Cape Coral-- Why do so many people speak negatively about it??? (Miami: home, job market)

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by 121804

Weather doesn't solve the reality of economics.

You can say that again! Anyway, it's supposed to be close to 90 degrees on Thursday. Oh, how I long to put on a nice blazer. I know I'd be complaining the first time I need to scrape ice off of my windshield, but sometimes the same ol', same ol' gets boring.

[hiknapster]

[quote=121804;3410194]

Originally Posted by BacktoFLigo

Thing is, winter does pass & spring does arrive. We've had mid60s & sun for several days now. Mind you, 40s are in the forecast for Mon & Tues, though

Weather doesn't solve the reality of economics. Most who do make the move due to weather are retiring or snowbirding. Much different if you don't have to provide for a family or are not in a position to retire.

The insecurity of not having employment has to be daunting, but you made the decision, ya know? Warmer weather doesn't pay the bills.

I am all too familiar with Northampton as we have family there & were hoping to buy in Hadley. Unfortunately, COL in that area is not reasonable. Mount Holyoke is breathtaking in the fall.

Either way, hope you find something soon & that you can get on with life in CC & enjoy it.

I'm from central Mass., and really miss it.

I didn't move to Florida for the weather, but an awful lot of people do. That is absolutely fine for retirees, but for working people, you have to go where there are jobs. The bottom line is you have to eat.

I left well over two years ago. I thought the cost of living was bad then. You could get a job, but the pay wasn't much, and housing was sky-high. Now you can't get a job. Period.

This correction was badly needed. Hopefully, the pendulum will swing back.I think it will.

In the meantime, I caution people to sit and watch the market.

Don't buy a house, pack your bags and move down there if you have to work, and especially if you have a family to consider. Get a job first. The area was always service related, but construction was a huge shot in the arm for employment. That is all over.

If you're a retiree, then go for it.

If you are an investor, realize you may have to wait quite awhile to get a return. There are thousands of homes in the inventory, and more coming onto the market everyday.

There are deals out there, but you better know the area and what you're doing.

Local officials maybe will finally understand that they are paid by the citizens that they serve. That cop, that teacher, that politician works for YOU. When the money was rolling in and there was always a new resident to replace the old one and pay the taxes, they were as surly as could be. They need to understand who pays their salary or they will be out of a paycheck, too.

As an aside, Lee County cops weren't much better. By the time I moved, I was terrified of driving. They would come up on your bumper and hope you made a mistake. I was pulled over once for no reason. He never gave a reason! Asked if I had guns or bombs in the car.

Realize that I am a woman in my 40s with a small child.

I once saw them harrassing a little old white-haired lady. But the dope dealers were thriving!

It's nice to be around cops that protect and serve, again, and aren't a bunch of punks.

[yachtcare]

[quote=hiknapster;3413123][quote=121804;3410194].

As an aside, Lee County cops weren't much better. By the time I moved, I was terrified of driving. They would come up on your bumper and hope you made a mistake. I was pulled over once for no reason. He never gave a reason! Asked if I had guns or bombs in the car.

QUOTE]


Yes, Let me ask those that are reading thru here, if they have "SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS" in their area? This is where the city, or county cops just shut down an entire area of roadway, typically at a chokepoint, like a major intersection, or the toll booths on the bridges. Whenever they want, without warning and check EVERYBODY, in every vehicle. Not just the driver, to see if he is "sober". I say it is un constitutional, they are restricting the freedom of movement, with no probable cause. But this is the reality in Lee county, FL. It's a police state being run here. Now, Lately, they do give warning, in the form of a propaganda soundbite on the local news, usually stating that they will be setting up a checkpoint, in the next day or two, at an undisclosed location. What better way to strike TERROR into the citizens, that they better behave, stay at home, or we're gonna get ya.

That being said, I need to make another disclaimer here. I don't drink, so I have no worries about being tagged for DUI, I'm as clean as the pure driven snow, and have passed the background checks to prove it. It just galls me, that we used to live in a free society, where the constitution applied. Now they bend the constitution, arrest people, write tickets, and when you challenge them based on your constitutional rights, they'll dismiss the charges, so guess what? You don't have a FINE to pay anymore, but, YOU are still responsible to pay court costs! Like I said, it's all just a big $$$$$$$$$ making mill in these parts. The cops, judges, attorneys, and local governments are laughing all the way to bank, EVERYDAY.

Yes, the weather is great, the scenery is perfect, it's beautiful here. But the people running the show make it a hellhole to be avoided.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by yachtcare;3415677
QUOTE

That being said, I need to make another disclaimer here. I don't drink, so I have no worries about being tagged for DUI, I'm as clean as the pure driven snow, and have passed the background checks to prove it. It just galls me, that we used to live in a free society, where the constitution applied. Now they bend the constitution, arrest people, write tickets, and when you challenge them based on your constitutional rights, they'll dismiss the charges, so guess what? You don't have a FINE to pay anymore, but, YOU are still responsible to pay court costs! Like I said, it's all just a big $$$$$$$$$ making mill in these parts. The cops, judges, attorneys, and local governments are laughing all the way to bank, EVERYDAY.

Me, too! I use to work with the cops up in Mass., as I was a court reporter up there, so it's not like I was a criminal or anything. But those cops were terrifying.

Another thing I didn't understand is why or how the cops looked at everyone's driver's license. If you are a passenger, they run your license. If you call the cops because of a break-in, they run your license.

Is that some sort of a intimidation tactic?

Granted, there are a LOT of wanted people that run to Florida, but without probable cause, what law allows them to look at your license?

[yachtcare]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Another thing I didn't understand is why or how the cops looked at everyone's driver's license. If you are a passenger, they run your license. If you call the cops because of a break-in, they run your license.

Is that some sort of a intimidation tactic?

Yeah, On a Saturday AFTERNOON, one day last summer, the shop next door to mine has the back door wide open, and nobody around when I came to my shop. So I called CCPD, they told me to wait til they arrived. (like I have nothing better to do on a Sat afternoon, but wait on them) An hour and a half later they show up, look inside the neighbor's shop, then they want my I.D., and ask to look around my shop. I got nothing to hide, so let them knock themselves out. After locking up the neighbor's place they sit outside for forty five minutes. I get in my truck to go home, and they follow me three miles down CC Pkwy to the corner of my street. WTF?

These are practical stories of what goes on here, so those reading these posts have an example.

Want another? A friend of mine in the NE Cape was at home on a Friday afternoon this past fall. Sitting on his lanai, two teenagers came in the front door with a gun, and robbed him, in his own house. The CCPD treat him like the criminal, when they arrive, run his I.D., finger print, etc. No arrests were ever made.

My own vehicles have been broken into three times in the past twelve months behind my shop, twice during the day. I wont call the cops. It's a waste of time. They'll never do anything to apprehend the guilty party, they'll spend all their time jacking me up, like it's all my fault. Makes them feel like they're actually effective at their job I guess. And the reward for me? higher insurance rates, no doubt.

I know I rip on the cops alot here. I need to make mention that they are the point of the sword, and doing their job. Like cops everywhere, they have a tough job, and I respect and admire their service. But they have to take orders from a broken system here. The system being the entire local government that seems to be rotten, corrupt, and interested only in the collection of $$$$$, from wherever they can get it. Even if the means include the use of it's police departments for the harrasment, and shake down of it's citizens. Remember, the crap runs downhill, you gotta look to the top to find it's source......

[hiknapster]

I knew an ex-cop from Lee County. He said that there are many cops there that are on the take. They look the other way when it comes to the drug dealers. Yet, they give free fishing trips away to cops that write the most tickets.

I always wondered if they harass people that call them so they won't bother them again. That was the sense that I got from them. Don't call us or we'll make you pay.

I think that is so sad. Both my parents worked in law enforcement. My mom retired from the Conn. Department of Corrections. I had so many friends that were cops up in Mass. It is a very honorable profession. I had seriously considered being a cop, but after seeing what went on there I decided against it. Now I'm too old and out of shape.

I often think about this now. What are they going to do when all the law-abiding citizens leave and they are left with the criminals?

Anyway, I always wave when I see a cop in Tennessee. It's so nice to see them smile and wave back. And they are excellent at catching the bad guys. They have restored my faith in law enforcement, once again.

Thank you all for putting up with the rant. I really needed to get that off my chest.

[Elzejb]

I've been here 5 years and have yet to see a gang or any sign of one. I live in a nice neighborhood off Chiquita and Veterans is SW Cape Coral. Is it really that bad elsewhere? It's very nice here. No experience with the cop aspect...I know they were way worse in 'meddling' up in Ohio. They would pull you over for absolutely nothing there, no problems with that here but I didn't do anything there or here to worry about!

[JO7]

Cape Coral WAS a nice place to live 20 yrs ago even 10 yrs. ago....
Now, too many people, too many cars, too much crime. Never a murder,never had to worry about children playing ball in the open fields.
CRIME....it is "not" a good place to move with a young family.
Sad, but true. Cape Coral has seen better days. Time to move inland.

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by JO7

Cape Coral WAS a nice place to live 20 yrs ago even 10 yrs. ago....
Now, too many people, too many cars, too much crime. Never a murder,never had to worry about children playing ball in the open fields.
CRIME....it is "not" a good place to move with a young family.
Sad, but true. Cape Coral has seen better days. Time to move inland.

Ya move to Lehigh Acres, there is a quality place, NOT... How about Okeechobee? No jobs unless you are a farmer. No crime, ok how about Orlando? No crime there. Lakeland? No crime there... Tell me... where is this crime free town inland??????? I want to move there!!! Wait I know, in the middle of the everglades.

[ChrisA70]

NO CITY, OR TOWN in the USA is crime free... NOWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not even Mayberry!!!!!!!!!