moving to southwest florida (Cape Coral, Sarasota: to rent, crime rate, house)

[bluie0308]

Hi,
thinking of relocating to Fort Myers/\Estero area. We are tired of living in Southwest Georgia, nothing to do here, only heat and humidity. How is the school system in Fort Myers ,do they have some decent highschools? Please I would appreciate all the information I can get. Been to Sanibel many times and we just love the southwest florida area. But is it only because we are on vacation or is living downthere a different story?| thanks

[topher441970]

Well to be honest if you are sick of the heat and humidity in GA. why would you consider southwest Florida??? It's the same if not hotter. I just moved away from there, and it was a lot of the hot humid weather that i NEEDED to get away from.

The grade schools are good, but the high school is TERRIBLE!!! if the area says Dunbar or martin Luther king area STAY AWAY... Not a good place to be. North Fort myers is not too good either. Naples is a crap hole.

I would look into Bradenton/Sarasota anyways. It's a lot nicer. CHEAPER.

Yes living there is a lot different than visiting. I won't move back to Florida, it's gotten too expensive, and crowded.

I'm trying not to be negative...

[121804]

Originally Posted by bluie0308

Hi,
thinking of relocating to Fort Myers/\Estero area. We are tired of living in Southwest Georgia, nothing to do here, only heat and humidity. How is the school system in Fort Myers ,do they have some decent highschools? Please I would appreciate all the information I can get. Been to Sanibel many times and we just love the southwest florida area. But is it only because we are on vacation or is living downthere a different story?| thanks

Well, for starters, do all the research you can on Fort Myers. I think that everyone has their different reasons for moving to Florida & things such as weather, jobs, housing market, crime....all depends on your needs, wants, & likes/dislikes.

There is a lot to do in Fort Myers if you are retired. That's what Fort Myers is designed for & that is what it caters too.

Yeah, Sanibel is a great place to vacation but Fort Myers is not Sanibel.

The school system in Lee County is questionable starting with the getting your child enrolled. It is a supposed "choice" system where you sign up for the school you want your child to attend. Let's just say that this is a policy designed to squelch discrimination issues in the city & works for rarely anyone. The good schools have waiting lists and the lesser schools are where you end up putting your child.

I can only say that I would never want my child to attend school in Fort Myers nor grow up here. This city has very, very little to offer in terms of family events, cultural, or historical activities. The place just has a weird vibe to it that we just do not get. And going to Sanibel every weekend gets old after awhile, especially in July/August & the heat index.

We have some friends with children in high school who live in Bonita Springs & some friends in Estero. All appear to enjoy the area & it doesn't get the constant negative press as does Ft Myers.

Avoid Fort Myers, Punta Gorda & Port Charlotte [again, two cities not to raise a family in]. Suggest looking more into Estero & Bonita Springs.

[Tarastomsgirl]

People who live in SW Fl call it Ft. Misery not Ft. Myers. Every night there is some kind of shooting, abduction of children, earlier this year there was a string of about 3 kids killed, one dumped on the side of the road. The cops can't keep up with the crime in Ft. Misery. Prices are outragous, its going to be 100 times more hot than SW Ga. You'll get redtide at the beach, hurricanes or TS Storms , the traffic is horrendous then just outragous in season. Seriously think this one over. Naples isn't any better, just look at some of the posts on the main board. Look at the one No More Naples, you can pretty much include Ft. Myers in what people are saying, there's hardly a difference in town lines and they're 10 mins from each other when driving i-75. So that'll give you an indication of life in Ft. Misery

[jhlcomp]

No matter where you plan on going whether it's Florida or some other state - arrange to rent first before making a hugh monetary commitment.

I live in south Florida in an area named Weston - this is southwestern Broward County. We love going over to Naples, Sanibel, etc. as a weekend or 4 day getaway.

We rented for 1 year and researched the area before making the move to our current area. We have been here 20 years. Read the many posts from others who have been enamoured with living in Naples, Ft. Myers, and surrounding area.

[tamiedearest]

I just recently moved to Florida and am currently living in South Fort Myers. My son goes to the Bonita Springs Charter School and so far so good. I have found that the area in which I living (currently renting) is nice and have recently put an offer in on a home in the same area just a little more south. The area is San Carlos Park, it is very close to Estero and Bonita Springs. Further away from the main part of Fort Myers.

So far we have had no murders, kidnappings or anything that I have heard happen around here. The neighbors are nice and the keep their yards looking nice. So far I have found nothing that would send me scurrying back to the cold weather I really do like it down here.

We are close to Hwy. 41 and I-75 is not that far either.

I dont find it much of a difference to living here as to where I lived in Wisconsin. Very much the same.

Don't let the negativity that some might have deter you if you are interested in the area. I agree with most when they say rent for awhile before you buy that way you can see where you really want to live.

As any responsible parent, I am sure that you have looked into all of the pros and cons of the schools and the area.

Good Luck and if you have any other questions from a newbie, let me know.

[Chromedome]

nothing to do there? only heat and humidity?

sounds like you described southwest florida to a tee.

prepare for more of the same.plus a few palm trees

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by bluie0308

Hi,
thinking of relocating to Fort Myers/\Estero area. We are tired of living in Southwest Georgia, nothing to do here, only heat and humidity. How is the school system in Fort Myers ,do they have some decent highschools? Please I would appreciate all the information I can get. Been to Sanibel many times and we just love the southwest florida area. But is it only because we are on vacation or is living downthere a different story?| thanks

Have to agree with the others about the "heat and humidity" and "nothing to do" quotes. Just what is it you are looking for? Because the heat and humidity will be just as bad or worse in this area, and I don't think school systems here are that great.

I would say you have vacation stars in your eyes.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by bluie0308

Hi,
thinking of relocating to Fort Myers/\Estero area. We are tired of living in Southwest Georgia, nothing to do here, only heat and humidity. How is the school system in Fort Myers ,do they have some decent highschools? Please I would appreciate all the information I can get. Been to Sanibel many times and we just love the southwest florida area. But is it only because we are on vacation or is living downthere a different story?| thanks

ditto on the comments for heat & humidity, if you want to escape that don't move further south, lol!

Vacationing someplace and living there are two different things, I would first look that the job market, what do you plan to do for a living to pay the bills? That is if you have to work, a lot of people in South Florida (both sides) don't have to work because of wealth.

[SunnyFLErin]

I would suggest to stay away from Fort Myers. It does have a higher crime rate than you'd want, and the North part of the city is very "ghetto". There are not many jobs here either. I live in Cape Coral, and I love it. I try to stay away from Fort Myers whenever possible, because I just don't like it there. Cape Coral is a good family-oriented town with activities and good people. I am never afraid to be walking alone in Cape Coral (I am a 120 lb woman, so I try to never be alone if I feel unsafe). The Cape is also a boating town, which is nice. Its very pretty here, especially in S Cape Coral if you can get a house on the water. We also have good schools in the Cape, much better than the schools in Fort Myers. Sanibel is very pretty, but there is nothing to do there in the off-season. Its a tourist place, so they have lots of events in the winter, but none in the summer. In the summer its all retirees. Cape Coral is the best option in this area, and its very affordable right now. Bonita is also very nice, but much more expensive.