After living in Spain for most of this year, we have to return to the United States, specifically Delray Beach, Florida, because in these crazy times I sold my inherited condominium in a planned and gated community of 3000 people.
Life in Florida
When my dad died in 2017, I was the trust administrator and after dispersing all his requests, I became the new owner of this 1200 sq ft ground floor corner unit on what appeared to be a non functioning green golf course that had a few small lakes. The only caveat to this gift was he asked me to keep it for 5 years and perhaps learn to enjoy and relax into the ways of Florida.
So as I had no need of the money or the space, I mentally agreed to his condition.
Starting that year I continued to rent out the condo seasonally to folks who were fleeing the cold and snow of the north. At first this was lucrative as taxes were not bad, nor insurance and the quarterly maintenance dues were all able to be paid by the four month rental income.
Changes
In 2018 things started to change as the hurricane season continued to not only grow in length but in intensity when the insurance rates were pretty much doubled and many insurers left Florida limiting the competition and the pricing. Insurance rates rose in 2020 approx 35%.
Then the rise of taxes went from reaching a new high 0.71 % which on a condo valued at $120,000 is about $ 2400 but it’s still one of the least expensive property taxes in the USA. Typical taxes in the USA are about 9% depending on location and service.
Next came the additional burden of maintenance of the 30 year old buildings as this was just prior to the collapse of the beachfront tower that had not been maintained for years in 2021.
New stricter rules have been implemented for all condominium buildings in general but especially those on the water, these rulings have led to a halt to such horrible and preventable destruction.
Hard number to scrunch
But the hardest number to crunch was the community HOA which had started out at approximately $ 5000 per year now in 2025 was $ 11000 per year which of course included a total do over of the aging club house and a few other upgrades.
In this community there are acres of lawn to maintain, extensive gardens, lots of outdoor pools and an indoor pool, a gymnasium, card rooms, billiards rooms, a fully functioning theatre and a ballroom!
Lots of stuff to enjoy if you like the gated community experience of living with people just like you. Plus like the security of knowing that people can only gain admittance with permission.
This part of Florida is totally a driving area as everything is located in a strip mall, so a car is mandatory although there is a market within walking distance. I think in the years I have had this place I have seen an occasional person on a bicycle or even walking. As to public transportation it’s a step above nonexistent.
It was my father’s
n thinking about this place it’s always been about my father. He was a holocaust survivor who lived to the ripe old age of 94 dying from a genetic disease called Melia Dysplasia Syndrome that is prone to attack people over 70 years of age. This disease is an anemia based blood disease which in 2017 was not well known but now as this genetic mutation is on the 7th gene, and is now one of the most studied mutations.
But back to my Dad, he was an avid tennis player until he was 90. After he retired at 65, he devoted himself to his passion, playing tennis. He loved trash talking on the courts and was condominium champion quite a few times as evidenced by his trophy chest. He later in his life became a talented primitive watercolor painter. Many of his pieces hang in this Florida apartment. Their totally unsophisticated compositions are quite sweet in their own way.
My dad couldn’t stand foolish people or opinions he disagreed with and was happy to tell you so with his finger pointing technique aimed at your chest. Speaking English in a nuanced Polish accent, he could never say the word thumb properly as the “ th“ sound for non native speakers is very difficult to pronounce.
Language
This phenomena has to do with the shape of the mouth when speaking, as English involves the front of the mouth and using the tongue in the teeth and many other languages use the back of the and are much softer.
For me, Florida in my mind is a vast wasteland populated by former New Yorkers who are very rude and demanding folks. There are the Canadian snow birds too who are slightly kinder but this area of Florida is filled with folks from the Washington DC area all the way into Maine. These folks migrate to Florida for the warmth and the vision of sitting on the beach in 85 degree weather while their neighbors shovel the snow from the driveways and dig out their cars after being buried by the snow plow that did the streets at 5 am.
In getting to know myself I have discovered I an urban person who uses public transportation, taxis or electric motorcycles to get around town. As I prefer shopping for my groceries in small stores.
While this condo has been a great experience for a month or so? It’s not really my type of life as the people you know are pretty much all from your peer group, mostly older retirees that are white. Their interests are playing golf, moaning about everything they think is wrong with everything and generally not very happy about anything.
They could be Republicans or Democrats, some are very active in politics while others are having fun as thespians and designers. While others work out daily at the gym and are incessant walkers as there are great trails in the property.
Are you active?
Most folks are living a sedentary lifestyle and are very content with that.
I prefer to be active, walking and dancing tango and exercising in my house.
Living in Valencia we met Rosie who works at Remax and decided to market the condo for me. She discovered a connection to a realtor in Delray Beach too and was able to sell the apartment for me.
Happiness is…
This sale will close in the middle of December and I am so happy to be able to enjoy the condo and the new owner is very happy for the condo.
H
We to live in Barcelona continuing living the lives that we choose with urban living, walking the city, shopping for fresh food at local markets and of course continuing to dance dance tango and enjoying living life with my partner.
