So I am looking at buying a 2 bed apartment in Florida. With no mortgage.

I will only be staying less than 90 days at a time so won't need anything other than a standard visa under the Visa waiver programme? As I would be staying as an extended holiday approximately 3 times a year?

My question is how do i go about calculating running costs?
Council tax, broadband, water rates ect.

I honestly have no one to ask and NO idea where to even start trying to look. Google has just confused me even more!

Many thanks

Fantastic advice, thank you so much

That is so true.. I hadn't even considered this.
only so much Google can tell you about an area.

EVen driving round as part of the holiday doesn't give you the feel because your in hokiday mode so to speak.

Thank you

Also consider being that you will be here for at least 9 months out of a year, you will be liable to file a US tax return. And that is if the agent at the POE allows you in on the second or third trip as it would look like you are living in the US rather than just coming here as a visitor.

Spending more than half the year in the US will create both tax and immigration problems.

6 week summer holidays. 2 weeks at Christmas 2 weeks at Easter.

Would that be classed as and abusing a visitors visa?
May have to re think and buy property in Europe in that case.

Not a risk I can take! Many thanks

Why have you singled out Florida. What is wrong with a country closer to home, i.e. Portugal or Spain.

PS you did say in your original post that you would be staying for 90 days each of 3 times a year. Hence our discussion of taxes and issues at the POE. Why would you buy something that you are going to be leaving empty for nearly 9 months out of the year. The upkeep is tremendous, i.e. lawn care, air conditioning needing to be left on 24/7 in your absence, real estate taxes (is that the same as your council taxes?), retaining someone to visit the home periodically to see that it hasn't been vandalized and no pipes, etc. have broken.

10 weeks a year shouldn’t cause you problems.

Real estate and council taxes are pretty much the same, although some things may not be covered by real estate taxes that a British person may not realize (such as trash pick up in some areas).

Be good to know what area of Florida you're considering before offering advice. I'm just passing 15 years of living here just west of Disney. Property taxes/council taxes vary tremendously as to sq ft and community and 'locals' qualify for a 25% homestead discount. If you are considering the usual British 6 week school holiday break just remember thats during Floridas very hot and sticky stormy season. Plenty of new housing construction going on and property prices are on the rise. If you can give some idea where you are considering I will offer more help/advice if needed. Good luck.

You should ascertain if the apartment is part of a condo or co-op -- or, indeed, any kind of homeowners' complex -- and ask about monthly common or maintenance charges.

Some people have a real downer on Florida, personally, I love it (moved to Georgia, close enough).

Council Tax = Property Tax, depends on location, size of house etc.

Water, Gas & Electric (he latter will be much higher because of the A/C)

You'll probably have to pay for a weekly waste collection - not in the Property Tax generally speaking

This is just a "I think" moment, but some locations are picky on potential buyers, insisting on the home not being left unoccupied. Be sure to check, and probably, as other advise, use a local Real Estate Agent. Might also be worth considering employing a local property manager to maintain the property, especially if consider renting it out (had friends do that in Lake Davenport). Worked out fine for them for many years, until the pool began to leak - keep those type of long term costs in mind, even if not taking on a mortgage.