Naples, The Good, Bad and Ugly? (Miami, Country Club: lease, condos, new home)

[ChrisA70]

No, for Floridians the cost of living in Naples is not normal. It is overpriced, and gets tooo much credit for what it's worth. It's like store brand and brand name, sometimes you pay for the name. There are MANY other places in Florida that put Naples to shame(Sarasota, Navarre, St. Augustine, and many more). Naples Beach is no better than any of the rest.

Originally Posted by Fischer_girl

I am from small town ND but spend six months last year living and workin in Naples. Naples is sooo beautiful. I heard that Naples beach is one of the most wealthy beaches in the US. Really where you are moving from will determine how you feel about the area. For example, coming from ND I nearly died when I realized the cost of living. But for Floridians..its normal.

[Bucketofpictures]

Originally Posted by Fischer_girl

. But for Floridians..its normal.

I think this is correct. For me this is just normal costs. Infact I found it MORE expensive to live up north than I do Naples.. Way more costs incuring for winter prep and even autumn.. Just my opinion though. We searched and searched for apts.. one we found was the same price as down here except down here I lived in a gated community.. UP there we lived in a multi family home that was split down the middle, and then ourside was split again across and we lived upstairs and someone lived downstairs. Our bills were outragious up there.. down here not even close.. its about what you're used to and where you're coming from like you said that will give you your perception on the area.

[TANaples]

I will say my wardrobe bill has dropped to near zero in Florida. Same clothes all year. I haven't bought anything in a year and a half. They can be in shreds before I will buy another pair of BORING shorts or capris.

I am saving a LOT of money living here doing that. It just isn't going into Naples economy. Well, the snowbirds, retirees, and tourists will definitely make up for me.

[TANaples]

Originally Posted by ChrisA70

No, for Floridians the cost of living in Naples is not normal. It is overpriced, and gets tooo much credit for what it's worth. It's like store brand and brand name, sometimes you pay for the name. There are MANY other places in Florida that put Naples to shame(Sarasota, Navarre, St. Augustine, and many more). Naples Beach is no better than any of the rest.

when I do go, I want waves and OCEAN. When I go, I don't sit out in the sand and sun, I go in the water and STAY in the water, for like an hour and don't come out. Then I go home.

Naples beaches are like swimming in a bathtub. My daughter brings her boogie board and is like, "Where are the waves?" Watch the weather forecast. If there is a big storm coming, you might get little waves.

My husband and I went out to Naples Pier one day before a storm and walked along the pier. It was unbelieveable all the surfers there with their boards trying to "catch a wave". It was amazing they weren't crashing into each other there were so many. My husband laughed and said this must be a rare opportunity for surfers in Naples. These waves were just little blips and common everyday occurrences in the ocean. HE said that, not me.

The Gulf pales in comparison to the ocean and nothing beats the Caribbean, let alone the Riveria.

[sunflower8000]

I have been reading these pages about Ft Myers....found nothing positive and sounds like Naples is better. We have been offered jobs at the Immokalee Casino?? Anybody have any info???? I have read that Immokalee is a bad city and the drive there is very long and on unsafe roads?? Whats the age group there. Any info would be very helpful...

[RMD3819]

Immokalee is a migrant farmworker town. The commute is long if you don't want to live in Immokalee.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Immokalee-Florida.html

It is about 25 miles from Lehigh Acres, which is not necessarily a good choice, or about 30 from Naples. There is a new community called Ave Maria just outside of Immokalee. It is beautiful and that would be a good option depending on your housing budget. The other choice would be to live in the eastern part of Golden Gate Estates.

The casino is very nice.

Do you have kids? Immokalee schools are awful. What is your housing budget? Where are you now?

[sunflower8000]

Looks like we will settle in Naples. No kids, looking to rent for right now. We have never been there and don't know if we will like it. Not to excited about the hot and humid weather .....and the hurricanes??? don't look forward to that either. We are coming from southern CA. How often do you go to the casino? I saw some pic's and it looks small.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by sunflower8000

Looks like we will settle in Naples. No kids, looking to rent for right now. We have never been there and don't know if we will like it. Not to excited about the hot and humid weather .....and the hurricanes??? don't look forward to that either. We are coming from southern CA. How often do you go to the casino? I saw some pic's and it looks small.

What brings you to Naples? The casino jobs?

I have been to the casino a dozen or so times. Occasionally my work takes me there.

It is no where near the size of a Las Vegas casino. They just got approved for blackjack and are undergoing a HUGE expansion. I have not been there since construction started.

Naples is a nice place if you know what to expect. Yes, it will be hot and humid. Yes, there are hurricanes. All of South Florida is like that.

If you post areas of Naples you are interested in for housing I, and others, can give opinions. Generally most of Naples is safe.

[shyro123]

No idea. Trying to figure that one out for myself.

[Kuota]

Just bought a lovely home in Lely Golf and Country Club. We were lucky to sell our Town Home on Long Island NY at the right time. Left NY with high property taxes, over crowing, traffic jams and horrible weather.