Where to move, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers??

[ChrisA70]

I lived in 4 of the cities mentioned, and ALL have traffic that will drive you crazy, especially Naples... That is the worst for traffic. I'll take the Capes traffic any day over Naples, Bonita or Fort Myers.

I don't see the cookie cutter houses? Like Naples is not full of them!!! You must sell only in the areas you quoted as "respectable"... Unfair comparison...

Illegal immigrants are everywhere around here, even though I agree Lehigh is nowhere I would ever live.

Originally Posted by 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.

[marie3]

I had some pretty harsh things to say about fort myers, and charlotte cty in general FOR YOUNG families on my other post. I didn't mean to sound so negative, but that is how my life here is. Punta gorda IS VERY QUAINT and has the cutest little historic key west style houses, and it has a cute shopping area called Fishermans Village where I buy all my shoes at a great boutique there. Yes, I would RETIRE there, But I could not even imagine raising children there. I raised my kids in cinci and they are still there and I'm going back. Rich with diversity and culture and so much to do. Fun life I had back in those days. If I were able to buy right now in florida and could be a "snowbird", I just made a comment to my husband yesterday when we were in Estero, "love those condos" "love this area". It's in between Fort Myers and Naples, and $300000 condos are now going in the low 100,000's. Great little houses too! It's really, really nice area and now it is really, really affordable. The absolute best malls I have ever seen, restaurants, beaches everywhere near by, easy access to hospitals and just about everything. If you can't find it in Naples, you can go to fort myers because it's in between. I know the the local college Florida Gulf Coast has record numbers in enrollment in Estero and they have built just in the last year, tons and tons of restaurants and shopping for the students. Take a look at the real estate there now, because it is rock bottom from what it was just 1 year ago. Well worth looking into. In fact, we are looking there ourselves for a condo to rent.

[LovingCapeCoral]

We love Cape Coral, and the access to water and beaches. You may want to rent a year and then buy, although there are great deals right now. My dad is looking at a currently lived in, 3 BDR 2 BA home in mid-Cape with 1700 square feet and pool for 98k. The cape portion of lee county schools rate mostly A's and B's on the state system, and we are impressed by what we have seen (my daughter is in eighth grade). Compared to the excellent level school system my daughter attended in Ohio this is great and the buildings are brand new.

[dvdplayland]

Originally Posted by Sammy654

We love Marco Island and wish that we could move there. We are looking for "the next best place". We like the beaches, boats, fishing and warmth. Living in Indiana it is hard to figure out what comes close to what we want. We looked at Sarasota and everything newer, in our price range, is sooo far away from the water. Englewood does not seem to have much in what we are looking for either. Naples is quite expensive and again, you end up pretty far from the water. 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!!

What exactly are you looking for since Englewood does not work for you? The beaches along Manasota Key are awesome and Englewood is right there. I live 5 miles from Englewood beach and love it. I admit if you want something that isn't so laid back you should try Sarasota. Venice is pretty much the same so if you don't care for Englewood I wouldn't waste your time.

[mrcoolmrcool28]

There are a LOT of houses for sale in Port Charlotte. The beach is kinda not so nice, but there are canals everywhere. You can get a home with a pool AND a canal for under $200,000. Good luck!

[Big House]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

There are a LOT of houses for sale in Port Charlotte. The beach is kinda not so nice, but there are canals everywhere. You can get a home with a pool AND a canal for under $200,000. Good luck!

It looks like you are going to have to start a new thread like "WOO HOO Here We Come (AGAIN)! - Hey do you know any good real estate agents that you'd like to recommend?

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Hmmm...let me think....
How about the one WE both used???? She won't blow her own horn, so we have to. SoFlGal on here is the BEST!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Hmmm...let me think....
How about the one WE both used???? She won't blow her own horn, so we have to. SoFlGal on here is the BEST!

Thanks guys-you're the best

[jvelte]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Thanks guys-you're the best

SoFLGal, Sorry we didn't get to meet you in the short time we were there. I'm thinking seriously about selling my PC canal lot (that we just bought last summer) and using the money toward a canal home in either PGI or PC. What are the current agent fees for lots if I list it with one to get it on the MLS?

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by jvelte

SoFLGal, Sorry we didn't get to meet you in the short time we were there. I'm thinking seriously about selling my PC canal lot (that we just bought last summer) and using the money toward a canal home in either PGI or PC. What are the current agent fees for lots if I list it with one to get it on the MLS?

Many of them are 8%-10%. 4% on the listing and 4% on the selling. The lot that the Cool's are getting has a 6% commission. 3% on each side. Everything is negotiable.

The best way to sell the lot is to price it right. That's really the most important factor right now.

I'm hoping I'll get to meet you on your next trip down. I had the kiddos with me at the Thursday night meet up so I couldn't stay late.