Concerns about a Cape Coral relocation (Estero, Winston: crime, how much, house) - Fort Myers - Cape Coral area - Florida (FL) -Lee County - City-Data Forum

Pro4x2112 · 03-30-2018, 07:07 PM

Hello,

I am thinking about relocating to Cape Coral. I am currently living in Henderson, NV and considering a move back east. I have a few places that I'm considering and want to make the right choice. I'm also looking into Greenville, SC and Winston Salem, NC. There is a lot of pros for me in Cape Coral. After living here in Vegas I'm used to nice warm winters and no snow. I have a lot of family in SW Florida and also can do the same type of work that I do now. Having a job opportunity and family in the area are both making me want to come. The low housing cost are also a huge draw for me. I can get a beautiful home for around 220k. The main thing that is alarming to me is I do have a 70 pound dog. I worry about gators and snakes. My family has a house on a canal and say they've never seen anything. I would not be living on a canal if I move. I've read thru quite a few threads on here saying gators go after dogs. If you don't live on the water can this be a problem? I would never take my dog near the water but it seems to be everywhere in SW Florida. If I relocate my criteria for a house would be in a developed area with no canals around. I would fence in my yard for my dog. Would I have to be on guard every time I let him out? Is there dog parks that don't have ponds and canals around? Is it common to have venomous snakes in your yard? I don't want to sound redundant but I do worry about these things. Thanks for any input!

don1945 · 03-30-2018, 10:48 PM

I'm an animal lover, so I fully understand your concerns. I have lived in Florida since the late 70's, and, while we have alligators, they are generally either in canals or in a lake. Snakes here are generally the non poisonous variety, and are more afraid of you than you are of them.

Tons of people have dogs here and we only hear of a very, very few attacks on them per year. You have a better chance of getting hit with lightning.

Funny story. When we moved to Florida from Pa, we found a little skeleton in one of the rooms in the house we were moving into. We thought it was a baby alligator. Turned out it was a dead lizard, about 3 inches long !

So, I can't laugh too much at your worries about gators and snakes.

Come on down, you and your pup will be fine.

Pro4x2112 · 03-30-2018, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don1945

I'm an animal lover, so I fully understand your concerns. I have lived in Florida since the late 70's, and, while we have alligators, they are generally either in canals or in a lake. Snakes here are generally the non poisonous variety, and are more afraid of you than you are of them.

Tons of people have dogs here and we only hear of a very, very few attacks on them per year. You have a better chance of getting hit with lightning.

Funny story. When we moved to Florida from Pa, we found a little skeleton in one of the rooms in the house we were moving into. We thought it was a baby alligator. Turned out it was a dead lizard, about 3 inches long !

So, I can't laugh too much at your worries about gators and snakes.

Come on down, you and your pup will be fine.

What part of PA did you move from? I'm originally from Pittsburgh.

Brucifer · 03-31-2018, 05:09 AM

Don't live there yet, but I have seen a fair number of doggie day-resorts and such just driving around. Can't think Cape Coral, even on the water, being that much more dangerous than living with the assortment of desert critters. Yes, there is nothing like a gator in Henderson, but I would think that a 70lb dog would give a suburban gator some pause and look for an easier meal. I would think your dog would have to go down to the water's edge in a canal to be in any real danger. I guess it would also depend on how much of an outdoor dog your's is; it might be too humid for your furry friend to hang outside for too long.

https://www.bringfido.com/attraction...e_coral_fl_us/

don1945 · 03-31-2018, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro4x2112

What part of PA did you move from? I'm originally from Pittsburgh.

Me too. Grew up in the Belle Vernon area, then lived all around that part of the State, ending up in Latrobe. You ?

agstacker · 03-31-2018, 09:04 AM

I would not worry about a gator. Especially since you won't be living by a canal or lake. Not sure if Bufo toads are in Cape Coral or not.
Bufo toads have been showing up alot down here. I've had many friends dogs encounter them. I would be very careful of them because they will poison and kill your dog.

Pro4x2112 · 03-31-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by don1945

Me too. Grew up in the Belle Vernon area, then lived all around that part of the State, ending up in Latrobe. You ?

I grew up in North Hills and then lived out by the airport for 10 years. I've been out in Vegas for a few years now. I've gotten used to warm sunny weather lol. After being out here I don't think I could ever live in the cold again.

Pro4x2112 · 03-31-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucifer

Don't live there yet, but I have seen a fair number of doggie day-resorts and such just driving around. Can't think Cape Coral, even on the water, being that much more dangerous than living with the assortment of desert critters. Yes, there is nothing like a gator in Henderson, but I would think that a 70lb dog would give a suburban gator some pause and look for an easier meal. I would think your dog would have to go down to the water's edge in a canal to be in any real danger. I guess it would also depend on how much of an outdoor dog your's is; it might be too humid for your furry friend to hang outside for too long.

https://www.bringfido.com/attraction...e_coral_fl_us/

I'm not sure about humidity but heat doesn't bother him. When it's 120 degrees outside it doesn't slow him down. Now on the rare occasion when it rains ... different story. He acts like a baby and won't even walk outside. Back in PA he wouldn't go outside in the cold. Believe it or not in Vegas you never see any desert critters... I've never seen anything other than a rabbit and occasional coyote. I spend A LOT of time going out into the desert and have never seen a snake or scorpion. I do however think the gators in Cape Coral are probably safer than the crime and drivers in Vegas. One thing I really like about Cape Coral when I visit is how quiet it is.

Pro4x2112 · 03-31-2018, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agstacker

I would not worry about a gator. Especially since you won't be living by a canal or lake. Not sure if Bufo toads are in Cape Coral or not.
Bufo toads have been showing up alot down here. I've had many friends dogs encounter them. I would be very careful of them because they will poison and kill your dog.

I've heard of those in Arizona I didn't know Florida had them. Where do your friends live that have had a problem with them?

agstacker · 03-31-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pro4x2112

I've heard of those in Arizona I didn't know Florida had them. Where do your friends live that have had a problem with them?

I live in Estero. I have a dog but never seen a Bufo. People in my community have had their dog get a hold of one. Luckily in all the cases they either had water with them or had a hose nearby to spray their dogs mouth. Their dogs mouth will begin to foam and you must spray water immediately in and around the mouth.