Did anyone see the article in today's Times "Escape" section about Seaside? Along the lines of trouble in paradise, etc. Mostly deals with the aftermath of storms/beach erosion, traffic, maintenance costs, and out-of-reach property values. I can tell you why we did not buy at Seaside, in spite of having stayed at their Honeymoon Cottages on several occasions. First, the traffic on 30A, which would only get worse with time. Second, we felt that maintenance and amenities at Seaside translated into what would become ever-escalating homeowners association dues which we would have no control over. Third, we were singularly unimpressed with how the properties were managed for rental purposes at the time we were buying.
On the "plus" side, I think the Seaside new urban design really set a tone for excellence in future South Walton developments. It put the area on the map in terms of attracting an international recognition and following. And I think (most of) the homes are definitely safer from the ravages of storms by virtue of their setbacks from the water's edge. The price they pay, of course, is absence of direct beach access and lack of Gulf views, in most instances. And we did not want a beach house that did not at least have a nice view of the Gulf, if not direct access.
The article goes on to say that sales are absolutely flat in the area now. This is to be expected in the aftermath of such a well publicized 2005 hurricane season. But I also believe that the hugely escalated prices of real estate (such as the $5M to $7M costs of Seaside homes) has simply priced many people out of the market, particularly when you consider that these are second homes for most. Combine this with increased interest rates, increased property taxes, and the uncertainty of insurance hikes and you have a very nervous potential buyer. Rental income nicely offsets a mortgage of under $1M, but becomes a non-factor for a property priced much higher.
Interested in knowing what some of the Seaside owners think about this???
DBOldfordDBOldfordBeach FanaticNapa Valley, CA990 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
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SHELLYSHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
SHELLYSoWal Insider5,763 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderI remember Seaside when it was pleasant and beautiful--now it has essentially turned into the PCB of SoWal. The answer to the parking problem is so very simple--a 26 story high-rise parking garage...problem solved.
It seems as if SoWal is taking a beating from all sides...first it's the NYT and now a huge photo on the front page of the Sunday NW Florida Daily news of the row of beachfront houses with their seawalls stating, "WELCOME TO SOUTH WALL-TOWN." :roll:
It seems as if SoWal is taking a beating from all sides...first it's the NYT and now a huge photo on the front page of the Sunday NW Florida Daily news of the row of beachfront houses with their seawalls stating, "WELCOME TO SOUTH WALL-TOWN." :roll:
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertNot that I wish it on anyone, but if all the beach homes were to wash away, I would still have what I came here for.;-)
BobBobSoWal InsiderO'Wal10,368 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
BobSoWal InsiderO'Wal10,368 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderI agree with Bob on the foresight of SUVs. Back in the late 70's and early 80's, who would ever think that the auto of the future would be a farm truck? Back in those days, people were driving those big family station wagons, soon followed by conversion vans. Now that I think about it, weren't those just as big?Those 70s sleds were huge, but I bet if you look up sales figures for wagons they are nowhere near total SUV sales. Wagons were essentially female driven suburban transportation. Contrast that with SUVs, and you'll see every age/ gender behind the wheels of these vision-blocking beasts. One hand on the wheel, and the other on the cell phone riding just below the clouds. Detroit bet the farm on these rigs, and now they're in the give away mode. I hate to see our domestic auto manufacturers take another huge hit just as happened after the first energy crisis. If we had to choose between oil rigs off the Florida coast or SUVs what would we do???????????
In my opinion, the only way to do away with cars at the beach is to illiminate the people. 😀;-)
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertDetroit bet the farm on these rigs, and now they're in the give away mode. I hate to see our domestic auto manufacturers take another huge hit just as happened after the first energy crisis. If we had to choose between oil rigs off the Florida coast or SUVs what would we do???????????
How about using renewable fuel sources instead of big oil? That is a viable option. On top of that, we could reduce the unnecessisary wasteful plastic packaging that comes wrapped around every single item for sale these days. Ditch the plastic bags that are so freely distributed at every store. The little things make much difference. 😀
newyorkernewyorkerBeach LoverLos Angeles, CA147 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
What is reallly sad is that even Seaside's parking lots--built for regular cars--could not handle the SUVs last summer. Each of these monsters took up 1.5 parking spaces, exacerbating the already bad problem. My favorite were the Hummers--who in god's name needs a Hummer to go to Seaside????
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI know this thread is on Seaside, but Seaside is not alone. Almost every tight-knit Beach community down here is in the same boat.
RudyjohnRudyjohnSoWal InsiderChicago Area7,736 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
What is reallly sad is that even Seaside's parking lots--built for regular cars--could not handle the SUVs last summer. Each of these monsters took up 1.5 parking spaces, exacerbating the already bad problem. My favorite were the Hummers--who in god's name needs a Hummer to go to Seaside????Who in God's name needs a Hummer?
JdargJdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertWho in God's name needs a Hummer?
Some find them necessary to navigate grocery parking lots and school carpool lines. :floor:
There is an orthodontist here that will pick up your child at school in the big Hummer, take the kid back to the ortho office for the appointment, then return him to school- so it is very convenient for parents, and kids like to be "seen" getting out of the Hummer. :roll:
RudyjohnRudyjohnSoWal InsiderChicago Area7,736 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
Some find them necessary to navigate grocery parking lots and school carpool lines. :floor:That's pretty creative marketing for him!
There is an orthodontist here that will pick up your child at school in the big Hummer, take the kid back to the ortho office for the appointment, then return him to school- so it is very convenient for parents, and kids like to be "seen" getting out of the Hummer. :roll:
newyorkernewyorkerBeach LoverLos Angeles, CA147 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
probably explains the prices that orthodonist charges!
Back to the initial issue raised here: too many cars in an area designed for people and walking. Saratoga Springs is about 30 miles north of me--charming place--home of the NYC horsey set especially in the summer (think of Seabiscuit). Downtown revitalized in the 1970s into the same sort of pedestrian-friendly/trendy shops/great restaurant place as Seaside, and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosts the Philadelphia symphony and the NYC ballet in the summer). But the traffic is threatening to kill Saratoga too--the Victorian buildings that are so quaint can't be sold for the mega-bucks condos that are second homes for many city folks, and everyone wants to come and shop and eat and park right next to where they're going. Just like Seaside, Saratoga is in danger of being loved to death.
There's nothing wrong with being very proactive about the values these places established in the first place--that's why we love them. Civic leadership means determining what the primary values are that bring people to your community, and making policy that keeps these values paramount. I've not seen Alys Beach, but I hope they can really articulate these values and not capitulate to the Hummer crowd's drive-up mentality.
Back to the initial issue raised here: too many cars in an area designed for people and walking. Saratoga Springs is about 30 miles north of me--charming place--home of the NYC horsey set especially in the summer (think of Seabiscuit). Downtown revitalized in the 1970s into the same sort of pedestrian-friendly/trendy shops/great restaurant place as Seaside, and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosts the Philadelphia symphony and the NYC ballet in the summer). But the traffic is threatening to kill Saratoga too--the Victorian buildings that are so quaint can't be sold for the mega-bucks condos that are second homes for many city folks, and everyone wants to come and shop and eat and park right next to where they're going. Just like Seaside, Saratoga is in danger of being loved to death.
There's nothing wrong with being very proactive about the values these places established in the first place--that's why we love them. Civic leadership means determining what the primary values are that bring people to your community, and making policy that keeps these values paramount. I've not seen Alys Beach, but I hope they can really articulate these values and not capitulate to the Hummer crowd's drive-up mentality.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI thought the drive-up mentality is what made people want to buy and rent homes at the beach. T2M mentioned that people should have to park away from their house. People don't like walking to the beach, much less walking to their cars. I think all of you are just :bang::bang::bang:. Why do that to yourselves?
SantiagoSantiagoBeach Fanaticseagrove beach635 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I know this thread is on Seaside, but Seaside is not alone. Almost every tight-knit Beach community down here is in the same boat.You are right, Seaside is not alone. Seaside was designed 25 or so years ago without the knowlege that the world would be filled with Hummers and Suburbans. There are many neighborhoods that are composed entirely of single family, detached structures, that are legally considered condos. They are designed with narrower streets than are normally deemed acceptable for the sole purpose of increasing density. This is done today with the knowlege that the visitors will be arriving in Hummers. If I'm not mistaken, Camp Creek Cottages is one of these. This, not Seaside, is a true definition of poor planning. If you own there or somewhere like there and wonder why you don't own the land under your house, its so the developer could pack more homes into the neighborhood.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertThere is a project on the west end of PCB where the 3bd/2ba condo units will have one parking space each. There is no additional public parking within a half mile. I told the developer to go back to the drawing board if he wanted me to sell a unit. The people I know who vacation at the beach typically arrive in at least two cars and often invite others over to visit.
Travel2MuchTravel2MuchBeach Lover159 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
I thought the drive-up mentality is what made people want to buy and rent homes at the beach. T2M mentioned that people should have to park away from their house. People don't like walking to the beach, much less walking to their cars. I think all of you are just :bang::bang::bang:. Why do that to yourselves?
No, quite to the contrary I said that Seaside's design, in order to be honest to its vision, would require that given its original master plan. Since it doesn't, I quit renting there. Nor would I buy there, for that specific reason. I own in a place that architecturally has managed the problem somewhat well, and I have restrictive covenants to protect me from people who do not respect that.
People also do not like to pick up their trash from the beach, but that does not prevent anyone from suggesting they do so or from suggesting that their remains are unsightly.
I don't :bang: , BTW. Not a particularly good use of my time.
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