[Beenaroundabit]

I'm really appeciating the objective posts about Naples in some of the other threads. My wife and I may soon have the opportunity to move there. Actually, we have the choice between Naples or the Homestead area, and a pretty large radius around either, so we're trying to weigh the pros and cons of east vs. west, I guess - any comparisons between the two areas that anyone cares to make would be great.

About us: we're in our early 40's and have no children, so schools are not an issue. We're looking for a place with low crime (yeah, like anyone ever looks for a HIGH crime area, right? ), that's clean, and where you can get basically anything, merchandise-wise, that you can get anywhere else in the country along the lines of shopping, department stores and whatnot: we lived on an island in Alaska for 2 years, so even if you don't care for stores like Wal-Mart or Home Depot, if you've ever had live in a place without either, you'll understand where I'm coming from...

Traffic isn't a big deal for us as we've lived in DC and now here in Seattle, so it's all relative to what you're used to.

We really like Washington and Seattle is a lot nicer than many think, but I have a pretty good job opportunity in southern FL and the change would be interesting for us since we've never lived there.

Haven't done much digging for info on the east side yet, but we've been looking at Estero, Bonita Springs, and Naples pretty hard. I'm not ecstatic about living in any all-retiree community because we did that once and weren't treated very well (just our personal opinion), but if we have to do it again, we'll just keep an open mind, I guess. I know we probably won't be getting away from that in Naples, anyway.

I really want to look at the east side because I love to snorkel and Biscayne Nat'l Park is there. People I've talked to say the gulf is the "brown-water" side and in what I've seen so far, snorkeling doesn't seem to be a hot sport there, probably for a reason. My wife is pretty anti-east side, however, and seems to believe that everything south of Miami is one big crime zone. Any good spots over there?

My biggest concern is buying a place that we can sell in a few years (obviously when the housing market rebounds - hopefully).

Thanks in advance for any info!

[Marghe]

Yes , that what we look for too :0)
Actually yes Miami down south and also up north is becoming more likely to have crime problems .
I have been told , that the Port Saint Lucie area is OK! Safe, clean , affordable houses , all kind of malls and shops, close to anywhere , quiet and close to the Ocean !
It is what I have been asking for so many months , I went there and was nicely impressed as a quiet , safe place ....
Good luck !

[LewLew]

I would say you could do great snorkeling on the Gulf. I prefer the Gulf. Jacksonville is too north, Daytona is seedy, middle East Coast is bleh, Vero is bleh, and after that gets really pricey, but some nice areas.

I would suggest you check out Sarasota to Naples/Marco Island. Lots of areas in between, and should give you what you like!

[compelled to reply]

Port Saint Lucie is relentlessly bland and boring, but clean.

As far as on the "east side", a community I would recommend is Weston, has been called "Naples East" due to the lush landscaping and new appearance. I think this area retains a lot of the positives of both coasts (ethnic diversity of the east coast, low crime of the west coast) without some of the negatives, although you pay a price for this and you are 30 minutes to the water. The area is very versatile in that is kind of resort-y, family friendly, and good for older couples at the same time. The median age is quite young however because this community does tend to be family dominated, although it's older than other cities.

Your wife was kind of right about the crime thing south of Miami. Crime is everywhere, but it's generally higher on the east coast than the west coast. That being said, you are better off with Broward County than Dade County, although both have much more crime than Collier County (Naples). Crime in Broward County ranks a smidgen above the national average (below average in all categories except for robbery and larceny, which are slightly above average) and Collier County is significantly safer than average. Dade County has widespread high crime, although areas there are safe as well.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by Beenaroundabit

I'm really appeciating the objective posts about Naples in some of the other threads. My wife and I may soon have the opportunity to move there. Actually, we have the choice between Naples or the Homestead area, and a pretty large radius around either, so we're trying to weigh the pros and cons of east vs. west, I guess - any comparisons between the two areas that anyone cares to make would be great.

About us: we're in our early 40's and have no children, so schools are not an issue. We're looking for a place with low crime (yeah, like anyone ever looks for a HIGH crime area, right? ), that's clean, and where you can get basically anything, merchandise-wise, that you can get anywhere else in the country along the lines of shopping, department stores and whatnot: we lived on an island in Alaska for 2 years, so even if you don't care for stores like Wal-Mart or Home Depot, if you've ever had live in a place without either, you'll understand where I'm coming from...

Traffic isn't a big deal for us as we've lived in DC and now here in Seattle, so it's all relative to what you're used to.

We really like Washington and Seattle is a lot nicer than many think, but I have a pretty good job opportunity in southern FL and the change would be interesting for us since we've never lived there.

Haven't done much digging for info on the east side yet, but we've been looking at Estero, Bonita Springs, and Naples pretty hard. I'm not ecstatic about living in any all-retiree community because we did that once and weren't treated very well (just our personal opinion), but if we have to do it again, we'll just keep an open mind, I guess. I know we probably won't be getting away from that in Naples, anyway.

I really want to look at the east side because I love to snorkel and Biscayne Nat'l Park is there. People I've talked to say the gulf is the "brown-water" side and in what I've seen so far, snorkeling doesn't seem to be a hot sport there, probably for a reason. My wife is pretty anti-east side, however, and seems to believe that everything south of Miami is one big crime zone. Any good spots over there?

My biggest concern is buying a place that we can sell in a few years (obviously when the housing market rebounds - hopefully).

Thanks in advance for any info!

What is your housing budget?

The vast majority of the Naples population lives within reasonable distance of the box stores. The only exceptions would be Everglades City, deep into the Golden Gate Estates/Corkscrew area, and Immokalee. Marco Island has plenty of grocery stores but no big box stores.

[Beenaroundabit]

Thanks for all the responses - really appreciate it!

We're looking at homes anywhere in the range of 300-450K, so we have some wiggle room. Good news on the gulf snorkeling. I'm also an avid sea kayaker and am looking forward to getting into the Everglades.

Thanks again everyone!

[agreatlife]

I don't live in Naples, but I thought most homes there were pretty much unaffordable (up in the Million range, at least that's what it was a year or so ago when I was down there visiting some friends who were buying). Naples is a playground for the Europe rich in the winter. Maybe someone who lives there will chime in.

[imagardener]

I live in Naples in a very nice single family 3/2/2 home I bought in 2004 for well under $300k. Today it would sell for $340k (hopefully). There are many million dollar homes in Naples but also many under $500k.
I am currently looking to move elsewhere in FL and what has struck me about the other towns we've looked at is that Naples has a lot of homes to choose from compared to other places. There are a LOT of homes here and many are newer because of the incredible building boom here.
I would caution you to check out the homeowners association very carefully before buying. I've heard of several that are having to raise annual fees to cover foreclosure properties that aren't paying theirs.
An owner who doesn't pay their dues has a lien attached and the late dues get paid when the property is sold. However when a foreclosure happens the HOA fees are wiped out and when the bank sells the property to get it's money the HOA doesn't get to collect the back dues. Guess the bankers make the rules.

[MrTudo]

It's become amazingly cheap in many cases here in Port Charlotte. So much so that we've definitely put it to the stay put list and are looking to buy a bigger house now, if possible right here. We realize we'll have to give ours away but that's ok as it'll be made up on the other end.

The issues of course are taxes and insurance but eventually maybe the tar and feathers will be used to negotiate a better deal

[Tarastomsgirl]

Originally Posted by imagardener

I live in Naples in a very nice single family 3/2/2 home I bought in 2004 for well under $300k. Today it would sell for $340k (hopefully). There are many million dollar homes in Naples but also many under $500k.
I am currently looking to move elsewhere in FL and what has struck me about the other towns we've looked at is that Naples has a lot of homes to choose from compared to other places. There are a LOT of homes here and many are newer because of the incredible building boom here.
I would caution you to check out the homeowners association very carefully before buying. I've heard of several that are having to raise annual fees to cover foreclosure properties that aren't paying theirs.
An owner who doesn't pay their dues has a lien attached and the late dues get paid when the property is sold. However when a foreclosure happens the HOA fees are wiped out and when the bank sells the property to get it's money the HOA doesn't get to collect the back dues. Guess the bankers make the rules.

I was amazed at howmany homes were on the market when I was down last week! When I left you couldn't find anything for under $350 (well houses at least) now there are foreclosures and condos everywhere! I saw a couple signs for condos starting in the $100,000 s.. Unheard of but wonderful if you're in the market to buy!