I’m 74 years old and my wife and I want to retire full time to a place that is warm all year round (over 60 degrees in winter during the day), has a liberal attitude, and is on the east coast and on the ocean.
We are currently spending six months on Fire Island, two months in Brooklyn and four months in Florida. We went to Jensen Beach, but it’s not exactly liberal.
We are tired of moving and want a permanent place. If we sell our space on Fire Island, we’d like to buy something for around $ 400,000.
What do you think?
Rick
Dear rick,
Left-wing politics can be a difficult task in the south. Even in Florida.
A look at the 2020 Florida election results shows that your options on the beach are pretty limited: the Jacksonville area, the three counties on the southeast corner (Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade), and on the Gulf side, Tampa-St . Petersburg area. Look deeper, however, and it’s not always that simple. For example, the mayor of Jacksonville is a Republican and his beachfront communities are represented in Congress by a Republican.
Readers may point out some blue shoreline areas surrounded by red, but the bottom line is you may have to compromise.
I won’t even get into hurricane threats and rising sea levels due to climate change. As I am sure you know, there are additional costs for insurance against flood and wind damage.
Ocean spots aren’t cheap, so you may have to search hard for a $ 400,000 ocean view spot. But near the beach is doable. Don’t forget to consider any HOA fees.
Here are three suggestions to get you started.
Pineapple Grove is Delray Beach’s arts district.
Courtesy The Palm Beaches
Delray Beach, Florida
Located between Boca Raton and Palm Beach, this walkable town of 70,000 people attracted writers and artists a century ago and continues to have an artistic vibe. The Cornell Art Museum shows contemporary art and the Spady Heritage Museum is dedicated to discovering, collecting, and sharing the African American history and heritage of Palm Beach County.
There are those too Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardensand you can turn to the 25-acre Delray Oaks Natural Reserve for shade and birds (it’s part of the Great Florida Bird and Wildlife Trail).
Winter highs averaged 90 degrees in the mid 1970s and summer highs. Just over a quarter of the city’s residents are 65 years or older.
Based on Realtor.com (owned by MarketWatch of News Corp.) median list prices, you should be able to find a townhouse or condo in your price range. A single family home becomes more difficult. Here is What’s for sale now?.
The Art Deco District of Miami Beach is the largest Art Deco district in the world.
AFP via Getty Images
Miami Beach
The 2020 elections showed us that the Miami area may not be as left-wing as people thought. However, if you want a more urban setting right on the beach, this 91,000-resident town might be an option.
Miami Beach is more than South Beach, shopping and dining. Stroll past the many Art Deco buildings or Book a tour with the Miami Design Preservation League. Stroll along the Miami Beach Walk, a path that runs along the east side, mostly right on the beach.
Of course, Miami is only a bridge away with its own museums and other cultural events. Or you can go to the coral reefs of Biscayne National Park and the wildlife of Everglades National Park.
You’ll have the warmth: winter highs on average in the mid-70s and summer highs in the upper 80s. It will be damp, but I think you know that.
Given your budget, you would likely live in an apartment. Here is What’s in the Market Now in Miami Beach?According to Realtor.com
The view from the pier in Tybee Island.
iStockphoto
Savannah, Georgia
I’d love to say Tybee Island, but in all honesty, for $ 400,000 it probably means a Savannah address. But that doesn’t necessarily mean in the heart of the city; see Wilmington Island for example between downtown and Tybee.
Charming savannahWith 145,000 residents and cultural institutions in the big city, the voices are blue and the beach – Tybee Island – can be less than 20 minutes away. It ended up in sixth place Livability’s 2018 list of the best affordable places to live.
Tybee has only 3,000 residents and the mayor is elected in a non-partisan race. It matters a lot Great beaches Lists, including Dr. Beachs 10 best in 2017 and # 3 among Southern Living readers in 2020. I can understand why you might not want to rule it out, and you might be able to find a condo in your price range.
This is my pick when you’re ready to look beyond Florida so the winter weather may require compromises. The average winter highs in Savannah are in the low 60s; The average lows fall in the low 40s. It’s going to be in the low 90s in summer, so you might want an ocean breeze right away.
Here’s what’s on the market right now Tybee Island and in savannah, also with listings on Realtor.com.
Reader, where should Rick and his wife retire? Leave your suggestion in the comment section.
More information on retirement: I want to buy a home in a warm place near the beach for $ 350,000 – where should I retire?
