OT - help with picking area for snowbird's winter home

[HenryH]

Hey guys:

I was hoping to get some recommendations for a winter home for my dad. My dad is 80 years ago but is still very active and he loves to fish. He currently lives on the western shore of Maryland and fishes off his dock every night during fishing season. I guess the 50 inches of snow we had here in Virginia/Maryland was the last straw and he asked me about getting a place in Florida where he can go for 3-4 months. He's looking for a small home or condo where he can have access to good fishing right off the property. His budget is around 200K or so, maybe more if he can rent it out during the summer months. I don't know much about Florida but with all that coast line, there must some place where he can go for the winter and fish! Thanks.

Henry

[ssellard]

My In-Laws have a home in Burnt Store Marina, just north of Cape Carol. It ios a wonderful gated community with all levels of accommadations from highrise condos to single family homes. A great marina with and very good fishong right in the marina let alone the great fishing that can be found in Charolotte Harbor. My wife and I plan to hull our boat (from Va where we live down) for 2 weeks of Tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass which is just a 10 mile shot across the harbor. Can't wait. Charolotte harbor is huge with tons of flats and shallow water fishing and great access to the gulf. Thier are many nice developements along that strech of road between Cape Carol and Punta Gorda. We looked a lots 3 yrs ago for 99k the were selling for 69K last year and maybe less this year. Now is the time to buy. Good luck. Just google Burnt Store Marina for more info. I think my In-Laws paid around 179K for their 2 bedromm home with a garage that can up to a 17' boat. If want to know anything else PM me or call 757-787-1200 ex 127 from 9 to 5.

[captaingeorge]

Each day, when you have a minute, check the temperature at various locations in Florida. There is a BIG difference in north, central and south Florida in the winter.
At this moment, it's 38 in Jax, 50 in Cape Coral and 60 in Marathon.
If your dad's like me, when he heads south in the winter, he's looking for HEAT!:))
You might consider Marathon. All the "conveniences" like shopping, medical care, etc. and the fishing opportunities are endless, including decent fishing around pilings at the docks, which are everywhere. And it's within the price range you stated.
PS: If money is no object, it's 82 in Aruba.:cool:

[50diver]

According to Forbes Mag, Charlotte County Fl. is in the top list of places to live. We have a home down on Charlotte Harbor in Port Charlotte and love it. I love the fishing down there. Our plans are to retire and move there next June, cant wait. If you want current fishing reports you can check out www.fishinfranks.com. Good luck.

[captaingeorge]

For a "year round" residence, I would agree. But for a "snowbird", it's a completely different ballgame.

[HenryH]

Thanks for the feedback. I will look into each of the areas. Even 40 degrees look pretty good now. We still have snow piles in front of my house that is over 10 feet tall! Anybody familiar with the panhandle area (Destin, Pensacola?) I hope to narrow it down so we can visit a few of these place in Spring.

Henry

[captaingeorge]

From about April to around Oct, the Pensacola/Ft. Walton Beach/Destin/Panama City is an awesome place but winters are often COLD.
Current temps:
Baltimore: 30
Destin: 43
Islamorada/Marathon: 62:thumbup:

[wino]

Juno Beach, plenty of condos and juno pier where he can fish from the pier and make friends his age.