and the sound is a suspenseful soundtrack to this activity. But at night man, it's tough to get to sleep with that sound.
We have hurricane shutters on all the windows and sliders, and you'd think that would help. While it does help us feel safer, it does not cut down on the sound at all.
Another downside as it pertains to weather is if a higher category storm ever makes its way to us, and it will if there is enough time the county typically evacuates the peninsula.
So this means we'd have to batten down the hatches, pack some stuff, and head on out. An inconvenience for sure, but of course, it's all in the name of safety.
UPDATE: In 2017, we rode out Hurricane Irma at our condo. You can read about those shenanigans here.
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4. You'll never have clean windows again
If your wife or significant other is a stickler for clean windows, good luck. With all the wind and sea spray from the ocean, your windows and sliders will get dirty in a hurry.
There might be a height limit on this…I'm not sure. We are on the 5th-floor southeast corner of a 12-story building, and I know almost everyone facing the same direction as us has the same issue.
My wife doesn't make me dangle my head out there and clean the windows, thank God. We have a service that comes out once a month, dangles down the side of the building, and gets the job done.
The windows look great right after they finish, but it doesn't take long for them to get dirty again.
So those are just a few of the things that we've found to be annoyances here at the condo in our first 7 months.
Of course, it's not all bad! In another article, I cover the things I LOVE about Florida condo living.
Like I said before, there's nothing on this list that would cause us to want to leave, but they might be deal breakers for some of you!
Over to you...
Do you think you could ever live in an oceanfront condo?
Why or why not?
Let us know in the comments below!
We lived in an oceanfront condo for 10 years. We did not have the upstairs neighbor problem because our condos were townhouses. The stairs were minimal but there were stairs, but so much more privacy including your own patio where you can use your grill ( note that grills rust out sooner due to salt spray, even if covered.) There is nothing thats compares to oceanfront condo living and it is worth salty windows, occasional scary weather and anything else.
I own a large well-maintained, well-managed condo on FL’s east coast, north of West Palm Beach. It’s on the Intracoastal so less of the cons mentioned on the article. It’s a small complex, just four 2-story buildings totaling 24 units, each w/ its own 1-car garage and boat slip. I’m on the 2nd floor so no noise above, and walls and floors are solid. I’ve had the unit fully rented out at $1800/mo for the past 7 years. It was going to be my full-time retirement destination in a couple more years.
However, increasing expenses: $20K in special assessments over the past 3 years, property taxes up 50% over the past 5 years, and property insurance up 23% this year, are going to force me to cash out and sell before I reach retirement.
What about the issue of potentially huge assessments to remediate issues in older condos like the one in Miami that collapsed?
We plan on moving to south Florida within the year, but no condo.
I can’t imagine having no private backyard for grilling and enjoying nature.
Ryan: We stay in a Destin condo annually. For us, retiring in Florida would require being beachfront and a condo is really the only reasonably affordable option. Concerns, include special assessments, especially after storms, noise from neighbors, insurance expenses and having other residents control everything about the building. Also, the condo we rent is in a building where there are permanent residents, occasional residents and units that are rentals. Of course, the rentals have a constant stream of different occupants with varying levels of courtesy. In other words, there are just too many variables that a permanent resident has no control over. For a couple weeks, the lovely view and ocean breezes adequately offset the toddlers running across the ceiling. I’m doubtful we could handle it 24/7/365.
Great article! We are excited to own beachside condo in couple years! Born and raised in the Midwest we crave our vacations and know we want to be there several months/year when retired (2 years, 8 months 29 days – but who’s counting lol)!
These CONS are very doable for us! We’ve considered off the beach or inland a bit but we want the beach – sunrise and moonrise on our own beachfront balcony – always trumps all other items on our list!! Also read the PROS article and we know it’s best choice for us! We built our home on 2+ acres and have a pool – blessed with 32+ years of bliss here but so ready to be done with maintenance and upkeep!
I grew up on the beaches of South Jersey. Spent all my years, clamming, fishing, crabbing, boogie boarding and laying out tanning. The water is a part of me, it’s in my soul. Unfortunately life took me inland and I have been in Ohio now for 30 some years. We still have a place in South Jersey and every summer I spend 2 weeks there. No deviating from that vacation…but we also go to Florida now every chance we get. We go several times a year and are hoping to be snowbirds someday soon. As long as I’m near the salt air, the seagulls and can spend my days walking the beach and shelling I will be happy. I tell my husband that I hope Heaven includes a beach because that is my Heaven on earth….I could definitely do a condo on the beach!!!
I live in a condominium on the top floor. The condominium is located in Massachusetts and not the beach. It was built in 2006. There is virtually no sound proofing. I can hear my neighbors in the next unit talking. Their cooking smells are always in my unit and even though I rarely cook I’m sure they smell my food too. The neighbor below is young and loves rap music. My entire place vibrates when he is listening to his music. He also slams doors frequently. I may relocate to Florida but to a house! I’m sick on condo life.
Thanks for the article. I agree with you on all and so many of the comments here. My spouse and I owned a condo on Ocean Blvd in Palm Beach County, FL for a few years. We loved our condo and the pool overlooking the ocean. It was nice to be able to go out to the beach whenever you want to. I saw turtles being born out of the send and mother turtles laying their eggs at night, it was cool. All that you stated is true, the windows are always a mess and so many other issues. What we disliked mostly about living at our ocean condo is that we found that most of the people there were very fake, phony, pretentious, and super selfish. The people here were completely devoid of God or spirituality/religion. Most did not have any college education and put on airs and always looking for attention, revving their Porsches and trying to get attention, always putting on airs. The BOD was horrible, absentee, none lived there only a few weeks or months out of the year, all meetings were always on the phone, but controlled everything and relied too much on weak managers and overall all was very poorly run. It seemed like a lot of the BOD and managers, we had about five over a three-year period were always on the take, putting a lot of assessments to get kickbacks from big construction companies, kind of like that book written about condos based in Hollywood Florida called Le Chateau. The condo complex had so many renters, and they never would adhere to any of the rules. The noise in our high rise was so bad, you could hear anything. There was AirBnB and a lot of funny stuff going on, people broke rules to do construction at night and on weekends, although they were not supposed to, so inconsiderate and sneaky. Someone even backed into my parked car and did a lot of damage, and took off and never was man enough to admit to damaging it. A lot of people abused the condo on the beach, we were all only allowed six guests at a time, but some would have 10-20 or more and took and used all the chairs and space for them and their guests, never thinking about any other owner. The selfishness at this condo was an eyeopener. We had never been exposed to so much selfishness in our lives until we bought a condo on the beach in Florida. People acted as if they lived in Palm Beach they were so important and so the pretentiousness was sickening. The lady who worked in the office was so mean and had such a bad attitude, but the BOD and manager never would get rid of her, she treated most very badly, really mean and nasty, most realtors did not like her. Some say she knew a lot of secrets and funny business that was going on there so that is why they tolerated her bad attitude. She was never nice. The beach condo was not maintained well and they did not enforce rules well or have a fining committee so it was anything goes, very lawless and me me me, selfish. I would not recommend a condo in Florida, a house is better, Florida condos are problematic because they have a snowbird mentality, so if you live there year-round you will be disappointed as they just do not keep up or maintain things year round well, it is all about getting everything ready for the snowbirds only. The BOD’s are bad too, mostly sharks, people with little education running things and wasting a lot of our money or causing a lot of lawsuits and high lawyer costs due to their egos and mismanagement. We did not have a positive experience with our beach condo in Florida. A house is better in Florida. You can live within a mile of the beach and own a house for a lot less and ride your bike, walk, or get a city beach decal to park and it is so much cheaper and so many less headaches. Who wants to be exposed and around so many selfish, pretentious, fake phony people? We didn’t like that, that was the biggest downside for us.
Just downsized into a beach front condo and absolutely love it – except for the heel walkers above us – has anyone had a conversation with their upstairs neighbors to make them aware of the issue – what did you say and how did it go?
Nice article. Sea spray and grime are true for our 20th floor condo, across the street from the beach as well 🙁
The CONDO fees cover the grounds keeping, grass, weeds, exterminating, gym, pool, lighting, painting, parking, repairs, pluming, security, land taxes, and sometimes cable and internet etc. As long as they are reasonable then its for your community
As retirement draws near, waterfront living is our choice, but beachfront! we’ve had a vacation condo and have experienced all that was written. my biggest issue is the condo fees! you have no control over them and they keep rising and you have to pay for a lifetime!! so even if you paid off your condo, those fees will always be there along with your property taxes.
Love our ocean front condo. Love the low upkeep required. Love closing shutters and leaving.
Don’t like how the condo commandos treat residents like children and forget owners are indeed owners! You loss your voice and are unable to express opinions. Communication from those that make rules and changes is extremely poor.
At the end of the day, I enjoy the beach, ocean and balcony – in the peace of my home.
One thing I realize just visiting my friend’s condo in Boca is that during the day the view is awesome but once it gets dark, there is nothing to look at…just black. If I were to buy a condo it would be on the intercoastal. That way you have the pretty lights from across the way and you can watch the boats going up and down. Seems silly maybe but just something I have noticed.
We lived in a first floor condo and fortunately the people above us were only there for a few weeks in the winter. However when they were and moved their dining chairs across the tile floors, it was awful. They gave us a key to check on their condo occasionally, so we bought chair leg pads and installed them on the chairs! Problem solved!
Forgot another downside – the noise. I live in a condo complex with mostly senior citizens so there is activity all the time. All the noise when one (or more) of your neighbors does (or hires done) any remodeling in their condo. The noise starts at 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning and doesn’t end til 5:00 pm. I very seldom get to sleep before 3:00 am so this is very annoying to me.
This is my first and last time to live in an apartment or condo. The view of the Gulf is beautiful, but I pay for that view every month in my HOA fees.
The biggest problem I found about condo is the boards they are usually made up of buddies who want to control everything you do. I heard all my life about Controlling boards and it is true. Wish I had listened. Moved out over a year ago and couldn’t be happier.
Lived in a condo for 20 years. The two first neighbors below me were wonderful…then the nightmare moved in. I entertained once a year and we always wrapped it up by 9:30 PM. The curfew for noise was 10:00 pm. This neighbor waited and as my guests left, she began yelling st th hem as they leaving. She filed several complaints against me stating such things as I had put in tile flooring…which I had not done, th as t I brushed my teeth too loud…where do you even begin to address this? The complaints did not stop until I finally moved out. Never had another bad neighbor. I hope whoever’s purchased the condo after me had lots of noisy kids who scream and stomp.
We just bought a condo three blocks from the Atlantic in Cape Canaveral and found out about a special assessment after the fact. 1.5 million dollars for the concrete balconies falling off. Another one for 2200 twice this year for rusting elevators. Beware of special accessments. They can charge what they want.
We moved to a 24 unit ocean front condo on the Hollywood Beach Boardwalk.
I agree with two of your points: rusting damage due to salt air and wacky neighbors. Thankfully we don’t have the other experiences.
I do think it takes a certain type of person to truly appreciate ocean front condo living. Being a triathlete, I take full advantage of my “outdoor gym”. I’m also a minimalist who doesn’t want a big home with lots of things cluttering my space. I like keeping things simple and condo living allows me this.
Not to mention, the beautiful view.
I’ve been a condo manager for close to 25 years (Retired). I would never move into a beachfront property. Until a solution is found for salt air being stopped from rusting out the reinforcement steel of concrete and block buildings. Salt air creates cracks in the concrete placed in the forms when pouring the decks. floors, and columns. because once rusting begins in the structural steel, it expands cracking the concrete. Once the rusting and repair of the steel begins, (usually 10 to 15 years after building construction) it becomes a never ending project in the building every few years as new rust Keeps appearing, and cracking the concrete, If left ignored and unrepaired, it can create instability, and future collapse of suspended concrete.(patios etc.) I live about 3/4 of a mile from the beach and have some slight rusting issues but nothing like if I lived in the beach..
We live in a ground-floor wraparound that is oceanfront, with a big patio in the front and to a side that is extremely private. We made sure that our flood elevation was well above the flood line and we are lucky to be able to clean our windows at ground level when needed. We would never purchase such a unit inland and the only place where this unit is golden is oceanfront and on the corner. It is like a beach house and not a condo and we love it!
I agree with what was said about living in a Condo on the Beach! Yes, its beautifiul, overlooking the pool palm trees, and ocean, it makes me feel relaxed, comfortable, and like you have arrived. I agree to one of the concerns above. The upstairs neighbor! You could choose a condo that does not allow renters, but they are few, and the owner could go and let renters use it without the condo knowing, or better yet friends each week coming in and out. I think the example above was great about the lady that walks out to see the sunrise each day!
We have the same problem, but worse, the unit above is completely tile floors throughout, and it seems from Saturday to Saturday, Renter check in time and out, that the renters do nothing bu drag the furniture from one room to another all the time. It’s noisy and makes me want to leave sometimes. The Condo does recommend that when you remodel, to put a sound retardant under the tile so that it will sound proof, but its expensive and no one does this due to the cost.
We had a house within a mile from the beach prior to this, but grandkids and kids wanted to not have to drive to the beach, just to walk out, yes its hard carrying chairs, umbrellas drinks, towels and all the other items, and you always leave something, so the Condo makes since! So you can see I look forward to the winter Spring & Fall , when kids and renters are fewer in number and there is peace and quiet.
Another concern is the pool, our unit is so great and beautiful but we are on the 2nd floor, and right by the pool, and kids in the pool don’t leave till 12 or so, and make a lot of noise, so lower floors are convenient and beautiful, but there will be noise from the pool area as well as upstairs, and yes, your side neighbors.
So I agree with the writer! I love the place, but do not know if I can live their full time due to the noisy neighbors, but it’s convenient and close to the ocean. Yes, you will also have HOA fees and possible assessments, which are expensive, but they do all the work for you, and keep the place good for the renters who seem to use all of it.
Condos are great if you plan to travel back north in the summertime. You can just lock the door and almost forget about the unit. The biggest downside are all of the hefty monthly and quarterly fees, and don’t forget the assessments for “mandatory” renovation items. Renting them can also be a challenge!
Single-family houses located within bike riding distance to the coast, pier, or town is ideal (Venice looks like a winner!). Again, it is more ideal to live year-round in the property. You do still have to cut the grass and maintain the landscaping, paint the trim, etc. but the home ownership costs tend to be lower.
I’d be interested in hearing more of your thoughts on the Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island area. Being from the north, I want to be in warm weather year-round, but comfortable. I lived in Naples for two years and always frequented the Gulf Coast. We built a coach home in Estero and went to Ft. Myers all the time. Though it is a fantastic area (always compared to Hawaii for their weather!), I’m thinking further north. St. Augustine, Palm Coast, or north, but not close to busy Jacksonville.
Specifically, there’s an area east of Fernandina known as Yulee that is 6-7 miles from the beach. It is growing fast. Can you help with whether or not it might be too rural?? I like it to be somewhat laid back.
The prices seem reasonable and there are plenty of bike trails and outdoor activities. I am thinking year-round living in the area.
I appreciate all of your insight and experiences!
I posted back in December 2016 about owning condos on the beach in Destin, Florida. We now live in our home in The Villages and absolutely love it. An advantage we have is living on a golf course, also with a water view. We had our lanai glassed in with sliding glass doors, and with AC. We live on the lanai.
We thought about living in one of the condos on the beach, but believe moving to The Villages is the best move we have ever made. We LOVE it here. Our neighborhood is so friendly. At one party at a neighbors house he said, “We have all left our family and friends back where we came from, and now we are all family together.” That is how it feels here.
We want to sell several of our condos, but always want to keep the nicest one forever. The view is breattaking. But after a few weeks we are so ready to get back home in The Villages.
I could write a book on condo living, but prefer all the pros of living in The Villages!!!
I love the condo environment, although you had better enjoy your neighbors in the association. Not everyone is as friendly as the first week. Assessments can really strain your wallet too when unexpectedly cost arise And lastly, association fees are a bummer but at least it covers a lot of services you wouldn’t have to do yourself. Condo living is great You just have do your research about the condo community before you purchase it.
Looking to move to Hutchinson Island from Westchester NY in about a year. I love it down there. I feel so much better when I’m on the water. It’s in my blood. Properties are somewhat affordable compared to where I live now and I keep debating about oceanfront vs non oceanfront. My husband is afraid of the unknown costs ( hurricane damage, insurance cost etc) I am more of a live your life person and let’s not worry about what could happen! Not sure I’ll be happy inland but I’d be a short drive from the ocean, get more house for the money.
Thanks for your insight …. it’s truly helpful . Was thinking the right thing to do is to rent for a year rather than buy.
Hi, Love your articles. I have always wanted to live on the water…any water. It can be a river, a lake, the ocean. Before I die I want to LIVE ON WATER. Since I’m in my mid 70’s I have to hurry if I wish to check this off of my bucket list, but I can still dream.
Presently I live a block from the beach in Myrtle Beach, SC. I’m a widow and have a cute townhouse with three bedrooms and two full baths. Thankfully one bedroom is downstairs and I am now there due to having problems walking. This leaves me two huge guest rooms. Do I want them? NOPE!! I have lived in Myrtle Beach since 1993 and have had my share of guests. I felt like I owned a bed and breakfast but my bank account showed otherwise. Guests are NOT cheap. Since I’m a widow I don’t have many guests anymore. They usually wanted golf with my husband and didn’t care about the beach.
Your ‘cons’ about condo living would never keep me away from a small 2 bedroom, 2 bath. I actually could live in an efficiency, really…..but if I do get company I’d want a place for them to be comfortable. Despite what I said about not needing any more company I DO like people. Being around a lively group in a condo would make me feel good just knowing they are there.
So, flush the toilets, scrape the tiles, do whatever…won’t keep me away. What will? THE CONDO FEES! I was fortunate enough to grab my townhome at a good time, 5 in a row, no fees. We all take great care of them and we cooperate. I know fees are great for keeping up the property and protecting ones investment but it scares me, being on a fixed income and not wealthy, to think they could keep rising. I am AT the ocean but can’t SEE the ocean…there’s a difference. I want to sit on a balcony with a cup of coffee in the AM and watch the sun rise. Yes, I can walk that block with my coffee, or in a golf cart, but it just isn’t the same.
I think I may have that ‘grass is greener’ mentality but I have always wanted to live in Florida and I hate to give up that dream. I was thinking of renting but am concerned with what kind of neighbors I could have. I don’t care about noise etc. but I DO care about everything being clean. I am OCD on that score.
So, what’s your advice? Think I should just rest on my laurels and walk that block to get my “fix’ for the day? By the way, I am writing this from a hotel in Kingsland, Georgia where I evacuated due to Hurricane Florence. Been out of my home for a week now. LOL Ain’t nature grand? LOL
We have been torn between an ocean view condo and a very small pool home. I want something small enough to be carefree. I just don’t feel like doing yard work and taking care of a house anyone. The beach condos are so expensive a iffy. This article was helpful.
I live in a condo on the bay of the GOM. It is rent restricted so not as much in and out of vacation renters who take over and do NOT care that this is your home, not a vacation hot spot. Oh and if you like a quiet afternoon reading a book by the pool, forget about it. Always screaming kids. I’ll miss my beautiful view but going back to a private home until I’m very old and can’t hear anymore.
My husband and I had two ocean front condo’s. One we rented with the building manager and the other we did the same, but I used that one more. LOVE the ocean, but the HOA and the Hurricane problems can be a problem. But over all the ocean is wonderful. We now are retired live in a golf community in a town house, still have an HOA 4 times a year, and flood insurance. We have to do some of our own repairs on our place, so really both have good and bad, but that is life. More space in our town house, and we built a screened porch that one can enjoy almost all year. Can plant flowers where we are at. It just depends what one wants, and I hear the new Jimmy Buffett retirement community on LPGA in Daytona Beach is going to be wonderful. Went to get some ideas on how to make ours more Florida looking.
Our condo in Bradenton has very limited parking. One car per family just does not work. Plus, no outside cooking or grilling makes me scream. Nosy neighbors, food smells and then, special assessments for repairs. Not to mention sharing washer and dryer with 6 other units. Condos may be fine for city folks used to living with so many others, but not if you value quiet and privacy.
Thanks for the likes and dislikes of condo living. We actually have lived in Naples since 1991. Beautiful place but getting so built up. Growing up on Long Island we both miss the ocean the gulf just does not cut it. So when my husband retires in about 5 years we are heading over to Jupiter. Probably in a condo on the Marina at the Bluffs. That area reminds us of Naples about 20 years ago. More NYers over there too. A lot of midwesterns on this coast.
Having lived in a detached home for decades, I don’t think I could give up my privacy by living in an apt. or condo. We have an inground pool and enjoy it all summer.
Not a fan of love bugs, either….
However, we vacation in Fl. quite a bit. Mainly in the spring or fall.
I was seriously thinking of moving to Florida…after the last big hurricane, I changed my mind…being a single mom, I know I wouldn’t be able to handle that on my own. I’ll just stay in Chicago and battle the snow…at least I know I won’t have to evacuate and wonder if my home is safe…but I do Love Florida
Thank you loved reading about the pros and cons
The one reason I would not live in an Ocean Front High Rise Condo is experiencing a Spring Break when we stayed in Destin. It was like Animal House on steroids. While you needed to be 25 to rent a condo, many were rented by parents for their kids.
Also we have two dogs…having to going up and down in elevators and long walks for bathroom breaks is not what I want to do. That being said , we want our own pool so we opted out of a +55 community.
Folks all I can say is do your homework. There is a wealth of information on line if you are willing to invest the time and energy to search and ask questions.
My wife and I just retired to Delray Beach in September. We vacationed here for several years in both the summer and winter. This is the best move we made in our life. We love Delray for its location and small town feel. We are seven miles to beauful downtown Delray and the beautiful beaches.
We decided on Huntington Pointe 55 Community 3rd floor condo overlooking a lake. We love it here. The location is great. Outside our community are countless restaurants, shopping centers, 95 and 75. We are close to medical, and entertainment venues. I can go on and on but I’ll let you fine your own paradise!
Enjoyed this article and the ebook I downed. I am a Florida resident, I was raised in Miami and I am currently living inland and have for many years. I miss the ocean and want to relocate when we retire. We’ve started to look, but have not been impressed with some Manufactured Home Communities. We would really like a Villa type home that has minimum, if any, yard work, etc. I would love to get some info on coastal (east or west) but not direct oceanfront or gulf-front, Manufactured Home Communities and/or Villa-type living. thank you!
I have lived in Florida before but not in a high rise ! But when I retire I plan to live in a high rise and facing the ocean ! By choice !!! With all the drawback mentioned in some comments !!! Actually wherever you live you will encounter annoyances and dislikes and things you cannot change !! So give me that oceanfront living 2 more years and Daytona beach high rise living here I come !!! ????????????????
Am looking forward to owning a condo on the Halifax River with a view of the Atlantic a short distance away. Property i’m looking at was built in 2007 and it looks like it’s built well enough to withstand any hurricane.
Have heard that the sea air tends to get on everything and can ruin interior furnishings and the car. My hope would be to find a place on the 15th story or higher and perhaps avoid that problem (except for the car of course).
Hello,
Really enjoyed reading these posts. We moved to Florida a couple years ago. Mainly to get away from the cold winters in Indiana. We sold our home of 35 years and moved to Gainesville. I have been looking at Condos for about six years now. Just looking though, can’t get my wife to agree to purchase one. She wants to be on the ocean, but doesn’t want to do the condo thing. Well as you know we need to win a lottery to accomplish that. Until we come to an agreement, we’ll continue to rent and drive to the beach. We’ve been to The Villages and don’t believe that’s for us. I am concerned about liability insurance costs of living in a condo. Is this a problem?
I like reading your posts re FL
Good information for those of us considering the move to FL
I am 76 and living in beautiful Northern Michigan on a lake I also need water in my life…
I love the New Port Richey Area and Palm Harbor area, considering the pros and cons re a single home and apartment living….I have never lived in an apartment or condo so found your thoughts interesting. I think I am leaning more to a manufactured home community as of now….several trips to FL looking at different options keeps me busy….keep the thoughts coming. I noticed many of the comments are very old like 2012 etc. Wondering if any current prices, ideas, safety etc regarding FL are coming….thank you again for your good posts….
Wow! This article would put a damper on even the best party. Thankfully I didn’t read it in 2004 when my husband and I moved ocean-front, on an island with a high rise bridge in and out that is closed in winds over 50 mph, albeit in NC not Florida. Before I get the typical “but that isn’t Florida with its hurricanes” response; In 2005 we lost our dining room ceiling (visual ~ could see the stars and sky) and were displaced for nearly 6 months while our entire community recovered from a “tiny” cat 1 hurricane followed by a “big” nor’easter. We have had several visitors from the ocean since, the most recent, Matthew. Luckily, no lives were lost and we barely lost power. Anyway, condo life does include the folks upstairs ~ solution ~ spring for a little more and you are those folks. Whenever you move you choose your non-negotiables and your “wish list” items. My neighbors are great, the ocean is the best and my only gripe about condo living are HOA dues. If that is the worst I can express, it must be good. Maybe the positive article should have been showcased first.
You didn’t put the most important thing with condos is the HOA fees. Mine is 450 a month which includes cable, internet and outside water. I pay my utilities 80-150 a month. I also have insurance and taxes. It cost me over 10,000 a year to live in my beach condo and i I have no mortgage. Then there is always an assessment, bigger the building, bigger the assessment. Anywhere from a 1000 to 40,000, I have heard of. And they want their money now! When I see These HGTV specials about buying at the beach, they never mention the extras as HOA fees.
Wanting to move to FL is definitely on my radar, but I’m trying to figure out where. I figure below Tampa is too hot, but to live coastal is too risky with hurricanes, esp on the east side. Inland, and esp. nearer Ocala and above Orlando there are more sink holes. So it seems the question is, Sink holes or hurricane threats? One Floridian realtor (who I think lives in Daytona Beach) told me that nearer the coast, there are no sink holes because water fills in the underground gaps, and farther down in FL’s east coast, there are also less threats of hurricanes. I know there are exceptions to this.
Still, I rationalize that there are millions of homes in FL and probably a very low comparative percentage that are affected by sink holes. But there is also the appealing swap of snow shoveling and bitter cold and ice for the wonderful Florida weather. Fortunately, I’m one of those people that would much rather be too hot than too cold.
I always enjoy your emails and books about The Villages. We had a home built there that was completed in October 2015. We currently live north of Atlanta and look forward to moving to our new home next April. We did an IRS 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange (also known as a Like Kind Exchange. We sold one of our rental condos on the beach in Destin, FL and by making our new home rental in the beginning we can defer the Capital Gain until we sell the house we had built; which we never plan to sell.)
We have considered moving to The Villages for a number of years and since we plan to live there the remainder of our lives I wanted to learn more about life in The Villages.
I am very familiar with owning condos on the beach in Florida having owned 14 at one time, but it is time for me to slow down and enjoy life. We now own 6 condos and plan to sell 3 more within the next year or two. We purchased all our condos pre-construction (what I call buying sand and a plan) beginning in 1994 through 2001 so we purchased at the best possible price. Even with the market downturn we were never upside down with any of them.
I know what you are referring to with hearing the neighbor above. What I hear most is the moving of dining room chairs on the tile floors especially in the morning.
There is one of our condos that I never plan to sell. We will continue owning 2 others for 4 or 5 years because they rent pet friendly. All the rental condos allow owners to own pets but very few allow guests to have pets. Because of this they stay rented and guests pay more for these condos. I have learned that guests with pets take better care of a condo that guests with kids.
Due to a problem with the construction of the building with one of our condos I learned a lot. The architect lost his license because of it. We had problems getting the city, county, and state to help at first but after the state investigation the insurance company paid for the rebuilt but we were closed for 14 months.
Another property where we did not own had their beach washed away during a hurricane and a corner of their building was in the surf when I went to see it on a calm day weeks after the storm and part of their parking garage had caved in. They could not get the state to allow them to put anything in the water to shore up their building.
When I saw this and mindful of what we had gone through I knew that one condo association does not have a strong enough voice to get attention. I decided then to form an association of associations. After a lot of work and a lot of meetings we formed such an association with 70+ association as members representing over 7,000 property owners.
I am so ready to slow down but could probably write a book about owning condos. This was about 12 years ago, and we did a lot to help our associations by getting the attention of county commissioners and city administrators. It can be difficult to keep the momentum over many years because officers of the condo associations change and so do the management companies. We dissolved the association last year.
Florida probably has better condo laws than most states. As an example, in Florida when you but pre-construction they must put the first 10% in Trust and it cannot be used for construction. What is paid down above this can be used for construction. I reserved a condo pre-construction in Pigeon Forge, TN in what was to be a very large development and paid $13,000 down. It took Tennessee a very long time to approve the construction and it was obvious that the developers of the property had taken into consideration all that the state was concerned about but because of the time delay caused by the state the market had turned and to this day it has not been developed. This was a huge loss for Pigeon Forge and a loss of $13,000 for me.
Again, I do enjoy learning about The Villages from your emails and books. My wife has always wanted to live on a golf course and fortunately our home is on a golf course and it also has a water view. We can hardly wait to move there in April. I have a daughter who lives over your way in Titusville and another who lives in Miami so we will see them more often.
Look forward to taking more of your courses as time permits.
Great information.
My husband and I are looking to retire in a few years and are looking at a lot of differ nares in the U.S. One area is Florida. This year after spending a week with friends at Fort Myers Beach( which is out of the question to retire to) we stopped at a 55+ retirement place around Rustin and we like the houses but there was nothing there. The drive in has a Perkins like restaurant, a gas station, a couple fast food places and a beautiful Catholic Church but nothing real else there. According to the people we meant with you have a Walmart close but we are not Walmart people, sorry. If you wanted culture, like music , shows, etc you would have to drive into Tampa, St. Peter’s for all of that. Even the beach was at least 30 minutes away. So all and all not completely impress with this area.
Next year we are going to the other side of Florida and will make an appointment to look at another area of interest around there. I love Florida but we are also,looking at areas in South Carolina and Sun City Az.
We live in Florida 6 months of the year, and Wisconsin 6 months. We moved from a condo on the beach in Panama City Beach, to a house in Sun City Center, 11 years ago, and we just love it. It is south of Tampa a little, a planned community, and our house is on a lake. We notice our outside things don’t rust like they did at the waterfront condo. Windows stay cleaner too. Our house in WI is also on a larger lake, and we use that residence to get out of the hot Florida Summers. If it wasn’t for the high temps, and the high humidity, we would gladly live in Florida year round. Sun City Center has so many things to do, one never gets bored. Besides all the ball courts of all kinds, it has over 200 clubs, that teach everything. It is a 55 plus community, and really not far from the beach. We enjoy the gulf beaches more than the ocean beaches, but both are rather close. We have a HOA lawn service, and a gardener to clip the shrubs, so we don’t have yard work here either. Fees and Insurance are lower inland as well.
My husband passed away last year & all 3 of my children now live in FL. I was all set to buy in FL. & move there. After looking at hundreds of condos I decided that living with snowbirds (who leave after a few months) and renters on vacation, it would be difficult for me to start over with new friends, etc. at 77. I was looking into over 55 communities when my daughter said, “Mother, you will absolutely hate the summers here”. About that same time a house came on the market in town (I live out in the country) that I had always admired so I purchased it. I’m thrilled with my decision. I will go to FL.for the worse of winter to spend time with my children/grandchildren & still keep my old dear friends, church & bridge club. I feel that making this decision was the best one for me and a large weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
In a heart beat! Sign me up, dirty Windows & noisy neighbors be damned!
It is my goal to retire in an ocean front condo, and I’m only 53. If you get fed up, call me, email me, send a carrier pigeon if you must and I will gladly take your condo off your hands! 🙂
Would love the condo living… if the price was right.. I am 63 and Florida is where I want to be.
Hello Ryan, Thanks so much for this insightful article. It’s always good to point out the cons when there are so many pros in regards to living in Florida. My wife and I have always dreamed of living in Florida on the beach. We believe that unless you can wake up to the ocean and see it, there is no reason to move to Florida …..lol…that’s just how we feel. We are constantly looking for articles like these so we are fully educated on the cons . For us, living in Ohio is just so depressing nothing will be able to talk us out of The Florida life. We vacation in Daytona at least 2 to 3 times a year. We have been doing that for over 15 years and we still love it every time we go. We honestly believe the people in Florida are some of the happiest people in the world which is not surprising. We have talked to residents there and they all love it. I could go on and on but you already know the feeling of joy living your dream in Florida. Thanks again for this article and everything you post . We haven’t run across anything yet that would make us change our minds on becoming residents of your beautiful sunshine state…????☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
We recently bought in Kissimmee. Not retired yet only age 56 but need to get away from cold winters here in NYC. Only paid $100K for 3 Br and 2 Ba condo. Tennis courts and pool nearby and low HOA’s and taxes. No problems with neighbors and very safe gated community. Not near the ocean but near lots of shopping, fine restaurants and theme parks. Probably no need to evacuate in case of hurricanes because many miles inland. Will probably eventually move here when we kids are adults and we retire.
Had some friends who lived in a condo right on the beach in Venice, FL. Older condominium project. Something to pay attention to. The salt air infiltrated through the concrete balconies on many of the condos and got to the rebar and rusted it all out. All condo owners had to pay $10,000 each for balcony to be redone (and that was many years ago). Not to mention the inconvenience of not having the balcony and all of the construction for many months. Just another thing to consider when looking at condos. BTW, I would not want to hear my neighbor going to the bathroom!
Hi:
Thank you for your interesting point of view regarding Ocean front condo living. We bought five years ago in Margate, Broward county, south Florida. We are surrounded by the Oriole Golf course and we love it. We are 15 minutes from the beach (Pompano) close to shopping and all the other amenities that is related to condo living. I have owned about 7 condo units and have lived in two this being the second. I like the fact that I can get to the beach when I want it in a short drive but have the serenity of being on a golf course with its peace and quiet. We are on the top floor of a 4 story building so no problem with noise from above with the exception of some noisy a/c compressor but when reported gets repaired. Florida sure beats our Ontario, Canadian winters any day and being in south Florida we never have need for heating. I am not a golfer but we overlook the 18th tee from our balcony and it is nice to watch the golfers tee off while having our breakfast and coffee. I have been to the golf and north Florida (Brooksville area north of Tampa) but since we honeymooned at Lauderdale by the Sea we have always liked this area. The crime rate is not bad and the area has many outside attractions for the grandchildren when they visit so we feel we have found our piece of paradise. I have had friends say they do not like Florida and I am sure there are those that the climate is not pleasing but for us we are happy here. The price of the unit (2Bed/2 Bath, 1000 sq. ft.) was only $47,000.00, condo fees $250.00 per month and taxes $800.00 per year which for us being working class people is affordable. I did most of the renovations and up dating myself but with a $20,000.00 investment, we now have had a estimation of $90,000.00 on our place.
I always suggest to check out all the areas on both coasts before making the plunge on purchasing, the main caveat is do your due diligence, management companies can be overly costly.
Hi Ryan, I have ” retired” to Florida twice and have boomerang back to Michigan, the second time because of an adorable 3 year old who needed her grandma or vice versa lol. My question is this. I have lived in both North Orlando and Clermont and loved them both but I also seek the ocean breeze!!! If my husband and I wanted to purchase a condo on the ocean and play snowbirds for a few more years can we purchase and rent out our condo to help pay for two homes until we relocate permanently?
Sure you can. Just be sure to check all the numbers……taxes, HOA fees, any unpaid or upcoming assessments, mortgage payment, utilities, insurance, etc….against what you can rent it for. We own a condo in Destin and the first two years did not make any profit after paying for upgrades and a $7500 assessment after hurricane Sally wiped out our marina. Hopefully, we are on the path to money this year. Lot to consider but generally they make money!! I can’t wait to buy another!
Love your articles! Looking now for a place between Melbourne beach and hutchinson island, Florida. Want a 2 bed/ 2 bath condo or manufactured home…can’t decide! What do you feel about this? It seems that the Mac have more things going on and you can drive a golf cart around…but the condos may hold up better in every way. I just don’t know!! And do you think the weather is much warmer in vero/ fort pierce area than Melbourne beach area in Jan, Feb, Mar? Thanks! Joann
Anything above the height of a hook and ladder is way too high. If there was a fire you would be stuck. I’d prefer a single home with a screened in porch and a great kitchen with an island and lots of counter area and a great pantry. The rest of the house can be anything. I don’t want to spend over 175,000, want to keep my money to travel. I really don’t like the middle of the state as much. It doesn’t look like Florida, looks more like the Jersey pines.
Lived in a condo for a year. Couldn’t wait to leave…for all the reasons you state PLUS: you park in an underground garage and have to haul all your groceries, packages, etc up to your apartment. That got old quickly. Storage is also a problem. Unless you have the penthouse suite (even that is not the same as having a 2 or 3 car garage) you quickly run out of space to put things. How about company? Again, sometimes a 2 bedroom condo just isn’t enough.
All good points Bob. We have grocery carts in our garage to assist with getting groceries upstairs, but sometimes people don’t return them in a timely fashion and you have to do without.
We have 3 bedrooms and a fold out couch in the living room so we’ve got room for guests, but if we had any less we’d be in trouble for sure.
I really enjoy your articles. My daughter and son-in-law moved to FL last August and I plan on retiring to FL within the next 3 or 4 years. I’m ready to go NOW but I will wait until I can collect my full retirement. I’m excited about living in FL. Thank you for the articles …..I’ll be reading them as you write them.
I live in a condo about a mile from the ocean. I live on the ground floor. I hear absolutely nothing from my neighbors on either side of me and one of them has a 10 year old child. As to my upstairs neighbor, yes I hear the toilet flush, but since it’s right over my own bathroom, this has not been a problem for me at all since I don’t spend all of my time in the bathroom. Also, anyone living in my building on any floor except for the ground floor, must put soundproofing on their floors. Therefore, I don’t hear any walking. As for the sliding glass door to the patio, this should not be so noisy as to annoy anyone. If it is, it’s probably an old door that needs to be fixed or replaced and a letter to the condo association should end that situation. I absolutely love living in my condo and to be honest, I heard more noise from my neighbors when I lived in a private home. By the way, my building was built in 1983.
Hi Marilyn – Yep, we have to do the soundproofing when we replace flooring too. Works pretty well. Good thought on the door issue. Thanks for stopping by.
Ryan – I was pleasantly surprised to see that you don’t look a thing like I thought you would 🙂 I assumed that you were a bit older and w/glasses. Perhaps because you come across w/such good words of wisdom when it comes to places to “retire” in FL.
Glad you’ve adjusted to the noise of the woman living above you in your condo. It would drive me nuts – ocean or no ocean.
Take care and keep the good information coming 🙂
$$wise.
1. Florida is filled with condos and retirement homes in arrears, because their mortgage underwater owners have walked away. Those who remain must increasingly shoulder the financial burdens of the COA or HOA.
2. Closer to the ocean, higher the insurance.
3. To counter unwanted noise, use a fan near the head of the bed, or a radio softly playing your kind of music.
I understand the salt air is extremely detrimental for the outside portion of the air conditioners. Do you have any info on this?
I think the salt air is detrimental to everything Bill…except your health 🙂
Still couldn’t sway us from the villages, we aren’t there yet, but soon.
We can also visit the coast.
You got it Anna. Its a great day/weekend trip.
I am still planning to move to Florida, a native NYer , now in North Carolina. I wont be near the beach and knew i didnt want a condo. I am opting for a villa type condo, manufactured home (yes there are some real nice neighborhoods and homes) or a small single family. I cant afford to live near the ocean but look forward to Lake County where at least there are bodies of water. Not the Villages though.
Hi Ryan,
I am in transition too with my retirement and currently renting for 3 months In Fort Pierce, Vero area. I love the St. Luice county location very much. I just looked at an oceanfront condo in Vero that was gorgeous but it didn’t give me that “home” feeling, it was like living in a posh hotel. I head back to Massachusetts in April and will be back to relocate once i find “home” down here.
This is an interesting article. And timely. We are sold on Florida, but trying to figure out condo / house, attached/detached, hi rise low rise etc…so many options. This definitely gives some food for thought. Somehow I am relieved to hear downside to the most costly option we are considering. 🙂
I hear ya Lynn. But even despite the drawbacks, its the right choice for me. You cross that bridge heading home at the end of the day and you just feel like you are in a different world and all your troubles wash off. Hard to describe.
THAT’s it! That is the feeling. How can one describe it any differently other than saying:
“…you just feel like you are in a different world and all your troubles wash off. Hard to describe.”
Florida bound upon retirement! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Ryan,
This article reinforced my intention of checking out The Villages.
By the way, how come you don’t talk about The Villages in ‘Florida for Boomers’?
Penny
Haha! ‘Cuz that requires a whole other book Penny 🙂
Thank you for this article. I was going to move down to Florida but after reading all this information, I have decided that Florida is not for me.
Whoops! Didn’t mean to do that Steve. Plenty more good than bad.
The sunny days and the water are enough to make me love Florida. The single family home neighborhood and community we chose are quiet with many nice neighbors, three blocks to the neighborhood private beach with parking. I am getting used to the critters. 😂
Hi Ryan,
I live on the water in Ct and tried living inland, my college years in Philly.. yikes I found myself walking down to the Delaware River or up to the Schuylkill River just to see water.. and would go home to Long Island as often as I could.. first stop yes indeed the Beach.Needed that sand between my toes.. It’s in my blood.. salt water and I are best friends.. Dirty windows lol yes indeed and seagull you bet we know each on first name basis. It’s all ok with me.
But the noise from the neighbors would irritate me, unless I was friends with the offender. I seem to be much more forgiving of any transgressions, like waking me up, if’s it’s some I like ..
so I suppose ear plugs might be my only out….or
I intend to move to Florida as soon as I can sell my lovely home here. cost to run it now that I’m a widow is impossible.. so if you have any suggestions as far as communities.. I am open to them all.. Many thanks for your column .. your comments and articles.. have a great day.
Oh yea…forgot the seagulls 🙂