Cape Coral, FL. (Miami, Naples, Marco Island: health insurance, unemployment, school)

[spanky123]

Originally Posted by NYBill

Yes I heard from a bunch of friends who are moaning about that storm who had to postbone putting there boats in the water, the lousy spring you/they have had and LOL but we have out times here also. DEAL WITH IT!!!

First off if you own waterfront properrty there is no such thing as DOCK FEES and STORAGE FEES for the winter. So if you do that it's just a plain old bill. If you pay a few more dollars in taxes for having that privilage you get a write off instead of a bill.. get my drift

For what I have here I would be paying over 17-20K in taxes on Long Island, on the water with 2 boats on lifts, 725 square feet of dock space.

I think some people who have common sence call that a NO BRAINER!!

Best of luck and let me know when you come down for a visit.

NYBILL
The Nor'easter was not that bad unless you live by the water. I remember you wrote that you lived in East Rockaway at one time. I just got off the phone with some friend who live down by Bay Park. They have about 4-5 feet of water in their basements. It will be some time before they clean that up! Freeport is bad too but Westchester is terrible. It's nothing like the Florida storms but it's all mother nature!

[NYBill]

That is where I used to live on East Blvd right on the Grand Canal, all the way at the end on the corner of Dewey St and East Blvd., around the corner from the beach. That was one of the first full time homes down there as it was made of brick, tongue and grove wood and wire lath and plaster. The rest of that area where 99% summer bungalow converted into full time resdients.

Those booths at the beginning of the canal where actually security booths, one for a private guard and hold onto your seat for this, the other was a Nassau Countu PD booth for the FOOT PATROLMAN IN THAT AREA!!!!!

Small world LOL

[spanky123]

Small world. My parents bought their first house on 4th Ave. We had our share of the streets flooding...till they raised the streets! I also lived on Williamson (near the boatyards-and the Complex ballfield) -I lived there a few years ago. My friend still lives there. I cant believe people would buy houses around there anymore-but they do. Her neighbor just bought the house next door and spent a fortune fixing it up. It's on the canal and right now...they have lots of the canal in their house!!
I do know the area that you lived in- My cousin still owns a bungalo and rents it out. I bet you are happy to be in Florida right now!

[canadianINmiami]

Thank you so much for all of this great information! I have been living in Miami for 10 years now and originally from Vancouver, Canada. I have a 3 1/2 year old boy, and pregnant with my second! My finance, who is from Vancouver as well, and I have been considering moving to Cape Coral. We are wanting to move to a city with excellent schools, low crime, a good sense of community, great neighbors, lots of family activities, and a great climate.... all in all, the perfect city! I have done alot of research into Cape Coral, and on paper, it looks perfect. We have visited the City 5 times now, and have truly received a great feeling from each visit. My fiance does not like living in Miami, as he finds most people he works with and has met extrememly shallow, uneducated and self-centered. (in my opinion, this is a bit harsh!) With both of us being from the warm -hearted community of Vancouver, we are looking for a wonderful place whose residents have similar values to raise our children. It is so important to instill good values in children right from the beginning. Living in miami, it seems to be challenging on a daily basis. We currently live in one of the best communities in Miami, Miami Shores, with million dollar homes. Miami Shores elementary school is HORRIBLE (fcat scores in the 60s at best)! I am speaking in terms of education.... isn't that what our children go to school for? Anyway, we were looking into sailboat access property in SE Cape Coral, mostly vacant lots in unit 58. We also found a wonderful pre-construction community in NE Cape Coral, Bella Vida. I am not as partial to NE Cape Coral, but this private community seems to be perfection! It boasts wonderful neighborhood activities including 2 swimming pools (1 for kids and 1 for adults), gym, 2 soccer fields, softball field, 2 volleyball courts, 2 basketball courts, tennis courts, playground, tot lot, picnic area, bbq area, and 24 hour security in this wnnderful gated community. What is best is that these homes are gorgeous, well built, and large! Right now they are giving away the land for practically nothing! We will be able to build a 4,686 sq ft home (3417 a/c) for under $500,000! That is with all luxury features, stainless appliances, granite, wood cabinets, impact windows... etc. I know that NE Cape Coral is not too impressive to see now, but when these houses are built, in about 2 years, it seems that there will be much more in the area. A brand new Publix is coming up right near the community, and new development, both commercial and residential, galore! My fiance really likes the idea of purchasing sailboat access waterfront property, but we could live in the 'mansion' of a home for such a great price in Bela Vida. I am a still unsure to make a decision, especially with the market being how it is... yes, it could still drop some. But I feel that purchasing pre-construction could safeguard us from some of these risks, as the pricing right now is sooooo gooooood! Imagine in 2 years... I am an optimist, like NYBill, and see things turning around sooner than later! Basically, I am looking for some reassurance with regards to where we should be purchasing. Does anybody know anything about the Bella Vida community, or the surrounding area? It is off of Del Prado, north of NE Pine Island Road, and it borders the Del Tura Golf and Counrty Club in North Fort Myers. That is another thing... it is right on the border of the city limits, but it appears to be an area that will be amazing in the years to come! Please, I would greatly appreciate some advice!
Good luck to all!

[firemed]

Originally Posted by canadianINmiami

Thank you so much for all of this great information! I have been living in Miami for 10 years now and originally from Vancouver, Canada. I have a 3 1/2 year old boy, and pregnant with my second! My finance, who is from Vancouver as well, and I have been considering moving to Cape Coral. We are wanting to move to a city with excellent schools, low crime, a good sense of community, great neighbors, lots of family activities, and a great climate.... all in all, the perfect city! I have done alot of research into Cape Coral, and on paper, it looks perfect. We have visited the City 5 times now, and have truly received a great feeling from each visit. My fiance does not like living in Miami, as he finds most people he works with and has met extrememly shallow, uneducated and self-centered. (in my opinion, this is a bit harsh!) With both of us being from the warm -hearted community of Vancouver, we are looking for a wonderful place whose residents have similar values to raise our children. It is so important to instill good values in children right from the beginning. Living in miami, it seems to be challenging on a daily basis. We currently live in one of the best communities in Miami, Miami Shores, with million dollar homes. Miami Shores elementary school is HORRIBLE (fcat scores in the 60s at best)! I am speaking in terms of education.... isn't that what our children go to school for? Anyway, we were looking into sailboat access property in SE Cape Coral, mostly vacant lots in unit 58. We also found a wonderful pre-construction community in NE Cape Coral, Bella Vida. I am not as partial to NE Cape Coral, but this private community seems to be perfection! It boasts wonderful neighborhood activities including 2 swimming pools (1 for kids and 1 for adults), gym, 2 soccer fields, softball field, 2 volleyball courts, 2 basketball courts, tennis courts, playground, tot lot, picnic area, bbq area, and 24 hour security in this wnnderful gated community. What is best is that these homes are gorgeous, well built, and large! Right now they are giving away the land for practically nothing! We will be able to build a 4,686 sq ft home (3417 a/c) for under $500,000! That is with all luxury features, stainless appliances, granite, wood cabinets, impact windows... etc. I know that NE Cape Coral is not too impressive to see now, but when these houses are built, in about 2 years, it seems that there will be much more in the area. A brand new Publix is coming up right near the community, and new development, both commercial and residential, galore! My fiance really likes the idea of purchasing sailboat access waterfront property, but we could live in the 'mansion' of a home for such a great price in Bela Vida. I am a still unsure to make a decision, especially with the market being how it is... yes, it could still drop some. But I feel that purchasing pre-construction could safeguard us from some of these risks, as the pricing right now is sooooo gooooood! Imagine in 2 years... I am an optimist, like NYBill, and see things turning around sooner than later! Basically, I am looking for some reassurance with regards to where we should be purchasing. Does anybody know anything about the Bella Vida community, or the surrounding area? It is off of Del Prado, north of NE Pine Island Road, and it borders the Del Tura Golf and Counrty Club in North Fort Myers. That is another thing... it is right on the border of the city limits, but it appears to be an area that will be amazing in the years to come! Please, I would greatly appreciate some advice!
Good luck to all!

Are Sales that bad there ?

[Donna-50]

Don't know anything about Bella Vida, but I do know that there is a lot of new homes going up in the NE and NW area. As far as I know all the schools in Cape Coral are excellent.

[V20]

canadianINmiami, I, too, am an optimist. Admittedly, I don't believe that the market will turn around in the next few months, but nor do I believe that the market will be down for many years. There are simply way too many people moving into the area to justify such a conclusion. Therefore as long as you plan on remaining in your home for a least a couple of years, you should at a minimum, be fine. On the other hand, if you pick up a super desirable property at today's prices, odds are that you will be a whole lot better than "fine" when the market turns.

First let me say, my opinion is just my opinion. Some sourpusses on this forum get real nasty and mad if you don't march in step with their dark, horrible views. That being said I feel that saltwater properties are like apples and oranges when compared to off-water properties. Eventually most of Cape Coral will probably be very desirable and will accordingly increase in value. However, saltwater access properties will always be the most desirable properties. Currently there are more of saltwater properties available than there is demand, hence the incredibly low prices of today.

I feel strongly that for all intensive purposes there will be no available buildable lots with saltwater access within five years (I base this on the phenomenal level of growth in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida). Thus anything with saltwater access will be vastly more expensive than it is today.

The real money will go to where the best saltwater properties are. The value of saltwater properties are based on whether they are direct or indirect access (meaning whether they require having to travel under a bridge or not). Also affecting value is the distance out to open water. One must travel at idle speed in the canals. Some properties are minutes out to open water, while others are up to 2 hours! Also the width of the canal is important. Most canals are 80 feet wide. They go up to 100, 125, 200 and I believe there are a few 250 feet canals. Another important factor is an intersecting view. If one can look down a canal from their property that is viewed as a plus (caution: the inside end of a canal property is often marketed by realtors as a "view" property, however it is not really - in fact they are usually the least desirable ones due to having a lesser amount of waterfrontage). Finally an oversized saltwater lot, either in length or width is a plus (like NYBill's).

Of the four quadrants in Cape Coral, NE, NW, SE, and SW, only three offer properties that have saltwater access, NW, SE and SW. The vast majority of the properties in the SW are restricted by a lock system and the majority of those must travel under a bridge. Also the majority of the SW saltwater properties have long idle speed times out to open water. (I hope I do not offend anyone as I do very much like the SW area and I know there are properties there that are direct access and have quick out times).

The majority of the NW saltwater access properties are currently restricted by a boat lift (plans are to change the boat lift to a lock system in 2010). Also many of the NW saltwater access are restricted by bridges. Most of the NW saltwater lots that are not restricted by bridges (west of Old Burnt Store Road) have very long out to open water times.

The SE quadrant is the oldest. Most of the SE saltwater access properties have direct access. The properties south of Cape Coral Parkway and southeast of the Bimini Canal are known as the Yacht Club. The Yacht Club consists of Units 1, 4, 5 and 6. Unit 6 saltwater properties must travel under a 8.5 foot bridge. Units 1 and 4 have the quickest out to open water times, from 30 seconds to 5 mins. Unit 5 properties are up to 15 minutes out (still very quick out compared to other areas of the city).

The highlight of the Yacht Club area is the Yacht Club park area and beach. It has been called the "Gem" of the city's park system. At the southeast corner of Cape Coral is a small man made beach. There are also tennis courts, a boat ramp and an awesome old Florida style beach restaurant that serves beer and wine and sandwiches. The beach is very tropical and the city holds many events there like the sunset celebration.

Most of the Yacht Club saltwater properties are on 80 foot canals. There are a few wide canals (200 foot). These are the Bimini Canal, the Flamingo Canal, the canal on the northside of Bayshore Drive, the canal on the northside of Coral Drive and the canal on the northside of Dolphin Drive. All of those wide canals have deep water adequate for sailboats.

The Yacht Club has always been popular and always will be popular. Unfortunately, trying to find parking is always a problem at the Yacht Club beach. Only the wide canal properties on the northside of Dolphin Drive and those on the Flamingo Canal offer the ability to walk to the beach. I know that there are a few of those properties for sale. I do not know what the asking prices are now. In the height of the market they were million dollar plus properties.

Also, all the properties on the northsides of Bayshore Drive, Coral Drive and Dolphin Drive are extra deep.

I believe that the Yacht Club area will be the Olde Naples of Cape Coral in the future. CanadianINmiami, I think your husband is correct in wanting to obtain a sailboat access property. I hope my insight has been helpful.

[firemed]

Originally Posted by V20

canadianINmiami, I, too, am an optimist. Admittedly, I don't believe that the market will turn around in the next few months, but nor do I believe that the market will be down for many years. There are simply way too many people moving into the area to justify such a conclusion. Therefore as long as you plan on remaining in your home for a least a couple of years, you should at a minimum, be fine. On the other hand, if you pick up a super desirable property at today's prices, odds are that you will be a whole lot better than "fine" when the market turns.

First let me say, my opinion is just my opinion. Some sourpusses on this forum get real nasty and mad if you don't march in step with their dark, horrible views. That being said I feel that saltwater properties are like apples and oranges when compared to off-water properties. Eventually most of Cape Coral will probably be very desirable and will accordingly increase in value. However, saltwater access properties will always be the most desirable properties. Currently there are more of saltwater properties available than there is demand, hence the incredibly low prices of today.

I feel strongly that for all intensive purposes there will be no available buildable lots with saltwater access within five years (I base this on the phenomenal level of growth in Cape Coral and Southwest Florida). Thus anything with saltwater access will be vastly more expensive than it is today.

The real money will go to where the best saltwater properties are. The value of saltwater properties are based on whether they are direct or indirect access (meaning whether they require having to travel under a bridge or not). Also affecting value is the distance out to open water. One must travel at idle speed in the canals. Some properties are minutes out to open water, while others are up to 2 hours! Also the width of the canal is important. Most canals are 80 feet wide. They go up to 100, 125, 200 and I believe there are a few 250 feet canals. Another important factor is an intersecting view. If one can look down a canal from their property that is viewed as a plus (caution: the inside end of a canal property is often marketed by realtors as a "view" property, however it is not really - in fact they are usually the least desirable ones due to having a lesser amount of waterfrontage). Finally an oversized saltwater lot, either in length or width is a plus (like NYBill's).

Of the four quadrants in Cape Coral, NE, NW, SE, and SW, only three offer properties that have saltwater access, NW, SE and SW. The vast majority of the properties in the SW are restricted by a lock system and the majority of those must travel under a bridge. Also the majority of the SW saltwater properties have long idle speed times out to open water. (I hope I do not offend anyone as I do very much like the SW area and I know there are properties there that are direct access and have quick out times).

The majority of the NW saltwater access properties are currently restricted by a boat lift (plans are to change the boat lift to a lock system in 2010). Also many of the NW saltwater access are restricted by bridges. Most of the NW saltwater lots that are not restricted by bridges (west of Old Burnt Store Road) have very long out to open water times.

The SE quadrant is the oldest. Most of the SE saltwater access properties have direct access. The properties south of Cape Coral Parkway and southeast of the Bimini Canal are known as the Yacht Club. The Yacht Club consists of Units 1, 4, 5 and 6. Unit 6 saltwater properties must travel under a 8.5 foot bridge. Units 1 and 4 have the quickest out to open water times, from 30 seconds to 5 mins. Unit 5 properties are up to 15 minutes out (still very quick out compared to other areas of the city).

The highlight of the Yacht Club area is the Yacht Club park area and beach. It has been called the "Gem" of the city's park system. At the southeast corner of Cape Coral is a small man made beach. There are also tennis courts, a boat ramp and an awesome old Florida style beach restaurant that serves beer and wine and sandwiches. The beach is very tropical and the city holds many events there like the sunset celebration.

Most of the Yacht Club saltwater properties are on 80 foot canals. There are a few wide canals (200 foot). These are the Bimini Canal, the Flamingo Canal, the canal on the northside of Bayshore Drive, the canal on the northside of Coral Drive and the canal on the northside of Dolphin Drive. All of those wide canals have deep water adequate for sailboats.

The Yacht Club has always been popular and always will be popular. Unfortunately, trying to find parking is always a problem at the Yacht Club beach. Only the wide canal properties on the northside of Dolphin Drive and those on the Flamingo Canal offer the ability to walk to the beach. I know that there are a few of those properties for sale. I do not know what the asking prices are now. In the height of the market they were million dollar plus properties.

Also, all the properties on the northsides of Bayshore Drive, Coral Drive and Dolphin Drive are extra deep.

I believe that the Yacht Club area will be the Olde Naples of Cape Coral in the future. CanadianINmiami, I think your husband is correct in wanting to obtain a sailboat access property. I hope my insight has been helpful.

Old Naples has a large beach on the gulf, Cape Coral has a small man made beach on the brackish Caloosahatchee river. Thats why Naples has appeal to the very wealthy.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by NYBill

You could have mine, 2200 square feet of A/C living space, 1600 square foot caged in pool and hot tub, 3 br 2 bath, sail boat access with a brand new dock and 2 boat lifts....Make an Offer....LOL or better yet when you come over I could show you the home. I am on 2 and 1/2 plots also 100x125. Lanscaped, palm trees in front and rear yards, 1 orange tree only down side is one car gagrage but 4 car driverway.

Bill

I got a BIG kick out of this!

[NYBill]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I got a BIG kick out of this!

Me Too

I have been here 5 years so I did Ok with my homeeven with the dropping prices.

If someone was interested why not cut out the realtor??