Cape Coral, FL. (Fort Myers, Riverview, South Bay: foreclosure, tornadoes, insurance)

[NYBill]

Originally Posted by firemed

Bill you have some good points, but skilled tradesman are running out of work now that the market is rapidly declining in construction . Good education builds a stronger foundation but you have to have jobs. Long Island has the city for Jobs. Cape Coral has ? Mercantile has to have paychecks for people to buy.

Construction is based on the economy we are in. There where times in NY when the economey was bad and people where out of work for months on end. I worked for a shop that had 48 men working at one time and within a matter of months the shop went down to 2 men working 4 days a week.
It was the life I chose and being in that working eneviorment you better know that when you first start in that trade. Eventually things turned around and you went back to work.

I lived on Long Island (about the middle of the island) and worked in the City whether Manhatten or any of the the other counties, Queens, Brooklyn, THE BRONX and even Staten Island one time. Believe me it was no picnic and was costly to travel. Thats why I say that the surronding area for the airport will create plenty of jobs, some high paying and some menial, either way it's employment.
Like I said I saw it on Long Island and literally saw millions of square feet of commercial properety developed for all sorts of bussiness from white collar workers to skilled trades people. Some make components for computers, airplanes, and even one company makes circut boards for NASA. Buddy of mine wife works in the office there and does very well. Think about it, you need engineers to design and sell these items also, whether mechanical, electrical or structural. This only sctaching the surface also. There many types of good bussiness that will move to that area and it will depend on each persons skills or level of education to get a job in that area.

That airport (which was just approved at the time) and also Tarpon Point one where of the main factours in me purchasing here. There was only one way to go and that was up. Sure we hit a lull just like everyone else in the country but it will turn around and all this talk about doom and gloom will be long forgotten when it does.

[NYBill]

a Bump^^^

[Chromedome]

in cape coral you can expect...



nothing to do. EVER

everything being more expensive than everywhere else. ESPECIALLY gas

no type of employment that anyone over the age of 15 can afford to live on.exceptions being the hospital, working for the city, or owning your own business.

suburban sprawl beyond anything imagineable, if you dont have a reliable car dont even bother coming here cus you need to drive EVERYWHERE.

strip malls upon strip malls upon strip malls, of the SAME stores over and over. on cape coral parkway alone we have two publix, two mcdonalds, two walgreens, two subways and two blockbuster videos. all on a street you can travel all the way through in 10/15 minutes with traffic

lots of fire ants and spiders

[kwflconch]

Originally Posted by pslOldTimer

Welcome, Connie. It's always good to get information straight from the source rather than wonder if the second hand information is accurate.


Cape Coral is similar in many ways to Port St. Lucie, where I live. We're about the same size. If you're up to 116 Sq miles, I think you might have edged us out, again, I think we were at 115 Sq miles after our last annexations, but maybe someone annexed a few acres since then and we edged you out again. Cape Coral and Port St. Lucie are the two largest cities in land area in Florida, after Jacksonville, which is only larger because all of Duval County is also in the city of Jacksonville.

For years, Port St. Lucie and Cape Coral have been vying for and swapping the title of safest city in Florida for their size, and both also rank very high (I believe 24th and 25th) in the nation among all cities. I don't see how it could get much better, because up at those levels, the differences are almost too tiny to measure.

Both have been vigorously installing water and sewer systems. Cape Coral began first, and I believe is installing a gravity sewer system. Port St. Lucie observed, then chose a pressure-fed sewer system with a "grinder" installed at each house to begin the processing and then pump the effluent through smaller pipes. This has cost less in initial cost and is faster to install, but experts differ over which will be better and cost less in the long run. Cape Coral will never have to face maintenance of the grinder units (like an extra-large garbage can buried in the yard with a grinder and low-pressure pump).

You mentioned, "The annual amount for debt service on this option is added to your property tax bill and collected each year." Is there interest on this amount? I noticed there is interest building up on the deferred amount. I believe Port St. Lucie has worked out a an interest-free way to collect the amounts and wondered if Cape Coral was doing the same.

Thanks again for taking the time to supply the information.

The order of largest cities are
1. Jacksonville(777 sq. mi.)
2.Tampa(124.1 sq. mi.)
3.Cape Coral(115 sq. mi.)

[cindysid]

Maybe I'm living in a vacuum or something, but I just don't see or hear of any crime in my part of town. We have a nice home on the lake that we bought 4 years ago. I seldom lock my doors, the neighbors are friendly and helpful. The yards and homes are well kept. There is any kind of shopping close by that you might want to do. We fish from the backyard, ride jet skis on the lake. Living here to me is like being on permanet vacation. Prices on real estate have dropped dramaticly in the last few months. I think that the Cape would be an excellent investment if you are planning on staying for a while. There are few places in the country where you can flip a house at a huge profit anymore. Insurance rates rose sharply last year, but ours will drop nearly in half when we renew this time, and with property values going down, taxes will go down too. My daughter has had no problem finding summer jobs. There are more great city sponsored programs for children of all ages here than anywhere we have ever lived. I love Cape Coral.

[jimboy]

Being from KY, you will be disappointed with the terrain of Cape Coral.

Imagine a large flat table top, with homes and few trees.
From as far as a mile away you can see boats, swingsets, trash, etc around all around the homes. Not a pretty sight.

Most of the Cape is 5-15 feet above sea level. Flood insurance, Home insurance, real estate taxes are high. You also have thousands in impact fees to build a home, CDD fees, growing crime.
I got out last summer. Homes are dropping in price. I sold my $335K home I just bought 4 months ago for $230K. Oh by the way, the association fees were $235 per month.

[NYBill]

You had to be in the North West/East Section.

Geez I live inthe Yatch Club area and don't see any of what your talking about. Yes maybe some of the homes are older and need some TLC but you also have the South West section where Tarpon Point, Cape Harbour with homes that where built in the late 80's and newer.

Boats in back yards on ther own dock and lifts, Palm Trees.

If some people just do there homework before they buy and find out about , assesments, city water and sewar, plans for any area where they are thinking of buying, convience to stores, etc., there wouldn't be as much gripping.

To many peole get caught up in the NEW HOME thing and when it comes to making a choice the excitment keeps them making a good decision.

I did months of research before I even considered buying in 2002 and then moving here full tim in July of 2005.

But then again some people just put the cart before the horse and let the chips fall where they may and HOPE things work out.

[florida1]

Originally Posted by jimboy

Being from KY, you will be disappointed with the terrain of Cape Coral.

Imagine a large flat table top, with homes and few trees.
From as far as a mile away you can see boats, swingsets, trash, etc around all around the homes. Not a pretty sight.

Most of the Cape is 5-15 feet above sea level. Flood insurance, Home insurance, real estate taxes are high. You also have thousands in impact fees to build a home, CDD fees, growing crime.
I got out last summer. Homes are dropping in price. I sold my $335K home I just bought 4 months ago for $230K. Oh by the way, the association fees were $235 per month.

All of coastal Florida is flat and if they want trees in their yard, then they can plant them.

As far as you losing money on your house, that is your fault for buying at the height of the market. I know many people who even if they sold today would still make money on their house.

As far as crime, with the exception of the occasional grow houses, there is little crime in the Cape. Most grow houses are owned by out of town people also that use the area's safety to cover up their growing operations.

All this being said, Cape Coral wouldn't be my first choice unless I was financially restricted. There are much nicer areas in SW FL IMO.

[Donna-50]

Cape Coral is the third safest large city (100,000 and over) in FL.

[NY62]

Hi all,
Have been reading this thread and just want to give an outsiders view on all these opinions. I am from NY long island to be exact I am moving to the cape next spring,I grew up by the water in suffolk county south shore I worked on the bay clamming thats how I bought my house,you cant do that anymore there are not enough clams anymore,anyway the wanna be rich people have made it hard for you to access any water on the island.You need permits to use boat ramps and you have to live in that township forget it if you want to use the north shore.I have noticed even down by marco in florida 5 bucks and you drop your boat wow I wish that is all it took up here 5 bucks and I can put my boat in anywhere. I have worked in the auto body field for 18 years we do not get paid better here then florida,I was a seafood manager for a grocery store yes it was union for 9 years that actually paid more up here.But they are doing away with those jobs now.I here people complaining about it being expensive down there get real you have no idea what expensive is how about 10000 a year for taxes 1200 for homeowners 250 a month for electric I guess we have special electric 100 a month for cable how about another 400 amonth in the winter for fuel oil? car insurance are you kidding I am 44 and pay 260 a month for three cars and only one has collision,someone complained about gas prices I was just down there heck I was in heaven we pay 3.30 a gallon for reg. and what about those old pics of the hurricane I could show you pics of the hurricane that wiped out the eastern half of long island montauk had nothing left and it created shinnecock inlet, What about the guy that said he would take the noreasters anyday well buddy we get them all the time and if you ask the folks that actually are affected buy them they would not say that I have seen 10 houses in a row washed into the ocean when everyone inland thought it was just a little storm. how often do you get hit with bad hurricanes? well we are due for one here ins companies are dropping people because of what happened in new orleans. When we do get hit and we will it will be devastateing. and yes i saw what charley did down there I was in punta gorda visiting my brother inlaw that was no joke but it also dosnt happen every year .All you folks complaining,About what crime? Heck you can go anywhere and find grow houses are you kidding,Gangs kids with baggy pants are not gangs,you have murders so does everywhere else you just dont here of them, the kids have nothing to do but hang out WHAT??? are you kidding go anywhere in the US and they all say the same thing that there is nothing to do. What do kids have to do really? they play games or hang out if one of you can say you allways had something big and great to do when you were younger you are lying. How about the land being flat with no trees plant them in your friggin yard or stop complaining and we all dont live in the mountains.I know alot of people are packing up an going to places like Tennessee good luck been there and know people that live there,OMG can you believe it they have drugs and crime also there taxes are cheaper but you have nothing once they get more people taxes will go up also tornadoes are no picnic every year either. As far as jobs go my son and fiancee moved down in may and both found jobs paying what they were getting here no problem and they are23 and 20 no experience really to speak of but they are doing fine and paying there bills at least for the money they spent on a 2 room basement apt here down there they got a three bedroom carriage home in a gated community.So maybe the few of you sitting and complaining should look around at what you have it is alot better then you think.and I am not bashing long island I love it but I can not enjoy all it has to offer anymore,just to expensive.You guys complained about corruption in city hall you have no idea everywhere here is corrupt and we pay for it,heard someone complain about the toll at the bridges are you kidding 1 dollar crap to get in the city here it is at least 15 each way, what about the guy who said you need a car in the cape well I hate to tell you just about everywhere else is the same way not everyone lives in Manhatten.how about strip malls helloooooo all over the country.And yes I was just down there seen it. Sorry folks stop your complaining really, everyone else dosnt make 50 gs or better a year. Oh yea you are not the only ones with the latinos or should i say mexicans they are here and everywhere else in between even tennessee, they are the ones working while some people sit around on there computers complaining there is no work or they dont get paid enough.You have to start somewhere and sometimes it is at 7.50 an hour. Good luck to all I hope I have not offended anyone but open your eyes it is not that bad compared to the rest of the world.