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Condo w/ Dock Western FL / Fort Meyers

Discussion in 'Marinas & Waypoints' started by JadePanama, Jun 14, 2020.

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  1. JadePanama, Jun 14, 2020
    #1
    JadePanama

    JadePanama Member

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    Hey everyone. Hoping I can get some advice / direction on where to search better. We live in Seattle, and enjoy our PNW boating, but we also love the sun, beaches and warm water. We are considering buying a condo in Florida. We want the western side, St Pete south to Marco. Preference is Fort Meyers area.

    I have been searching on the various realty sites, but tough to really get a good handle on this. We have a 70' that we want moorage for. Having never spent any real boating time down there, I am not even sure whats normal or acceptable. If we could buy one where we could keep the boat, we could potentially rent the place out and have the boat to stay on / use as we come down. then when we can move in 8-10 years, we have a good home base.

    Would love to hear others thoughts on this, any tips on best places to search or look etc. thx again!

    Wade
  2. Capt J, Jun 14, 2020
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    There's a condo building in Marco Island that has a marina. Most condo docks wouldn't be liveaboard, but that one is. I'm not sure on Ft. Myers.
  3. NYCAP123, Jun 14, 2020
    #3
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    When I moved to Florida's east coast back in the 90's the first thing I did was fly into Orlando and drive south along the coast over a week to get a "feel" for the different areas with a main thought to what would support my plans (business). I settled in Pompano Beach and worked in Ft. Lauderdale.
    With a 70' yacht which I assume you'd like to cruise, my first thought would be where you plan to cruise to. Do you want to cruise toward Key West, Caymen Islands. etc. or would you me more interested in cruising towards Mobile, New Orleans and the northern gulf? That answer would have me heading towards the Napes or St. Pete areas. Ft. Meyers is in the middle. Are you looking for a spring break type crowd, old folks or affluent retiaries? Panama Beach tends to be more spring break, Sarasota more sedate, Ft. Meyers more middle age, middle income. (all generalities with exceptions). So take a little time to get a feel, sign up for local publications, contact brokers in different areas and ask them to describe the area and local population.
  4. Capt J, Jun 14, 2020
    #4
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Naples also has a condo with boat slips to accomodate 70', the condo I'm thinking of is right next to Naples Boat Club. It's going to be hard to find a condo at *most* cities and places that have a slip for a 70' AND allow you to live aboard. There are some, but it's a limited list.
  5. NYCAP123, Jun 14, 2020
    #5
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Know the place. Nice. Checked out a Hat there a few years back.
  6. MBevins, Jun 14, 2020
    #6
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Look in the Tarpon Point area of Cape Coral, Condo's and houses all part of the Marina community
  7. motoryachtlover, Jun 14, 2020
    #7
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I am pretty sure that Cape Coral has very restrictive liveaboard rules
  8. MBevins, Jun 14, 2020
    #8
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Not sure but if it's your condo/house and your boat at your dock,
  9. olderboater, Jun 14, 2020
    #9
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Cape Coral also has areas that are very draft challenged.
  10. MBevins, Jun 14, 2020
    #10
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Not in Tarpon Point area, numerous boats of this size
  11. olderboater, Jun 14, 2020
    #11
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    No, but in other areas of Cape Coral.
  12. MBevins, Jun 14, 2020
    #12
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    That's why I specifically stated the Tarpon Point area.
  13. Hatterized, Jun 14, 2020
    #13
    Hatterized

    Hatterized Member

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    In St. Pete area, Pasadena Y & CC, is in Gulfport, FL about 15 minute drive to downtown St. Pete, a nice gated waterfront community with marina (believe slips/T-dock upto 100'), restaurant, bars and also a golf course
  14. JadePanama, Jun 14, 2020
    #14
    JadePanama

    JadePanama Member

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    Thanks for all the info! My wife is set on the western side. She used to live in Clearwater, and no sense trying to change her mind lol. our intentions are to explore all of the Caribbean, Bahamas, and get down to Panama etc (family down there). I will look into the areas you all suggested. We are flying down in a couple of weeks to look at a boat and will see what all we can check out.

    As a florida novice, what do I need to worry about Hurricane wise. The boat we are looking at is on the hard as they said they pulled it for hurricane season. Do you have to worry about this on the western side as well, or is it primarily the Eastern side?

    thx again for all the advice. I feel a bit stupid asking such basic questions. Boats I know,... but this stuff i am clueless lol

    thx again

    Wade
  15. Capt J, Jun 14, 2020
    #15
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    You have to worry about both sides as far as hurricanes go.

    Clearwater has condo's with dockage as well. You need to get in a car and spend a week or two driving from city to city.
  16. bayoubud, Jun 15, 2020
    #16
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Need a couple of realtors familiar with the area to research first. A big area, could save a lot of driving and time. Ft. Meyers has some nice condo's with docking, great home base area.
  17. motoryachtlover, Jun 15, 2020
    #17
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Also ft Myers area would put u closer to a hurricane haul out facility (up river). Owl creek or river forest labelle. That is 1 lock in.
  18. SkyDriver, Jun 15, 2020
    #18
    SkyDriver

    SkyDriver Member

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    Excellent advice!
    Go out and drive around.
    I say that to everyone looking to relocate to Florida.
    Then find a realtor.
    IMHO
  19. Riknpat, Jun 15, 2020
    #19
    Riknpat

    Riknpat Senior Member

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    I had a place for 17 years in Bradenton, essentially the north end of Sarasota. Liked it a lot. I was inland on a golf course, not on the water, but there were condos on the water with dockage and on Anna Maria Island. A little more laid back and cheaper than Sarasota/Longboat. The mainland section on the water is known as Cortez Village. Overlooked by many but worth a peek for sure.
  20. bayoubud, Jun 16, 2020
    #20
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Bradenton is a nice area. The Riviera Dunes Marina is a well run clean marina, can also buy a condo and boat slip there. Another favorite is the Legacy Harbor Marina in downtown Ft. Meyers, also has a condo next to it. Always thought Ft. Meyers is a great home base location for cruising.
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