Where to move, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers?? (Cape Coral: real estate, broker)

[2peaches2oranges]

Look at the Stillwater development in Englewood (Sarasota) or maybe in the Jacaranda area of Englewood/Venice between 41 and 776. Nice area of Sarasota County with newer subdivision in the price ranges you are looking for.

Also, Windward & Rotonda West in Englewood (Charlotte) is close to beaches and has deed restrictions and newer homes in the mid to high $200's.

[AnotherDayInParadise]

What other amenities are important to you? Do you like to eat out/shop at "malls" on a regular basis? Or will you just be enjoying the outdoors? If the latter is true, I'd be looking in Englewood.

This is not to say there are no restaurants in Englewood. There's just more variety/quantity in Sarasota.

[jeff3166]

Originally Posted by savvyd20

Don't even make the mistake of moving to Florida. It is not a great place to live. I have lived here for more than 5 years and it is extremely hot in the summers with temperatures soaring to 90 degrees and it rains all the time in the summer. Also, there is a threat of hurricanes. The school system is the worst in the country.

Enjoying life?

[jeff3166]

Originally Posted by memoriesbre

Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte are on Charlotte Harbor and the Peace River. The nearest beach is in Englewood. I wouldn't want to swim in Charlotte Harbor or the Peace River.
There is a beach complex, but like I said, the water isn't great. Port Charlotte has a lot of low priced homes but the area is less than desirable. Punta Gorda has more upscale homes but I still feel the area needs alot of improvements to compare with Marco Island, Naples, Sarasota, etc. North Port is up and coming but there are many many lots that are empty as well as homes because of the declining market. You really need to go and look for yourself. Charlotte County is behind the times with everything. We lived down there for 7 years and were promised so many things and nothing was ever done. Charlotte High School was destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane Charley and it is still sitting in the same condition as the day the storm hit Punta Gorda... DESTROYED... The commissioners in Charlotte County are horrible. Before making a decision, go and look with an open mind.

With you saying that you previously lived there, I detect some lingering bitterness in your post. Please allow me to correct your post, so as that inaccurate (and flat out bad/wrong/false) information in regards to Charlotte High School isn't left unchecked.

Thank you.

Facts: Charlotte High School was not destroyed by Hurricane Charley. "Destroyed" is a term used to describe a total loss. Charlotte High School was severely damaged by Hurricane Charley. While the school could have been repaired, operational, and reopened by now, it was decided that the then 78 year old school would not only be repaired, but completely gutted/renovated as well, since repairs would cause it to be closed for an extended period of time. That renovation is well underway, and has been for sometime, with completion due in the next year or two. Charlotte High School is not "still sitting in the same condition as the day the storm hit Punta Gorda... DESTROYED". A picture is worth a thousand words (and it doesn't lie, either), so if you click on "Bird's eye" after clicking this link----> Web browser and Live Maps are incompatible , you'll see construction/renovation in progress, not a school "still sitting in the same condition as the day the storm hit Punta Gorda... DESTROYED".

As for not swimming in the Peace River or Charlotte Harbor... while that body of water isn't Cayman Island quality, it isn't Boston Harbor either. It is swimmable, and is swam in by many people annually on July 4th during the Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim - Charlotte Harbor .

[memoriesbre]

Originally Posted by jeff3166

With you saying that you previously lived there, I detect some lingering bitterness in your post. Please allow me to correct your post, so as that inaccurate (and flat out bad/wrong/false) information in regards to Charlotte High School isn't left unchecked.

Thank you.

Facts: Charlotte High School was not destroyed by Hurricane Charley. "Destroyed" is a term used to describe a total loss. Charlotte High School was severely damaged by Hurricane Charley. While the school could have been repaired, operational, and reopened by now, it was decided that the then 78 year old school would not only be repaired, but completely gutted/renovated as well, since repairs would cause it to be closed for an extended period of time. That renovation is well underway, and has been for sometime, with completion due in the next year or two. Charlotte High School is not "still sitting in the same condition as the day the storm hit Punta Gorda... DESTROYED". A picture is worth a thousand words (and it doesn't lie, either), so if you click on "Bird's eye" after clicking this link----> Web browser and Live Maps are incompatible , you'll see construction/renovation in progress, not a school "still sitting in the same condition as the day the storm hit Punta Gorda... DESTROYED".

As for not swimming in the Peace River or Charlotte Harbor... while that body of water isn't Cayman Island quality, it isn't Boston Harbor either. It is swimmable, and is swam in by many people annually on July 4th during the Charlotte Harbor Freedom Swim - Charlotte Harbor .

Yes, that is true. The school was not completely destroyed. Kids are still using the school grounds. They have been using trailers for classes until they
finish the renovations. It just is taking forever. I lived through Hurricane Charley and when I saw what it did to the main building, to me it was destroyed as many of the buildings in Punta Gorda.

I also know that many people swim in Charlotte Harbor for 4th of July.
I myself do not find it desirable to swim in. Good luck to those that do.
If fish weren't dieing in the waters down in SW Florida maybe I would reconsider swimming in them eventually.

[jeff3166]

Originally Posted by memoriesbre

Yes, that is true. The school was not completely destroyed. Kids are still using the school grounds. They have been using trailers for classes until they
finish the renovations. It just is taking forever. I lived through Hurricane Charley and when I saw what it did to the main building, to me it was destroyed as many of the buildings in Punta Gorda.

I also know that many people swim in Charlotte Harbor for 4th of July.
I myself do not find it desirable to swim in. Good luck to those that do.
If fish weren't dieing in the waters down in SW Florida maybe I would reconsider swimming in them eventually.

I understand what you're saying about the fish dying in the coastal waters. That is something happening all along the SW coast of Florida, due to red tide. To my knowledge, Charlotte County in particular hasn't had a red tide problem, it's primarily been down in Lee County. While there isn't a polution problem in Charlotte Harbor, I can understand why some wouldn't want to swim in it... like I said, the water isn't Cayman Island quality, it isn't even close to the quality of water found on the Florida Panhandle beaches, but it's swimmable.

You are very right about it seemingly taking forever to get going on Charlotte High School. As you probably remember, following Hurricane Charley, some immediately saw the damage to the school as the perfect opportunity to finally build a new one, while others saw the opportunity to finally have a complete renovation/restoration of the old one. Finally, after a lot of politicing and after cutting through a lot of red tape to get the plans and funding, the ones that wanted renovation/restoration won and the work commenced about a year after Hurricane Charley came through.

[memoriesbre]

Originally Posted by jeff3166

I understand what you're saying about the fish dying in the coastal waters. That is something happening all along the SW coast of Florida, due to red tide. To my knowledge, Charlotte County in particular hasn't had a red tide problem, it's primarily been down in Lee County. While there isn't a polution problem in Charlotte Harbor, I can understand why some wouldn't want to swim in it... like I said, the water isn't Cayman Island quality, it isn't even close to the quality of water found on the Florida Panhandle beaches, but it's swimmable.

You are very right about it seemingly taking forever to get going on Charlotte High School. As you probably remember, following Hurricane Charley, some immediately saw the damage to the school as the perfect opportunity to finally build a new one, while others saw the opportunity to finally have a complete renovation/restoration of the old one. Finally, after a lot of politicing and after cutting through a lot of red tape to get the plans and funding, the ones that wanted renovation/restoration won and the work commenced about a year after Hurricane Charley came through.

Is the old courthouse done? Did it come out nice? It sure took them a while to decide on weather to tear that building down or renovate. Hopefully it looks great, (if done)!

[jeff3166]

Yes, after much politicing and red tape, they finally did complete and reopen it. Last I heard, they were going to use it for an appelet court, but I'm not sure if that ever happened or not. It does look nice though.

[GFMRE]

Originally Posted by Sammy654

Looking for 3-4 bdrm with pool, fairly new home near the water or at least close beach access. Thinking about, but have not been to Venice, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte or even Fort Myers. Does anyone have informatoin to offer? Thanks so much!!

There are many wonderful gated communities in South Fort Myers in the Iona/McGregor Blvd. area that might be a fit for you. This area is just a few minutes away from the Sanibel Causeway.

[brokerdave]

well fort myers, estero, bonita springs, and naples are respectable places to live and are close the to beach. once you get to cape coral (traffic with drive you crazy and the cookie cutter homes are ugly and the view of the county is something out of a movie) or lehigh (lots of drugs and illegal immigrants). north port is nice near the gulf, but then again so is everything.

which county holds the record for most single mothers with babies in the USA? i forget.