Fort Myers vs. Sarasota (Cape Coral, Bonita Springs: best city, real estate market, foreclosures)

[TonyM.]

Im sorry if this has been discussed before, but im sure some other people may have additional opinions if they havent made one before.
So, just as the title suggests, What the positives of both in comparison? Whats one city got that the other doesnt. And most importantly, where would you rather live and why?

[Suncoast Guy]

Fort Myers is a run down, crime ridden city with no culture.

Sarasota has many things to do! Sarasota has a lot of shoppes, it's crime rate is lower than Fort Myers. Sarasota also has the Asolo, Van Wazel, and GWIZ for entertainment and Sarasota has PLENTY of beaches!! Sarasota also has a great downtown district and the Farmer's Market on Main Street every Saturday. I have found a lot of friendly people in Sarasota, more so than Fort Myers.

I would go Sarasota all the way!!

Good Luck!

[yachtcare]

Originally Posted by Suncoast Guy

Fort Myers is a run down, crime ridden city with no culture.

hey! Hey!! HEY!!!!!!!!!
Well, can't argue much, but Ft Myers/Cape Coral is a good boating area, fishing used to be better, but it's still ok. But that isnt anything you cant find in Sarasota.
The few times I visited the Sarasota area(s) I really enjoyed St. Armand's and to the south a little ways, some nice beaches in the Nokomis area. Sarasota is a nice clean city, from what I've seen of it.
My Issues with Sarasota are on the county level. From some friends I know that had issues(divorce/child support type stuff) the court system in Sarasota county is quite screwed up. Also, the county sherriff's there seem to be worse than even the Lee county variant. I once had to do a job at Galati's on Anna Maria Isl. The truck I drove at the time didnt have a rear bumper. Mind you I drove that truck all over Florida for two years before and another year after. I got pulled over as soon as I crossed the county line on I 75 because I didnt have a rear bumper, got pulled over twice more, within an hour once I got onto Anna Maria Isl. for the same thing. I had $300.00 in fines, and was run out of the county because I didnt have a rear bumper. That was 1999, dont know if theyve lightened up a bit there, or not, but they kinda struck me as a money grubbing bunch, as far as county govt was concerned. As I dont have a choice, I still.... pass thru.... when necessary.

[TonyM.]

hmmm
thanks for the info guys!
Now, concerning the suburbs from the two cities---which do you prefer?
I thought Estero was very nice in Fort Myers and alot is going on in Bonita Springs and all down US41.
Im not familiar with Sarasota's suburbs at all---what can you tell me about the best ones and where are they? What makes them better than FM suburbs?
Thanks!

[brokerdave]

well like any city, they have there ups and downs. i am in fort myers, it is the next major metropolis for the US. i would never recommend living in the cape or lehigh. i never did when the market was "booming". i wouldn't now, no matter how good the deal was.

i live in belle lago, technically fort myers, but really estero. i love it here. next to the 2nd largest mall in america and one of the biggest outlet malls in the state, if not the country and its upscale outlets! and now we also have another mall at alico. the resturants are incredible. right in between both fort myers, which will be really nice once they complete the re-developement of downtown fort myers and naples just a 30 minute drive either way.

some basic tips, closer to the water the more the value of property, west of 41 is worth more, west of 75 is worth more than what is east

i am biased to this area tho, lol. are you looking to buy? i have 2 listings, lol.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by brokerdave

well like any city, they have there ups and downs. i am in fort myers, it is the next major metropolis for the US. i would never recommend living in the cape or lehigh. i never did when the market was "booming". i wouldn't now, no matter how good the deal was.

i live in belle lago, technically fort myers, but really estero. i love it here. next to the 2nd largest mall in america and one of the biggest outlet malls in the state, if not the country and its upscale outlets! and now we also have another mall at alico. the resturants are incredible. right in between both fort myers, which will be really nice once they complete the re-developement of downtown fort myers and naples just a 30 minute drive either way.

some basic tips, closer to the water the more the value of property, west of 41 is worth more, west of 75 is worth more than what is east

i am biased to this area tho, lol. are you looking to buy? i have 2 listings, lol.

I was going to let this go, but some people might actually take this at face value.

Next major metropolis? A metropolis is generally defined as having at least one-half million people in the city and at least one million in the surrounding county. That doesn't fit Fort Myers.

Other problems with the label is that the area has one of the largest amount of foreclosures in the country and also has businesses and developers going under left and right. That brings us to the development of downtown. That's been on hold since the economy took a dump. And sadly, there were never many high-paying jobs to support a metropolis in the first place.

Also, you live next to the second largest mall in the country? Name it, because I've never heard of it.

List of largest shopping malls in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SoFLGal]

I'm with Suncoast Guy. Sarasota is the best city IMO, no matter what your age is, Sarasota is a great place to live. It has great restaurants, a fabulous arts community, and some of the best beaches in the state. Sarasota all the way!

[brokerdave]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I was going to let this go, but some people might actually take this at face value.

Next major metropolis? A metropolis is generally defined as having at least one-half million people in the city and at least one million in the surrounding county. That doesn't fit Fort Myers.

I said NEXT metropolis. Meaning of the current metropolis' that do exist, Fort Myers is the only city in America that has the growth potential to support and become the next metropolis in the US. That does not mean tomorrow or next year. It is probably close to 15 years away.

Other problems with the label is that the area has one of the largest amount of foreclosures in the country and also has businesses and developers going under left and right. That brings us to the development of downtown. That's been on hold since the economy took a dump. And sadly, there were never many high-paying jobs to support a metropolis in the first place.

It is currently the largest amount of foreclosures. Why? Because all the other major areas had there meltdown's already. One other important fact is that most other areas weren't investor owned. and that real estate market here is fairly specific to homes under $500k from the speculators. Up to this point I think that about 30% of total housing was investor owned. My personal community has not had any foreclosures, it is 40% investor owned.

As far as high-paying jobs, what do you call high-paying? Everyone has there own opinion. What is yours?

Also, you live next to the second largest mall in the country? Name it, because I've never heard of it.

List of largest shopping malls in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well I read in a CNN article a few years ago before the mall was started. Its not an indoor mall so the classification isn't the same. It is an outdoor mall. It's Coconut Point Mall with 1.2 Million sq ft retail. The outlet mall is Miromar and the other mall off Alico is Gulf Coast Town Center.

http://www.simon.com/mall/mall_info.aspx?ID=1202
http://www.miromaroutlets.com/index.php
http://www.gulfcoasttowncenter.com/shop/gulf.nsf/facts

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I was going to let this go, but some people might actually take this at face value.

Next major metropolis? A metropolis is generally defined as having at least one-half million people in the city and at least one million in the surrounding county. That doesn't fit Fort Myers.

Other problems with the label is that the area has one of the largest amount of foreclosures in the country and also has businesses and developers going under left and right. That brings us to the development of downtown. That's been on hold since the economy took a dump. And sadly, there were never many high-paying jobs to support a metropolis in the first place.

Also, you live next to the second largest mall in the country? Name it, because I've never heard of it.

List of largest shopping malls in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You're right the original statement of Metropolis is incorrect, nothing about SWFL in general should be considered Metropolitan.

It was and will be a quiet golfing/retirement community with nice beaches, fishing, and boating. The economy is primarily driven off of tourism and eventually will become more diversified with FGCU & SWFL Int Airport (RSW). There will be research, engineering, and Customs job growth driven by these factors.

Realestate and development are not self sustaining indurstries here and I hope almost go away for good (for the area's sake).

As for as Sarasota vs. Fort Myers I don't think there is that much of a difference in the long-term. Based upon recent development I think Sarasota may provide a better opportunity but all will even out in the end.

[yachtcare]

[quote=SWFL_Native;4933984]

There will be research, engineering, and Customs job growth driven by these factors.

QUOTE]




Can you elaborate on the basis for such an opinion?