Information on Southwest FL (Miami, Tampa: crime, neighborhoods, university)

[JazzmanLI]

Hi Everyone, There is a chance I may be moving to Ft Myers (Around Daniel Pkwy/I-75 area) and was curious if anyone who has lived or been in this area for some time can give me a little info on the area. I'm in my early 20s, love the beach, beachfront restaurants, boating, and I'm a musician so music/live shows are a must. Have done a lot of searching on the internet in the pass few months and seems that most of the better reviews are around Estero and Bonita Springs.

Below I'm going list a few questions and if anyone can give input I would appreciate it.

Are there any bad neighborhoods I should stay away from?

Crime rate?

Where are the safest shopping areas for groceries, outlets, etc?

How is the area around Florida Gulf Coast University? Is it a relatively safe place to be?

I love seafood and italian (key lime pie too!), any recommended areas for seafood and italian restaurants?

Are there any nice beaches, state or county parks, attractions, day trips in the area? Are there any beaches with free public access?

How is the boating in and around this area?

How is traffic throughout southwest florida? Any roadways to avoid? toll roads?

Thank you for any input, I really appreciate it!

[stahltkd]

My Opinions/ experience in bold within your questions:

Originally Posted by JazzmanLI

Hi Everyone, There is a chance I may be moving to Ft Myers (Around Daniel Pkwy/I-75 area) and was curious if anyone who has lived or been in this area for some time can give me a little info on the area. I'm in my early 20s, love the beach, beachfront restaurants, boating, and I'm a musician so music/live shows are a must. Have done a lot of searching on the internet in the pass few months and seems that most of the better reviews are around Estero and Bonita Springs.

Below I'm going list a few questions and if anyone can give input I would appreciate it.

Are there any bad neighborhoods I should stay away from? In that area not really. [B]Mostly gated communities / builder communities. [/b]

Crime rate? Most of the crime you're going to experience is going to be in the form of San Carlos Park which is a couple miles south (Alico road area) depending on where you're coming from... it's going to depend on your comfortableness. Most of the crime is assault (fights with the family /friends) / and theft. See - https://www.crimereports.com/ and scroll around the area

Where are the safest shopping areas for groceries, outlets, etc? Daniels is a major thoroughfare. You'll find a lot of restaurants / stores / Mirromar Outlets is about a 10 min drive (it's on Corkscrew)

How is the area around Florida Gulf Coast University? Is it a relatively safe place to be? Yes. See the above crimereports.com

I love seafood and italian (key lime pie too!), any recommended areas for seafood and italian restaurants? I have never been - but have heard Skip One on 41 (Cleveland Avenue) is pretty good seafood. I don't get to go try new restaurants as much as I'd like - especially since I live in the Cape Coral area - but I do work in the area that you're talking about.

Are there any nice beaches, state or county parks, attractions, day trips in the area? Are there any beaches with free public access? Afaik, most of the access to beach in the area is free - but will get you on the parking. You're moving to a state where you can literally go from one side of the state to the other and back again in a day. Miami is about 3.5 hours away, Tampa 2 hours, Orlando 3 hours... Key West 6 hours...

How is the boating in and around this area? We're surrounded by water...

How is traffic throughout southwest florida? Any roadways to avoid? toll roads? Depends on the time of the year. As said before, Daniels is a major road. During the tourist season - Nov.ish to Mayish - leaving 5 mins later could result in major delays. The lights run long and a lot of times, you can be waiting for 3/4 lights before you're through. You should be a very defensive driver. Due to congestion / lack of courtesy / whatever, many people will tend to make double turn lane out of single turn lane / try to beat you to light and cut over especially at the major intersections. Not much in toll roads - unless you're going to Sanibel Island (6.00) or to Cape Coral (2.00) You can get a pass (Sunpass - prepaid discount transponder thing) if you going to be traveling throughout the state (Alligator Alley / Turnpike / East coast ) that have more tolls.

Thank you for any input, I really appreciate it!

[Billythepokerkid]

Originally Posted by stahltkd

My Opinions/ experience in bold within your questions:

I agree with everything you said, except you times to get to places. From Daniels Pkwy and 75 it shouldn't take you much longer than 2 hours to get to Miami, Key West is closer to a 5 hour drive from Cape Coral (I've done it many times), Tampa is about 2.5 hours, and you can get to Orlando in under 3.

[stahltkd]

Originally Posted by Billythepokerkid

I agree with everything you said, except you times to get to places. From Daniels Pkwy and 75 it shouldn't take you much longer than 2 hours to get to Miami, Key West is closer to a 5 hour drive from Cape Coral (I've done it many times), Tampa is about 2.5 hours, and you can get to Orlando in under 3.

I was going based off of mapquest / general time frame as everyone drives differently. For me, I usually take 30 to hr off of the time depending on the distance / route.

Good to know that Key West is about 5 hours - might have to do a weekend trip with the wife.

[Billythepokerkid]

Originally Posted by stahltkd

I was going based off of mapquest / general time frame as everyone drives differently. For me, I usually take 30 to hr off of the time depending on the distance / route.

Good to know that Key West is about 5 hours - might have to do a weekend trip with the wife.

You can also take the ferry out of Ft Myers Beach. It's a pretty nice ride.

[brianjb]

Originally Posted by Billythepokerkid

You can also take the ferry out of Ft Myers Beach. It's a pretty nice ride.

I've done that before. You can stay the day and come back that afternoon, or just return whenever you are ready.

It has been 8 or 9 years since I did it, but they used to have specials. Like you could go down on your birthday for free with a paying ticket. My wife and I went down and only had to pay for her ticket.

https://www.seakeywestexpress.com/default.htm

[brianjb]

It is 600 miles round trip from Cape Coral to Key West. Assuming 25 MPG and $3.50 per gallon, it will cost $84 to go there and back.

[JazzmanLI]

Thank you all for your feedback! I've been two Key West twice in the past 2 years and loved it. Good to know its not a bad drive down there.

When I asked how's boating I wanted to know what most locals do/go with there boat. Nice places to see.

[brianjb]

Originally Posted by JazzmanLI

When I asked how's boating I wanted to know what most locals do/go with there boat. Nice places to see.

Boats are a money pit. So that's what they do with their boat...lol

Couldnt resist

[JazzmanLI]

I agree brianjb. It really is. I've been boating since the day I was born so its too hard for me to give it up.