looks like it's gonna be fort myers. (Miami, Tampa: gated, condo)

[INeedAChange]

sounds like CiXeL, who used to post here. Could it be the same person under new name?

Originally Posted by triton1

[QUOTE by fort lauderdale]Out of all of the places in Florida, why Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale? These are probably the last places I would look if I was in your situation.

Because I gotta live within a more true tropical climate where the chances of me seeing any more plant damaging frosts/freezes and/or snow are about as low as experiencing a plane crash. Basically within the growing ranges of the following plants;
-Royal Palm
-Norfolk Island Pine
-Sea Grape
-Royal Poinciana
.[/quote]

[tdogg]

WOW! Triton- move here! Don't let these people lead you to believe that this is a bad place! NEWS FLASH! The market has slowed down around our whole country!!!!! I am one of the thousands who was unemployed after getting laid off, and I am not sitting around blaming my city or the Mexicans! It's the government and our nation!!! PLEASE! Yeah, I guess SW Florida 'sucks'... beautiful beaches, gorgeous bright and sunny weather, new high end shopping in Estero, yeah- sounds to me like it sucks too! UGH! It's people on this forum that ruin our area! If you don't like it GO BACK! Yes, FM is not a 'big city' YET! Believe me, I was born and raised here and it's fantastic to see the changes in our area! And to you haters that want to tell this person not to move here because of the dating scene- ummmm... yeah OK! Once again, our area is full of beautiful people! It's not our city's fault that you can't get a date! You mean to tell me that the dating scene is better for you somewhere else?? There is plenty to do, and if you get sick of it- your RIGHT in the middle of Tampa and Miami! Suck it up and drive down for a weekend or even a night! Do you watch the travel channel???? TWO of our local beaches were on the top 10 most beautiful beaches! I think that miserable people should go back to where their from- go back to your freezing winters, and dark gloomy days and nights! BYE! SEE YA!

[Obxnc7]

My family is moving to Fort Myers at the end of July. We are a young family, and not moving by choice, but because my husband's job is moving us there. I was excited at first for a change, but after reading many of the posts on here, I must admit, I'm a little nervous now. Is there anything good about the Fort Myers area? Or should we just live in Sarasota and let my husband commute every day? Seriously...all I keep reading about is below average schools, gangs, violence and crime? Is there any greener grass around?

[Roadrunner69]

Well right now the grass isn't any greener it's kind of brown, but thats only because it hasn't rained for so long and there are watering restrictions. As the previous poster stated things have changed quite a bit I have lived here for around 31 years. Moving here with a job is a very big plus, jobs have gotten pretty scarce things have slowed to a crawl. Buying a house in the near future would be a good idea seeings the prices are still falling you can get a very nice buy. I would not suggest Sarasota (not that Sarasota isn't nice ) with the way gas is going I would stick close to your job where as we all might be riding our bikes to work if this keeps up. Crime yes we have it but if you stay out of areas you should probably not be in things are still very nice. Schools, yes they could be better but like anything else it takes money to run things and with the tax base depleating I don't think it will get any better in the near future. The area is what you make of it, you have to get out and enjoy all the natural things beaches, nature walks, bike trails and other things to appreciate what we have here and not sit at home and complain. Good Luck with your decision and oh one more thing you'll be here just in time for our 08 hurricane season. LOL I'd rather have that with lots of warning then the 2 minutes they give you for a tornado, all part of Florida living you will be fine.

[Obxnc7]

Thanks for the somewhat encouraging news. I am coming from a small town, Wheeling, WV. No hurricanes, but slushy, mucky, winters. My husband and I have always wanted to try living where it was warmer and the beach was close by. We are excited to get this assignment. I am coming down to look for a place to live in June. From what many of these posts on here have said, it looks like South Fort Myers, Estero, and Bonita are all nice places. I guess North Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres are places to stay away from. Having lived there for 31 years, if you could suggest any other places, I would appreciate it. We will probably rent for a few months, as my husband won't be able to join me in looking for a place down there due to training. I figure we will look for a house to buy once we move and he can look with me. He will be working in downtown Fort Myers, but they provide him with a vehicle and I'm pretty sure the gas as well. I don't want him to have to drive hours to work, but would rather be close to good schools. (We are considering private after reading many of the posts on here.) Again, thanks for the "good" news. It's nice to hear that someone is somewhat happy down there.

[Roadrunner69]

The places you said are all good and the Cape has some very nice homes the only thing I don't like is the commute that is really slow going. There is one other place that is worth looking since your husband will be working downtown. The area anywhere between McGregor Blvd. and the river, close to town there are some very nice old homes and as you go south along the river the homes get newer as you go but neighborhoods are very nice. Stay out of any place that has a HOA home owners association they kind of tell you what you can and can't do with your own property and you have to pay them for that inconvience. Don't be swayed by that hurricane thing its a small part of living in a very nice environment, oh shoot did I mention the humidity just another thing have you ever been in 100% humidity it takes some getting used to but you will adapt just give your self time.

[Obxnc7]

We get pretty humid weather in the summer, but only for short periods of time. It has rained here for two weeks straight. I can deal with a hurricane or two...and am looking forward to a snow free winter. Thanks for your help! I am anxious to see how finding the right school goes...or doesn't go. (I would at least like to find one without gangs and drugs, if possible.) I am a teacher, so I can pick up the academic slack if need be at home. My daughters love the beach and although I think it will take time to adjust, I am pretty sure we will be OK. This forum is enough to scare anyone away! If someone were moving to WV I would certainly have negative things to say, but a lot of positive things as well. You don't see too many positive posts about Fort Myers on here. Again, thank you!

[Obxnc7]

I was looking at apartments....trying to get some ideas before visiting. Can anyone tell me how the Villagio at Estero is? What about the Palms of Monterrey? The Grand at Gateway? Are there any apartments to stay away from? We would like a short term lease, as we will look for a place to buy once we get there.

[whippersnapper]

Man, I know a few people who moved here from Wheeling. Lee county seems to be a popular destination for Wheelingites.

Bah, I wouldn't completely discount North Fort Myers or Cape Coral, especially since your husband will be working downtown. I grew up in North Fort Myers off Orange Grove Blvd. It's the Waterway Estates side and it's perfectly nice and pretty affordable. I think Cape Coral is just fine too. I lived in the SE section for 6 years so I'm a little partial to that area but the SW isn't too bad either. I'm not a fan of the NE and NW sections though.

If your husband is working downtown, I'd say Estero and Gateway are a bit of a commute. Check off McGregor for places. If your kids are elementary school age, you could try to get them into Tanglewood. It's a pretty good school.

If it makes you feel any better, I've lived here for 26 years and I still love it. Yeah, I have my complaints sometimes, but I'm pretty happy here. Not all of us are miserable living in this area.

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by Obxnc7

Thanks for the somewhat encouraging news. I am coming from a small town, Wheeling, WV. No hurricanes, but slushy, mucky, winters. My husband and I have always wanted to try living where it was warmer and the beach was close by. We are excited to get this assignment. I am coming down to look for a place to live in June. From what many of these posts on here have said, it looks like South Fort Myers, Estero, and Bonita are all nice places. I guess North Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres are places to stay away from. Having lived there for 31 years, if you could suggest any other places, I would appreciate it. We will probably rent for a few months, as my husband won't be able to join me in looking for a place down there due to training. I figure we will look for a house to buy once we move and he can look with me. He will be working in downtown Fort Myers, but they provide him with a vehicle and I'm pretty sure the gas as well. I don't want him to have to drive hours to work, but would rather be close to good schools. (We are considering private after reading many of the posts on here.) Again, thanks for the "good" news. It's nice to hear that someone is somewhat happy down there.

No, Cape Coral is not a place to stay away from, it's central Fort Myers and a few parts of North Fort Myers to stay away from, and FOR SURE Lehigh Acres. I think Cape Coral and south Fort Myers are the safest, and Cape schools although not as good as where I am from are better than some Fort Myers schools. I feel safe here in the Cape, more than in Fort Myers or Naples.