[FringedNFab]

Originally Posted by belloisec

I keep reading posts from a handful of posters which makes me think so.

Brown Waters? We take our boats out frequently during the summer and the waters are crystal clear and Caribbean-like.

I've been up and down the west coast of Florida many, many times and the only murky waters I've come across are in bays and running inside in the Intracoastal ways.

Now storms can stir the water up and make things murky, but it always clears up after a few days of laying down. In the winter the water is even more clear, except after a cold front passes and the North wind blows stirring things up, but again, after a few days of laying down the water is clear again.

Caledesi Island was voted as the #2 Beach in the country being only beat out by a beach in Hawaii! Fort Desoto beach was voted as the #1 beach last year! So I don't know where these brown waters are.

So unless I'm living in my own private Idaho, these beaches are some of the best in th USA. So come on down and see for yourself - you won't be disappointed.

I definitely am soon.... I can't wait to live the Florida life!

[FringedNFab]

Originally Posted by paradiddle

back to the NP thing. I was just in Biscayne neighborhood... There are slums in NP !!!!

I'm sure every place has a bad section to it. Heck there are slums in Hawaii. Just watch Dog some night.

[FringedNFab]

Originally Posted by LewLew

The western end of Biscayne is the area that is not as nice....it's older, more trailers etc. However, it doesn't matter where you go in Florida...you'll have those pockets. In Florida, that is not necessarily indicative of an area's desireability. Drive around some more....Venice, Nokomis, Sarasota, Naples, Clearwater Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, PSL, Miami, FT Lauderdale. Enjoy! You'll see that every single area has more than a couple of streets that look slummy. There will be 50's style block ranch homes, trailers, very old raised ranches, horrible landscaping, trucks on blocks in driveways etc. Welcome to the sunshine state.

lol you crack me up LewLew I swear. And I know what you're saying... we have "those" up here in Ohio in places...

[FringedNFab]

Originally Posted by JJJNEY

Hello FringedNfab,
At first when I was reading the threads I was thinking are you kidding NorthPort would be great for someone who is up in Ohio. Despite what others might think or say NothPort is a rapidly growing city with the best school district in Florida and yes that is a fact look it up. However, it is very slooooow paced around here which is nice in my opinion to raise a family and such and that's just it. You DON'T have a family (right know). It seems to me your simply looking for a nice decent place to live close to beaches, but not neccesarrily( i know i spelled that wrong)the hustle of Miami and or other big metro cities.However, TRUST me with out a family to keep you busy there is not much to do here you WILL be bored out of your wits this is basicly a RURAL city. I know you are trying to get the best home your money can buy and that is smart but consider your options. It is nice here but again not much to do. I guess you could drive up to sarasota but that gets old after a while. Have you visted NorthPort? If you haven't I suggest you do, never rely on pictures or hear say. Best of luck!!!

Thanks for the insight, I appreciate it. I will come down and stay a bit and drive/look into everything of course, before I jump on any big decisions... I liked North Port being inland just a bit, but still close to everything... and the home you get for your money. I can't stress enough that there isn't that much to do HERE in Ohio. Especially now that winter is here. I wouldn't mind driving 45 minutes somewhere to go do something, I do that here if I go out on occasion. But it's been awhile. When I move, I don't plan on coming back north. And after 33 years in Ohio, I can guarantee you I won't be getting bored with any beaches anytime soon. Oh, I'll have family down there after awhile, but it'll take me making the first move down haha. My family would soon follow and settle, I know.

[FringedNFab]

Originally Posted by JJJNEY

YOU ARE MY NEW FOUND HERO! that's right tell it like it is OP I hope you're listening.

lol you can't help but love LewLew

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by JJJNEY

couldn't have said it better my self! Good job!

Thanks JJJNEY!!

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by FringedNFab

lol you can't help but love LewLew

Fringed....you'll have to keep us posted on your thoughts after you visit. We just got back from NP...wen't to visit the inlaws. While Venice is more my speed b/c it's closer to the beach, there are parts of NP that aren't bad. It's very slow, but there are gated communities that will give you more of a neighborhood feel. (charleston park has the most young people...from what I see). Port Charlotte is not far from there (we passed our turn, and ended up on PC within 5 minutes). We drove to Sharkey's on Venice beach for ritas and apps...it only took us 20 minutes. They had a Jamaican band playing, and it's right on the sand...so much fun. BUT, that is more our speed than crazy club central. So, hope you enjoy. FYI, Venice also has some GREAT rentals (there were two 2 bed condos that are redone, 3 blocks to the beach for $950.) If you decide to move and you aren't sure...you'll find what you like, and can afford for sure. (renting or buying)

Just enjoy the chance to look around. I have an awesome real estate agent who lives there. She is young, with very young children, but grew up on Manasota Key (talk about boring)...so she is a wealth of info. Email me personally, and I'll get you her info for when you are there.

[paradiddle]

Originally Posted by LewLew

The western end of Biscayne is the area that is not as nice....it's older, more trailers etc. However, it doesn't matter where you go in Florida...you'll have those pockets. In Florida, that is not necessarily indicative of an area's desireability. Drive around some more....Venice, Nokomis, Sarasota, Naples, Clearwater Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, PSL, Miami, FT Lauderdale. Enjoy! You'll see that every single area has more than a couple of streets that look slummy. There will be 50's style block ranch homes, trailers, very old raised ranches, horrible landscaping, trucks on blocks in driveways etc. Welcome to the sunshine state.

Agreed... I'm in So. Venice and we have good street, bad street but that west side of Biscayne was worse. Is Warm Mineral springs like that too?
Some parts of Nokomis are rough also.

on a lighter note. I have seen that NP high school, beautiful.

[umscats]

Oh, I'll have family down there after awhile, but it'll take me making the first move down haha. My family would soon follow and settle, I know


That's what happened to my family. I moved to FL first, then my parents moved down, then my brother and sister. My parents lived with me for a short while before they found their own place to live. They're gone now, but my siblings are still in FL. We don't all live in the same city, just like when we lived up north, we were all living in different places. Yes, indeed, you may be the first in your family to migrate south.

[FringedNFab]

Originally Posted by paradiddle

Agreed... I'm in So. Venice and we have good street, bad street but that west side of Biscayne was worse. Is Warm Mineral springs like that too?
Some parts of Nokomis are rough also.

on a lighter note. I have seen that NP high school, beautiful.

Yeah NP High School does look nice....