We like to visit FL for a few weeks in the winter. Last year, Lido KEy and the other, Sanibel. We paid as much to rent on the beach as it would have cost to frolic in Europe for a month, so I need to know some more affordable ways/places to enjoy so we can stay for a longer period of time. We do like the gulf coast and would like to enjoy warmth in February, coming from PA. thanks

So 4000 per month for a cottage for two is the best price I can find???

Did you post this last question after reading and following budgettraveler1's advice or is it a result of your previous searched?

You can rent in Florida for less than $4000 a month, even in season, but you might not be able to rent right on a good beach for that. We generally pay $1000 a week or more for a small apartment in Paris, $1600 a week for a two bedroom,so you are right -- the cost is comparable. The big difference is that the apartment in Paris will be just as expensive out of season, the Florida cottage or condo won't. You pay a lot for season in Florida.

Have you looked at VRBO? Have you tried talking to a real estate agency that both sells and rents properties, not just a rental agency you found on the web?

If you are headed to the warmest beaches in the US during the coldest part of the year, you're going to pay a premium price for it. Go a bit further north and you'll pay a bit less. It will still be warmer than winter at home. A lot of snowbirds go down for the months of Jan-Mar further north in Florida (or coastal Georgia) and pay less than south Florida. Friends with second homes at the beach always have those months booked with the same people, year after year. If you want a lower price, look a bit further north - or resign yourself to paying high season prices.

The Oceanside Inn and Suites' parking lot is full of cars with tags from Canada and northern states for those months. The rooms are effeciencies with kitchen and sliders that open to a grassy lawn overlooking the ocean. They negotiate monthly rates and do a good business during their slower months of year. Georgia and northern Florida aren't as warm as south Florida but it's a lot warmer than "home" at a lower price than high season further south.

Look at Anna Maria Island.

Look at Anna Maria Island, off the coast of Sarasota. We were there in December, stayed in a cute little cottage on the beach, Bamboo Apaartments. Looks to be a little over $3000.00 for a month.

I'm sure if you get a block or two off the beach, the price will drop accordingly. We preferred AMI over Sanibel. Easier beach access, cheaper food and drink, more laid back, and, better sand....

We visit Amelia Island a lot in the off season & it is more of a Summertime destination so prices there are actually cheaper in the Winter months. The weather can be a crapshoot, but the beach, is the beach.http://www.ameliaisland.com/

Maybe you could post a little more information about your budget. We could better help if we knew what you consider too much.

i loved Amelia Island, but it w/b way too chilly for me in Feb; then again, I live in Florida, lol! Everyone here is right: if you want to save money, you have to sacrifice really warm temps; beachfront; being in-season; or some combination of these factors.

I guess I do want it all. We paid almost 5000 for 2 weeks on sanibel beachfront and about 4000 last year in sarasota area.beachfront, so I was hoping to pay maybe 3K this year. We have 2 dogs we travel with and I do not want to be further north than Sarasota. I would like to be near beach and not in a congested area, like Fort Myers Beach.

Or you may have to sacrifice the dogs. Could they go to "camp" while you are traveling? Most places do not allow them on the beach, and most owners will charge more for pets in places that do.

I know it is hard to leave our animal companions, but you would have to do it if you went to Europe

That seems hard for us to do.

www.betterbidding.com

many cheap pet friendly places in your areas

lots cheaper than what you are looking at.

good deals for me around LongBoat Key last year.

Coco Beach Orlando area also great deals for me

Resort Hotels from $30/nt bidding priceline

for me the Royal Plaza Lake Buena Vista/Downtown Disney

More touristy I know but nice close to beach great value.

www.pineislandkoa.com

Cottages from $2k/mo great vlaue also

Just a little north of Sarasota is Cortez, a fishing village that I believe is officially a part of Bradenton. on vrbo several properties about $2000/month. not sure about dogs.

Sending the dogs to camp might be a wash as far as expense is concerned...

Yes, and mostly, we never do that.We just lost our house sitter and we like them with us.

I travel w/2 dogs, and have been able to find houses to rent. Other friends travel with their dogs and find rentals. It can be done. Check vacationrentals.com. Naples may be an option, Venice, Pass-a-grille, St. Pete beach, other options. Also VRBO.com. Check local real estate companies.
St. Augustine is the friendliest dog beach - most other places seem to have dog parks, but no dogs on the beach.