[vjennifer1230]

was warned by other forum members to avoid the Pines to rent, but no one has responded as to why. could anyone help me out? i live out of state and have only seen it on the website. we're going in april to visit places to rent, so would love to know if i really should scratch it from the list! thanks...

[121804]

Location. You really should avoid areas around Cooper ST.

There is an enormous amount of inventory in PG at incredible good prices b/c owners are beyond desperate; therefore, you have much more choice. There are empty condo developments after empty condo developments in Punta Gorda Isles & a lot of apt homes, also. I would suggest focusing on PGI over areas such as Deep Creek. Better maintained; quieter; more consistency in quality of living in that area.

[flburgos]

Originally Posted by 121804

Location. You really should avoid areas around Cooper ST.

There is an enormous amount of inventory in PG at incredible good prices b/c owners are beyond desperate; therefore, you have much more choice. There are empty condo developments after empty condo developments in Punta Gorda Isles & a lot of apt homes, also. I would suggest focusing on PGI over areas such as Deep Creek. Better maintained; quieter; more consistency in quality of living in that area.

i was in deep creek visiting relatives for christmas and i actually enjoyed the area very much.my father just bought a home there in september and he is very happy with the area.i don't know much about jobs situation there but i can tell you there were some nice homes there for rent for 1000 and below.there are 2 hotels that are right on sandhill blvd you might wanna stay for a week or 2 and drive by the area you are going to find that the people are very nice and it's a quiet neighborhood.i also noticed a good mix of ages the reason i say this is because i've heard that punta gorda is mainly a retiree area but i did not notice this about deep creek when i was there.

[121804]

Originally Posted by flburgos

i was in deep creek visiting relatives for christmas and i actually enjoyed the area very much.my father just bought a home there in september and he is very happy with the area.i don't know much about jobs situation there but i can tell you there were some nice homes there for rent for 1000 and below.there are 2 hotels that are right on sandhill blvd you might wanna stay for a week or 2 and drive by the area you are going to find that the people are very nice and it's a quiet neighborhood.i also noticed a good mix of ages the reason i say this is because i've heard that punta gorda is mainly a retiree area but i did not notice this about deep creek when i was there.

You are right about the demographics of DC, but it is a HUGE development that has an enormous amount of new homes next to old homes that have not been kept up. Also, there are no sidewalks & the only park is incredibly small & in direct sun. One just has to be smart about what they choose. Punta Gorda Isles, sections of Punta Gorda & Burnt Store Isles are all communities in PG that are overflowing with retirees & have been designed for retirees. Deep Creek is much more "family friendly" & probably the only area in PG that is so. IMO, there are better places than DC but one can get a decent deal there due to its inventory.

Deep Creek had a series of car break ins this past summer due to bored teenagers. They made a statement though; broke into over 75 cars. The other problem was empty homes being vandalized. There are just too many empty homes in DC. Saw a few for myself when going to look at homes with our realtor. Other than that, not too many issues in DC.

DC works for many people. It just wasn't our type of place. To each their own.

Job situation in the area is not good. It is an area that blew up after the hurricane b/c of construction needs & then the housing boom. Construction is the main source of employment in that area. The rest of PG are retirees & snowbirders.

I would think long & hard before moving a family with kids to about 99% of SWFL, especially PG b/c of its demographics, but if wanting to move there w/o kids,probably have nothing to lose. If one loves to fish & boat & heat & humidity is no biggie, PG is great.

[azucar-0509]

I would not rent in the Pines of Punta Gorda no matter what situations I would have, I rather live under a bridge, I worked there for a short period of time, and had some family living there.Tenants would complain constantly of ants, small children would have ant bites. If you do anything like pay your water bill a few days late or have someone stay too long to visit, they will harass you and threaten you, they will evict you. I have seen elderly sick incapacitated people thrown out right on the street, even the news station have gone there, There are people there that make noise, sell drugs, prostitutes,(though I have to admit that Punta gorda Police has done a great job cleaning the area), but if you have a complaint, this office will do nothing. While you are at work they will go into your apartment without letting you know to check up on the apartment any time as many time they want. When you sign the contract make sure you read the small prints that say you must notify them in writing with in 60 days that you are moving,( they will tell you 30) if not they will take your deposit, make you pay extra month of rent. If you are young and do not have experience renting, please do not go here for your first apartment. They will harass you into signing papers in blank and then fill them out, most people do not have money for attorneys and do not know better so they just sign. They think since they do not live there and only work there they are superior, they are cruel and will humiliate you in a way you would never think of, they are abusive make no exceptions, they're job is to get you evicted, or to get extra money from you some how some way. Most of the people that are there, are low income and pay lesser than working people, but everyone is treated with the same respect, none. I hope this has helped you with you question, but do not let this keep you from coming down, Punta Gorda is very beautiful, it is has many beautiful places you can rent for good price.