We are considering retirement areas in Florida and have heard that the central west coast is : 1. less likely to be hit by hurricanes and 2. "cooler" than the east coast or central parts. Is there any truth to this? We can NOT afford ocean front properties but are interested in active 55+ communities with private homes (NOT manufactured homes) Any suggestions? We'd like to fly there from NJ and visit various places in the spring.

Hurricanes don't dissipate when they hit land and the Gulf of Mexico has it's own storms.

I would not base my retirement on a place that may or may not get hit with a hurricane.

Florida temps are the same all over the state May thru September.

Our good friends retired two years ago to Clermont, Florida, which is about 45 minutes from Orlando. They have had no problems with hurricanes thus far. Their location, while not on the west coast, is quite central and within two hours drive to both coasts. They are on a limited income and found a lovely retirement community, King's Grant. There are numerous models, but I think they paid around $110,000 for a new, two bedroom, two bathroom, full kitchen, living room, dining area, porch (or lanai, as it is called there). There is a new shopping area accessible through the back of their community with a nice supermarket and other small stores. There are large drug stores right on the highway, one being a Walgreens, I believe. Their neighborhood has a gorgeous clubhouse with pools, etc.
You might wish to consider it as an option.
King's Grant has a main office and model homes to explore. Our friends are very happy, as KG offers many classes and activities, in addition to all the amenities.

massteacher: Is there a website for King's Grant? I couldn't find anything on Google.

Are there any other suggestions for places on the west coast from other Fodorites?

Thanks!

There are lots of places on the West Coast. The hurricane thingy is a myth, but there hasn't been a significant direct hit on the West coast for some time. If you are in the insurance business you would say we are "due".

The seabreeze has a cooling effect but only if you are right on the water. I'm a few miles inland and while I have pretty sunset views and a lovely lake with abundant wildlife, there is little relief in the hot months.

Please think long and hard if you really want a 55+ community. They can have strange rules about visitors and can be very intrusive. Restriction on grandchildren visits, same sex visitors (like a weekend with the girls). Perhaps you'd like a planned community rather than a pre-death mausoleum.

There are so many of these communities in SW Florida, I can't start to name them all. Fast growing areas that are less expensive are in Charlotte County. Beware: this is not very upscale even though the prices are beginning to reach this level.

LMF

I would suggest you come down (we live in SW FL about 25 mi. inland from Ft. Myers) and check the various areas around before you buy, and possibly even rent for a season to see if you really like an area..or use that time to check the various areas out. We did that and are glad we did.

Yes, it is hotter inland than closer to the Gulf, so we work outside early and late and stay in during the hottest part of the day...no different than staying inside in deep snow or severe cold. At least we have SUN most days.

We checked several 55 + areas and 'communities' but found far too many rules and regs to suit us. And we knew a condo or townhouse would not work. Hubby loves to garden, so we needed some space. As one other poster stated..some have pretty strict HOA rules. Some don't like it if you leave your garage door open at all, some don't want pick ups, some don't want kids for any period of time, or you can't park in the street. A little too sterile for us.

Take your time, there are so many nice little communities around that just might be what you are looking for..we did.

You couldn't find the website, because I gave you the wrong name. Sorry. It is King's Ridge in Clermont. There are also many other similar communities all along the highway, most of which cater to seniors.
Let me know if you need more information about this area.

In response to the comment by "LillMsFoodie", I agree that moving into a 55+ community requires serious and careful thought. It is not for my husband and me, but many people love it, including our friends that I mentioned earlier. The plus side of such a move is that the communities are generally gated and very safe. They are also quiet. They provide an easy and immediate way of making new friends, which is more difficult as one gets older. The planned activities are wonderful for those who enjoy such things. There are usually outdoor swimming pools for relaxation and socialization, also. One can participate as often or as little as one wishes. Such communities also enable buyers to purchase a brand new home for a reasonable price. Maintenance is not an issue, as that service is also provided. However, there are many rules and regulations, as someone mentioned. For example, all homes must be painted from a designated palette of colors. Outside decorations must be within the guidelines of the community. There might also be the tendency to rely too much on the community for social activities and not broaden one's scope of associates. All the homes and the streets look pretty much alike with some very minor variations. That may be a concern for you; it does not bother our friends.
But do think carefully about your decision. I think you have the right idea about going down there. I think our friends' resort may provide free lodging for prospective buyers. Check it out.

Massteacher,
Thanks for the corrected name! Is King's Ridge a golf community? That's what I found on Google. I am aware of the possible restrictions in a 55+ community but we decided that there are many positives like you mentioned. In addition we feel that if we buy in a community that is still building new homes the average age may not be "mausoleum."

Friends of ours purchased a home in "The Villages" located in central Florida. They love it. I believe their homes start at 110,000 and do go way up from there. They offer everything in this community. Health care, Newspaper,banks, pools, free golf for a lifetime (Arnold Palmer has a course there), free Country Club membership, restaurants that are very reasonable, etc. They also offer accomodations to visit. See: http://www.thevillages.com/
They will send you a free video.

The Villages is a great, thriving, and growing community that now has 5 zip codes. It's located just south of Ocala and is a really nice golf course area.

Sarasota/Bradenton is a great area to retire to. There's lots of 55+ housing here but as LMF says you might want to be sure that you agree with all their rules - some of these communities get pretty rule conscious. Also I would agree with the poster who says come on down - spend a month in one community - a month in another and go through the winter doing this - I'm sure you'll find a place you REALLY enjoy.

We're out on Longboat Key and the breezes are probably better here than on the mainland but we're also probably a little more due for a storm, or as they say "they go north of here". I don't know really and don't care too much cause I really love it here.

I checked the web, also, and found King's Ridge represented as a golf community. While they do have a terrific golf course, it is much more than that. It is also one of the few communities on a hill, which is one of the things that appealed to our friends, who are New Englanders. They are 65 years old. This seems to be a typical age for that community with some younger and very few folks that we saw during two subsequent visits that were elderly. Most people are very active and "young at heart". I think you will find that to be typical of most of these types of living areas. Our friends do not play golf, by the way.

Your post amuses me. I've never heard of someone looking for their Florida retirement home based on whether or not it had a hill.

But if that's the case, be sure to check out cities located along the Lake Wales Ridge. This is a line of higher elevation that runs N/S in central Florida. It is the focus of many environmental studies to access the species of birds, flowers, and other inhabitants to see if they warrant protection.

Make a trip to Bok Tower. It was founded in the 30s, I think, by Edward Bok, the publisher of Ladies Home Journal. This is the highest point in Florida, so they claim, and it offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding orange groves and growing community. It also is home to one of the few parks designed by the same person who designed NYs Central Park (Ohlmstead...). There is a beauiful coral-crusted and etched tower on site that has a charillon inside, which is played throughout the day. This is a place of peace -- take a picnic.

The Lake Wales community is an older one -- it began in the 1920s as a retirement community for wealthy snowbirds. Unfortunately, I don't know much about what's going on there for +55ers -- but I'm sure you can find some communities there if you search for them.

Don't worry about hurricanes, even if you settle on the coast. They happen all over, not just Florida.

I have no idea if this particular area is any cooler than others. The central west coast is known as the Big Bend area. That coastline is predominately sawgrass shoreline, or river front -- you might want to check out the Suwanee River area. The river has very high banks, not like the Hudson, of course, but there are certainly banks there.

The coolest weather in Florida really is along the shore where 1) the water helps keep temperatures down and 2) the sea breezes create a constant wind. Generally, in the winter temperatures get much cooler inland, especially along the Lake Wales Ridge -- and there are more chances for short periods (we're talking hours at the longest) of below-freezing temperatures from Tampa north.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks to all who've suggested various locations. We actually spent several days at the "Villages" this past summer and felt it was so huge that it was overwhelming. We will look into Sarasota/Bradenton as mentioned. While I plan on retiring in June, I don't know if we'll have "months" to try living in various areas to see if we like them since my husband will still be working.

If you are retiring in June, I would suggest heading on down to see if you can tough out the summer.

You know that probably the best thought of all - try it in the summer!!

I love it out on the island but I don't think I'd like it 12 months a year. For us the Sarasota area offers much that we also have up north: theatre, ballet, great restaurants, and much that the north does not have to offer: beaches, great weather, fantastic sunsets, and innovative restaurants. I can take lots of courses here from cooking to bridge to college. I can also ride a bike anywhere I'd like to go, play golf at a multitude of courses, and go fishing any day I'd like, and then I can take the cute little 10 year old next door to the movies with me. But that's something you can't do in a 55+ community.

We started looking a loooong time ago and changed our minds twice. We sold those properties and moved onto this and here we're very happy. Good luck in your choices.

LN
Does Sarasota have any condo rentals on the water? Are there marina's with condo rentals?

Another thought on your retirement plans.
Someone mentioned the Sarasota area. We were there for a week two years ago, and fell in love with it. If we were to purchase down there, that is the area we like best so far. It is a beautiful small city with many attractions and cultural events. The surrounding communities are beautiful--Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island, Nokomis, Venice etc. It is not inexpensive, however.
I do think it might be wise to rent for several
months and look around more leisurely. It may not be prudent to buy anywhere based upon a short visit. Renting gives you the luxury of exploring the multitude of retirement and non-retirement communities to determine which is most suitable for your interests and pocketbook.