Ana is correct about scouting the area. Most of my colleagues and friends who moved down there and purchased a house immediately, ended up very much regretting it.
I recommend renting an apartment or house for a year, and spending that time exploring the area, the housing market, the people, the dive sites, boating access, shopping, blah blah. Most of SE Florida is a beehive of small to large-sized towns, all jam-packed together but each with very different features.
I have also found that most southerners do not stay long in Palm Beach/Broward/Miami-Dade counties, once they belatedly discover that they've entered what is often referred to as the "6th Borough of New York City". A lot of goods and services will charge a lot more than you're used to, real estate will definitely cost much more than you're used to, and the NYC culture can be very... different.
A 350k budget is fine for a smaller and older 2-bedroom home in most areas that aren't on the waterfront. So with your budget, cost isn't a problem if you're not needing a large house and not needing a bayside view. The *real problem* is that houses sell instantly down here, like the same week that they are listed. There is precious little inventory for home buyers.
I recommend renting an apartment or house for a year, and spending that time exploring the area, the housing market, the people, the dive sites, boating access, shopping, blah blah. Most of SE Florida is a beehive of small to large-sized towns, all jam-packed together but each with very different features.
I have also found that most southerners do not stay long in Palm Beach/Broward/Miami-Dade counties, once they belatedly discover that they've entered what is often referred to as the "6th Borough of New York City". A lot of goods and services will charge a lot more than you're used to, real estate will definitely cost much more than you're used to, and the NYC culture can be very... different.
A 350k budget is fine for a smaller and older 2-bedroom home in most areas that aren't on the waterfront. So with your budget, cost isn't a problem if you're not needing a large house and not needing a bayside view. The *real problem* is that houses sell instantly down here, like the same week that they are listed. There is precious little inventory for home buyers.