Florida Folks, please come in! Edited to include cute bunny pics for your trouble.

[snapoutofit]

This is ridiculous, I know.  But my sister is going out of her mind trying to help my mom with this so I told her "I have some friends in Florida, maybe I can ask them if they know of any good areas" 

My mother (78, widow,  not very active or social) is thinking of trying to rent a place in Florida from January through March of 2021 (assuming things have gotten to a point where something like this is even an option).  She has good friends who live in The Villages but that's a little too pricey for her.  Her max budged is probably ~1k/month.  She originally wanted to go to Myrtle Beach but we thought maybe that wouldn't be warm enough for her.   

She is nervous about renting sight unseen (don't get me started on this, every vacation house we have ever rented has been sight unseen except for what's on the internet and they have all been fine).  Are there any areas around the vicinity of The Villages (I know it is huge) that you know of or would recommend to stay?  I think the best option would be a condo since they sometimes have community areas and maybe she would make a friend or something.  

any suggestions would be helpful.  Even if it's that I will never find anything in a nice area in that budget.  At least then I could redirect my search.  She wants to go someplace where the family can come and visit.  DNW myrtle beach in the dead of winter.  She lives on the canadian border so I feel like she thinks anything south of DC is warm.  LOL.

[noodleoo]

OMG she's 78 and she wants to go to Florida NOW? She's not concerned about the coronavirus?

ETA:  reading fail, I see she's looking for next year.  Honestly, I would not make ANY plans for next year now.  I'd wait at least a few months to see how this plays out.

[MixedBerryJam]

If it doesn’t have to be Florida I’ll rec the greater DC area. It wasn’t swim-outside weather but I never wore a winter coat at all this past winter. (I moved here from Boston in September.). If you look farther out, places like Silver Spring,MD, you still have easy access to DC by train (40 mins or so) or 20 mins by car. In south, in Alexandria VA and love it.

I know there are some places that rent but most are sales. Check out 55places(dot)com for some independent living places.

I don’t know how realistic $1k is, esp if she wants people to come and stay to visit in a 2br.

I looked seriously at the villages and I’m so much happier here than I would have been there.

ETA I also agree with pp tho in that I wouldn’t be doing this THIS winter. Too many unknowns.

[snapoutofit]

May 5, 2020 9:39:40 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

OMG she's 78 and she wants to go to Florida NOW? She's not concerned about the coronavirus?

ETA:  reading fail, I see she's looking for next year.  Honestly, I would not make ANY plans for next year now.  I'd wait at least a few months to see how this plays out.

I'm just looking at areas/pricing things out.  There are companies out there who will let you cancel with no penalties.  I know nothing about FL so I'm just trying to get a feel for things as best I can.  

[snapoutofit]

May 5, 2020 9:43:38 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

If it doesn’t have to be Florida I’ll rec the greater DC area. It wasn’t swim-outside weather but I never wore a winter coat at all this past winter. (I moved here from Boston in September.). If you look farther out, places like Silver Spring,MD, you still have easy access to DC by train (40 mins or so) or 20 mins by car. In south, in Alexandria VA and love it.

I know there are some places that rent but most are sales. Check out 55places(dot)com for some independent living places.

I don’t know how realistic $1k is, esp if she wants people to come and stay to visit in a 2br.

I looked seriously at the villages and I’m so much happier here than I would have been there.

ETA I also agree with pp tho in that I wouldn’t be doing this THIS winter. Too many unknowns.

Thanks.  I appreciate the feedback.  I'm going to look at 55places and see what it's like.  Again.  We are just looking into locations, etc.  I am aware of the ongoing pandemic and the uncertainty that come with it.   I would never encourage my mother to travel if it wasn't safe.  I am in MA and she is in NY so even if FL Gov opened things all the way, we would strictly follow the more conservative guidelines of Govs Baker and Cuomo.   We are just looking.  

[Leeham Rimes]

I’m not terribly familiar with Sumter County where The Villages Are. All i know is that its pretty Trump friendly there, so it’s never been on my radar as a place to go. I like to stay in the blue bubbles that exist here, lol. It’s also not close to any beaches, though it’s pretty equidistant to West and East coast but it’s probably going to be a 90 minute drive. She will absolutely need her own vehicle if she wants to do anything.

I don’t know Sumter County rental prices but in my area (metro Orlando) 1,000/mo isn’t going to get you very far if you want a nice place. Maybe a studio or a very small 1 bedroom? Florida is no longer the super cheap place to stay it was once known for. It’s more middle of the way as far as expense.

What is she wanting, as far as things to do. That will help guide where she should go. Is she wanting touristy? Beachy? Country? (Sumter definitely is more country and not my cup of tea)

[snapoutofit]

May 5, 2020 9:55:04 GMT -5 Leeham Rimes said:

I’m not terribly familiar with Sumter County where The Villages Are. All i know is that its pretty Trump friendly there, so it’s never been on my radar as a place to go. I like to stay in the blue bubbles that exist here, lol. It’s also not close to any beaches, though it’s pretty equidistant to West and East coast but it’s probably going to be a 90 minute drive. She will absolutely need her own vehicle if she wants to do anything.

I don’t know Sumter County rental prices but in my area (metro Orlando) 1,000/mo isn’t going to get you very far if you want a nice place. Maybe a studio or a very small 1 bedroom? Florida is no longer the super cheap place to stay it was once known for. It’s more middle of the way as far as expense.

What is she wanting, as far as things to do. That will help guide where she should go. Is she wanting touristy? Beachy? Country? (Sumter definitely is more country and not my cup of tea)

Thank you!  This information is helpful.  She honestly just wants to be able to sit out on a patio/lanai/balcony and drink her coffee and maybe go for a walk or two every day and not freeze her ass off.    She is absolutely not active which is why I thought a condo might be a good option for her as many have pools on site and grounds she could walk on.  She lives in the country now, with my sister, so I don't think she's too interested in being in a big city. A smaller city/big town with stores not too far away.   Her friends would probably come to her and she'd uber for groceries etc. 

Her budget is an issue for sure.  I will look into some other warm weather states as well just as alternatives.  It's probably a moot point because she changes her mind every 5 minutes.  What it boils down to is that she is incapable of making a decision since my dad passed (he apparently made all the decisions and she just planned according to that).  I'm trying to lighten the load for my sister.  wherever she lands we will just do our best to find family activities that we can participate in when we go and visit.  She's really a challenge.  

[Leeham Rimes]

So a lot of country areas here are pretty red, I don’t know If that matters to her.

Lake county is really pretty and Mount Dora is super cute. Again, I don’t know about rental prices there but there’s a lot to do in Mount Dora (Not like Orlando Touristy but still touristy. Also not terribly close to beaches but if she doesn’t care about that, there are lots of lakes around that are pretty to visit) that she could Uber to. I don’t live terribly far from there so if she wants a real person view on a place, I could do that.

Marion county is horse country and suuuuuuuper country but prices there are fairly cheap. Ocala is the bigger “city” there. It’s got lots of nature areas to walk around in and is also pretty.

I just don’t know enough about Sumter to give an opinion.

[Leeham Rimes]

Also, I’m close to mount Dora and Ocala so if she had an emergency I can always help.

[ssmjlm]

snapoutofit, would somewhere more walkable like Savannah be a better option? Tybee Island? If she won't have a car, that could pose some challenges depending on the area.

Charleston is also walkable, but $$$.

[Leeham Rimes]

agreed that GA locations are better if you don’t have a car. Florida is bad for walkability.there are a few places In NC that my mom likes that are walkable, I can ask her.

[snapoutofit]

Thank you everyone. Now I have things to keep me busy this evening! I’m posting and running for a bit as I have volunteered to give 10 baby cottontails a ride to a wildlife rehabber about an hour away but I’ll be coming back in to read any further insight. Thanks again!

[egishere]

I don't know specifics but my aunt and uncle have a condo at some retirement place in Bonetia Springs. It's a little further south and should be warmer?

[waverly]

Every house I rented was 1K a week, not a month. I know there are some discounts for longer stays, but not that much. I don't think she will get a great location for that price. These are bigger houses, but still...

I know there are trailer parks for 55+ that might be cheaper, I think my grandparents rented their lot for $350 a month (they had their own trailer). They were north of Tampa which is not walkable at all. I mean you can walk around the park, but you need a car to get to the grocery store.

We like to stay in Sarasota, but it is a larger city, and not all that walkable unless you are in the right neighborhood, and I am assuming pricier than she needs. Most of what I know about FL is the gulf side or Orlando.

I did feel that Myrtle Beach at least the tourist area boardwalk was walkable, and if she isn't going swimming, it could be an OK option, but again I am sure prices will be higher there. I love Savannah as well. I think in most cities, there is a walkable area and a more suburban area so it's location in the city is very important.

[Leeham Rimes]

Also don’t forget the season in which she wants to travel is peak season and highest rates.

[MixedBerryJam]

May 5, 2020 10:21:30 GMT -5 snapoutofit said:

Thank you everyone. Now I have things to keep me busy this evening! I’m posting and running for a bit as I have volunteered to give 10 baby cottontails a ride to a wildlife rehabber about an hour away but I’ll be coming back in to read any further insight. Thanks again!

NO FAIR! We gave you all this great advice and we don’t even get a pic?! We won’t forget this!

[nicolewi]

This is not near the Villages, but my in-laws go to Naples every year from Jan through early April. They are inland and off-water in an older complex (1970s??) and many people there rent for the season. I would guess due to the age of the complex and off-water location, it's probably not very expensive. The condos are small and older, but they are perfectly fine to me and have a screened lanai. Many residents have made updates over the years. There is an old-fashioned, rectangular pool in the middle of each section of condos. It's close to the grocery store.

They have a social each week by the pool (well, not so much this year, though). There are also water aerobics classes and also I think some card-playing groups, so its fairly easy to meet people if you want to meet people. Naples is far enough south that the weather is generally good. If they want to go to the beaches either in Naples or on Marco Island, it's about a 20 minute drive.

If this sounds appealing at all and you want me to ask MIL how much people charge for rentals, PM me and I could check.

[buckeyegirl]

My Aunt goes to the Gulf Shores every year from January to April. She's been going for several years and really enjoys it. She does drive her car so she has that the whole time. Maybe just another area to check out. My aunt is kind of cheap so it might be more affordable.

[Leeham Rimes]

Naples is absolutely beautiful but it’s also one of the most expensive areas of Florida. $1k would really limit her on short term rentals. There are places that are about that but those are long term leases of at least 7 months.

Naples is *super* expensive.

[rebneen]

What about the St Augustine area? My mom lived there for a few years and it's more affordable than a lot of places. I like the weather and it's a decent-sized city with plenty of resources if she doesn't have a car.

[muffin0]

My in-laws rent out their condo on Hutchinson Island. Which is just south of Vero Beach. They charge more than 1K, but I'm sure there are A LOT of other options for her. Their "season" is pretty much Nov/Dec - March/April. 

[snapoutofit]

May 5, 2020 12:54:07 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

May 5, 2020 10:21:30 GMT -5 snapoutofit said:

Thank you everyone. Now I have things to keep me busy this evening! I’m posting and running for a bit as I have volunteered to give 10 baby cottontails a ride to a wildlife rehabber about an hour away but I’ll be coming back in to read any further insight. Thanks again!

NO FAIR! We gave you all this great advice and we don’t even get a pic?! We won’t forget this!

I just got back! I’ll post it in a new thread! Lol

[snapoutofit]

I gave these cutie pies a ride to a wildlife rehabber today.

[Leeham Rimes]

May 5, 2020 14:56:35 GMT -5 snapoutofit said:

I gave these cutie pies a ride to a wildlife rehabber today.

I want to snuggle

Omg

[VillainV]

May 5, 2020 13:13:30 GMT -5 buckeyegirl said:

My Aunt goes to the Gulf Shores every year from January to April. She's been going for several years and really enjoys it. She does drive her car so she has that the whole time. Maybe just another area to check out. My aunt is kind of cheap so it might be more affordable.

I was also going to recommend looking on the Gulf Coast, either MS, AL, or FL.

[MixedBerryJam]

May 5, 2020 14:56:35 GMT -5 snapoutofit said:

I gave these cutie pies a ride to a wildlife rehabber today.

Oh. My. Heavens. How did you come to be in possession of these sweet lil things? Did you find them in your yard?

[snapoutofit]

May 5, 2020 15:16:56 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

May 5, 2020 14:56:35 GMT -5 snapoutofit said:

I gave these cutie pies a ride to a wildlife rehabber today.

Oh. My. Heavens. How did you come to be in possession of these sweet lil things? Did you find them in your yard?

No. There is a wildlife rescue person in my town and she started a wildlife rescue rides FB page. When she or another rehabber has an animal that needs a ride to a vet or another rehabber who specializes in something else she’ll post that they need a ride. I once brought a flying squirrel to tufts!

[readyin07]

Anything in the southeast or southwest coastal (Naples, Bonita, Ft Meyers, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami) areas is probably not going to be doable at $1k per month seasonally. More like $1k per week.

What are seasonal rentals like in the Villages costwise? Honestly if she isn't very social or active and she has good friends there I would focus my search in that area so she has built in entertainment. They're very social there lol. As I think Leeham Rimes said Ocala is a "city" not super far and that might have some more affordable options, but I don't know if people really treat it as a seasonal destination.

[Leeham Rimes]

May 5, 2020 15:54:46 GMT -5 readyin07 said:

Anything in the southeast or southwest coastal (Naples, Bonita, Ft Meyers, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami) areas is probably not going to be doable at $1k per month seasonally. More like $1k per week.

What are seasonal rentals like in the Villages costwise? Honestly if she isn't very social or active and she has good friends there I would focus my search in that area so she has built in entertainment. They're very social there lol. As I think Leeham Rimes said Ocala is a "city" not super far and that might have some more affordable options, but I don't know if people really treat it as a seasonal destination.

The only reason I mentioned Ocala is bc she said she just wanted to hang out in the rental and “stuff to do” wasn’t on her list of importance. Since it’s not really a destination for travelers, her $1,000 might go further and give her nicer digs to drink coffee on her lanai.

(I sound combative I think, but I’m not. Lol <—-see?)

[readyin07]

May 5, 2020 16:00:15 GMT -5 Leeham Rimes said:

May 5, 2020 15:54:46 GMT -5 readyin07 said:

Anything in the southeast or southwest coastal (Naples, Bonita, Ft Meyers, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami) areas is probably not going to be doable at $1k per month seasonally. More like $1k per week.

What are seasonal rentals like in the Villages costwise? Honestly if she isn't very social or active and she has good friends there I would focus my search in that area so she has built in entertainment. They're very social there lol. As I think Leeham Rimes said Ocala is a "city" not super far and that might have some more affordable options, but I don't know if people really treat it as a seasonal destination.

The only reason I mentioned Ocala is bc she said she just wanted to hang out in the rental and “stuff to do” wasn’t on her list of importance. Since it’s not really a destination for travelers, her $1,000 might go further and give her nicer digs to drink coffee on her lanai.

(I sound combative I think, but I’m not. Lol <—-see?)

I was totally agreeing with you. If her friends are in the villages it’s pretty close and probably way cheaper. I do think of ocala as a “city” lol. I was just thinking I’m terms of availability of seasonal furnished rentals since I don’t think of it as a destination. Or is it an equestrian destination?