Wife and I are thinking of retiring to an over 55 community in the Clearwater area.  We've never been there, but have done a lot of research on the cost of living and the fact that the trailers in the area are pretty affordable.  We have been in W. Texas our entire life but the cost of living outweighs our retirement income.

How is it in Clearwater as far as gun laws/ carrying and the crime.  Is there a better place to look that is still close to the beach?  

Pros and Cons?

I bailed from Pinellas county 14 years ago after growing up there.  It's the most densely populated county in the state.  I hate the traffic, and taxes there aren't cheap either.

In a trailer, you have to be concerned with hurricanes.  They are a definite threat on any location near the coast.  Are you set you have to be on the coast?

The Ocala area is more "Florida" than the coast.  Cost of living is better. Taxes are better.  Just not Gainesville (Alachua)... it's horrible here.

As for gun laws, they're owned by the State, local jurisdictions don't have any say. BUT... the Sheriff in Pinellas is not our friend.  He's anti-open carry and has said even if it passes he will advise his deputies to prone-out anyone carrying open... just to make life difficult for us.

Feel free to hit me up in IMs if you have specific questions.

Thanks for the info!  We will check those locations out also.  We don't necessarily need to be on the coast but do want to be close enough to be able to spend the day on the beach.

This, North Manatee (Ellenton) has some good retirement communities / over 55 "Trailer" parks.

Even Ocala/Gainesville (middle of the state) is less than 90 minutes either way to the coast.

And look at the Springs up here as well.

I as well have a Trailer in the  largo Clearwater area and  am moving to the Ocala area . We put one up on the River.   , hell gas was 50 cents cheeper than Pinellas county .

I live in NW Hillsborough...

Pinellas ...

I can't wait to GTFO.

what springs am I looking for.... seems to be a lot in Florida  LOL

Ginnie Springs
Blue Spring State Park
Ichetucknee Springs/River

Another vote for the Ocala area. We're out on a big beautiful spring fed lake in the Natl Forest. Great rural lake lifestyle but only 35 miles to good restaurants, our bank, ABC, Lowe's, HF, Aldi's, WM and Publix. Zero crime, quiet, great drinking water, 99.6% ypeepo in this ZIP and lots of critters, neighbor had a bear yank down his fish feeder out over the canal last night.

Love it out here.

Sounds like you are looking for a forever nap before it's time.

Not at all.... just wanting to enjoy life before we're too old to enjoy it.

Sounds like a great place!

Wife and I snorkled some river up there and went right past a gator.