Best timeshare for retiring couple in Florida

Roger830 · Feb 3, 2015

I'm agree with George. November is a slow month in Florida except for Thanksgiving week. Also, there are many rental options. In fact, I would suggest that owning one low cost week would be enough, then rent from rci, II, tug, etc.

A lot of talk here is about the west coast. We prefer the east coast. We are on our 6th week in Florida, with one week on the west coast, Longboat Key. I didn't like the afternoon sun there shining right at me and reflecting off of the water. I pointed that out to some folks yesterday on the sun deck here in Hollywood Beach how nice it was to have the sun to our back shining on the palm trees, beach, and water.

It might not be a bad idea to rent at a few resorts before buying anything. There will be plenty of options available for November.

pedro47 · Feb 3, 2015

I would choose Marriott because they have so many quality resorts in the Orlando area and the state of Florida.

Nancy · Feb 3, 2015

Have you considered buying a condo? You could use it in November, then rent it out during the peak months December thru April, etc.

Just and idea.

Nancy

lizap · Feb 3, 2015

I would choose one of the Marriotts on Singer Island. They are very nice, and the weather that time of the year will be warmer the further south you go although you should be fine along the Gulf Coast if you go in early November. I believe you should be able to get 3 weeks at Ocean Pointe for what you're willing to spend; Oceana Palms is more expensive.

rapmarks · Feb 4, 2015

Nancy said:
Have you considered buying a condo? You could use it in November, then rent it out during the peak months December thru April, etc.

Just and idea.

Nancy

We have a villa that we rent out and this is an excellent idea. We usually have a lot of disappointed people who wanted to rent during the prime months. November is a beautiful month in SW Florida.

bogey21 · Feb 4, 2015

Nancy said:
Have you considered buying a condo? You could use it in November, then rent it out during the peak months December thru April, etc.

I have a Canadian friend who has owned a condo in Fort Myers for over 20 years. He rents it out Jan - Apr. The rental income covers all expenses and then some. Most of his renters are repeaters who take it for a month at a time . When he and his wife are not using it it is available for friends and relatives. He gave me a key. All I had to do when I used it was to call and make sure someone else wasn't; call the cleaning lady when I was about to leave; and leave $25 on the kitchen table for her.

George

PS Before you ask why I don't pay rent, it is because he won't take it.

Miss Marty · Feb 4, 2015

My vote is for the beautiful pool houses with garage!

RCI

The Houses at Summer Bay Orlando by Exporia Resorts 6884,
The Reserve at Summer Bay Orlando by Exploria Resorts D468.

silentg · Feb 4, 2015

To TheBourne
I sent you a private message!
TerryC

rapmarks · Feb 4, 2015

bogey21 said:
I have a Canadian friend who has owned a condo in Fort Myers for over 20 years. He rents it out Jan - Apr. The rental income covers all expenses and then some. Most of his renters are repeaters who take it for a month at a time . When he and his wife are not using it it is available for friends and relatives. He gave me a key. All I had to do when I used it was to call and make sure someone else wasn't; call the cleaning lady when I was about to leave; and leave $25 on the kitchen table for her.

George

PS Before you ask why I don't pay rent, it is because he won't take it.

wow, when we have the cleaning lady in for our villa, it is about $115 to 125

X-ring · Mar 16, 2015

We own weeks 48 & 49 (late November, early December) at Tortuga Beach Club on Sanibel Island. Very well maintained resort on the beach of a quiet Old Florida island totally devoid of high rises, traffic signals and half of which is covered by a natural preserve. The resort is managed by Hilton so trading within HGVC is possible (we have never traded our Sanibel units so far).

We specifically chose 2 weeks in a lower level, outside unit - lower level to avoid excessive stairs and end unit to provide more natural lighting within the unit. There are tennis courts on site plus ownership includes membership at the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club (soft tennis courts plus free golf green fees for six people, daily).

It's the #1 rated resort on Sanibel, according to TripAdvisor.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Rev...Beach_Club_Resort-Sanibel_Island_Florida.html

Free free to contact me if you need more info.

rapmarks · Mar 16, 2015

A.Win said:
If you are in your 60s, I'm not sure if tennis should be an important consideration. Unless you are in great shape, you may only play tennis for 5 more years, yet you may be visiting FL for 20 more years. Plus FL has lots of public tennis courts everywhere.

one of the best players on our competitive team is going to be 80 in June. she is a 4.0 the team is mostly over 70. tennis is very popular her with older people.

GregGH · Mar 17, 2015

Hi

read thru the posts .... questions

1) the UK Pound vs US Dollar ... comments now ?
2) isn't Portugal or Southern France or Greece an option? Shorter and less costly flights. Morocco is also fun.
3) the east coast weather has more swings than you saw in the West Coast Newport condo's
4) November .... Hilton Head can be an option ( maybe not for swimming ? )

Good luck in your quest ... ask good questions and try before you buy

Greg

Harry · Mar 19, 2015

TheBourne said:
We live in the UK and are owners in Marbella with Marriott. Have been very happy with this.

We are now looking at buying somewhere we can go each November to get away from our horrible winters for a few weeks. Florida looks like the best bet, tho we've stayed at Marriott Newport Coast a few times and loved that, tho its a little further for us and I think ther will be better in Florida at this time of year.

We are relatvely relaxed about where to buy. We could do Orlando and use it for the kids, but equally happy to look at Gulf coast elsewhere fo us.

What we most like are:

Nice resorts, not high rise
Suitable for us (60s)
Activity possibilities: tennis, swimming, cycling, sailing
Just a nice (Warm) place we can come to every year.
Finally, where we can get a good price

Ability to transfer not a prime reason. However ideally (but not compulsory) we'd like the ability to buy floating weeks rather than fixed to be a bit more flexible.

You sound like our tenants who reside in Cocoa Beach. They come every year and bring their children and grandchildren for shot stays. They tell us they have made many friends some form UK. Cocoa Beach is close enough to Orlando and a short hop to cruises. We also love the area preferring it over the Gulf.

Harry

Sea Six · Mar 20, 2015

If you are looking at resorts in SW Fla, make sure they have an elevator! Many of the resorts in this area are 2 or 3 stories, and do not have elevators. I always mention this because we booked a place on Sanibel that was supposed to be on the second floor. Turns out, the ground floor was utility space, the first floor units were actually on the second floor, and our second floor unit had the living space on the third floor, and the bedrooms on the fourth floor! Too many steps! Most of the phases in Vistana Resort do not have elevators.

Sugarcubesea · Mar 20, 2015

b2bailey said:
The two things I would do differently if I knew THEN what I know NOW.
Only buy 2 BR lock-offs and do more EOY weeks.

Some one gave me that advice when I was looking and I purchased an SDO 2 BR/LO for that very reason... I would like to add an even year into the mix, but I have to wait till I get a job with more vacation time.

capjak · Mar 21, 2015

I might consider as others have said: Buying Getaways through II or if you want to own purchase a Marriott that is part of the Florida Club as you could get good use out of that.

For resorts in the Florida Club I believe marriott's grand vista (certain buildings) would work.

Sullco2 · Apr 5, 2015

November in Southwest Florida means good rental availability

Hello. I sent you a private message suggesting that timeshare ownership seemed illogical given the time you want to be in Florida--be it Southwest Florida or elsewhere.

It is a great time to visit--weather is fine and crowds haven't really arrived yet.

There are enough fine communities with rental programs--although the one we own (whole ownership)in is one of the few that offers weekly rentals as opposed to monthly, seasonal, or "three times per year."

Spending up front money to buy a timeshare in this time of year plus taking on annual MF's is unnecessary. Pick a community that offers monthly (or weekly) rentals and become a repeat tenant. Everyone wins.

Good luck.

sandcastles · Apr 6, 2015

Just a tip if you want to stay three weeks with floating weeks. We own on Sanibel with floating weeks at Hurricane House, which is my favorite resort on Sanibel. November may be considered off season when you are exchanging or renting, but with the owners it is very popular. You will need to get in a lottery for a November week a year in advance and it is difficult to get. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Coarsegold Bob · Apr 6, 2015

Let me address the issue of "good price". I suggest you review the tug forum: Bargain Deals. Use the internet to review the listed resort and it's location. Some of the listings are in Florida.

Best timeshare for retiring couple in Florida

Roger830

pedro47

TUG Review Crew: Expert

Nancy

lizap

rapmarks

TUG Review Crew: Elite

bogey21

Miss Marty

silentg

TUG Review Crew: Expert

rapmarks

TUG Review Crew: Elite

X-ring

TUG Review Crew

rapmarks

TUG Review Crew: Elite

GregGH

TUG Review Crew

Harry

TUG Review Crew

Sea Six

Sugarcubesea

TUG Review Crew

capjak

Sullco2

sandcastles

Coarsegold Bob