Naples--ANYthing positive? (Country Club, Lely, Christmas: new home, landlords, salary)

[tjstrain]

Every new community here in SW Florida has restrictions. It's been that way probably for at least 10 or 15 years. The builders wanted their developments looking good for a long time since their building their reputations on past projects and relying on future sales based on past work. My development is about 15 years old and it's at the point where a few of the neighbors were letting their places go into disrepair. Once that starts it spreads like a virus unless it is addressed. Just look at San Carlos Park, here in south Ft myers. You have slums next to nice homes. those nice home owners are selling low just to get out and in turn another slum usually starts. Landlords are picking up those low priced houses and renting out by the room. You might have a dozen unrelated people living in one small house. Which is actually against county codes (more restrictions). So now you have 8 cars and trucks parking on a driveway and lawn that was designed for 2 or 3 vehicles. I think your getting the picture.....
I've got two lawyers living across from me, I wish I had their view everyday of my home and property. But I'm stuck looking at their STUFF and overgrown trees and shrubs and 4 cat boxes sitting outside their front door. They had a driveway full of crap (looked like stuff for good will or salvation army) sitting out for a month until the neighborhood association asked them to put it in their garage or get rid of it. Some people just think of themselves and no-one else.
Rules and regulations are good as long as some do not get carried away with them.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by tjstrain

Every new community here in SW Florida has restrictions. It's been that way probably for at least 10 or 15 years. The builders wanted their developments looking good for a long time since their building their reputations on past projects and relying on future sales based on past work. My development is about 15 years old and it's at the point where a few of the neighbors were letting their places go into disrepair. Once that starts it spreads like a virus unless it is addressed. Just look at San Carlos Park, here in south Ft myers. You have slums next to nice homes. those nice home owners are selling low just to get out and in turn another slum usually starts. Landlords are picking up those low priced houses and renting out by the room. You might have a dozen unrelated people living in one small house. Which is actually against county codes (more restrictions). So now you have 8 cars and trucks parking on a driveway and lawn that was designed for 2 or 3 vehicles. I think your getting the picture.....
I've got two lawyers living across from me, I wish I had their view everyday of my home and property. But I'm stuck looking at their STUFF and overgrown trees and shrubs and 4 cat boxes sitting outside their front door. They had a driveway full of crap (looked like stuff for good will or salvation army) sitting out for a month until the neighborhood association asked them to put it in their garage or get rid of it. Some people just think of themselves and no-one else.
Rules and regulations are good as long as some do not get carried away with them.

in comparison to where I used to live (LI). There were no HOA or developments. Builders? What builders? These homes were 40, 50, or 60 years old. People maintained them, even the retirees, just because of a sense of community pride; not to mention if they wanted to sell in the future, others would not want to move into a slum-like neighborhood.

The development where I live is mostly snowbirds and retirees. Most of the year it's deserted, so you won't have what you describe. I will admit that I really don't have a sense of "community" here, but it's still my house and I want to maintain my property in order to sell it the future. I could care less about the palm trees and tropical plants outside, but if that is what the development wants, so be it. I can keep the inside of my home anyway I want. No, tropical theme INSIDE for me. I decorate to my own "northern" tastes and that is my perogative. Any potential buyer can easily replace furniture and pictures.

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by WingsAsEaglz

Can someone tell me if the breezes cool off the west coast of FL as well as they do in SE FL? They make the summers much more bearable to me. But I think the prevailing winds go NW so I wonder about Naples. Do you get nice breezes off the bay?

We lived in a $300k home (worth $425k before the meltdown) about 5 miles from the gulf and there were no breezes in the summer, just in the winter when it's a cold wind.

You need to be directly on the beach to get breezes, not even a block back. And then beware of red tide. It makes your eyes water, respiratory problems, etc. Your realtor won't tell you but people who have paid $1 million plus (that maybe buys a small beachside condo) have to keep the windows shut tight or suffer the consequences.

Scientists don't know what causes red tide. It could be fertilizer runoff causing algae bloom. Lots of golf courses there that need to stay green.

[WingsAsEaglz]

Originally Posted by LewLew

Just had to comment on the thread.... I agree with almost everything here. Naples and surrounding areas have no sense of community. There are no roots, and the educational system is horrifying. I also agree that people move here with thoughts of sugarplums, and soon they realize that living somewhere is a lot more than scenery and weather. You end up having to work, don't hit the beach, and are pastey white like when you lived up north. (why do you think tanning salons do so much business down here)

My husband and I enjoyed it until we became parents, and realized there is nothing here for him. We want him to grow up with the same neighborhood kids (not behind marshalled gates either), see the same people at the stores etc., have a strong education etc. Thus, for those reasons we are thinking of leaving. We'll miss the weather when we are freezing, but again....if weather is the ONLY reason you move somewhere, you'll soon find yourself leaving.

I agree with you totally. I moved to the middle of the Keys in FL and loved the weather but it did not hold me there. Too many unfriendly people and then after I totalled my car I had to depend on the unpredictable bus schedule to get groceries and to get anywhere. And if there is an accident on the only road (Overseas Highway) then you are stuck for as long as it takes to clean up the accident. And if someone tragically dies on the highway expect to wait at least four hours.
So I moved to Pompano Beach. I loved the weather and the beach only three blocks away. But the homeless crack-heads ruin the place for everybody else.
I grew up in the Finger Lakes area of upstate New York and I would highly recommend it for a great place to grow up. You do not get as much snow if you live south of I-90 and there is so much variety in each of the small cities at each end of each Finger Lakes. My personal favorites are Ithaca and Canandaigua. Avoid Auburn! I grew up in the country-yes there is lots of country in upstate NY-halfway between Auburn and Ithaca. The people in the Finger Lakes area are definetly rooted and I never saw gated communities until I left central New York. I'd stay away from the bigger cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Syracuse unless you live in the suburbs. But Ithaca is a great diversified small city thanks to Cornell University and Ithaca College. People are mostly friendly and there are beautiful gorges there.

[Fischer_girl]

I am not so sure that there is anything negative to say about Naples other than the high cost of living. Naples is absolutely beautiful, friendly, open and there is ALWAYS something to do! Especially if you are outdoorsy!

[maggiekate]

Have you considered the New Tampa Area, which may be more money wise cheaper. They have
some very good rentals cheap. You are near usf and the beaches. You could even go for an MA after you become a state resident. Check out jobs in hillsboro or pasco county. Naples is ok might costly.

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by WingsAsEaglz

I agree with you totally. I moved to the middle of the Keys in FL and loved the weather but it did not hold me there. Too many unfriendly people and then after I totalled my car I had to depend on the unpredictable bus schedule to get groceries and to get anywhere. And if there is an accident on the only road (Overseas Highway) then you are stuck for as long as it takes to clean up the accident. And if someone tragically dies on the highway expect to wait at least four hours.
So I moved to Pompano Beach. I loved the weather and the beach only three blocks away. But the homeless crack-heads ruin the place for everybody else.
I grew up in the Finger Lakes area of upstate New York and I would highly recommend it for a great place to grow up. You do not get as much snow if you live south of I-90 and there is so much variety in each of the small cities at each end of each Finger Lakes. My personal favorites are Ithaca and Canandaigua. Avoid Auburn! I grew up in the country-yes there is lots of country in upstate NY-halfway between Auburn and Ithaca. The people in the Finger Lakes area are definetly rooted and I never saw gated communities until I left central New York. I'd stay away from the bigger cities like Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Syracuse unless you live in the suburbs. But Ithaca is a great diversified small city thanks to Cornell University and Ithaca College. People are mostly friendly and there are beautiful gorges there.

My husband grew up in CT, and loves towns like that. I grew up in Ohio, and oddly enough, don't mind the snow. I find it beautiful. I hate it when I have to scrape my car, and run errands, but otherwise...very homey and cozy. I feel like I'm trapped in my house when I'm in FL. You ALWAYS want to be outside, and let's be honest....you can't always be.
My corporate office is outside of Syracuse, but closer to St. Lawrence river. It is lovely up there. We also don't mind the country. Where did you end up?

[Kuota]

Originally Posted by LewLew

My husband grew up in CT, and loves towns like that. I grew up in Ohio, and oddly enough, don't mind the snow. I find it beautiful. I hate it when I have to scrape my car, and run errands, but otherwise...very homey and cozy. I feel like I'm trapped in my house when I'm in FL. You ALWAYS want to be outside, and let's be honest....you can't always be.
My corporate office is outside of Syracuse, but closer to St. Lawrence river. It is lovely up there. We also don't mind the country. Where did you end up?

Gotta love Upstate New York:
Aug. 12 - Moved into our new home in Upstate NY. It is s o beautiful here. The hills and river valleys are so picturesque. I have a beautiful old oak tree in my front yard. Can hardly wait to see the change in the seasons. This is truly God's Country.
Oct. 14 - Upstate New York is such a gorgeous place to live, one of the real special places on Earth. The leaves are turning a multitude of different colors. I love all of the shades of reds, oranges and yellows, they are so bright. I want to walk through all of the beautiful hills and spot some white tail deer. They are so graceful, certainly they must be the most peaceful creatures on Earth. This must be paradise.
Nov. 11 - Deer season opens this week. I can't imagine why
anyone would want to shoot these elegant animals. They are the very symbol of peace and tranquility here in New York. I hope it snows soon. I love it here!
Dec. 2 - It snowed last night. I woke to the usual wonderful sight:
everything covered in a beautiful blanket of white. The oak tree is
magnificent It looks like a postcard. We went out and swept the snow from the steps and driveway. The air is so crisp, clean and refreshing. We had a snowball fight. I won, and the snowplow came down the street. He must have gotten too close to the driveway because we had to go out and shovel the end of the driveway again. What a beautiful place. Nature in harmony. I love it here!

Dec. 12 - More snow last night. I love it! The plow did his cute little
trick again. What a rascal.=2 0A winter wonderland. I love it


Dec. 19 - More snow - couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work in time. I'm exhausted from all of the shoveling. And that snowplow!

Dec. 21 - More of that white crap coming down. I've got blisters on my hands and a kink in my back. I think that the snowplow driver waits around the corner until I'm done shoveling the driveway.

Dec. 25 - White Christmas? More freakin' snow. If I ever get my hands on the son-of-a-b--h who drives that snowplow, I swear I'll crush him. And why don't they use more salt on these roads to melt this crap??

Dec. 28 - It hasn't stopped snowing since Thanksgiving. I have been inside since then, except of course when that SOB "Snowplow Harry" comes by. Can't go anywhere, cars are buried up to the windows. Weather
man says to expect another 10 inches. Do you have any idea how many shovelfuls 10 inches is??

Jan. 1 - Happy New Year?
he way it's coming down it won't melt until the 4th of July! The snowplow got stuck down the road and the idiot actually had the nerve to come and ask to borrow a shovel! I told him I'd broken 6 already this season.
Jan. 4 - Finally got out of the house. We went to the store to get some food and a goddamn deer ran out in front of my car and I hit the bum. It did $3,000 in damage to the car. Those beasts ought to be killed. The hunters should have a longer season if you ask me.

Jan. 27 - Warmed up a little and rained today. The rain turned the snow into ice and the weight of it broke the main limb of the oak tree in the front yard and it went through the
roof. I should have cut that old piece of crap into fireplace wood when I had the chance.

May 23 - Took my car to the local garage. Would you believe the whole underside of the car is rusted away from all of that damn salt they dump on the road? Car looks like a bashed up, heap of rusted cow dung.
May 10 - Sold the car, the house, and moved to Florida. I can't imagine why anyone in their freakin' mind would ever want to live in the God forsaken State of New York.

ust bought a new home in Lely Gold and Country Club. Best move we ever made.

[BigMunch]

Nice post !!!!
lol

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by Kuota

Gotta love Upstate New York:
Aug. 12 - Moved into our new home in Upstate NY. It is s o beautiful here. The hills and river valleys are so picturesque. I have a beautiful old oak tree in my front yard. Can hardly wait to see the change in the seasons. This is truly God's Country.
Oct. 14 - Upstate New York is such a gorgeous place to live, one of the real special places on Earth. The leaves are turning a multitude of different colors. I love all of the shades of reds, oranges and yellows, they are so bright. I want to walk through all of the beautiful hills and spot some white tail deer. They are so graceful, certainly they must be the most peaceful creatures on Earth. This must be paradise.
Nov. 11 - Deer season opens this week. I can't imagine why
anyone would want to shoot these elegant animals. They are the very symbol of peace and tranquility here in New York. I hope it snows soon. I love it here!
Dec. 2 - It snowed last night. I woke to the usual wonderful sight:
everything covered in a beautiful blanket of white. The oak tree is
magnificent It looks like a postcard. We went out and swept the snow from the steps and driveway. The air is so crisp, clean and refreshing. We had a snowball fight. I won, and the snowplow came down the street. He must have gotten too close to the driveway because we had to go out and shovel the end of the driveway again. What a beautiful place. Nature in harmony. I love it here!

Dec. 12 - More snow last night. I love it! The plow did his cute little
trick again. What a rascal.=2 0A winter wonderland. I love it


Dec. 19 - More snow - couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work in time. I'm exhausted from all of the shoveling. And that snowplow!

Dec. 21 - More of that white crap coming down. I've got blisters on my hands and a kink in my back. I think that the snowplow driver waits around the corner until I'm done shoveling the driveway.

Dec. 25 - White Christmas? More freakin' snow. If I ever get my hands on the son-of-a-b--h who drives that snowplow, I swear I'll crush him. And why don't they use more salt on these roads to melt this crap??

Dec. 28 - It hasn't stopped snowing since Thanksgiving. I have been inside since then, except of course when that SOB "Snowplow Harry" comes by. Can't go anywhere, cars are buried up to the windows. Weather
man says to expect another 10 inches. Do you have any idea how many shovelfuls 10 inches is??

Jan. 1 - Happy New Year?
he way it's coming down it won't melt until the 4th of July! The snowplow got stuck down the road and the idiot actually had the nerve to come and ask to borrow a shovel! I told him I'd broken 6 already this season.
Jan. 4 - Finally got out of the house. We went to the store to get some food and a goddamn deer ran out in front of my car and I hit the bum. It did $3,000 in damage to the car. Those beasts ought to be killed. The hunters should have a longer season if you ask me.

Jan. 27 - Warmed up a little and rained today. The rain turned the snow into ice and the weight of it broke the main limb of the oak tree in the front yard and it went through the
roof. I should have cut that old piece of crap into fireplace wood when I had the chance.

May 23 - Took my car to the local garage. Would you believe the whole underside of the car is rusted away from all of that damn salt they dump on the road? Car looks like a bashed up, heap of rusted cow dung.
May 10 - Sold the car, the house, and moved to Florida. I can't imagine why anyone in their freakin' mind would ever want to live in the God forsaken State of New York.

ust bought a new home in Lely Gold and Country Club. Best move we ever made.

It is NOTHING like upstate NY. For one thing there is no lake effect snow. Generally, it is also at least 15 degrees wamer. In the 5 boroughs, unless you OWN your house, you don't shovel. The landlords and store owners shovel. Hell, I grew up in Manhattan and didn't even know how to drive or own a car until I was 30 years old. NONE of what you said applies in the slightest degree. Pun, pun. I lived on LI too for 20 years and NEVER experienced any of what you described.

Last Saturday, I was in Manhattan and it was snowing. We took the SUBWAY. We went shopping, visited Ground Zero, ate, etc., then went back on the SUBWAY. Yep, very, very difficult traveling around in the snow.

What is going on today in NAPLES? SWAMP BUGGY RACES. Oh, yipppeeee. What "culture".

Nope, I'll take ANYTHING in Manhattan over THAT.