First, frankly, I am intimidated by the sheer numbers of golf communities near cities like Orlando, Naples, Tampa, the Palm Beaches, the Lauderdales, Miami… It would take weeks in each area just to scratch the surface of the best golf courses and golf communities. I’d rather spend that time investigating golf communities in lower-cost states with little or no threat of hurricanes or unpredictable but ever-increasing insurance costs.
Second, I have something of a Florida bias because I hate traffic. (Who doesn’t?) Florida is the 22nd largest state in the nation but the 4th
It is not for nothing that Florida had its first net population loss in 2008, many Floridians fleeing to the mountains near Asheville, NC, happy to put up with wearing a sweater on chilly winter days to avoid the stifling heat of summer. But with all that said, the virtual collapse of the Florida real estate market has created price levels that second-home hunting baby boomers and retirees cannot ignore. A case can be made for Florida, and that is exactly what I do in the December issue of Home On The Course, our free newsletter, which will be distributed in the next few days. If you are not a subscriber, please sign up today at the top of this page.