where would you Live in FL?

[bucktales]

Hey Fellow Anglers: My problem, I like both coasts!!!!

I currently live in MD and my wife and I have been talking about relocating to FL in about 1 year. I have family in Ft. Myers and Melbourne. My best freind lives in Port St. Lucie... I would like to hear some feedback from you Floridians on where you would live if you were moving to FL next year. I want to consider 3 things :

Cost of Living/housing

Quality of schools..I have 3 boys ranging from 10-3 yrs old.

Quality of fishing...inshore and distance to decent offshore fishing.

Once I gather enough info to narrow down to several choices, I will be making a few trips to explore. I want to hear from people who live there and get there take. Thanks guys.

[BruceW]

My brother lives in Port St. Lucie( I'm in Catonsville) and we always go out of the Ft. Pierce inlet.. Its never let us down... There's alway's been schools of breaking fish. Jacks,blues,mackeral. we see alot of tarpon but can never get them to bite.. I, like you ,are going to move to Fl. this summer.My daughter lives in Tampa so we will be looking in that area.
As far as cost of housing,what I've seen so far really looks good,the prices are much better in Fl. than Md. Looks like I'm getting out at a good time,with all the taxes going up in Md. Of course you get that anywhere these days. We are going for a visit in March to check some areas.. Good Luck, Bruce

[Cortez Fisherman]

I have a beautiful pool house for sale in Bradenton check out:

Bradenton Home for Sale (http://www.rstint.com)

[Capt Bob]

you do realize that if you sell an item thru Tidal fish you are supposed to give a portion of the proceeds to Tidalfish>>>>

[Cortez Fisherman]

Yes I do and $200 is fine if I sell this house...

[Capt.Nick]

I have several friends that have homes in Fla.Port st.lucie is a nice area and there are lots of houses for sale there and just about everwhere else in Fla. right.Lots of speculators got in for a fast buck but it's bottomed out and there's a flood of houses on the market. It's a buyers market ad things could get even better in the next year or 2 as prices drop even further.

[clodhopper]

Marathon Key in the middle of the keys. Access to both sides and great fishing.

[BBCroaker]

Hey I was in Bradenton in Jan. at the big flea market Red Barn I think it was .Someone I worked with retired and moved tp Elenton.
I also fished on thr Sky Way Pier. Awsome.
Thats a nice House.

[Ancient Mariner]

DELTONA:
Schools are good.Great if you stick 'em in a private one.
Fishing out of Canaveral is super. Out of Ponce its' good all year around.
Fishing the gulf stream(Westren Edges ) will be from 24-40 miles out depending on time of year.
Hurricanes move up the east coast and come in from the west. WE don't get much of both. When Fay came in it stayed for a week on more and we got 23 inches.AARRRGGHH. Other places were UNDER WATER. Deltone ( in most instances) was not.
I own a 23 DUSKY and I keep it at COVE MARINA at Canaveral. I'm 3 minutes from he inlet. I take the missus and we go out of the inlet,anchor up and watch the space shots from5 mies away.....PRICELESS,.
This year the keys and the west coast got hit hard. Do you want to evacuate? Not me.
WACKM 'N STACKM
Joseph B...aka...Ancient mariner
Custom saltwater fishing tackle & tips for sportfishing, trolling and bottom fishing. (http://www.ancientmarinertackle.com)

[dogbig]

Venice on the Gulf!!

[racn35]

Welcome to the City of Destin! (http://www.cityofdestin.com/)

[GARYGREENFIELD]

I am trying to figure that out also. Pretty certain its gonna be port st lucie. American Yacht Builder is there as is the "Finest Kind Lure Company" and Marina. Just 15 miles north is the Ft Pierce inlet and multiple sport fishing marinas. Cant wait

Capt Gary

[pappermac]

I live in port st lucie most of the year...rest in Md. Fishing is great out of St Lucie Inlet or Ft. Pierce. Distance to deep water is better out of Lucie Inlet. I have caught Sailfish within 1/2 mile of beach. Spainish hold just south of the inlet (Pecks Lake) during winter...only if you want to catch 75-100 fish a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:yes:

[GARYGREENFIELD]

I presently live in Whitemarsh/Nottingham. Lots to figure out in PSL. Would appreciate any help. Is there a "Wrong Side of the Tracks?"

Will you be in Md for the fall Rock run? I have a comfortable Boat for the fall, and always looking for crew

Gary

[Capt Bob]

Well I wouldn't move to the Keys...the County and local Governments are totally FUBAR...all the people who bought homes on speculation are taking a bath and the county and towns are raising taxes hand over fist to compensate for the lost tax base...in fact I'm planning a move out late next year...all the way to LAS VEGAS

[boblenaere]

I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Fish for tarpon, snook, cobia, reds, cuda, kingfish, etc etc. The variety of species is a big plus in FL. I used to guide in RI and after catching thousands of bass, blues and hardtails its nice to catch something different. If you get tired of one species you can target another. And the fish here put on some terrific jumps. On the down side, lots of insurance companies are pulling out due to the hurricanes. I have USAA insurance and live in Sarasota County. They will continue to insure me here (grandfathered in) but will not pick up any new home owners insurance to reduce their exposure to Florida. By the way we have never had any storm damage. Be sure to check that you can obtain homeowners insurance and that the cost is not outrageous before you buy a home here.

[fishinfriend]

Sounds Great!:clapping2:

[27conch]

I've thought of returning to FL myself.....Winters are hard on my bones and i like the specie diversity that fl waters have. I would avoid areas that are affected by the run off from Lake O on both coasts....the problem I am having is that I have a yellow Lab and he is an active breed. He requires some room to move around and I need access to areas where i can work him. Tallahassee has some good country outside of town and so does Gainesville. I am not a fan of dog parks either and have lived in a city once and lasted about 6 months.... Both these towns are close to the water and have rural surroundings outside of town. I'm also thinking of moving to the Esva....I've had some great outdoor times there...........not going anywhere too soon though as the job market stinks everyplace. One thing about florida,you will be using your AC a lot more as apposed to MD and you'll have higher electric bills...Funny though, it's this time of year on a real crap weather day that I start thinking of moving South Again!