Looking to fully retire in 3-4 years and the wife is interested in moving from North Carolina to Florida to live. She has some experience in the Tampa area and I lived in Key West for a few years during my military career. Looking mainly in the center 3rd of the state with an eye toward the gulf shore areas. Being right on the water not a necessity. Local infastructure and living standards for upper-middle income important. Looking for homesites with 1-2 acres in the $300-350K range.

Looking for recommendations from anyone that has a favorite town or village they gravitate toward. Want to make a list of 4-5 areas to recon sometime next summer. Thanks for your imput!!

 

The Naples area is nice...

 

Naples is nice. It's far from many things except Miami. It's also known for its high income per capita. I used to live there.

Sarasota and Venice are nice too. Sarasota is getting crowded with traffic. I like Sarasota as it's relatively close to Tampa

I would stay gulf coast too.

 

Thinking about retirement also the next 3-4 yrs.

Subd and bump!

 

I second Chups recommendation.
Stay on the west coast of FL / Gulf side.

 

Why? Come on over to the east coast, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Vero Beach. There are a lot of nice places to live over here. Less crowded, slower life style.