SWFL - fantastic place to live or should you emigrate? (Miami: sales, foreclosure)

[London Guy]

Well SW Floridians and my fellow part-time SW Floridians, what do you think?

Is the place a complete pile of crap, as certain people seem to think, or is it a wonderful place as this particular Limey knows it to be

[nhkev]

It is both. For someone like us that can afford a 2nd home, go down there 4 to 5 weeks a year. While there go out on our boats, hit some of the nicest beaches in the country, enjoy some of the best fishing in the country. Dine out at nice resturaunts. Always having a frozen rum drink in hand......it is pretty close to paradise.

For others who bought homes at the peak of the boom, watched their house lose 66% of it's value. Then lost their jobs and watched friends and family losing their homes to foreclosure and having to go through all their savings and sell all their personal belongings.

That's why we have such different opinions being represented on this forum

[hiknapster]

kev, wish I could rep you, again. I'll be back, friend.

[ChrisA70]

For me, many things about FL are ok, the weather here is complete CRAP...

[monikac21]

I lived in a lot of places over here and in Europe and ended up in SW Florida in 1990. I love it here. Compared with other Areas, States and Countries, SW Florida offers a good combination of everything. Of course there are certain things I dislike here as well - but you will find "dislikes" in one way or the other everywhere.

[CCRESI]

I move to a new state every 3-4 yrs, so far this has been my favorite place to live. From the weather, cost of living, things to do, beaches, red sox spring training and the nice people I have met along the way. We will retire here.
I can pick out the negatives, but that's everywhere if you really look hard enough.

[TamRE]

I have lived in 8 different states. Mostly all on the East coast of the U.S. I would have to say that my two favorite are Florida and Alaska. The only negative about Florida for me is the long duration of the heat in the 90's. But I much prefer it to the long, cold winters in NY. The economy is bad right now, but that is not unique to Florida. Everything else about SWFL, I love.

[td1026]

I have lived in Florida, Arizona, and Texas (Florida the longest) and without a doubt, I love Florida! I prefer Ft Myers to Cape Coral if we are talking Lee County, but either of them will do. I love the weather, the beaches, the atmosphere, and the tropical trees and flowers, a lot of my family is there. It's much safer and a better place to live than a lot of places in Florida (ex Ft Lauderdale/Miami) Things seem to be turning around down there, and I sure hope it stays that way! The area is much too beautiful to stay in such a rut for too long, I just hope they bring the right economic growth to the area. Only time will tell.

[cviz]

I think Cape Coral is an excellent place to live. I love the laid-back, slow pace lifestyle. People are generally very friendly. I was blown away when I walked into the local Home Depot and Lowes and sales staff actually came over to me and asked if I need any help with anything. That's unheard of in the Northeast US. I've found many businesses are very Customer Service orientated which is very refreshing.