Fort Pierce info
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Fort Pierce info
I have a chance to get out of Michigan and move to that area. I visited there last summer and we will be visiting to vacation and peep around in late March,
We have an opportunity to purchase a condo on Hutchinson(sp) Island. Ocean Village Condos.
Zero degrees as I type here in Michigan.
Any disadvantages of that area?
What do you do when there is a hurricane? The condo complex I looked at was hurricane damaged some time ago and had heavy duty (very thick) windows and protective railings installed when it was rebuilt.
Any advantages other than sun and warmth?
I work in the medical industry as a senior radiographer (X ray tech) and my wife is a school principal and adjunct professor and working on her doctorate. Any local colleges/universities she could teach at? Any clinics I could work at?
We would still have to work at least part-time. My Corvette hobby requires extra cash from time-to-time as you well know.
We have an opportunity to purchase a condo on Hutchinson(sp) Island. Ocean Village Condos.
Zero degrees as I type here in Michigan.
Any disadvantages of that area?
What do you do when there is a hurricane? The condo complex I looked at was hurricane damaged some time ago and had heavy duty (very thick) windows and protective railings installed when it was rebuilt.
Any advantages other than sun and warmth?
I work in the medical industry as a senior radiographer (X ray tech) and my wife is a school principal and adjunct professor and working on her doctorate. Any local colleges/universities she could teach at? Any clinics I could work at?
We would still have to work at least part-time. My Corvette hobby requires extra cash from time-to-time as you well know.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 0
From: Denver PA
St. Jude Donor '07
I'm sorry that I can't help you with any info about Fort Pierce. I'm there now visiting my brother. I will be here till the end of April. I think it is a very nice area. It is close to a lot of activity.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 71
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Cruise-In X Veteran
My wife is from Ft Pierce and we frequently go there to visit Mother in Law and Brother in Law. Only 1 hospital at Ft Pierce, several in area to commute to, numerous clinics I believe. There is one college, Indian River State College, some more within driving distance south. Normal school system for the area. My overall impression is the area is somewhat economically depressed, even before the latest recession. A bit more crime than I would like in some areas of Ft Pierce. Just for your info, when I got out of the Navy I had a opportunity to get a job there and my wife, who is from there, did not want to go. The beach and fishing is good. Lots of stuff to do within driving distance. About 2-3 hours from things in Orlando. Very warm in summer. Great weather in winter. Subject to any hurricane strike. Sometimes more than one in a year.
Hopefully someone who lives there will pipe up and clarify. These are just my humble opinions from a outsider.
Hopefully someone who lives there will pipe up and clarify. These are just my humble opinions from a outsider.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
It is a real nice area. 
Not over developed like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. Living is good. Don't know how old you are but, It's great for families, young couples, retired people. Oh, it's a little cold there in the winter. The temp will drop down into the 30's, 40's at night. in the winter and 60's, 70's 80's during the day. Maybe that will be to cold for you. I know it's to cold for me. 
Not over developed like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. Living is good. Don't know how old you are but, It's great for families, young couples, retired people. Oh, it's a little cold there in the winter. The temp will drop down into the 30's, 40's at night. in the winter and 60's, 70's 80's during the day. Maybe that will be to cold for you. I know it's to cold for me.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Hutchinson Island is nice. I would shy away from a beachfront condo though. Call up a homeowner's insurance company and get a quote, before you pull the trigger. After you get your astronomical quote, imagine what the building is paying, if they can even get insurance for windstorm. Yes the glass is tough and that keeps the flying debris out, the roof however, is another issue. Watch out for special assesments from the HOA.
Hurricanes aren't the end of the world. You have to be pretty dumb to be killed by one. I've lived though three of them and, there's plenty of warning. The key to hurricane survival is evacuation, especially when it comes to beachfront living. Don't buy ground floor.
Hurricanes aren't the end of the world. You have to be pretty dumb to be killed by one. I've lived though three of them and, there's plenty of warning. The key to hurricane survival is evacuation, especially when it comes to beachfront living. Don't buy ground floor.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 17,278
Likes: 6
From: If I say it's safe to surf this beach ......then it's safe to surf this beach
We moved there in the early 70's, had a house about a half mile from Ocean Village when it was first being developed. Ft.Pierce isn't perfect, but it's a helluva lot better than most places. Being on South Beach is probably the best place in the city. There are plenty of places to avoid, but practically anyone locally can point them out.
If you're not already doing so, you'll want to read the local paper online. They especially seem to follow school administration issues, such as these two recent articles. Budget problems are starting to be felt, and that could affect employment opportunities in your field.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jan/...-teacher-mone/
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jan/...n-despite-sta/
We left Ft. Pierce many years ago but we're still in the area and have friends there, so we visit. Here are a couple of shots from earlier this month, taken at the Downtown Marina in 80+ degree weather. The condos on the right, across the river in the 2nd shot, are Ocean Village. The last photo was taken in 1974 at the house we had near there.
If you're not already doing so, you'll want to read the local paper online. They especially seem to follow school administration issues, such as these two recent articles. Budget problems are starting to be felt, and that could affect employment opportunities in your field.
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jan/...-teacher-mone/
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jan/...n-despite-sta/
We left Ft. Pierce many years ago but we're still in the area and have friends there, so we visit. Here are a couple of shots from earlier this month, taken at the Downtown Marina in 80+ degree weather. The condos on the right, across the river in the 2nd shot, are Ocean Village. The last photo was taken in 1974 at the house we had near there.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thanks a lot folks. I just turned 63 and am too pooped to party too much so a laid back life sounds great.
And 7 Vettes - I had lunch at that Tiki Bar in your pic!!!!!
And 7 Vettes - I had lunch at that Tiki Bar in your pic!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Mall of Georgia Fl (State of Confussion)
It is a real nice area. Not over developed like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. Living is good. Don't know how old you are but, It's great for families, young couples, retired people. Oh, it's a little cold there in the winter. The temp will drop down into the 30's, 40's at night. in the winter and 60's, 70's 80's during the day. Maybe that will be to cold for you. I know it's to cold for me.
Not over developed like Miami, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach. Living is good. Don't know how old you are but, It's great for families, young couples, retired people. Oh, it's a little cold there in the winter. The temp will drop down into the 30's, 40's at night. in the winter and 60's, 70's 80's during the day. Maybe that will be to cold for you. I know it's to cold for me. It's so cold, the elderly have to wear sweaters draped around their necks.....LOL
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 473
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From: Palm City FL
I might get flamed for this, but I would consider other areas close rather than in Fort Pierce. Hutchison Isalnd is beautiful and the marina is very nice. Once you get away from those two areas of Fort Pierce, it can get a bit rough.
If the opportunities are in Fort Pierce, Vero Beach is a close commute and is beautiful. A bit futher south in Martin county is also very nice around the Stuart/Jensen Beach area.
Come on down and look the entire area over before you make a purchase decision. Great time to buy almost anywhere you choose to live.
There is a pretty good Corvette club on the Treasure coast which is a good way to meet some local folks.
Good luck on your decision!
If the opportunities are in Fort Pierce, Vero Beach is a close commute and is beautiful. A bit futher south in Martin county is also very nice around the Stuart/Jensen Beach area.
Come on down and look the entire area over before you make a purchase decision. Great time to buy almost anywhere you choose to live.
There is a pretty good Corvette club on the Treasure coast which is a good way to meet some local folks.
Good luck on your decision!