Retirement home in the south

Havana Shamrock

Well-Known Member
SILVER Sponsor
Sep 9, 2008
5,422
Sarasota Fla.
Boat Info
2019. 250 SDX OB
Engines
300 Verado V8
Hey guys, we're stating to consider southern
living.. I will retire in less than 4 yrs and we're starting to look at snowbird homes. We have started in Southport NC only because they had a seminar here lately and they have a marina.. I'm looking for thoughts (good and bad) on different states,or counties, as to state taxes,real estate taxes, we would love to be near the boat (no trailer) and what kind of boating should I expect ? Do I need a sedan ? Bow rider? Do you guys beach? Or go to restaurants? Only? Im 25 mins from my boat now but would live a new boat in a canal behind us. Any help would help us we will fly to Myrtle beach then on to Southport NC next month to start looking around.
 
Southport is a neat place with good access to the Wilmington waterfront where you will find many restaurants. If it was me I would be looking in the Charleston, SC area. The weather is a bit milder and the boating is great. Some of the best restuarants in the country. One of my dock mates just moved to Isle of Palms. He is on the ICW so he is selling his 320DA and buying a center console.
 
Florida.........No income taxes, superior boating, great marinas and service capability, 12 month a year boating, no winterizing, but enough of a temperature change that you do feel seasons......just a very short fall and winter.

We retired early and chose NW Florida as a vacation/retirement location. That choice was made primarily because of the proximity to family in Tennessee and because of the boating. Now 25 years into "retirement" I can say it was a great choice for us. The boating is like "boating in paradise". The area from Pensacola to well east of Panama City is protected by barrier islands that gives living areas some weather protection but also makes this like boating in a Caribbean Island. The water is gin clear and we generally anchor on the bay side of the islands with the stern backed out on the beach where the props are over 6-8 ft of water and the swim platform is about knee deep. Our island is 12 miles long and is narrow enough in several places that you can anchor in protected water the walk across to the Gulf side to swim, walk on the beach, go shelling, etc. There are also water front restaurants and lots of fishing. We do get some winter winds, but in a week in January, we are usually out on the boat 4 of the 7 days. Water temperatures are such that you can comfortably anchor on the beach and walk in from March to the end of December.

The maritime industry is big in this area, a lot of commercial activity and tons of recreational boating means that there are trained and competent craftsmen for everything from canvas/upholstery to electronics repair, to building a multi-mil $ boat. By dumb luck, because we started out boating here when we lived in Tennessee full time and because of Sea Ray, I chose to buy my first Sea Ray from the local Sea Ray dealer, who has a large marina, full service capability and 24 hour security. As it turns out, the marina is known as one of the top 2 or 3 dealers in the country and Sea Ray frequently asks them to repair stuff they won't trust to others. They have 9 full time mechanics, all factory trained and certified, they are full service and have a travel lift and boat yard on the property. Heck, I don't even have to call them when a storm is approaching.....they just haul the boat out and block it up on high ground. They are not free, but in 25 years I have never waited more than 8 hours for a mechanic and have never once had to tell them "you didn't fix it", "you forgot X", or "you made a mess of my boat". When you do need help it is a great comfort to know these guys care as much about your boat as you do and you don't have to worry about the boat being ready when you are.

Your boat is a perfect boat for this location.......normal cruising in this area is pretty much within a 75 mile stretch from Pensacola to Apalachicola, but the keys are well within reach from here.

It is also a cool place to live. Panama City is separated from Panama City Beach by a large bay. For years, the beach was very laid back and full time residents were usually folks who worked in the tourist industry or retirees. But in the last 10 years, the beach area is grown significantly to where we never need to go to town for anything, but frequently choose to for various stores or for particular restaurants. Living on the beach is more "coastal relaxed"; living in town has more of a city feel. But there are no great distances involved.....my house is 12 miles out on the quiet end of beach so the far side of Panama City is not over 18 miles from me. Finally, this isn't South Florida.....you can see the ocean as you drive along (but the developers are gradually changing that), it isn't big city living but is a relaxed lifestyle, and the local people are some of the best and nicest folks you will ever meet.

A lot of the real estate here is second homes so the area was impacted by the 2008-2009 banking melt down. Property is still cheap and a great value, but single family homes have a coastal influence.......the closer you are to the beach, the more expensive the land is. A $1.0 mil beach front lot, is $200K across the street from the beach, $50K a block from the beach and $20K 2 blocks away.

Come for a visit before you decide on any location.............
 
What or where do you consider south?
 
Frank: You are correct. Well said. We boat year around and as you said, in the coldest part of winter will stop the "sandbar anchoring'" and take waterfront restaurant luncheon cruises with some of the eisenglass up. The ladies don't seem to like getting into the water when it gets lower than 75 degrees! Griff4 (Saint Pete Beach)
 
By south I meant we're starting in the Carolina's and heading south from there. My buddy just got backm from Fla. they are starting with us to look as we will retire the same day. They visited Tampa, and around then Jacksonville and some west coast towns all in all very nice . We couldn't make this trip with them but we're starting in Southport next month
Thanks frank for the detailed description it was spot on to what I need from the local folks
We do plan on visiting all of the potential locations so keep your comments coming we appreciate it all.



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By south I meant we're starting in the Carolina's and heading south from there. My buddy just got backm from Fla. they are starting with us to look as we will retire the same day. They visited Tampa, and around then Jacksonville and some west coast towns all in all very nice . We couldn't make this trip with them but we're starting in Southport next month
Thanks frank for the detailed description it was spot on to what I need from the local folks
We do plan on visiting all of the potential locations so keep your comments coming we appreciate it all.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

You'd love it here too, Joe. Any specific questions I can answer from our recent move, let me know!
 
Slips are less expensive in Southport than Florida. I moved from NY years ago, but NC is taxing everything you do. Soon you wont be able to pee off the dock without being charged. Look to FL, overall I think you will be better off. We are seriously considering doing the same
 
Slips are less expensive in Southport than Florida. I moved from NY years ago, but NC is taxing everything you do. Soon you wont be able to pee off the dock without being charged. Look to FL, overall I think you will be better off. We are seriously considering doing the same

NC just passed a major income tax reduction.
 
We picked Beaufort, SC. Our good friends picked St. Augustine. So I endorse both those places and most everywhere between Charleston and St Augustine.
 
As Frank said FL is great for year round boating apart from perhaps a few weeks when it's too windy. If you also like cultural activites our area is known as the cultural side of FL and is very handy to Tampa for all it has to offer. Problem is Sarasota is perhaps not the most cost effective place for property, perhaps because we are seeing an influx of folk from the Miami area and it has always been popular with the International market too. We generally like to cruise south which is just great. The ICW down to Cayo Costa, Naples, Key's etc. is just beautiful with numerous restaurants, places to anchor and swim etc. Just as an FYI, we actually have patients who live in NC and winter in our town because it's warmer here:) Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
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NC just passed a major income tax reduction.

What major tax reduction? I moved from NH. I now pay a 7+% income tax. Now Documented boats have to pay state registration tax starting Oct. 1st. Also a personal property tax just for having a boat. I see FL as a better option than NC.
 
What major tax reduction? I moved from NH. I now pay a 7+% income tax. Now Documented boats have to pay state registration tax starting Oct. 1st. Also a personal property tax just for having a boat. I see FL as a better option than NC.

Sorry NO STATE does a major tax reduction and not do a major tax increase in a different area!

While I can't see ever moving from VA....I would love to live in the Keys, away from the rest of the state. Close enough to get drinks at Shaun's boat :smt001
 
Sorry NO STATE does a major tax reduction and not do a major tax increase in a different area!

While I can't see ever moving from VA....I would love to live in the Keys, away from the rest of the state. Close enough to get drinks at Shaun's boat :smt001

Lucky's bar is always open! :)


Shaun
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In South Carolina it states you pay property tax on vehicles and boats/planes? That does not sound so great! $268 on a $10,000 boat or vehicle. Did I read it wrong?
 
In South Carolina it states you pay property tax on vehicles and boats/planes? That does not sound so great! $268 on a $10,000 boat or vehicle. Did I read it wrong?

Property tax on my boat is the same rate as on my house!
 
Property tax on my boat is the same rate as on my house!
WOW! That sucks, we just pay annual tag fee which was less than $140. Perhaps another reason we see quite a few folk moving here from CA...especially retirees who like boats:)
 

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