Here We Go Again...Need Opinions and Advice (Cape Coral, Sarasota: spring break, HOA fees)

[sprintrps]

3 years ago I decided to move to Florida. I ended up buying in Ocala. Now I am ready to move again and I need some help identifying specific areas from Venice down to (and including ) Fort Meyers.

I am 63, single, retired
I prefer a small single family house ($175K range) in a gated community. 55+ is NOT a requirement. I do not play golf.
I like quiet. Where I live in Ocala I am inundated with small planes flying over my house, so I do not want to be near any airports!
Important is a good local library system.
I am also concerned with insurance costs, (and availability), and property taxes. I am looking for a community where property taxes run + or - 1% of purchase price.
I also prefer NOT to be where there is massive traffic congestion. I lived in Southern California for 25+ years, so I have had my fill of traffic!
I'll be heading down next month so I appreciate any advice. Your opinion counts with me!
Thank you

[Billythepokerkid]

Originally Posted by sprintrps

3 years ago I decided to move to Florida. I ended up buying in Ocala. Now I am ready to move again and I need some help identifying specific areas from Venice down to (and including ) Fort Meyers.

I am 63, single, retired
I prefer a small single family house ($175K range) in a gated community. 55+ is NOT a requirement. I do not play golf.
I like quiet. Where I live in Ocala I am inundated with small planes flying over my house, so I do not want to be near any airports!
Important is a good local library system.
I am also concerned with insurance costs, (and availability), and property taxes. I am looking for a community where property taxes run + or - 1% of purchase price.
I also prefer NOT to be where there is massive traffic congestion. I lived in Southern California for 25+ years, so I have had my fill of traffic!
I'll be heading down next month so I appreciate any advice. Your opinion counts with me!
Thank you

First and foremost, it's Fort MYERS for crying out loud. This is my biggest pet peeve on this board. You want to move somewhere, want opinions, and advice, but you haven't even done enough research on your own to get the spelling of place right. Next, I can almost guarantee you will not find a $175k house with taxes under $1750, even after homestead. Insurance gets more expensive the further South you go and the closer to ocean you get. Many homes in the area have insurance premiums higher than the tax bill. Mine for example, is about $1000 a year more than my taxes. I would consider the area fairly quiet, there is traffic, obviously it is worse now with it being peak season and spring break, but even in the dead of summer the traffic can be a pain a certain times of the day. Finally, if a library system is that big of a deal to you, I would probably leave the state of Florida. Although both the Ft. Myers and Cape Coral Libraries are very nice, they are nothing compared to the big ones up North or even in California for that matter. I would recommend looking at Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte. The taxes are lower, homes are cheaper, traffic is by far less congested, the airport is tiny so you won't hear planes (I hear a plane right now). I love it here, but it honestly isn't what you seem to be looking for.

[alfbroker]

Yes Punta Gorda, also Englewood or Rotonda. Buy newer 2005+ home not in high hazard flood zone to keep insurance lower. Englewood and Rotonda are safe, don't need gated for that. Many areas have deed restrictions to protect property value, only thing missing are the gates and cost to keep them up.

[SWFortman]

ONLY CAPE CORAL. There is good for anything.

[TamRE]

Anywhere in Charlotte County would be less traffic than Venice or Ft Myers. Some of the gated communities with single family homes in your price range would be: Charleston Park, Kings Gate, Riverwood, Park Forest, River Club, Seminole Lakes, Stonegate, Stoneybrook at Venice, Suncoast Lakes, and Talon Bay. There are 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom homes. The HOA fees vary by community as well as the amenities within the community. Some of the golf course communities do not require golf membership and you have access to all of the other amenities without paying golf fees. One thing you need to look out for is the CDD fees. Some communities have those on top of the HOA fees. Some are paid separately and others are included in the taxes.

Our area has several libraries to choose from:
Charlotte County: http://www.charlottecountyfl.com/Library/ (Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Englewood)
Sarasota County: http://suncat.co.sarasota.fl.us/ (Venice and North Port)

Property Tax information: http://www.cctaxcol.com/taxes.html, http://www.ccappraiser.com/

Moving to Florida Guide: http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=40

Take some time to explore the areas and you will be able to find one that fits your needs. Good luck to you.

[hiknapster]

Lee County, where Fort Myers and Cape Coral reside, has an EXCELLENT library system. Top notch. Pages - default

http://www.news-press.com/article/20...yssey=nav|head