We have a wedding in Miami in March and dh and I agreed to spend about 2 weeks exploring a few communities in Florida or, possibly, South or North Carolina coastal areas before or after the wedding. Specifically, we’re searching for a community on the coast that has beach access, golf and is welcoming to people our age (approaching 60). I don’t know that dh would ever agree but I’d love to consider buying a condo somewhere with access to warm weather (we’re in CA). We play bridge and finding a welcoming community where we could engage in the things we enjoy would be ideal.
From another thread, I liked the sounds of Siesta Key, Sarasota, Amelia Island, St. Augustine and Vero Beach although I haven’t started any research yet. Really, I’d love to hear about specific communities/places to stay (rather than just a city or town name) if people have any to recommend.
How many actual nights will you have to be in other cities besides Miami? You won’t want to spend all your time driving around, so it would be helpful to know that first.
@conmama, we are very flexible. And if we end up wanting to be somewhere pretty far, we can fly. Right now I’m really in a brainstorming place, trying to find the “best” places for us and not feel restricted. I’ve wanted to explore the area for years and, now with the wedding, it’s the right time.
Sarasota is a very nice town. Siesta Key is actually part of Sarasota. The beach is beautiful. It has a nice downtown and 2 miles downtown is St. Armand’s Circle, a great place to shop and eat.
I agree with the suggestions of Savannah and Hilton Head (which is a great place for golf). I’ve never been to St, Augustine, but have only heard great things.
I loved Amelia Island! Amelia Island Plantation was beautiful. It’s been a long time, but we rented a condo on the beach right next to the Ritz Carlton. Close enough to explore Jacksonville and southern GA as well.
I have relatives who spend January to March in the Vero Beach area (John’s Island). We have visited them for the last three years and enjoyed the area. I especially liked that the downtown isn’t crowded with strip malls. There are lots of natural areas nearby, plus cultural activities. Last year we went to a theater performance at a local fine arts center.
We also spent a week at the Cloisters in Sea Island, Georgia. It was a beautiful resort area—don’t know what it would be like to love there part-time.
Sarasota etc is on the gulf, as you may know. Miami up to NC outer banks would be the Atlantic.
There are lot of barrier islands with beaches and golf and older folks along there. And great old cities to explore, from St Augustine to Savannah to Charleston.
The only barrier island I’ve been to along there that I did NOT like much was by Savannah - Tybee. Kind of grey clay sand. Fernandina is OK but I’m not sure I saw golf.
I do like Folly and Isle of Palms and Kiawah all near Charleston, and Amelia Island north of Jax, and Hilton Head is a popular choice for sure, I’m so-so on it but if you golf that’s where it’s at. Jekyll and St Simons and Sea Island have a lot of charm.
We recently took a trip first to Orlando, then Savannah, then Charleston. In Orlando, we dropped the kids off at Epcot and spent the day in Mt. Dora. We took a nice boat ride on the lake and went through the Dora Canal. Savannah is a very nice place to visit as is Charleston.
It’s might be chillier in March in the states north of Florida, although they can be lively to visit, you just never know. You will have a better chance of warm weather in Sarasota.
@bookworm, I really don’t have more specifics. Other than visiting DW with the kids a couple times many years ago and one quick visit to Boca to visit a family member, I don’t know Florida. I love the beach when the water is warm and am trying to see if I can find a place dh and I can enjoy with the idea that we’d revisit or maybe even (a bit of a fantasy) buy. Dh golfs so I’d want to make sure he’d be happy. Otherwise, it’d be fun to find a community where we could see the potential of meeting people, playing bridge, enjoying some good restaurants. When this wedding came up in Miami, it seemed like the perfect time to check it out so, really, I’m just exploring and appreciate any tips that anyone has to share.
@conmama, can you tell me more? I didn’t realize there would be a temperature difference. I’ve been to Folly Beach outside of Charleston several times and the water was beautifully warm although that was during the summer.