OT--any suggestions for a month-long break in Florida?

Cheryl and I have, for once, an opportunity (with me retired) to escape the miserable Michigan cold weather. We would like to go to Florida for a month, probably late Jan-late Feb.

We are thinking Fl. because we can drive there (and we like to drive). Arizona and Ca. are other possibilities, but it is far to drive in the Winter.

So, we get to my question: where to go. We would like to go somewhere in Fl. that we have not seen before. This eliminates West Palm Beach (we really did like that area and may reconsider), Miami, and Orlando areas. We were leaning towards Ft. Myers or Port Charlotte or Naples. We have heard good things about the area. But, checking on airbnb.com and VRBO.com, we are having a hard time finding a suitable place. Many folks don't want to rent for a month (they want to rent for the season). The places available are very nice, but when you add up all the costs, it gets expensive (generally over $4500 -- we would like to keep it under $3K). We checked some extended stay places, but they are either more expensive or just not very nice.

So, any suggestions regarding Fl. cities/towns we should consider and/or specific places?

Are we being unrealistic regarding costs?

Mel

go on a long cruise. Lucky you

Mel, we are having a similar problem because we want to take our Shih Tzu along with us. There are rentals available, but not pet friendly. I sent you an email with some info I've found out.
Beth

Compiler,
Have you looked at Siesta Key? Near Sarasota. Captiva/Sanibel? St. Augustine?

Also, for several years, BF and I used to book a condo overlooking the ocean in Indian Rocks Beach between Clearwater and St. Pete Beach. A very small town, most everything is within walking distance but there a lot of things to do in the surrounding area. Condos can be rented monthly, if the ad doesn't say so, check with the booking agency/owner. Rents are pretty reasonable. Check vrbo.com.

Thanks for your inputs. I'll continue to investigate. I'm in no rush.

I can book in December if that gives me aa better deal



Bob:

Is it possible to just check on what their in-season rates are? (2 BR; 2 Ba are good enough).

Mel

Keys... base yourself in Key West and explore by car and boat.

...and when you don't want to do that, spend the afternoon getting royally drunk listening to Michael McCloud play at Schooner Wharf... Trust me - that is the answer to just about everything.

Mel, I remember our first foray south for a month after retirement...it WAS fun to plan it, just not easy to find it...and things have tightened up since then. Here are some thoughts:

1. If you want to assure yourself of great Florida weather then you need to be far south, i.e. south of the "coconut line". That's where some of the palm trees bear coconuts! So that generally means Venice and south on the west coast and Jupiter and south on the east coast.

2. In those areas, it will be very hard to find a one month rental...especially in your price range. Most realtors I know (on both coasts) already have wait lists for one month rentals. If you do find a place for a month in your price range it is not likely to be prime.

3. It is still generally nice and warm in Tampa/St. Pete on the west coast and Vero, Hutchinson Island, Ft. Pierce, Stuart on the east coast. You might expand your search to those areas. There is plenty to do as in golf, beach, bike riding, restaurants, etc.

4. If you are willing to sacrifice a little warmth but still want a beach you can consider going to St. Augustine, Amelia Island, Daytona on the east coast or the Florida panhandle, i.e. Destin and Panama City (just avoid spring break dates). You are likely to get plenty of sun in those spots but highs in the high 60's and lows in the 50's. Not hot but a lot better than the cold north. These places are mainly spring/summer resort spots so the rates are lower in the winter.

5. Another option you may want to consider is "The Villages" in central Florida. You will not be close to the beach but the weather is decent (highs in the 70's, lows in the 50's). There is a ton to do in this created community, e.g. golf, biking, lots of clubs like bridge, chess, restaurants and you are not too far from fun in Orlando.

6. I'm not personally a big fan of the aforementioned Key West. The weather in Feb. is fantastic but, unless you are big into boating, fishing or drinking, then there is not much to do for more than a weekend. The beaches are crappy or non-existent and the downtown moves from "quaint" to "honky-tonk" if the stay is more than three days (just my opinion).

7. If I were you I would not wait until December to book. Yeah, you might get lucky with a cancellation. But, more likely, the good places will be all snatched up anyway.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Jim

I still want to sell everything I own... cash in the 401k, buy an RV and take my dog and just go....at 44 though, not sure I can get away with that just yet :)

Thanks, Big Mac. It would be great seeing you again!

However, we are now looking intensely out WEST.

We might end up in Ca. The prices look much better.

Once again, we would use wherever we land as a base and do some side trips.

(Vegas is calling!).

Our daughter lives in Santa Monica.

Dr. Lam is near there (10-15 minutes away in Marina del Rey). I am due for an appointment, but fortunately the decent recent test results wipe out any sense of urgency. I was going to see him in the summer. We can move that up.

Mel

Compiler,

I am originally from Sarasota, and practically lived out on Siesta Key during my younger years. Siesta has been in the top 10 beaches for many years. Sarasota has a lot to offer.

Now that you're thinking of California, I can finally comment. And all I'll say is tons of nice day or 1-2 day trips that you can take from here, which I'm sure you know from visiting your daughter. Just be aware that this is supposed to be a huge El Nino winter, so there could be tons of rain and you may have to time your associated trips accordingly!

Well folks, WE BOOKED IT. But, sorry, not Florida. We looked extensively, and it was terrible. With all the little add-ons, priced were generally above $4K a month (often well above). In most cases, owners wanted to rent for the season.

Sooooo.... we changed our plans. We booked a beautiful condo (we THINK) in Rancho Mirage. This is in the Palm Desert/Palm Springs area. We know the neighborhood. VERY NICE. We plan to use this as a base and do plenty of side trips. We will also hit Santa Monica to visit our daughter. San Diego should be nice... and let's not forget VEGAS BABY.
Also, I guess I'll make my annual journey to Marina del Rey to visit with Dr. Lam (just can't get away from PC -- but that's IT)..

Mel

Congrats. One of the best places to be during a So Cal winter. Let's hope El Nino is wet enough to make a dent on our drought, but with enough breaks in the storms that it doesn't affect your sojourn...