Where to move to in FL?

[Flightlead]

My wife and I are considering moving to Florida. We love sailing and plan on a 35'-40' sail boat and I love diving, my 11 y/o daughter is getting into the diving too. So, somewhere with decent sailing for 5'-6' draft boat and places to go anchor within a days sail, reasonable diving within a few miles drive, a cost of living similar to metro Atlanta. I would like to be able to run to the beach ~ 5 miles, and not completely overrun with tourists. Does such a place exist?

 

[CAPT HOOK]

Doubt if you'll find it on the east coast.

 

[cdennyb]

Try down in the keys, way down in Key Largo and other cays south. Kinda long drive back up into civilization but if you got a 40 footer, then who cares.

 

[Flightlead]

I suggested the middle keys to my wife, but she demurred saying its too far from civilization...exactly the reason I like the idea. however, we do need to put the little one in school for 6 more years so we need a decent school system as well.

 

[cdennyb]

liveaboard the 40 footer, home school, live offshore?

 

[Flightlead]

We are planning on a liveaboard cruising sabatical but after my daughter goes to college. This is a step in that direction. She's not interested in the home school thing.

 

[cdennyb]

I've been saving up for 18-20 years now for a 65' sailboat. Looking into the Macgregor 65 specifically. My daughter is into Med school so I can plan on living and working off the boat down in the southern carib. near Granada. (Med school is on the island there)
I wanted to run a small laid back dive charter business off of it. Nothing shorter than 7 days and nothing longer than 14 with only 2-3 couples at a time. Strictly diving and snorkling. No windsurfers, no wave runners, no kayaks...just diving.
Looks like I'm headed that way in late 2008 early 2009. Have the web site about 1/2 done and working on the financial end currently.
I planned on selling off all the mainland items, real estate, cars, toys, etc. and living off the interest until the business supports itself. Still planning and closing all the loopholes...but I can relate with your plan.
good luck.

 

[Scubakevdm]

we do need to put the little one in school for 6 more years so we need a decent school system as well.

I'm sorry, but this eliminates the entire state. How about Vancouver?

 

[Flightlead]

similar plan. have the $ in the bank ready to go, now just waiting on the daughter. we plan on a 2 year carribean cruise followed be a return to "working life" where can can work 6 months of the year at something we enjoy. one idea was about a 65' sailboat to do high end crewed charters. high end meaning white table cloth, fine wines, gourmet foods, and 2-4 people at a time. we will cruise in something that we can single-hand, and which has a draft shallow enough to be able to do some Bahamas and Keys cruising. that means probably a 37 - 39' unless I end up being able to spring for a catamaran. above that length, the strength required to manage the sails and rigging is too high and I don't want to go to powered winches. 65' is a bit big for us to cruise in as a couple.

 

[waynel]

Sounds like you're looking for it all in Florida and I think you may have to do some compromising. I've been looking for property along the same lines as you, although I don't have to worry about a school system

Key Largo is only one hour away from Miami, don't know if that's too far for your wife. I don't know what the cost of living in metro Atlanta is but you can expect to pay about $330/sq. ft. for decent housing in Key Largo. I have also looked in the Fort Myers/Reddington Beach area on the Gulf coast of Florida. Cost of living much more reasonable there. I would check out that whole stretch from Tampa on down to Reddington beach.