Moving to Cape Coral?? (Century Village, Gateway: condos, credit card, hotel)

[kroeran]

Originally Posted by bren514

It truly isn't that we have made up our minds on moving to Cape Coral or anywhere in Florida for that matter, but we are trying to consider our options and Cape Coral is one of them because of the foreclosures and so we can be closer to our daughter and grandkids who are moving to Miami soon. But, I also love the sun and sea, so shoot me.

We certainly aren't idiots and will not buy a home in CC without first flying down and staying for an extended period of time to check everything out first. We've also considered Nashville, Savannah and other areas of the country. We've also considered staying in Indiana, but now that our daughter is moving to Miami (her husband got trasnferred - he had a choice of losing his job or relocating to Miami) we've been focusing on CC because of the foreclosure market.

After being in Indiana all my life, I'm sure any place else would be a culture shock. My daughter lived in Florida for a few years and it did take her a while to get used to it. We are not monetary people. All we want is to have a comfortable home, enjoy life and be close to our grandkids. It also has to do with the thought of going through another winter of snow and ice with the added burden of this recession that is truly the driving force. We simply want to move to a more moderate climate and what better time than now since that is where are grandkids will be? However, we will not just move down there.

maybe check out Golden Gate which would be a shorter commute to Miami.

also check out inland burbs on the east coast

do a lot of driving around...figure out where the smart money is

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by kroeran

also check out inland burbs on the east coast

Agree. There are a lot of nice areas on the east coast of FL closer to Miami like Sunrise and Coral Springs. In fact, Miami has many pretty suburbs.

Depends on your budget. They're practically giving houses away in some sections of Port Saint Lucie and that's a lot safer than Lehigh Acres or Cape Coral...or so I'm told. Can't say from personal experience, however.

[JR48]

Nancy Nelson, I moved here with my wife and kid over 2 years ago from Milwaukee. Everything you said is true about WI. I lived there 20 years and the other 20 in Chicago. I bought a short sale home in Jan 08' in Cape Coral. I rented the first year I was here. I like it here so much the only time I have been back to Milwaukee was to get the rest of our junk. I bought a little early but don't care. Friends and family told me I left at the right time because the last 2 winters have been horrible with near record snow falls and the never ending cold. I did get lucky for my house does not have chinese drywall. Built in 04'. It's kind of strange cause once you have been here a couple of summers, 60 degrees seems really cold. I transferred down here with my job so got lucky there. If you can do it I would. Cape Coral is a great place to live in my opinion and my familes opinion.
crime here is a joke compared to Chicago or Milwaukee. The people that run this city suck but isn't it like that everywhere. I saw WI and had to comment.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by JR48

Nancy Nelson, I moved here with my wife and kid over 2 years ago from Milwaukee. Everything you said is true about WI. I lived there 20 years and the other 20 in Chicago. I bought a short sale home in Jan 08' in Cape Coral. I rented the first year I was here. I like it here so much the only time I have been back to Milwaukee was to get the rest of our junk. I bought a little early but don't care. Friends and family told me I left at the right time because the last 2 winters have been horrible with near record snow falls and the never ending cold. I did get lucky for my house does not have chinese drywall. Built in 04'. It's kind of strange cause once you have been here a couple of summers, 60 degrees seems really cold. I transferred down here with my job so got lucky there. If you can do it I would. Cape Coral is a great place to live in my opinion and my familes opinion.
crime here is a joke compared to Chicago or Milwaukee. The people that run this city suck but isn't it like that everywhere. I saw WI and had to comment.

There's the key.

[JR48]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

There's the key.

You are correct there, Without the job I would probably be crawling back up north with my tail between my legs. But so far so good. If your retired and a job not necessary this place is a nice quiet place to live. Houses are a steal now. Find one that the assessments are paid, no chinese drywall and enjoy life. A kid I work with just bought a house in the SE Cape for 75,000. He didn't put a penny down and Obama gave him 8,000 dollars he doesn't have to pay back if he stays current for 3 years. He was a first time buyer is why. The house is roughly 1400 square feet and built in 2001. It has no pool or canal but he didn't care about that. He used his Obama money to screen in his lanai, paint it and buy appliances. His house payment is 4 dollars more than his rent was. The deals are out there now. But you have to spend alot of time doing what he did. He lost out on 3 or 4 houses do to he was trying to snag the forclosuers and got outbid. I probably should have went that direction but we loved the house we bought. There is no way I could live in the quality of house or area I do now in Milwaukee. I do not look forward to the 17,000 assesments but I knew about them when I bought the home. So its no surprise to me. All depends on your situation. I am by no means rich but I wasn't going to let a 17,000 assesment stand in the way after seeing my wifes face when we first looked at our house. I would do it again tomorrow.

[hiknapster]

You have to be absolutely nuts to move to Lee County without a job. Nuts.

And here's another shocker. The young friend that bought the house in Cape Coral? He could have got that deal wherever he moved in the US and his quality of life and his house value would be better. If the house is only $75,000 there is a reason for that. Nothing in life is free.

Has someone actually stopped to think why the houses are so dang cheap?

Goodness.

JR48, I hope that your job is solid. If you lose it you could be stuck with a house you can't sell. That's when the real fun begins.

To all the northerners stuck in the cold, give it a rest. You are all so fond of saying, "life is what you make it." Well, then, why can't you make a go of it where you are now?

Exactly.

You know, Lee County is kind of like a two-layered painting. On the surface, especially if you are looking for what you want to see, it looks nice. But after time the first layer erodes and you realize that you are, in so many ways, still in Wisconsin. Sure, there is no (gasp!) snow, but you'll trade that in for a whole new set of problems.

Wherever you go, there you are, and if you move to Lee County, so are your neighbors. Lots of people from Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, with their sunshiny personalities.

[benkhanobi]

My wife, 9 year old daughter and I are moving to Cape Coral in a few days. We bought a short sale home- W/approved price-we gave a full price offer and we closed 32 days after the offer was submitted. It was easier than fighting the bidding wars on repos. One time was enough for us playing that game. Insurance was $1700 on a 35 year old 2100sf CBS house- all utility are assessments paid, too- and no flood zone- 33904 zip area, near the old country club. 20% down with a 4.625%/1pt mortgage gave me a payment of only $394/mo. I took early retirement from Chrysler eight months ago and it was looking like a bad idea until we found Cape Coral. I still had 3 more years to go until SS kicked in, so I am watching my budget right now. The numbers say we will save over $10,000 on housing, taxes,etc, by moving from Indianapolis to Florida. Even car insurance isn't so bad- they got rid of most of the no-fault coverage that I remember from 20 years ago when I lived in Tampa. Yes, it is scary buying a house sight unseen, but you almost have to, as the deals don't last more than a day or two we found out. Just get a good inspection and do the purchase like a business decision. I had a friend in the N-cape look it over for me and a Realtor I trusted. Good luck to everyone still on the fence! The only unknown is if our daughter likes and does well at Cape elementary which we picked as our first choice back in early June after we closed on the house.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by benkhanobi

My wife, 9 year old daughter and I are moving to Cape Coral in a few days. We bought a short sale home- W/approved price-we gave a full price offer and we closed 32 days after the offer was submitted. It was easier than fighting the bidding wars on repos. One time was enough for us playing that game. Insurance was $1700 on a 35 year old 2100sf CBS house- all utility are assessments paid, too- and no flood zone- 33904 zip area, near the old country club. 20% down with a 4.625%/1pt mortgage gave me a payment of only $394/mo. I took early retirement from Chrysler eight months ago and it was looking like a bad idea until we found Cape Coral. I still had 3 more years to go until SS kicked in, so I am watching my budget right now. The numbers say we will save over $10,000 on housing, taxes,etc, by moving from Indianapolis to Florida. Even car insurance isn't so bad- they got rid of most of the no-fault coverage that I remember from 20 years ago when I lived in Tampa. Yes, it is scary buying a house sight unseen, but you almost have to, as the deals don't last more than a day or two we found out. Just get a good inspection and do the purchase like a business decision. I had a friend in the N-cape look it over for me and a Realtor I trusted. Good luck to everyone still on the fence! The only unknown is if our daughter likes and does well at Cape elementary which we picked as our first choice back in early June after we closed on the house.

You say the house is older? Then you won't have drywall issues. Looks like this was the right decision for you. And guess what? Cape Elementary has good ratings! Good job and the best of luck to you. Have a safe trip and don't worry. You did your research.

[fiege1224]

Hi, What can anyone tell me about the yacht club area at cape coral?Has anyone been to the beach or used the new trolly down town yet? I am about to buy a waterfront condo 2/2 with a deeded dock for 75,000. It seems that no one likes cape coral very much. Does this apply to this area also? I was born in fort myers many years ago and left the state because Florida has always been a place for retired and the rich. (No good jobs). I had a house on the water for years in the hudson area and sold it in 2005. Now that prices are back down I think I would like a another home in Florida again. Any opinions?? Thanks Steve

[benkhanobi]

I liked this area of the Cape best. I have made four trips since March. My wife and daughter loved the pool at the yacht club, too. Your condo sounds fine to me. Compared to Hudson, this is a big notch up in my opinion. I used to live in Land-O-Lakes 20 some years ago, so I am moving up , too! The trolley goes all over the business district and they have monthly parties down on the riverside beach. The beach is more for sunbathing, but the fishing pier looks like it will come in handy for me. -and the Rotino Sr center has plenty going on.