Best Florida Surf Town

Apr 8, 2024
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If money were not an issue and you're looking for a surf town with good food, bars, and surf on the east coast of Florida, consider areas like Cocoa Beach or New Smyrna Beach. Both offer a laid-back surf culture with plenty of dining and nightlife options. Cocoa Beach, in particular, has a vibrant surf scene and is known for its consistent waves and proximity to Sebastian Inlet. New Smyrna Beach also boasts great waves and a charming downtown area with various restaurants and bars to explore. If you're looking for the cheapest place to live in Florida by the beach, these locations could offer the compromise you're seeking while still providing an enjoyable lifestyle.
 
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casa_mugrienta

Duke status
Apr 13, 2008
45,684
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Petak Island
If money were not an issue and you're looking for a surf town with good food, bars, and surf on the east coast of Florida, consider areas like Cocoa Beach or New Smyrna Beach. Both offer a laid-back surf culture with plenty of dining and nightlife options. Cocoa Beach, in particular, has a vibrant surf scene and is known for its consistent waves and proximity to Sebastian Inlet. New Smyrna Beach also boasts great waves and a charming downtown area with various restaurants and bars to explore. These locations could offer the compromise you're seeking while still providing an enjoyable lifestyle.
Thanks for the tips.

Do you have any tips for the Panhandle?
 

Bullnutts

Gerry Lopez status
Nov 14, 2004
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Hawai'i
Get ready to spend more money in Florida than what you were used to. Car and home insurance have shot up big time. And Florida sucks now. If you own a house in Hawaii, just stay.
 
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Goofy_Footed

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Jul 31, 2016
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My flood insurance skyrocketed too
Yep. 2 years ago it was like $450. Last year $775. This year it was in the $900s. Same coverage.

Can’t wait to get our homeowners renewal next month which has been going up exponentially for the last 3 years :cursing:
 

McHatin

Nep status
Apr 11, 2010
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It's expensive to live in FL now. It finally caught up, relative to other desirable places to live in the US.

Conveniently for companies, employee pay is still lower compared to other states.

The mass migration should still slow down a bit
 
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Goofy_Footed

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Jul 31, 2016
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Don’t know how much truth there is to this, but saw on the local news the other night that “lots” of people are moving out of FL because of the insurance rates.
 

Clayster

Phil Edwards status
Oct 26, 2005
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Don’t know how much truth there is to this, but saw on the local news the other night that “lots” of people are moving out of FL because of the insurance rates.
"Lots" move in, and "lots" move out, every year. However, Florida consistently has net migration gain.
 

Clayster

Phil Edwards status
Oct 26, 2005
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Thanks for the tips.

Do you have any tips for the Panhandle?
Yeah, but what do you want to do when there? Surely not surf.

Yes, the Panhandle gets good surf from time to time (think tropical storms), but it is WAY more inconsistent than the east coast, and the east coast isn't consistent.
 

casa_mugrienta

Duke status
Apr 13, 2008
45,684
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Petak Island
Yeah, but what do you want to do when there? Surely not surf.

Yes, the Panhandle gets good surf from time to time (think tropical storms), but it is WAY more inconsistent than the east coast, and the east coast isn't consistent.
That was me chatting with the bot. Not serious.
 

Sharkbiscuit

Duke status
Aug 6, 2003
27,793
21,042
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Jacksonville Beach
definitely horseshit. wish it were true
It's one of those both things can be true scenarios. A higher-than-average number of home sales are being driven by insurance premium hikes in Florida relative to home sales elsewhere, and probably some fixed income retirees lower on the economic totem pole are leaving for the Deep South or Southwest as the cost of living increases.

However net migration has been generally into Florida. Until very, very recently, you sell basically any compost pile in the tri-state area, you can afford a nice house in a nice neighborhood in Florida.