Coast is expensive but check out real estate prices if you are buying. Living in the least expensive areas means less activities/entertainment if by living in Houston you prefer that. Like Farah said, you get what you pay for and hopefully it works for you.

That's will be a nice idea

I live in Melbourne and love it. I am 10 minutes from the beach and an hour from Orlando. We have everything that Orlando has but without the crime and traffic. Cost of living is moderate. Property taxes are lower than a lot of Florida. You usually get what you pay for.

The west coast of Florida has lovely beaches. Sarasota is wonderful (they have an Amish community) but everything is more expensive over there. I go there twice a year to stay with friends. Mini vacation without the expense.

Fort pierce is fairly cheap for a coastal town but the community events are small and often church sponsored.

Still, I moved back here because a small town still has advantages.

I am less than 3 hours from Orlando and Miami.

It's only very expensive if you pick a pricey area - I've never lived so cheaply. Easy formula - generally, the closer you want to be to the ocean, the more you'll need to pay. Especially regarding homeowner's insurance - as down here, you're in hurricane country, and of course much more vulnerable by the ocean !
I choose to be in the north central part of the state - Ocala area. Lots of gorgeous big trees, HILLS (yes!), great forests, grazing animals to gaze upon, natural cool springs to swim in, and either coast under two hours away.
Do your research !

I grew up in Daytona Beach, and cost of living really isn't so bad there. Much of the beachside from New Smyrna up through Ormond by the sea is made up of older homes that rent for surprisingly cheap, with only a few pockets of cruddy neighborhoods. The area is heavily seasonal, but I enjoyed my time there

Thanks so much you two. I will check out Clearwater and Destin.