We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
May 23rd 2015, 2:15 pm
#1
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5
We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Hi all
This is our first post on this forum.
We are heading towards retirement next year and would like to buy a nice house in the USA where we could spend about 5 months of the year there and let our family and friends use it the rest of the time.
We have been to California many times and like it there but Florida also appeals. We do not really want to go to a retirement compound .
What we would like is , good weather , not too far from water which could be the sea , lakes or rivers . A house with at least two bedrooms and bathrooms, small swimming pool , quite location as we do not need to be near golf courses , amusement parks et al.
Looking forward to some suggestions.
This is our first post on this forum.
We are heading towards retirement next year and would like to buy a nice house in the USA where we could spend about 5 months of the year there and let our family and friends use it the rest of the time.
We have been to California many times and like it there but Florida also appeals. We do not really want to go to a retirement compound .
What we would like is , good weather , not too far from water which could be the sea , lakes or rivers . A house with at least two bedrooms and bathrooms, small swimming pool , quite location as we do not need to be near golf courses , amusement parks et al.
Looking forward to some suggestions.
May 23rd 2015, 2:21 pm
#2
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Hi all
This is our first post on this forum.
We are heading towards retirement next year and would like to buy a nice house in the USA where we could spend about 5 months of the year there and let our family and friends use it the rest of the time.
We have been to California many times and like it there but Florida also appeals. We do not really want to go to a retirement compound .
What we would like is , good weather , not too far from water which could be the sea , lakes or rivers . A house with at least two bedrooms and bathrooms, small swimming pool , quite location as we do not need to be near golf courses , amusement parks et al.
Looking forward to some suggestions.
This is our first post on this forum.
We are heading towards retirement next year and would like to buy a nice house in the USA where we could spend about 5 months of the year there and let our family and friends use it the rest of the time.
We have been to California many times and like it there but Florida also appeals. We do not really want to go to a retirement compound .
What we would like is , good weather , not too far from water which could be the sea , lakes or rivers . A house with at least two bedrooms and bathrooms, small swimming pool , quite location as we do not need to be near golf courses , amusement parks et al.
Looking forward to some suggestions.
Rene
May 23rd 2015, 2:45 pm
#3
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Sounds like your after something on the West coast of Florida. The Gulf of Mexico side.
Nice property's along the lines you mentioned. N or S of Tampa I would guess. Stay near to a international airport. Having to fly into a alley airport gets very expensive.
Nice property's along the lines you mentioned. N or S of Tampa I would guess. Stay near to a international airport. Having to fly into a alley airport gets very expensive.
May 23rd 2015, 3:05 pm
#4
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Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Cheers, I note that most people from outside the USA always think of CA and FL , are there other places we should be looking at ?
May 23rd 2015, 3:11 pm
#5
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Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
North Carolina, certainly the consensus on here is it the place to go.
May 23rd 2015, 3:57 pm
#6
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Anywhere from Virginia south to Florida and west to Louisiana could fit the bill on paper, but honestly, objectively, how many friends and relatives do you have that have the time and money to come back to the same little house in rural SE USA? I am reasonably certain than the novelty of the house will wear very thin with most people after two years/ visits.
For use, accessibilty and attractiveness you would be much better served with a house in Spain or Italy. ..... I have lived here (SE USA) for 12 years, and vacations here aren't much (limited attractions and activities, and virtually no history/ culture) yet I actually would, if it wasn't for the distance, take a holiday every year in Italy.
For use, accessibilty and attractiveness you would be much better served with a house in Spain or Italy. ..... I have lived here (SE USA) for 12 years, and vacations here aren't much (limited attractions and activities, and virtually no history/ culture) yet I actually would, if it wasn't for the distance, take a holiday every year in Italy.
Last edited by Pulaski; May 23rd 2015 at 5:54 pm.
May 23rd 2015, 4:13 pm
#7
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Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Anywhere from Virginia south to Florida and West to Louisiana could fit the bill on paper, but honestly, objectively, how many friends and relatives do you have that have the time and money to come back to the same little house in rural SE USA? I am reasonably certain than the novelty of the house will wear very thin with most people after two years/ visits.
For use, accessibilty and attractiveness you would be much better served with a house in Spain or Italy. ..... I have lived here (SE USA) for 12 years, and vacations here aren't much (limited attractions and activities, and virtually no history/ culture) yet I actually would, if it wasn't for the distance, take a holiday every year in Italy.
For use, accessibilty and attractiveness you would be much better served with a house in Spain or Italy. ..... I have lived here (SE USA) for 12 years, and vacations here aren't much (limited attractions and activities, and virtually no history/ culture) yet I actually would, if it wasn't for the distance, take a holiday every year in Italy.
May 23rd 2015, 4:29 pm
#8
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 4,913
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
What sort of budget do you have?
California is going to be expensive but, if you don't mind being quite a long way from major cities (and, unfortunately, international airports) then there is about 300 miles of California between Santa Rosa and the Oregon border that is going to cost a lot less than the major centers of population.
California is going to be expensive but, if you don't mind being quite a long way from major cities (and, unfortunately, international airports) then there is about 300 miles of California between Santa Rosa and the Oregon border that is going to cost a lot less than the major centers of population.
May 23rd 2015, 4:34 pm
#9
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Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Malibu, CA
Posts: 921
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
There are places to retire to in California that aren't Palm Springs.
Access to 'lakes and rivers' prohibits Southern California from the list.
Northern California is an excellent shout. I would also highlight some of the small towns littered throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains, some of which are out of this world, although could get a bit chilly in winter for the old bones.
Access to 'lakes and rivers' prohibits Southern California from the list.
Northern California is an excellent shout. I would also highlight some of the small towns littered throughout the Sierra Nevada mountains, some of which are out of this world, although could get a bit chilly in winter for the old bones.
May 23rd 2015, 4:44 pm
#10
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Is anyone going to mention the pitfalls of owning a holiday home in the U.S?
OP it seems everyman and his dog wishes to live or have a holiday home in Florida. There are major factors for you to consider. There have been dozens of threads on this subject...I suggest you either read back through the thread titles or use BE's search function to locate them.
OP it seems everyman and his dog wishes to live or have a holiday home in Florida. There are major factors for you to consider. There have been dozens of threads on this subject...I suggest you either read back through the thread titles or use BE's search function to locate them.
May 23rd 2015, 4:54 pm
#11
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Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
Is anyone going to mention the pitfalls of owning a holiday home in the U.S?
OP it seems everyman and his dog wishes to live or have a holiday home in Florida. There are major factors for you to consider. There have been dozens of threads on this subject...I suggest you either read back through the thread titles or use BE's search function to locate them.
OP it seems everyman and his dog wishes to live or have a holiday home in Florida. There are major factors for you to consider. There have been dozens of threads on this subject...I suggest you either read back through the thread titles or use BE's search function to locate them.
May 23rd 2015, 5:06 pm
#12
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
I have to admit to being at a loss regarding the frequent statements on this forum that the US is lacking in history and/or culture. The study of the Civil War alone could keep one going for years (my RAF WingCo uncle spent a long holiday here visiting related sites and found it fascinating), then there is the great trek west, the dust bowl, to say nothing of the story of the Native Americans. The country is full of amazing world-class museums, historical homes -- including the kind that would be termed "stately" in the UK -- and botanical gardens. Plus, there is every cuisine under the sun. Surely, something for everyone.
May 23rd 2015, 5:11 pm
#13
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
http://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-5.../#post11652762
Sorry I'm short on time today. If you go to the top of this page you will see 'search' in the buff coloured bar. Choose search threads and insert the word Florida. For a wider search...search all posts.
May 23rd 2015, 5:12 pm
#14
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
http://britishexpats.com/forum/usa-5.../#post11652762
Sorry I'm short on time today. If you go to the top of this page you will see 'search' in the buff coloured bar. Go to Advanced Search. Choose search threads and insert the word Florida. For a wider search...search all posts.
May 23rd 2015, 5:15 pm
#15
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: We want to buy a holiday home in the USA
I have to admit to being at a loss regarding the frequent statements on this forum that the US is lacking in history and/or culture. The study of the Civil War alone could keep one going for years (my RAF WingCo uncle spent a long holiday here visiting related sites and found it fascinating), then there is the great trek west, the dust bowl, to say nothing of the story of the Native Americans. The country is full of amazing world-class museums, historical homes -- including the kind that would be termed "stately" in the UK -- and botanical gardens. Plus, there is every cuisine under the sun. Surely, something for everyone.