You told me that you had a plan /Let's emigrate south to Sarasota /Where the marlin fishing never lets up /Until you want it to end -- from "Phantasies" by Stephen Malkmus
Here's the plan: Emigrate to the Sunshine State--the name says it all
You told me that you had a plan /Let's emigrate south to Sarasota /Where the marlin fishing never lets up /Until you want it to end -- from "Phantasies" by Stephen Malkmus
Here's the plan: Emigrate to the Sunshine State--the name says it all. Plop yourself along the Florida's Gulf Coast in North Port. Oh, and if you are so inclined, enjoy some fishing along nearby Charlotte Harbor.Sounds like a good plan, right? Thought so. North Port is a smallish city in Sarasota County. Its a thriving and accessible community that sits right between Tampa and Fort Myers; the trip to either metro area is a breeze. It can be a humid, hot, and sticky breeze, for sure. Still, North Port has lots to offer its residents.
The city has both huge residential subdivisions and a maze of tiny streets. The landscape is very forested, with oaks and pines everywhere, along with beautiful natural springs and over 80 miles of freshwater canals. What a paradise! Its a young crowd herethe median age is 38 especially considering it's located among all the retirement communities of southwest Florida. After residents have had their heyday in Tampa or Fort Meyers during their 20s, they settle down out here where its much quieter and more affordable. Makes sense, right?Lots of young parents settle here because of the schools, which are fantastic.There are heaps of pretty parks and relaxing places to plant your roots. Trees, too, if you got a green thumb or two. And the best thing? Homes here are super cheap. The average price is well below the state average and under the national average too. With so many perks, why wouldnt you consider moving on down to North Port?
Once you've narrowed down neighborhoods, it's time to call in a broker or start hunting down ads. Or you can use an apartment locator service to help you speed up your hunt. The most important thing is to find a neighborhood you like and an apartment that has the space and amenities that you need. There isn't a huge number of rental properties here, which is one hurdle you'll have to get over. But you can find them if you know where to look, and a broker can certainly help clue you into the right spots.
When you meet your broker, get your paperwork and everything sorted out up front. Usually you will need your credit report, bank statements for the past two or three months, proof of income, and a reference or two, but every landlord is different so ask around and find out what yours will require. Then it's just a matter of forking over the cash, which shouldn't be too painful considering the area is quite affordable for Florida. A spoonful might suffice, too, if that's the only utensil you own. Stick to your guns, though, and get exactly the apartment you want. With prices like these, you shouldn't settle for anything less than the best they have.
North Port has a lot to offer geographically and in terms of community. You can decide if you want to live right near the water of Lemon Bay, further inland near one of the forest or state parks, or in a more urban area. Whatever you want, North Port's got it. Here are a few of the primary neighborhoods.
Tarpon: This area is located just near Englewood, Florida and hugs along Route 776, parallel to the water. It dips into Myakka State Forest, a beautiful oasis of preserved trees and natural habitat, offering outdoor enjoyment for everyone. There arent too many homes here amidst the rugged and natural terrain. The few subdivisions that do exist are found in the 'Wowzers!' price bracket because of their exquisite and remote location. A lot of the homes are vacant, perhaps because people only use them seasonally. $$$$
Tropicaire Blvd/N Salford Blvd: This neighborhood is tucked into the northeast corner of North Port and runs all the way to I-75. Price Boulevard is the main strip running through town, and the rest is an intricate maze of tiny streets packed with homes, apartment complexes, and high-rise apartments. The rents here are quite cheap and the vacancy rates are high, so you could be in luck if this is the neighborhood youve fallen in love with. $$
City Center: Here youll find a suburban setting with apartments, high-rises, and smaller homes for reasonable prices. Calling it City Center is a bit of an anomaly because its completely residential. So dont come here expecting to find strip malls and fast food on every corner. $$
Pan American Blvd: This neighborhood runs along I-75 and fills out the area south of it. It also snuggles up to Deer Prairie Creek, the beautiful and expansive park that residents love for walking, hiking, and biking. Homes are even cheaper here, and its great for people who need to hop on I-75 to commute to work or get out to the beach. Or when they're heading to the beach instead of work. Same thing.$
Tamiami Trail S/El Prado: If youre looking for a serious bargain, look no further than this neighborhood right off the Tamiami Trail that leads into Warm Mineral Springs, the famous artesian spring in North Port. This neighborhood has homes that sell for around half of the average cost of housing in Florida. There are a lot of mobile homes and it's a little bit remote compared to the rest of town. But if you dont mind living out in the sticks, you can find a great deal here. Stick to it!$
Theres all kinds of stuff to do when you get here. You can take nature hikes every day, mountain bike along the Myakkahatchee Creek (that's not a typo) or in the forest, take a horse for a ride in the North Port Estates, check out a show at the North Port Performing Art Center, or even take art classes. If you run out of options in North Port, Sarasota County is only minutes away and has a number of amazing beaches and a world-class arts scene. And if that starts to dull, youve got Tampa and Fort Meyers as your backups. Beaches as your backups? Nice.
When moving to North Port, the only real hindrance is the weather. Summers are sticky and hot and bustling around looking at places and then moving and unpacking in 100-degree weather can be a bit daunting. Go easy on yourself and start looking in the fall or winter it stays warm all year here. Thats why many people only spend winters in Florida: Its balmy and pleasant when the northern states are covered in snow and sleet. Drive around a bit and get a feel for the different neighborhoods. Do you like being near nature? Or do you prefer to be smack in the middle of a subdivision with people and houses all around you? Spend a little time here to figure out what it is that you really like. In the end, you'll find you'll like a lot of it!
