Lee County, Sarasota County or Charlotte County (Cape Coral, Plantation: HOA fees, house) - Lee County - City-Data Forum

readyforfl · 01-15-2012, 07:32 AM

I've accepted a job offer and will be working out of the 3 counties, alot of driving around. I need to find a home quickly and not sure which county would be best suited. I've visited some areas in each county and try to stay close to either I75 or 41 for easy access, any suggestions. I'm looking to spend 200k but can go higher if no luck. Any suggestions?

TamRE · 01-15-2012, 07:48 AM

Charlotte County is in the middle of Lee and Sarasota County. What kind of neighborhood or home are you looking for? Do you want a deed restricted community, family neighborhood, waterfront, etc? What type of amenities might you be looking for - boating, fishing, pool, golf, tennis, club house, etc? Do you have any pets or children?

North Port has regular residential neighborhoods close to I-75 and 41. North Port has deed restricted communities close to I-75 and 41 such as Heron Creek, Bobcat Trail, Sabal Trace, Lakeside Plantation, Cedar Grove, Charleston Park. North Port has two I-75 exits.

Port Charlotte has regular residential neighborhoods close to I-75 as well as some deed restricted areas such as Deep Creek, Harbor Heights, Suncoast Lakes, Heritage Oak Park which are all near the Kings Highway I-75 exit.

You can definitely get a home in the $200k range in these areas.

nhkev · 01-15-2012, 07:58 AM

My personal preference is sarasota. Ut your dollar tends to stretch a lot more in the othsr two

readyforfl · 01-15-2012, 08:15 AM

I started my search in Manatee county and really liked the area near I75 that borders Sarasota county. Then looked further south, I did see Deep Creek and didn't care for it. Someone told me if I liked the area I started in, I would love Cape Coral, but haven't ventured that way yet. I enjoy the beach, have no children and have a dog. I also visited some areas in Northport and I liked it, somewhat confused cause the threads I've read seem to bash it. I do prefer deed restrictions as I have come to notice a trend in Fl that one house in a neighborhood could be well kept while others look awful. More importantly, I just want a nice safe area. I also saw some nice places in Venice and after reading threads seems like the negatives were too many seniors...I can live with that! Is there something I missed?

TamRE · 01-15-2012, 10:26 AM

North Port, Florida is located in the southernmost part of Sarasota County. It is midway between Sarasota to the north and Ft Myers to the south. North Port is located about 25 minutes from the beaches, 30 minutes from Sarasota and 45 minutes from Ft Myers.

Venice is closer to the beaches. The dowtown area of Venice is more populated with seniors. There are a few developments that are very mixed with singles, families, and seniors such as Stoneybrook and Islandwalk at West Villages. If you are into golf, there are some golf communities as well. Stoneybrook is closer to I-75.

Punta Gorda is closer to Ft Myers. You could try Creekside, Seminole Lakes or Punta Gorda Isles in the middle of Punta Gorda. A little further south closer to Ft. Myers would be the Burnt Store areas such as Burnt Store Meadows, Burnt Store Village, Burnt Store Lakes and Burnt Store Marina. They are more secluded.

It really depends also on the lifestyle you are looking for and the amenities you are looking for in a community as well as the max. HOA fees you want to pay.

Billythepokerkid · 01-15-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamRE

North Port, Florida is located in the southernmost part of Sarasota County. It is midway between Sarasota to the north and Ft Myers to the south. North Port is located about 25 minutes from the beaches, 30 minutes from Sarasota and 45 minutes from Ft Myers.

Venice is closer to the beaches. The dowtown area of Venice is more populated with seniors. There are a few developments that are very mixed with singles, families, and seniors such as Stoneybrook and Islandwalk at West Villages. If you are into golf, there are some golf communities as well. Stoneybrook is closer to I-75.

Punta Gorda is closer to Ft Myers. You could try Creekside, Seminole Lakes or Punta Gorda Isles in the middle of Punta Gorda. A little further south closer to Ft. Myers would be the Burnt Store areas such as Burnt Store Meadows, Burnt Store Village, Burnt Store Lakes and Burnt Store Marina. They are more secluded.

It really depends also on the lifestyle you are looking for and the amenities you are looking for in a community as well as the max. HOA fees you want to pay.

It really depends on where in Lee County the OP has to go. There's no way you can make a daily commute from North Port to Estero or Bonita Springs.

TamRE · 01-15-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billythepokerkid

It really depends on where in Lee County the OP has to go. There's no way you can make a daily commute from North Port to Estero or Bonita Springs.

Well, if the OP is working in all 3 counties - Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee - I would want to live somewhere in the middle if it were me.

readyforfl · 01-16-2012, 08:42 AM

I am assigned to cover a territory of all three conties and required to visit each county at least once per week. So I kinda thought being in the middle made more sense too, but not feeling Port Charlotte yet. I recalled the area I visited and it's University Park and Lakewood Ranch which I did like as well as some cute developments in Northport. The threads on CCD fee's was overwhelming, I don't see it as an issue considering the ammenities and overall appearance. However, I will continue my due diligence and thank everyone for their insights thus far. Will be back next weekend to look around Lee County a bit.

Billythepokerkid · 01-16-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TamRE

Well, if the OP is working in all 3 counties - Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee - I would want to live somewhere in the middle if it were me.

Punta Gorda is more the middle and it has easier access to 75.

alfbroker · 01-17-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhkev

My personal preference is sarasota. Ut your dollar tends to stretch a lot more in the othsr two

Agreed. If looking at more than just the commute, Sarasota County towns offer a better quality of life overall in my opinion. Venice has Gulf beaches, great historic downtown, miles of bike trails and close to I-75, lots of people of all ages.

If commuting is the most important factor, what area would you be working in the most? If it were me, I wouldn't live in North Port, Port Charlotte or Lehigh Acres no matter how cheap.