PUNTA GORDA SCHOOLS/DEEP CREEK ~moving from New Jersey

[121804]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Generally speaking, North Port homes are more affordable then Punta Gorda. The average age in North Port (40 years old) is much lower than Punta Gorda (63 years old). I would say that there are probably more foreclosures in North Port than in Punta Gorda.

Punta Gorda will not be far behind.

[AnotherDayInParadise]

Originally Posted by 121804

That being said, I have very little knowledge of North Port other than it seems to be in a transition stage & not much there.

The reatil/commercial is picking up. Within the city limits of North Port are three Publix Supermarkets (one brand new), a Perkins, ABC Wine & Liquor, Home Depot, and Wal-Mart along with Buffalo Wild Wings, Beef O'Brady's, and several smaller restaurants. Coming soon are Sports Authority, Lowes & Bealls, along with a free-standing 23-hour emergency clinic.

[MYTHREESONSMOM]

Considering the ages of your children, Deep Creek may be exactly where you want to be. We live in Deep Creek and picked it because there are so many families with children. Also the grade school here is exceptional. The school is called Deep Creek Elementary and people move to Deep Creek just to go there. Yes, there are some restrictions but there are more positives. Most homes have large yards, many homes have pools and prices are very affordable right now. You can't have a fence but we have wide open areas all around which really adds to the appeal of Deep Creek. Also the area where we are continues to grow and more restaurants etc are moving closer to the area. We are also centrally located very close to I-75 which makes it an easy drive to either Sarasota, Siesta Key beach or Fort Myers.

When we checked out all of the areas in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, we found there are many areas that have high concentrations of only seniors. Your children will have lots of friends to play with if they are in Deep Creek. Good luck with your search. I have been in Deep Creek for five years and I would not move for anything. Our three boys love it here and they loved Deep Creek Elementary. As far as Deep Creek being a ghetto, you have got to be kidding. Deep Creek is a golf course community with lots of gorgeous water views. Most of the homes are beautifull, and because of the Deed restrictions, any house not up to code would be addressed. So if there was a problem, it would not be that way for long. I would never even consider moving to North Port. Before you consider a move there, be sure to check out the info on the brand new middle school and the huge drug problem. That is not an issue at any of the schools my kids have attended including Deep Creek Elem, Punta Gorda Middle and Charlotte High School. The prices in North Port have dropped more than Deep Creek so North Port is more affordable. Many of the areas let people have huge boats and campers in their yard and that looks more like a ghetto trust me. Deep Creek has over 5000 homes so I don't know what street these other people were talking about. It is gorgeous here. With young children, you may want a cul de sac. We live on a cul de sac and it is very quiet. The roads are all the same size as everywhere else. I did not understand that comment either. Deep Creek only has a small park--nice for younger kids and tennis courts and basketball court but it is less than a mile or so from the new park in Charlotte Harbor that is really nice. I believe it just opened this month. You are also close to all the activities across the bridge in Punta Gorda. Many of those activities are for kids. Also Deep Creek is not in a flood zone so no flood insurance unless you want it for cheap. I believe we are the highest point in Charlotte County which is something to consider over the other areas. Obviously I am biased because we live here but we have so many nice neighbors and that really makes the area so nice. There is also another area that is nice. It is a gated community called Suncoast Lakes. It is off Kings Highway and is less than a mile from Deep Creek. All of the homes are new and there is a community pool. Not sure what grade school the area is though.

[memoriesbre]

Originally Posted by MYTHREESONSMOM

Considering the ages of your children, Deep Creek may be exactly where you want to be. We live in Deep Creek and picked it because there are so many families with children. Also the grade school here is exceptional. The school is called Deep Creek Elementary and people move to Deep Creek just to go there. Yes, there are some restrictions but there are more positives. Most homes have large yards, many homes have pools and prices are very affordable right now. You can't have a fence but we have wide open areas all around which really adds to the appeal of Deep Creek. Also the area where we are continues to grow and more restaurants etc are moving closer to the area. We are also centrally located very close to I-75 which makes it an easy drive to either Sarasota, Siesta Key beach or Fort Myers.

When we checked out all of the areas in Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, we found there are many areas that have high concentrations of only seniors. Your children will have lots of friends to play with if they are in Deep Creek. Good luck with your search. I have been in Deep Creek for five years and I would not move for anything. Our three boys love it here and they loved Deep Creek Elementary. As far as Deep Creek being a ghetto, you have got to be kidding. Deep Creek is a golf course community with lots of gorgeous water views. Most of the homes are beautifull, and because of the Deed restrictions, any house not up to code would be addressed. So if there was a problem, it would not be that way for long. I would never even consider moving to North Port. Before you consider a move there, be sure to check out the info on the brand new middle school and the huge drug problem. That is not an issue at any of the schools my kids have attended including Deep Creek Elem, Punta Gorda Middle and Charlotte High School. The prices in North Port have dropped more than Deep Creek so North Port is more affordable. Many of the areas let people have huge boats and campers in their yard and that looks more like a ghetto trust me. Deep Creek has over 5000 homes so I don't know what street these other people were talking about. It is gorgeous here. With young children, you may want a cul de sac. We live on a cul de sac and it is very quiet. The roads are all the same size as everywhere else. I did not understand that comment either. Deep Creek only has a small park--nice for younger kids and tennis courts and basketball court but it is less than a mile or so from the new park in Charlotte Harbor that is really nice. I believe it just opened this month. You are also close to all the activities across the bridge in Punta Gorda. Many of those activities are for kids. Also Deep Creek is not in a flood zone so no flood insurance unless you want it for cheap. I believe we are the highest point in Charlotte County which is something to consider over the other areas. Obviously I am biased because we live here but we have so many nice neighbors and that really makes the area so nice. There is also another area that is nice. It is a gated community called Suncoast Lakes. It is off Kings Highway and is less than a mile from Deep Creek. All of the homes are new and there is a community pool. Not sure what grade school the area is though.

Yes, there are nice homes but there are alot of homes that look run-down. That goes for North Port, Port Charotte and Punta Gorda. Deep Creek has restrictions but I passed homes that have broken those restrictions and nothing was done to correct those mistakes. We came down back in December and past our old home and the area does look a bit drab compared to other areas of Florida. Rt. 41 is still waiting for some beautification to take place. You will have to go there and see for yourself. I do miss my home in Deep Creek but not all the people that move in and then move out within a few years. We had homes around us with new owners in them more than two or more times since we lived there. It seems nobody stays in that area for long.
Deep Creek is nice but the association needs to get their act together!

[paknowsbest]

Hello everyone, I was in Punta Gorda last Nov. and looked at 2 homes in Deep Creek the area looked nice but not being from the area I ran out of time and want to come back to area and look around some more this year. I found the prices had just went out of site in the Naples area and Fort Myers crime only seem to be going up. Punta Gorda / North Port crime was much lower and the home prices were more in line for the middle class if want to call it that. Could any of you from the area give me some advise on some of the nicer areas to look for some homes other than Deep Creek. Not to say that maybe a home may come up 4 sale thats what I'm looking for. I did see a home that sold in Suncoast Lakes that was very nice but photos are one thing and it doesn't let me see what the area is like.

[SoFLGal]

Yes, you're right, pictures can be very deceiving. I do know there were a few foreclosed homes in Suncoast Lakes,that sold recently at very good prices.

There's a home right now in Suncoast Lakes that is over 2000 sq ft under air, built in 2006, with a view of the lake and listed at $159,900. From what I remember it just needs paint and carpet.

There are some great deals in North Port right now. Most of what's selling in NP is foreclosed property because the banks generally want to unload them quickly and usually start the homes at reasonable prices and are really willing to bargain.

Good luck with your search!

[paknowsbest]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Good luck with your search!

Thank you.

[SVale]

Don't know if your still considering Punta Gorda, but in case you are, I find most of the comments pretty harsh. We built a home in PG in 93 and have loved it, true you do have a high # of retired folks, which means lower crime and a host of other benefits. Sallie Jones the public elementary and Good Shephard, private school, are great schools, Good Shepards begins a second lang in Pre-K. Our daughter was very active in dance and theatre, our son kept us running with everything from football (Pop Warner), baseball, soccer, BMX and all within 10 minutes of the house. The folks are really friendly we find our social calendar with couples our age full. I grew up in West Palm and this is quality Florida. Good Luck

[memoriesbre]

Originally Posted by SVale

Don't know if your still considering Punta Gorda, but in case you are, I find most of the comments pretty harsh. We built a home in PG in 93 and have loved it, true you do have a high # of retired folks, which means lower crime and a host of other benefits. Sallie Jones the public elementary and Good Shephard, private school, are great schools, Good Shepards begins a second lang in Pre-K. Our daughter was very active in dance and theatre, our son kept us running with everything from football (Pop Warner), baseball, soccer, BMX and all within 10 minutes of the house. The folks are really friendly we find our social calendar with couples our age full. I grew up in West Palm and this is quality Florida. Good Luck

You may like it in Punta Gorda but as you stated, you grew up in West Palm.

Coming from NJ, it's a whole different world. Florida is great for vacations but living there fulltime is not for everybody.