Naples--ANYthing positive? (Immokalee, Pine Ridge: mortgage, relocating, hoa fees)

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by 2florida

We're moving to FL because of both my husband's job and mine. My husband is an insurance adjuster and needs to closer to catastrophe work (i.e. hurricanes). Plus, I'm looking at two jobs (one in Naples and one in Delray) in the banking industry. Basically, I handle high net worth individuals, private wealth. We have two children, ages 5 & 7, and are trying to pick the better of the two locations. I'm really hesitant about West Palm, Boca, and Delray for numerous reasons, and plus, we've lived in Tampa before and love the west coast.

The fact that both of you will have jobs before you arrive is a HUGE plus.

Naples is full of high net worth individuals and we get hurricanes!

I'm not that familiar with Delray but I lived in Boca from 81-83, then I moved to Tampa, then to Naples in 86. I loved Tampa.

The school system is in a HUGE amount of turmoil right now, and for reasons other than the economy. Naples is not a kid-friendly town. It is a town of wealthy retirees run by wealthy retirees and the political machine reflects this. Education is not a priority for these folks as their kids are grown.

That said, there are plenty of families here but the overall lifestyle favors the retired and the tourists.

Selecting your school zone is extremely important as there are differences in the quality of the schools.

We can help with areas in Naples to live once you have narrowed things down.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by RMD3819

The fact that both of you will have jobs before you arrive is a HUGE plus.

Naples is full of high net worth individuals and we get hurricanes!

I'm not that familiar with Delray but I lived in Boca from 81-83, then I moved to Tampa, then to Naples in 86. I loved Tampa.

The school system is in a HUGE amount of turmoil right now, and for reasons other than the economy. Naples is not a kid-friendly town. It is a town of wealthy retirees run by wealthy retirees and the political machine reflects this. Education is not a priority for these folks as their kids are grown.

That said, there are plenty of families here but the overall lifestyle favors the retired and the tourists.

Selecting your school zone is extremely important as there are differences in the quality of the schools.

We can help with areas in Naples to live once you have narrowed things down.

Totally agree. I also work in the Collier School District. It is not pretty what is happenng, both teachers AND parents are very upset about it. Nobody knows what will happen in the coming months or when/if it will get better.

I know a teacher who works in Naples, but lives in Bonita. It is not great in Lee either, but apparently, according to her, not as bad as in Collier.

Good luck.

[janp]

We may be relocating to Naples with a middle school aged child. I have been looking at homes in the 34109, 34110, 34119 areas (good GreatSchools.net ratings and homes in our price range ($250-350K).

Would be interested to know what is upsetting parents and teachers at the Collier Co. schools.

Thanks for any info that could help with our decision.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by janp

We may be relocating to Naples with a middle school aged child. I have been looking at homes in the 34109, 34110, 34119 areas (good GreatSchools.net ratings and homes in our price range ($250-350K).

Would be interested to know what is upsetting parents and teachers at the Collier Co. schools.

Thanks for any info that could help with our decision.

It's very long. In the meantime, go to the NaplesNews.com site. Put in a search on schools. It has all been in the papers for months. I can give you a few first hand examples, but I would rather not get into specific detail here and now.

It isn't just in Collier. From what I have been hearing on this and other boards, it is all over Florida this year. It's just a matter of degree from one county to another.

Sorry to seem so abrupt, but my daughter is here from NY and is leaving tomorrow. I want to spend some time with her before she leaves.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by janp

We may be relocating to Naples with a middle school aged child. I have been looking at homes in the 34109, 34110, 34119 areas (good GreatSchools.net ratings and homes in our price range ($250-350K).

Would be interested to know what is upsetting parents and teachers at the Collier Co. schools.

Thanks for any info that could help with our decision.

Those zip codes cover a lot of area. If you could be more specific with a development, school, street, area etc we can provide better advice.

You should be able to get a decent place with that budget.

Do you have employment lined up?

[2florida]

Thanks for the responses. How is Bonita Springs? I know you mentioned Lee is better than Collier, but just curious. Does anyone know anything about Delray or Boca schools?

[janp]

Sorry to get off topic somewhat...but this thread seems to have the most info on Naples specifically (good and/or bad).

Thanks for the link (naplesnews.com)...I'll wade through some of the info there re: the schools. Have a nice visit w/your daughter!

I have never been to Naples, and my H is on his way back from a very promising interview. We would not move w/o at least his job lined up.

I have done some searching on Realtor.com. Most listings do not mention which school zones they are in, I have been going purely on zip codes. The schools in the zip codes we are looking at are:
34110 N. Naples MS;
34109 Pine Ridge MS;
34119 Oak Ridge MS.

Some of the neighborhoods with listings that looked nice:
34109 Crossings, Victoria Park, Wilshire Lakes
34110 Mango Cay, Palm River, Willoughby Acres
34119 Laurel Lakes, Pebblebrooke Lakes, Indigo Lakes

Also looking at 34120 Valencia Lakes and Country Club, which looks like you get way more house for the money, but on the map it also looks like it is built in the swamp and is a bit far from town (exp with the cost of gas).

Thanks much for any/all help/advice!

[RMD3819]

Here is a school zoning map: http://www.collier.k12.fl.us/parents/docs/zonesMS.pdf

I don't have any experience directly with the public schools so I'll let someone else comment on specific schools.

All the neighborhoods listed are fine. Victoria Park, Palm River, and Willoughby Acres are all older (1960s-70s) communities. Nothing wrong with that, just that the others are newer-1980s and up.

Valencia Lakes is very nice but you have to be careful about the commute. Generally the farther east you are the better overall home value.

It would help if you could give us the general location of your employment. The commute can be hell in the winter depending on where you are.

I would also advise on renting first.

[janp]

Thanks for the info RMD.

Office is near 3rd Ave. S and Goodlette-Frank Rd. Is traffic really that bad?? We lived in the ATL area for many years, so we know bad traffic.

Yes, renting is probably a good idea; however, we have been in a tiny apt. w/ half of our stuff in storage for ~a year (we relocated to UT and were building a house in SLC then H was laid off...ugh). Don't know how much longer I can live in temporary housing w/o my stuff. I am so ready to be settled. We may try and rent for a month or so...but still need to figure out school district. With school starting mid aug, our time lines are pretty tight...it might be a fun ride if we end up in Naples

Being so far away, I appriciate any/all info anyone can provide!

[RMD3819]

Yes, traffic will be absolute hell in the winter in that part of town.

I would strongly urge you to get housing as close as feasible to H's work. I realize you are looking at school districts also. The commute in/out of Old Naples is rough in the winter, especially at rush hour.

Valencia is absolutely out with that kind of commute. I can easily see that taking an hour during peak season rush hour.

All of those developments you listed are in North Naples which will still be quite a commute, although some are reasonably close to Goodlette road so it would be straight shot southbound.

Those communities are all gated except for Willoughby, Palm River and Victoria Park. I'm not positive about the Crossings or Mango Cay but it seems likely they are gated also, if that matters.