[Sunandsand]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I grew up on Greek-owned pizza parlors in Massachusetts. Love that pizza! What I wouldn't do for some of that now!

You can say that again. My dad was born and raised in Dracut, MA. Some of the old uncles ran some pizza parlors back in the day. Unbelievable pizza!

[sunrico90]

Great conversation on the pizza, but lets get back to the topic...

[hiknapster]

Ah, Sunrico, the voice of reason.

Well, I just don't think that Naples would be all that interesting or fun for a single guy. I really wouldn't.

He says that the main benefit is the beaches, but I don't think they are all that great. Red tide is a major hindrance.

But we really don't know about the OP's friend's personal situation. Does he have a job offer and doesn't have a job now? Would it be a step down for him? A step up?

Do you see how it really is impossible to respond?

Is this a career move that will be good for him professionally or does he just want to hang out at the beach? If that's the case, then I think he should pass.

[compelled to reply]

Single guy? How about on the other side of the alley? That could be fun.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by ShadowCaver

Sorry to interrupt this lively discussion regarding these other important topics, however ,,, however, for those with knowledge of Naples and the surrounding areas, what would be places to recommend and/or not recommend w/in a ~30 minute commute to that intersection [US75 & FL951]? Thanks.

whippersnapper, you posted the following: Is your friend into chain restaurants or more of the mom and pop places? Naples has a lot of chain restaurants: California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Olive Garden, Joe's Crab Shack, etc. plus a few really good smaller places. Is he into golfing? Wine festivals? Boating? Art? Is he always into going out or does he like to hang around the house most of the time? Instead of us telling you what areas to avoid, why doesn't he come up with a few suitable apartments and then we could tell him what we know about each place? Check the Naples Daily News for apartments as well.


Likes both chains and mom/pop places - depending upon what they are. No golfing or art stuff. Festivals and boating, yes. Is adventuresome, and likes to explore. As to the last part, would be much appreciative to help on his time if knew that such-and-such area was not so desirable, that this other area was cool and relatively affordable, etc. Thanks again.

If he makes 50K gross and doesn't have any debt like a car payment, credit cards etc. he will probably be OK if he manages money wisely.

My suggestion for housing is to rent a condo or house. No apartments, they are all ghetto. Lakewood, Glades, Lely, Verona Walk, Forest Glen, Glen Eagle, Vineyards, Kings Lake, Foxfire, Countryside, basically any gated community will be OK. Golden Gate City is wildly variable. Decent middle class to third world ghetto. The Par One condos are nice. Absolutely no apartments or duplexes. Single family homes can be OK depending on the neighborhood. Definitely check out before signing.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by Sunandsand

And I stopped in a Walmart in Decatur to grab some batteries in September and I thought I was on the set of the movie Deliverance.

"Deliverance" set in Central America. Seriously, most of the local folk avoid the Decatur Wal-Mart. Target opened last week...that's where everybody is.

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Ah, Sunrico, the voice of reason.

Well, I just don't think that Naples would be all that interesting or fun for a single guy. I really wouldn't.

He says that the main benefit is the beaches, but I don't think they are all that great. Red tide is a major hindrance.

But we really don't know about the OP's friend's personal situation. Does he have a job offer and doesn't have a job now? Would it be a step down for him? A step up?

Do you see how it really is impossible to respond?

Is this a career move that will be good for him professionally or does he just want to hang out at the beach? If that's the case, then I think he should pass.

Thanks, but no, as the OP I don't see how it is hard to respond... as a person that knows basically nothing about that area, I thought would be good to ask those that know more about the area their thoughts as to where the good and the not so good places to find place to live w/in 3-45 minute commute of that intersection. FWIW, and not that it really matters to the basic part of this thread, but this is indeed a different job/position for him, and that he currently is employed, but desires a different locale/position - so yes, a career move, w/ the added bonus of being near a beach. Thanks.

RMD3819 - that was great... thanks for the info


Now, as to pizza, you guys/gals have been discussing one of my most favourite meals,,, thanks much for that... Me, I love 'em all - the thick 'n meaty [pepperoni, sausage, bacon, etc.] Chitown dishes, down to the cracker thin crust topped w/ alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, shrimp, and ham styles.

[Mrs.Bewitched]

Live in Naples, looking to get out-but I will try to be fair.

Beaches- sure they're beautiful. WHEN there isn't red tide- which happens here and there. Affects people with breathing problems or allergies. WHEN it isn't packed because it's "season".

Traffic- out of season, OK, but only OK because there is still construction. In Season- forget about driving. Grow wings and fly over it. A 15 minute ride to the store, NO LIE, becomes 45 minutes. Plus, you do have all of the snowbirds who have to drive 20 miles an hour down the highway you are to go 50 at. I think in season I see other state license plates then FL plates!

Food- I am going to disagree with people- my husband and I have YET to find a place we highly recommend! We miss the food from Philadelphia. In Philly, we found 3 great mom and pop and we would recommend them to the President of the USA. Here, we have ventured to soooo many restuarants, in the hopes of finding delicious food...and we haven't found any, in our opinion. So a lot of times we have stuck to safe chains, like Bonefish Grill or some other, because at least we know it's OK. And the seafood isn't good But that is just my opinion.

Things to do: you can go fishing, boating, bowling, minitature golfing, to a bar, see a musical event...but can't you do those things anywhere?

Pricing is expensive for rent.

And yes, in almost every store...it is hard to find someone who speaks English. I have nothing against other language speakers- good for them getting a job and not living off of welfare. BUT...don't make it a hindrance because you don't know what I want to order, or need fixed, or can't tell me what aisle something is in, because you don't speak English...I wouldn't go to Paris and live there and expect to work in a French store, speaking English...and be successful in trying to get the residents of France to understand me as they only speak French...I don't know if this is a nationwide problem, but in PA....I didn't run into this.

But there are many people happy here....

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by mrshvo

Live in Naples, looking to get out-but I will try to be fair.

Beaches- sure they're beautiful. WHEN there isn't red tide- which happens here and there. Affects people with breathing problems or allergies. WHEN it isn't packed because it's "season".

Traffic- out of season, OK, but only OK because there is still construction. In Season- forget about driving. Grow wings and fly over it. A 15 minute ride to the store, NO LIE, becomes 45 minutes. Plus, you do have all of the snowbirds who have to drive 20 miles an hour down the highway you are to go 50 at. I think in season I see other state license plates then FL plates!

Food- I am going to disagree with people- my husband and I have YET to find a place we highly recommend! We miss the food from Philadelphia. In Philly, we found 3 great mom and pop and we would recommend them to the President of the USA. Here, we have ventured to soooo many restuarants, in the hopes of finding delicious food...and we haven't found any, in our opinion. So a lot of times we have stuck to safe chains, like Bonefish Grill or some other, because at least we know it's OK. And the seafood isn't good But that is just my opinion.

Things to do: you can go fishing, boating, bowling, minitature golfing, to a bar, see a musical event...but can't you do those things anywhere?

Pricing is expensive for rent.

And yes, in almost every store...it is hard to find someone who speaks English. I have nothing against other language speakers- good for them getting a job and not living off of welfare. BUT...don't make it a hindrance because you don't know what I want to order, or need fixed, or can't tell me what aisle something is in, because you don't speak English...I wouldn't go to Paris and live there and expect to work in a French store, speaking English...and be successful in trying to get the residents of France to understand me as they only speak French...I don't know if this is a nationwide problem, but in PA....I didn't run into this.

But there are many people happy here....

Maybe it's not season yet? I work on Seagate right near the beach and the large hotels. Add to that all the shopping centers on Pine Ridge, it takes me about 40 minutes right now to get home from work. I live about 4 miles from Marco. The way you make it sound it will take me HOURS to get home in season. UGH. Sounds like I need to tranfer schools or MOVE.

[Mrs.Bewitched]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

Maybe it's not season yet? I work on Seagate right near the beach and the large hotels. Add to that all the shopping centers on Pine Ridge, it takes me about 40 minutes right now to get home from work. I live about 4 miles from Marco. The way you make it sound it will take me HOURS to get home in season. UGH. Sounds like I need to tranfer schools or MOVE.

No, it's not realy in season yet. Some northerners are slowly coming in...I can tell that by the people coming back in our complex, by the people coming back on my husband's route (mailman), and by some of the out-of-state plates I have seen...but, it's still early. Within the next 2-3 weeks....wait and see...if you think it's bad now