moving to florida need help with area

8 years ago

Greetings. My dream is to move to Florida and have a tropical homestead. Growing tropical fruit trees and plants, a few chickens and tilapia. I need help on a location. I have checked the garden zone maps and have an idea what areas are in the frost free zones but would like to know where the most affordable land is. I'm looking at the Naples (Golden Gate Estates) area or possibly Clewiston (Pioneer Plantation), or Fort Myers. I would love to have around an acre but am open to suggestions. It just needs to be frost free year round. thanks

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Comments (4)

garyfla_gw
8 years ago
Hi

Actually the only perpetually frost free area is Key West . Generally anything south of the lake is a solid zone 10 though the east coast is usually warmer than the west. of course the closer to the ocean the more stable the temps. I'm in Palm Beach county northern end of zone 10 and have lived here 35 years The last hard freeze was in 09 while the low for the last 3 years has been 42. though 10 miles inland from me there has been frost on several occasions. My personal record low was 27 and of course who can forget that famous snow of 78. Made it all the way to southern Dade county. has not repeated since. Much variation from year to year. Usually the west coast will be 5/10 degrees cooler during the fronts and of longer duration. Often barrier islands will be 5/10 degrees warmer depending on the jet stream.

Not sure about property values over there but here they raised my real estate taxes claiming my house is worth 20 grand more lol This area was hit hard by the "bubble" with many foreclosures Judging from local sales there is a definite increase in price as well as sales

I would definitely research any area your interested in and be sure to check into flood zones many areas have been having heavy rainfall as well as "KIng " tides . Also check into HOA's particularly if interested in gardening. many of them have strict landscaping rules . Good luck gary
WILLIAM QUESINBERRY thanked garyfla_gw
seagel
8 years ago
Well put Gary. Generally, any area south of Lake Okeechobee (to the west Fort Myers and West Palm Beach on the east) should do. But to keep temps more regulated (not too high and not to low), stick to the coastal areas. If you look at weather temps in the same part of FL inland vs coast, Coast usually is more regulated (highs aren't as high but lows remain 'warmer' than those inland) in the same part of the state.
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seagel
8 years ago
My young trees and a city neighbor are doing fine. We are in the eastern Orlando area.
garyfla_gw
8 years ago
hi

Generally that's true . Also a more northern area would allow you to grow more temperate fruits with low chill of course lol. He seems to be talking more like "acerage" or a farm setting so I'd be more concerned about the price than the weather lol Coastal areas are always more expensive than inland and seaside is almost out of the question unless you're related to Trump not to mention "KIng tides ,beach erosion ,salt intrusion.hurricanes etc etc. lol

I had thought of moving to Costa Rica but missed the boat lol Prices have quadrupled since I looked Of course there, while you can choose the climate by moving up the mountains you'll have to deal with volcanoes ,mud slides earth quakes , tropical diseases Still a wonderful place to visit !!!

Where is Paradise?? lol gary
WILLIAM QUESINBERRY thanked garyfla_gw

moving to florida need help with area

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