Housing in Naples for young professional (Fort Myers, Marco Island: gated, budget, apartment complex)

[S781]

I am a young (25) single guy and I am moving to Naples in a few months for a new job. I've read a lot of negative comments about the area on here -- I know it's mostly older people and it's a very expensive area -- but I'm looking for some useful advice on living options. I've lived in other areas of Florida my whole life and I've spent a little time in Naples, so I'm somewhat familiar with the area.

I'll be working pretty much in the center of Naples. I'm looking for an annual rental (furnished or unfurnished) and my budget is somewhere in the $1400-$1800 range.

Believe it or not, I've found some pretty decent places in that price range in Pelican Bay and Park Shore, but I'm concerned that there will be absolutely no one within 40 years of my age for miles. Are those decent places to live or are there better places for younger people?

Any advice on where to live and what to do with my free time once I'm there is much appreciated.

[RMD3819]

Park Shore and Pelican Bay are very upscale, especially Pelican Bay, There will be no one in your age range in either of these places, especially Pelican Bay.

With that budget for housing you have a lot of options.

I would stick with a condo in a gated community further east. They are full of retirees and snowbirds but there is a better chance of younger folks there.

It would help if you narrowed down your work a little more than "central Naples" since that could mean many things.

[novanative75]

I think finding an area around here that has a lot of young people is somewhat of a crap shoot. I would suggest some of the condos in Lely and also, there is an apartment complex off of 951, uggggh, I wish I could remember the name. It is south of 75, on the way to Marco, probably not the most convenient place in the world if you are driving downtown but I think there are a lot of young people that live there.
Ok wait, I think I remember, San Marco?
Most areas around here are snowbirds, seasonal or families. The singles scene here is not the best so there is really no one great area for singles.

My husband works with a lot of single people and some have lived there. There is also a nice collection of young, single people on Marco Island, believe it or not and fun island living. You might want to consider it if you do not mind the drive, 20 minutes or so, not bad. Like, for example, we live in North Naples and my husband drives to Marco everyday, not a big deal.

[S781]

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate the advice.

I'll be working in the Pine Ridge/41 area, so I think 951 is just too far away from both work and downtown. Marco is an interesting option that I hadn't previously given much consideration. I'll take a look into what's available in Marco.

Anyone have any input on Bayfront?

Thanks again.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by S781

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate the advice.

I'll be working in the Pine Ridge/41 area, so I think 951 is just too far away from both work and downtown. Marco is an interesting option that I hadn't previously given much consideration. I'll take a look into what's available in Marco.

Anyone have any input on Bayfront?

Thanks again.

The 20 minute commute to Marco from Pine Ridge and 41 is optimistic. That might be late night or with light summer traffic. It will easily be 45+ minutes at peak season. Traffic backs up going over the Marco bridge.

I would look at the apartments on Airport Road just north of Pine Ridge. They will have young people in them. There are also a ton of condos in the Forest Lakes community on Pine Ridge. This will be an easy commute but those are full of retirees and snowbirds.

I assume you are talking about the Bayfront at 41 and Goodlette. These are newer upscale housing. I don't know the demographics there but I doubt there are many young people there. This is a very nice area with an urban, upscale feel to it. This will be a so-so commute in the winter. Pine Ridge is very bad in the winter.

Things to do-My daughter is 23 and constantly complains there is nothing to do. She is moving to Fort Myers in a few months. Nonetheless, she frequents coffee bars with live bands, the beach, movies, the pier and that's about it.

[S781]

What about Naples Park? Is that a decent area? Any idea of the age range of the people in that community? Is it safe?

Thanks.

[TANaples]

We have a condo in South Naples about 4 miles from Marco, just off 951. I used to work on Seagate which is off Pine Ridge. The morning commute was about 30 minutes, but I drive kinda slow. It took longer in the afternoon because there was more traffic. However, the speed limit on 41 down there is 55 mpr, so you can make up a lot of time with that. Where I now live I have to go across Pine Ridge to get home. ALWAYS more traffic, and lights, there.

If you are interested, we are trying to rent that condo down there. Email me.

[S781]

I appreciate it, but I think I'm looking for a significantly shorter commute than that. I'd really like to be within 10-15 minutes from Pine Ridge and 41, with 20 minutes being about my max.

Any input on Naples Park?

Thanks.

[RMD3819]

Naples Park is mixed. The development was started in the 50s or 60s which is ancient by Naples standards. During the recent building boom, many homes wore torn down and mansions built in their place. There is also some rentals, including duplexes, which house less than desirables, including illegals. I haven't been through there lately but my guess is many illegals have left (as they have elswhere in Naples) when the construction and landscape jobs dried up.

It runs the range from mansions to decent middle class to dumps. I would consider moving there but only after looking at the place and the neighberhood/street you are on.