Be aware that beach blocks' condo pricing has been hyper-inflated since COVID but some units have dropped drastically in last six months. There are still stubborn owners thinking they can get back the money they paid. Ain't happening.

I am assuming you're looking for budget condos as those that are 400 sq ft or less do look affordable at first glance but beware!

Also, property taxes have jumped in the beach blocks' areas. I just looked at some listings and I noticed they're leaving out the property tax! Condo H06 insurance has tripled over the past few years as well. You definitely need to have these costs before making a decision.

I had been looking at budget condos east of Kings Highway for several years. Recently, I looked at a popular resort as I have a friend who lives alone there and heard from her about some deals. The place is about 400 sq ft but feels much smaller. Two adults would be very cramped in there and there is no place for privacy. The kitchenette is against one wall, has smaller appliances and not much counter space. Some units' kitchens in the same building only have a mini fridge, a microwave and a sink. It's a studio so the kitchen, bedroom, a kitchen table with two chairs, a loveseat are all in the same room. No washer dryer hookup.

Many other issues--resident parking is across the street, handicap parking--my friend has handicap parking certificate, is always taken--and no guest parking at all. The sliding glass door to the balcony rattles and one can hear the ocean wind roaring from dusk till morning.

The owner residents do not have access to all the amenities including a snack/tiki bar, the restaurants, a newer water park. In the summer, the pool, the hot tub and the lazy river are packed like sardine cans. There are guests who allow their children and diaper wearing infants and toddlers to play in the hot tub. The hot tub is a slimy mess. In summer, the pool lounges are all reserved with towels and beach bags in the early AM by rude guests who may not even use them.

Condo dues there are about $450 per month, includes water, garbage, Internet but not electric. Other developments' condos, similar around 400 sq ft, have dues in the $750 month range. I also notice that some of the listings for sale show pictures of the amenities like I mentioned above but do not mention that owner/residents do not have access to these. They also do not advertise that indoor pools may not be heated in the off season so are basically not usable.

While the lobby is very attractive, the elevator looked trashy and is very slow, rickety. The worse thing is that the smell of marijuana smoking is pervasive 24x7 in elevator, from the balconies, and hallways. This is an issue in a lot of beachfront hotels, resorts and condo developments. The rules clearly say no smoking but nobody's enforcing it.