Thinking about moving to Punta Gorda (Miami, Cape Coral: apartments, condo, crime)

[121804]

Originally Posted by Augie

I came from NJ to Punta Gorda about 6 years ago and live happily in PGI.

Are you raising a young family in PG?

If so, what have been your observations from raising young children in PG?

That would probably be more helpful than the tyical "No, it's really not hot in SWFL."

[laurasrn]

Everything that marie3 said is correct.... I should know as I lived in Fort Myers for 5 years and have lived in Punta Gorda for 2 years. There are NO jobs here unless you are in the service industry or in healthcare. Whenever there is a job opening, they get 300 - 400 applicants and are overwhelmed - because the unemployment rate is 8.5% here!! If you are going to move down here with children, you better have a couple of jobs lined up BEFORE you come down!
I personally cannot wait to leave this state in November and move to TX.

[Big House]

You really should come and check it out. It is a great place, you should not dismiss it until you do visit. The area is not full of just old people. That is not true at all. It is a great place with a lot of young people as well. In fact, there is a large influx of younger people moving in and replacing some of the elderly population.

[marie3]

I wouldn't sit here and make up stuff about PG or PC. I just spent another 8 hours of my life in every single business in PG on Thursday. I'm in sales for 6 years, I spend my time talking to all types of business owners all day. I am not exagerating. Every business owner I talk to in PG, is in the RED. This is not for young people! I go to one of the only little cafes in Punta Gorda for lunch "Pies and Plates" and everytime I go there I have at least 1 elderly widow come up to me and ask if they can join me for lunch. I don't know these woman from Adam. I know lonliness though when I see it. I listen for one hour to there life story and the conversation always goes back to "I wish I hadn't come here....or my children are trying to get me back up north to be closer...or "I haven't been able to make any friends here"......or "when my husband died, I got stuck here".....they are volunteering, but were not prepared for the "sleepy" little town they are in alone. I urge you above all else, to please please go to PG before you move and before you go, make a list of what is important in your life. I can't wait, and in fact, will be spending my weekend working on my resume, to get out of here! A very good friend of mine is President of a Local Chamber (I won't say which one) and her and her husband are absolutely elated that they both landed great jobs at other chambers up north and will finally after 9 years be able to get out of here. My husband and I are looking at Nashville, Cincinnati, Asheville, Charlotte. Also go to the newest edition of "The Milken Institute" . Their web site just listed the BEST and WORST cities for growth. The top 10 worst performers in the USA were Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral. Punta/Port are so insignifcant, they don't even consider them in the list.

[marie3]

I'm in my car and just went into Pies and Plates. It is 95 degrees outside and 120 in my car. I have an entire 6 years on the road here and the only months I even put a windbreaker on were Dec. jan, and Feb. Go to Milken Institutes website and see there latest results. Also, go to SperlingsBestPlaces website and you can compare cities by everything from climate (list every temp by month), jobs, and everything imaginable. Are you retired? I lived in NJ in the 60's for 6 years and remember all 8 of my brothers and sisters and my mom and dad, dancing on the front lawn when my father got transferred out of there. So any thing is an improvement from NJ. (cherry hill). Not hot here? I stopped grooming my hair and just leave with it wet in the AM in a perpetual 6 year ponytail. Had it Japanese thermal straightened the first year here and that didn't even stop the "frizz" factor. If you are retired, or are in the enviable position of being able to afford to have 2 homes, then Punta Gorda is just fine! In fact, my bestfriends in Cincinnnati asked me where they should buy a snow bird condo and I directed them to some lovely condos by the Port Charlotte/Punta airport and they went ahead least week and bought the condo at an extreme rock bottom price. But they will only be here in January and February. When it is below zero up north and just beautiful down here. They have a McMansion in the outskirts of Cinci and adore there hometown more than being perm. residence here. They plan on buying a boat etc. IF YOU HAVE THE LUXURY OF BEING ABLE TO AFFORD THIS LIFESTYLE, BUY A BOAT, GO FISHING, GO TO THE BEACHES ONCE A WEEK! GOOD FOR YOU! That is what I wanted when I moved here, but sadly, we have had to work like dogs since we have been here. The companies don't even give you sick days here, let alone a decent vacation schedule. That is what it is. For everyone of us that leaves "our dream", 6 people move down here for "their dream". Unfortunately, our dream did not come to fruition. And everyday I miss so much about living in a big city. I miss tailgating, I miss going to football games on a cool, crisp, lovely autumn day. I miss the crocuses and tulips in the spring. I don't miss the freezing cold Jan, Feb, March days up north. But I would rather have that then April thru November sweating every minute. My husband is the type that wears a sweater in the middle of the summer. He walked in last night after work ready to pass out he was so hot. I hope that everything works out great for you Sara and Bryan and your will for sure be able to find a city to live in the huge state of florida that will meet all of your needs.

[121804]

Originally Posted by marie3

I go to one of the only little cafes in Punta Gorda for lunch "Pies and Plates" and everytime I go there I have at least 1 elderly widow come up to me and ask if they can join me for lunch. I don't know these woman from Adam. I know lonliness though when I see it.

We lived about 3 mins from Pies & Plates. I will vouch to say that there is a tremendous amount of retired & a very significant elderly population in that particular area of PG. Not the biggest fan of Pies & Plates for I found it was really quite expensive for what you got but it had great service & is a cute store. The pizza place right next to it is awesome. I still miss that pizza.

I think a lot can be said for those who have lived there & those who are wanting to live there & visit frequently.

A person sees what they want to see & will do everything in their power to convince themselves of what they want to believe.

So, for those who had unfortunate experiences in PG, they see the lack of professional paying jobs & the very true reality that PG is for the snowbirds & retirees who no longer need an income to support a family.

For those who are very happy in the area, they see it with endless possibilities. They love the lifestyle & want to express their experiences.

PG is getting cheaper b/c is has too in order to survive. So, yes, some younger families are moving in b/c of housing situation. It will take quite some time though to make it a family friendly community.

No one person is right or wrong. We all have our opinions & are free to express them.

PG is unique. It's not for everyone. But it's good to hear both sides as long as both sides treat each other with mutual "internet respect"

[Lulu101]

I don't understand your posts--you come across as though you were severely traumatized by this move, like a victim of war. It's completely over the top.
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
Lulu

Originally Posted by 121804

We moved to SWFL due to my husband's job situation that had him placed in Fort Myers. We were a young couple with a young child. Heard awful things about FM & Cape Coral, so we decided to check out Punta Gorda. We had a very short window, so to excessively research it was out of the question. We saw it once prior to moving there.

Not going to drag on or bash other posters. Just going to tell you that Punta Gorda is great if you are retiring. It revolves around its retirees. There is very little to do with young children in Punta Gorda minus, yes, a park & looking at the harbor.

We lived in Punta Gorda Isles & in a 6 block radius were the only family with a young child. In the summer, the street next to us had 7 out of 9 of its homes boarded up b/c of snowbirders. The population was much older than regular communities & not really the nicest group of retirees, either. It was not a good experience.

In short, just not a really great choice for young families. Very little is offered in the area & Port Charlotte is just plain depressing with a mall that has a few big chain stores that you see everywhere & food court. But across the street is a flea market & carnival thing that is open year round if that's your thing. Oh, we did use the play area at the mall during the peak of summer. My child enjoyed it b/c he could run & play. There is a YMCA in Port Charlotte & PG. I believe the PC one offers things for older kids. The PG one doesn't offer as much.

Lots of places in FL have cheap rent due to the housing crisis. Owners are beyond desperate. But they are not going to pay the rent. You are & you have to find a job in the are that will pay the rent along with other bills while supporting a family. If one is retiring & looking for an easy p/t job, those are every in PG. The problem is none of these places have strong professional offerings for those not retiring. The job market for those who need to support a family is very, very dismal right now. That's fairly common across the US, but SWFL is in a much worse situation b/c it's lackluster job market is parred with a very poor housing market. The situation in PG is a little more extreme than other areas.

Punta Gorda relied on construction after the hurricane which drew in a younger crowd who also was middle class. Unfortunately, home construction is all about dead there & commercial is doing ok but more empty than filled. If you are in the health profession there are possibilites. Other than that, it's service/retail.

PG is small & quaint. It's a nice place to stop by for a day visit if you are a working family. If you are retiring, there is boating & fishing nonstop along with golf.

Jobs: customer service unless you are in the medical field.

Crime: very minimal. Nothing to worry about. It's a safe area

I'm not a FL person. Has never been my dream to move there & I was in tears when I heard he was being sent to Fort Myers. Just not my thing, so I went into the situation a more than a little jaded. My dh thought it would be "paradise" & wanted to move 3 weeks after we got there. There are little to no sidewalks. Quite impractical when you have a child & would like to go for a walk. Wasn't really crazy about the fire ant situation & they would mound on the grass, so it was always fun to watch my son run in the grass (which is not really grass but some sort of sod that has to tolerate heat & sun) & run over fire ant mounds. I searched high & low for things geared for kids in PG. THere is a pretty decent MOMS group. The heat & sun is what it is. It's hot. For fun we'd go to Publix & talk to the bakery lady who'd give my son a free sugar cookie. That was the extent of interaction.

Just not the place for us. Doesn't mean it's not the place for you. If your kids are in middle school, things may be a little better. I had a 1 yr old with another one on the way.

As I've been posting lately, if you are retiring, PG is perfect. If you are older, PG is perfect. If you are a young family, not the place at all. I believe the median age in 2006 was 63.

Just keep researching & if your dream is to move to FL, visit it many times prior to moving. As the saying goes: Be careful what you wish for, for you might just get it!

Sorry for dragging on!!!

[121804]

Originally Posted by Lulu101

I don't understand your posts--you come across as though you were severely traumatized by this move, like a victim of war. It's completely over the top.
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
Lulu

Nor do I understand yours.

I don't need to explain myself to you nor do I need to explain my posts.

Your post was very unnecessary. Instead of being an instigator, maybe read the post I just posted about everyone respecting everyone's opinion.

But maybe that's the difference b/w some posters...there are those who are mature & respectful enough to understand that this is an internet forum of public opinion. Then there are those who are needing some sort of validiation & feel better about themselves when they judge other people.

I have a great life. I am so very blessed. The events in my life have made me very appreciative. I have only grown.

I am off to enjoy a day with my family. I don't feel the need to spend it degrading people or hunting down their posts as you did to me in the Parenting section. Have a great day & please stop trying to instigate something with my posts. I don't play junior high games anymore so good luck finding someone who does. Must be a tough way to live!

[faithfulFrank]

Originally Posted by Lulu101

I don't understand your posts--you come across as though you were severely traumatized by this move, like a victim of war. It's completely over the top.
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
Lulu

I also do not understand the above statement. It seems a bit argumentative. The statement, "severely traumatized" is IMO, over the top. Being married 29 years has taught me that moving can be hard especially on mothers with young kids. Things that guys may not think twice about can be big things for Moms.

As stated before, let's try to have respect for others posts and viewpoints.

101824.....is the MOMS group you posted about a MOPS group? (MOPS + Mothers of Pre Schoolers.....a great organization with chapters all over the country.....)

Frank D.

[121804]

Originally Posted by faithfulFrank

101824.....is the MOMS group you posted about a MOPS group? (MOPS + Mothers of Pre Schoolers.....a great organization with chapters all over the country.....)

Frank D.

Frank-

There is an active MOMS chapter in Punta Gorda (well, there was last year so I cannot say w/ 100% certainty). It just a group of moms who meet up with their kids at an agreed place like the park or mall play areas.

MOPS is religious based & usually run out of local churches in the area. We have 7 MOPS groups in the town we live in now.

Not the same groups but both are EXCELLENT ways of getting to know moms & their children in the area one lives.