Thanks to everyone for the information. i am currently living in Dubai, but am returning to the USA later this summer. I will plan to take a trip to Florida in late September and make the grand tour. From what I have read, Sarasota is high on the list, along with a look at downtown St. Pete and Ft. Lauderdale. I will contact folks when my plans are definite.
Thanks again.

Hi Mark - we apologize for the broad answers :) . Of course, each realtor is likely to recommend their home area. After all, it is where we live and work ,and therefore we have our partiality.

Forbes, AARP, etc all put out a "Top Places to Retire" each year, and I would suggest choosing a few places from their reviews, and take a trip to visit them all and decide which is right for you.

From the website http:// http://www.TopRetirements.com is their list of Top 25 places to retire in 2009. It includes 4 Florida towns:
#2 - Sarasota
#13 - Ft. Myers
#14 - Venice
#15 - Gainesville

Visting these towns, chosen by an independent site dedicated to retirement options, may give you an excellent feel for where you would like to be. As a resident of Sarasota, I can speak personally to the amazing and eclectic downtown district, the arts districts, the news and bookstores, and the extreme walkability of this town. I am also quite familiar with Venice, just being south of here. Venice Island offers a quaint village with its own personality and also has arts and culture, albeit on a smaller scale.

I suggest looking at a few of these lists, then taking a trip to Florida to explore. I wish you the very best of luck and hope to see you in our beautiful city soon.

Mark
There are several places from Vizcaya in Bradenton to Village Walk in Sarasota, even out east in Lakewood Ranch. to a few places on Longboat Key even. If you would like me to email you listings please let me know. I am from Rhode Island and have been down here since 1986. Have to tell you though up front I am a Red Sox's Fan. Ha Ha
Look forward to hearing from you
David Leventhal
Coldwell Banker Previews
The Leventhal Team

Mark,
You should consider looking in Fort Lauderdale....specifically the Las Olas Boulevard corridor...we have a large amount of people retiring to this area daily...The beach is 1.5 miles away, and Las Olas is the downtown city center of Fort Lauderdale, boutiques, shopping, art galleries, museums, coffee shops, fantastic dinning and entertainment....we have a college that is also located downtown within walking distance, along with a library...and Las Olas runs along the New River, which allows you to take the Water Taxi practically anywhere!!!! It is a fantastic neighborhhood and there are quite a few properties available in your price range...check out my web site and feel free to call me if you have any questions...

There are plenty of opportunities in Sarasota in your price range.
You will be able to feel at home right away in Sarasota.
Contact me 941 .544.7746

Gloria

I was thinking "John Pass" in Pinellas County would be worth a look for you. A small beach town with lots of shops, including restaurants-- steps to the beach, and great friendly people...all overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Ah, to sit with a cup of coffee with a newspaper overlooking pristine waterfront views Year-round vacation living.

Also, to the North, Clearwater Beach also has a lot of shops. A short drive to the north, from there, Tarpon Spring, a fishing Village on Gulf waters, also with shops, restaurants. I love these areas for a relaxed, low key lifestyle. St. Pete and Tampa has some remarkable Art Museums including Salvadore Dali Museum in
St. Pete.

In Tampa, Channelside District is close to downtown Tampa , popular for all ages, waterfront views,and a walkable area with shops, however the Beach is a drive to the gulf, aprox. -45 minutes away approx.

In this buyers' market, your suggested sales price is more than ample, and provides you a wide array of great possible selections and locations.

Would be happy to introduce you to these areas, and help you in your search. There also are colleges abound within about 30-40 minutes from all these areas. Feel free to contact me. for more information.

Phyllis Crosby, Realtor, GRI
ReMax ACR Elite
Tampa, Florida
(30 yrs in Real Estate)

(813) 886-2356
phylliscrosby@tampabay.rr.com

Hi Mark,

We would like to weigh in on the part of the Sarasota/Venice area because, as presented, your identified criteria can be both met and exceeded here. Our recommendation is to plan a short vacation to the area for the purpose of getting a feel for what it has to offer its residents....not for the purpose of buying or even looking at property.

A short retreat with a simple purpose may provide you with great dividends, especially when it comes to this location. We would be happy to provide you with additional information, as needed.

Best wishes,
The Eckler Team

Michael Saunders & Company
billeckler@michaelsaunders.com
941-408-5363

Hi Mark,

I would definitely suggest Sarasota, Fl. for you to begin your search. We have condos close to the Sarasota Downtown that are in your price range and you would be able to fulfill all of your desires.
You can walk to the various coffee shops , read newspapers from all over the world, walk to the farmers market every Saturday morning to purchase fresh produce at great prices brought in by the local farming communities, meet new people, walk to the movies and performing theaters, and walk to the Sarasota's beautiful Bay front park and just sit on a bench and watch all the interesting people go by while you feel the soft semi tropical breeze and maybe hear some soothing music where a Tiki Bar is not far for that glass of wine.
Let me know if you would like for me to send you some condos to review by virtual tours.

Emelie Zack Prudential Palms Realty, Longboat Key, St Armands Circle, Sarasota, Fl. 34236
941 302 2102

here are some links for you to look over

http://www.whattodoinmtdora.com

http://www.mountdora.com/festivals.php
http://www.nbbd.com/godo/cns/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeLand,_Florida

http://www.nsbfla.com/

Good Morning, Mark,
Downtown Sarasota has everything you are seeking in a condo. The views and prices, as well as fantastic location are perfect for you. You have a terrific selection of everything from this location. You even have the gorgeous bayfront park within walking distance to the condos. Sarasota average age is 42, which may come as a surprise to many people. Our sister city of Venice is in the mid 60s. We always seemed to get lumped into as a retirement community. This is not true. We have a vital, energetic and fun atmosphere here in Sarasota. Geez, I could go on and on about my community! Allow me to send you properties by email or other information by mail. I will prove to you how amazing a place Sarasota is to enjoy life!

Cherub Madden
Century 21 Advantage
941-416-1250
cherubmadden@century21.com

You are going to have many towns to choose from.

I will limit this to Central Florida (I was born in South Florida but way too much traffic)
First choice, Mount Dora. This is a small town NE of Orlando. Beach's of New Smyrna about a hour drive and the New Smyrna and Canaveral National Seashore. You are about 1/2 hour from Orlando for the arts. In the area there are Tons of bike trials.

Deland, even closer to New Smyrna. This is a old Florida town and home of Stetson University, a small but very good liberal arts University. Just North of Orlando. Lots of Moss hung oaks and nice down town.

And if you want the beach, New Smyrna. Just south of New Smyrna is the Canaveral National Seashore. You can bike the seashore and find a beach you can call your own. Playalinda beach is at the southern end of the beach area. Also great canoing and fishing. Wildlife all over, gators, manatees, dolphins.

Howie in the Hills. This area is composed of one great resort, Mission Hills which is near Mount Dora but on the south shore of Lake Harris. Nice Villas in your price range.

St Petersburg (West of Tampa). This is more of a city than a town. Lots of traffic but some great Beach's. Tampa has about all the arts you could wish for and St Petersburg has tons to do.

I have many more but this should give you some things to Goggle. I could show you around any of these areas.

John

352-978-4539

Downtown Sarasota sounds like where you want to be. Downtown is a charming metropolitan backdrop to festivals, music, and art galleries. The Ringling College of Art and Design is located near downtown along with some Community Colleges.

http://mfr.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=355078570&s… are some listings under $225K.

Sarasota is known for it's arts. We're called Florida's Cultural Coast with beaches ranked among the best in the world. You can visit Sarasota's official website to view all that Sarasota has to offer.

Geoff Rossman
(941) 544-3232
RE/MAX Tropical Sands http://www.SarasotaTropicalCondos.com

Hi Mark, I've forwarded your question to my good realtor friend in the Tampa area. :-)

Best wishes for a lovely home in Florida. I am envious!