Fuck Snow, Moving to SoFlo - Any suggestions?
Nixur68
Texas
Hey all,
I'm old. I'm sick of it. It's been cold, dark and below zero for weeks. I can't even walk to my freaking mailbox without having to throw on heavy coat with boots. I'm had enough of this crap even for a lifetime. I know we've got a few Miami locals, any ideas the best way to pick out a neighborhood and find an apartment? Are there any better more affordable options beyond Craiglist and Apartments.com?
I'm old. I'm sick of it. It's been cold, dark and below zero for weeks. I can't even walk to my freaking mailbox without having to throw on heavy coat with boots. I'm had enough of this crap even for a lifetime. I know we've got a few Miami locals, any ideas the best way to pick out a neighborhood and find an apartment? Are there any better more affordable options beyond Craiglist and Apartments.com?
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A lot of my friends do the snowbird thing because as much as they hate February back home, they hate August in Florida just as much (heat, humidity, hurricanes, mosquitoes). Right now Florida real estate seems to be in a massive bubble, so I am reluctant to buy. I have been doing VRBO to check out different areas so I can decide where I want to be when I pull the trigger on a winter beach house.
Strange mix of people too...
I’m thinking of making the move in a couple of years as well. I’ve only vacationed there, so I can’t offer advice on specific communities.
There are some very nice east coast areas - as Cocoa is nice and not too far south - Vero Beach is beautiful and a decent location - Palm Beach is also a nice location. Beachfront in Vero Beach can be very expensive!
I’ve only recently started checking the west coast, but there are some beautiful spots there too. St Pete is nice - and so is Ft Meyers. The water is warm and the sunsets are great.
Jacksonville is far north - and I’ve not been to the beach there. But, there is a good amount of business - and banks - so that is good for work. It’s likely cooler in the winter up there (and possibly not as brutal in the summer?)
If you want warm weather and a cheap place. Laughlin Nevada
Rents have always been fairly-high in Miami and higher than most places except maybe big cities in the Northeast or Cali – I can only assume rents have increased post Covid w/ the influx of people into SoFlo and the rest of the state; as well as lesser availability.
Broward County was usually a reprieve from Miami but that has been getting filled up over the years from people moving-up from Miami or moving to SoFlo and wanting to avoid Miami – so Broward is not as much of a step-up as it used to be but still a bit better than Miami.
Then there’s Palm Beach County – the farthest north county of the SoFlo metroplex area – being the farthest from Miami it was also the “least like Miami” although most of SoFlo including Palm Beach County has been changing over the last few years and not what they used to be.
Having said this, I’d say as an outsider, Palm Beach county may be the best option in terms of rental-prices and availability and a slower pace of life compared to Broward and Miami Dade – Palm Beach county also has a fair amount of retirement communities which may be an option, IDK.
I haven’t looked at the rental market so IDK the current state of it in terms of prices and availability – one thing that is fairly-common in SoFlo are efficiencies – these are usually when the homeowner seals off one of the bedrooms, often a master bedroom, and turns it into kinda a little studio apartment w/ its own separate entrance and own bathroom w/ shower; some have a little kitchen and some do not – these are all over SoFlo from Miami to West Palm Beach and are more affordable and one usually just goes month-to-month vs signing a lease – they are a good way to save $$$ or not be tied-down especially for a single person – of course it’s not as private as an apartment so if the people in the house are noisy and play loud music etc you’d probably hear some of that – these efficiencies are usually found on Craigslist but you can also do a Google search for “efficiency for rent in <city_name>”.
I was in Texas for work but back in fucking Chicago. Isn't this website supposed to help me make bad decisions?
https://www.rockethomes.com/blog/housing…
Pittsburgh had a much superior climate with three good seasons and only the winter miserable.
I assume a major reason for the OP wanting to move to SoFlo other than to get away from the cold is b/c of the club-scene in SoFlo - of the clubs listed in the article above by @Mark94, Tampa and Jax are the only ones w/ decent to good scenes with Tampa being better plus Tampa having nearby Pasco county which also has good clubs - thus Tampa, or its vicinity, might be the best COL/QOL/SCing area
Besides, Florida is full. We're closed.
If you insist on taking the risk of becoming Florida Guy, then there is a lot to consider. You will need a bag full of cash, literally. To win a bid on a good home in a good neighborhood, you will have to offer at least $20,000 over list (on average), and forgo some traditional buyer like inspection results and so on. Get pre-qualified, and have enough to put in approx $25,000 on your earnest money. Remember that everyone else is moving, too, so U-hauls, storage units, professional movers are all either booked for a couple of months, completely sold out, or charging ultra-premium rates. Bank are also behind on their closing, so it will be hard to go less than 90-120 days (unles you are a cash or very-high down payment buyer).
The locations with good strip clubs are also the locations with the most residents and worst crime - Miami-Dade, Broward Country, Tampa/Pinellas area, etc. The heat and humidity are brutal - punishingly brutal. It is not fun to be outside in the summer. The snowbirds coming down in the winter means that reserations at even the most relaxed neighborhood restaurant are booked for a couple of weeks. There is no, "Let's eat out tonight." No reservations means no available seating.
Again, if you are determined to move here, I would look at the panhandle. That is comparatively more affordable, decent strip clubs, less congested, the weather is a little more forgiving, and you are closer to sane states like GA than PR. The Gulf Coast beaches are still legendary in their own right, and the cost of living is lower since you are on the I-10 corridor.
Also, what is considered “affordable”? Since you’re renting, what is your budget range?
If I had to pick an area to live in a large metro area, I’d personally Airbnb it in the neighborhoods being looked at for 2-3 days to decide how much I liked an area. And I say Airbnb because you will more likely be in residential and not business areas. Patronize a local business or two and see how you vibe. But that’s just me.
Very doubtful - mayyyyybe deep in the hood and even then.
Post the link.
The prices aren't that bad on there. But I'm not familiar with Miami neighborhoods
LULZ
https://youtu.be/DIOnqaCD7jQ
https://youtu.be/K2VDGGxgGr4
https://youtu.be/k9-sfaauGcg
Here's a listing more fitting a TUSCL member.
https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/sales…