Fort Myers and Cape Coral (Tampa, St. Petersburg: relocate, gated, apartment)

[jzizza]

I would like some feedback from people who live in Ft. Myers and Cape Coral. I would like to relocate at some point but I keep getting mixed messages about this area. Is it easy to drive around without traffic gridlock? The beaches look beautiful, are they? I would like to rent before buying to make sure I like the area and can obtain work, any preferable areas for apartment living? Any information you can offer would be appreciated.

[firemed]

Originally Posted by jzizza

I would like some feedback from people who live in Ft. Myers and Cape Coral. I would like to relocate at some point but I keep getting mixed messages about this area. Is it easy to drive around without traffic gridlock? The beaches look beautiful, are they? I would like to rent before buying to make sure I like the area and can obtain work, any preferable areas for apartment living? Any information you can offer would be appreciated.

Just use the Search on the top bar of this site, Type in Cape Coral and you should get quite a few, Good Luck

[Roadrunner69]

Heh jzizza, the area of Lee County in general is great. You read alot of negative stuff but on the whole it's really a nice area. Yes the traffic can be brutal this time of year but after a few seasons your used to it. I personally would not live in the Cape, the traffic to get to work the tolls the gas it is just not worth it to me. Jobs (what jobs) are a touchy subject, the pay scale is not keeping up with the cost of living and are getting hard to find. It would probably help if you included in your post what you are looking for in SWFL. Your age what type of job you will be looking for what type of activites and so on. At a guesstamit a nice appt. plus utilities in a nice area would probably be about 1000.00 a month. My advice to you is have a job lined up before you come down it will be much less stressful and you can enjoy SWFL right from the start. I moved here when I was 20 and I'm 51 now but things were alot easier back then jobs were everywhere (ahh the good old days) but I have not regreted it at all even with the recent activity of the hurricane seasons. (I had to mention that)

[jzizza]

Thanks for the update, it was very helpful. I am from the Boston area where I am used to a high cost of living and it sounds like Ft. Myers is not inexpensive at $1,000 per mo. I am a very young 62, still need to work and I understand healthcare would be the way to go, but my background right now is legal. I desperately want out of the cold winters here but also want to be smart about moving. It might be difficult securing a job beforehand with the current market. I love all activities especially being outdoors and the beaches look lovely to stroll on. I also have property to sell here in a soft market before I can even move! Thanks again!

[Catchsnook]

PPARxFL

Go to this website. Florida is very friendly to seniors.

Publix...the local supermarket is now giving away 7 prescriptions away for
free to Florida residents.

[whippersnapper]

There's some roads that far more crowded than others. You'll learn alternate routes pretty quick. Stay on those and you'll be fine. Fort Myers Beach is all right. Sanibel and the causeway is wayyy prettier and normally less crowded. I'd suggest hanging out there. Your background is legal? Chances are when you get a job, you'll be located in the downtown Fort Myers area because that is where the clerk and judges are. There are some new condos off West First Street in the First Street Village area that would be worth checking out. I don't know what the rent will be but I think it'd be within your range. Plus, you'll have Publix, First Watch, and Starbucks all outside your front door.

[aphro23]

Im selling my condo in Ft Myers in a beautiful gated community called Bellamar At Beachwalk. 2nd floor unit, 3/2/2 for way below what I paid for it in 2005. If you want more details, email me at aphro777@aol.com

[Catchsnook]

Wht is really good about this location.....not that you have to go anywhere.
but:

2.5hrs to the Florida Keys
2 hours to Tampa/St. Petersburg
1.5 hours to Sarasota
30 minutes Naples
2 Hours Fort Lauderdale
3 hours to Orlando

We have over 400 miles of Canals in Cape Coral/ Fort Myers area

Charter schools are Great!

Bad News....Building has come to a halt. If in the construction field I would
hold off for a couple of years.