About Retirement Condos in Florida

Getting ready to retire while enjoying life in the Sunshine State? Sand, sun and surf are ready for the taking, but first you need to find a place to live. If retiring to Florida is in your future plans, read the following information to see what's involved in buying retirement condos in Florida. Grab your sunscreen and your wide-brimmed hat, and settle in for some highlighting of your retirement dreams.

Geography

Visit Florida to get a feel for what the Sunshine State has to offer its retirees. When looking to purchase a retirement condo, you must first decide which part of the state is most enticing. The entire state of Florida is a peninsula, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico along its west coast and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. While all of Florida enjoys milder winters than many North American states, there are considerable variables depending on where in the state you choose to live. Obviously the farther south you venture, the warmer the weather will be. On an average February day in Florida the temperature in Jacksonville in the northeastern part of the state may differ from Fort Myers in the southwestern part of the state by as much as 12 degrees.

Considerations

Seek the type of condominium that best fits both your lifestyle and your budget. As a rule, condos nearer to big cities are far more expensive than those outside of smaller cities. For example a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in the Fort Myers suburb of Cape Coral might run approximately $200,000. The same-sized condo in the Miami suburb of Miramar could top $300,000. Condos with scenic views garner a higher price than those on lower floors or those with partial views or no scenic views.

Considerations

Decide whether being on or near the water is of importance when looking for retirement condos in Florida. Don't think that water views are limited to the east and west coasts either. Central Florida is home to numerous natural lakes and rivers, and the entire state is a mass of man-made lakes, ponds and canals. Condos on any of these bodies of water will cost more than those surrounded by land.

Features

Decide whether to live where you can participate in an activity. For example, golfers love Florida for its year-round golfing, but choosing a retirement condo at a golf club will raise the price of your purchase by thousands of dollars.

The same follows suit for tennis players or those seeking any type of country club-style amenities. Nearly all retirement condos in Florida have swimming pools, however.

Features

Ask your real estate agent how much of a variation you may find in condominium fees. Again, the fees may depend on what amenities are featured, but can be determined by other factors as well. Condo fees tend to be higher on newer buildings or complexes. They are higher in complexes requiring lots of outdoor maintenance, and are always higher when luxury amenities like spas, restaurants and golf courses are included.

Condo fees are paid monthly in addition to your mortgage, and are subject to increases as determined by condominium association boards.

Benefits

Consider all your options when seeking to purchase a retirement condo in Florida. Weigh your costs and your likes and dislikes with regard to location, amenities and floor level. Visit numerous complexes once you've determined what you can afford and what you truly want to purchase. Then slather on some sunscreen while sitting back to enjoy the Florida lifestyle.

Resources

• Florida Association of Realtors