Help with marina/mooring planning?

[KeepInTune]

Greetings, all. I need some advice and suggestions.

Here is some background:
-My wife and I are buying a used 10-15 year old 38-42 ft monohull in the next 4 months. It will be in working shape but sure it will require some typical upgrades/maintenance.
-We are targeting to keep the boat in Tampa/St. Pete area for now
-We live in the Midwest and will fly down for long weekends, vacation weeks, with a few 2-week cruising (will be moving to FL within the next 3-4 years)
-Probably very limited to no use and visits in the Summer months
-While we probably can afford most marinas, though I'm efficient with our money and inclined to find the smartest solution which provides the least cost with greatest value (...don't we all!)

We are confused on what might be the "smartest solution for us, so here's where I need your advice and counsel with our situation:
1) Do you suggest a marina, mooring, or other?
2) Just a thought...Is renting a private dock, such as on a canal behind someone's house something that is common? Thoughts on this as an option?
3) Do we keep it in slip/moored 6 months then stored on the hard for 6 months (since we don't plan on use June-Oct ish)? Do people do this or do the masses typically keep their boats in the water year round?
4) What would be target costs for a) slip, b) mooring, c) other options?
5) Any other thoughts, ideas, direction for us?

Thanks for your help and I look forward to your advice and suggestions!