Moving to Cape Coral?? (Miami, Naples: vacation home, employment, transfer)

[jlfuller]

Originally Posted by hklauber

Hi! My husband and I are moving to Cape Coral. We are going down in two weeks to look at houses. I am getting a little nervous because I am starting to hear horrible things about Cape Coral. Some people say it's slummy and ugly there? I don't know the housing market seems to be a lot better than it is here in WI. Does anyone know what the furniture sales market is like there at Ashley or at Baer furniture??? Just curious I would love any and all info good or bad to help me make my decision. We have an 8 month old baby so I'm a little curious about the school system and activities for a stay at home mom in the area.

My husband and I are considering moving to Ft. Myers in a few months and was reading through the postings about SW FL. I was curious if you moved yet or what you thought of the area when you visited.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by 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

Are you retiring or do you need to find a job?

[fiege1224]

I am 50 and I retired 2 years ago and my wife works in the hotel field. (Controller) She might need a job? I own homes in Colorodo, lake of the ozarks and Brazil. All areas that have no jobs but are very nice to visit or live at. I used to have a sailboat in Florida but due to health problems I can only use speed boats now. The condo I am buying looks to have great access to the gulf and beyond. (Brazil). If I never fully move there it does't really matter. I keep a home about 3 to 5 years to vacation then move on if the time is right. I would like to retire in the sun somewhere at the end. I am very reclusive and have always made my own good time. Till later Steve

[jlfuller]

[SIZE=2]We would be relocating for my husband's job and I will stay home with our two children, ages 3 months and 3 years old, so we will not need to find work. We are considering the Gateway area in Ft. Myers because we have been told it has young families in that area. We will be visiting the city in August and want to know if there are any other areas in Ft. Myers to consider. My husbands job will be near the airport and we want to stay within 20 minutes of his job. Currently, we are both working and commuting 1 to 1 1/2 hours one way to work so no commute would be very nice. We hope to only be in Florida 2-5 years (unless we just love it) so we will need to consider the schools as well. We will be moving from Ft. Worth, TX.[/SIZE]

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by fiege1224

I am 50 and I retired 2 years ago and my wife works in the hotel field. (Controller) She might need a job? I own homes in Colorodo, lake of the ozarks and Brazil. All areas that have no jobs but are very nice to visit or live at. I used to have a sailboat in Florida but due to health problems I can only use speed boats now. The condo I am buying looks to have great access to the gulf and beyond. (Brazil). If I never fully move there it does't really matter. I keep a home about 3 to 5 years to vacation then move on if the time is right. I would like to retire in the sun somewhere at the end. I am very reclusive and have always made my own good time. Till later Steve

Well, that all seems fine. And your wife is in the right field, so if and when something opens up it could work.

But I wonder, have you been to Cape Coral, lately? I think you need to check out its vibe. Reading the places where you have homes I wonder if Cape Coral would be the place for you. I would suggest coming for a visit. Be sure to mingle with the locals.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by jlfuller

[SIZE=2]We would be relocating for my husband's job and I will stay home with our two children, ages 3 months and 3 years old, so we will not need to find work. We are considering the Gateway area in Ft. Myers because we have been told it has young families in that area. We will be visiting the city in August and want to know if there are any other areas in Ft. Myers to consider. My husbands job will be near the airport and we want to stay within 20 minutes of his job. Currently, we are both working and commuting 1 to 1 1/2 hours one way to work so no commute would be very nice. We hope to only be in Florida 2-5 years (unless we just love it) so we will need to consider the schools as well. We will be moving from Ft. Worth, TX.[/SIZE]

I worked at Sony, which is in Gateway. I thought it was very nice. Whether the nice families are still there or not, I don't know, but it would be worth checking out.

[fiege1224]

Yes I came to cape coral last month for 4 days and looked at 20 houses that were all over the area. I wouldn't buy 18 of them if they were almost free.Which they were. The condo I like is right by the beach area in down town cape coral. A few minutes out to the river. I do like the trolly and down town area for resale later. They seem to have fix up plans for this area. I did like the sw section at the gulf area also but still to over priced for the cape. I have to decide on my unit by Friday. Till later Steve

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by fiege1224

Yes I came to cape coral last month for 4 days and looked at 20 houses that were all over the area. I wouldn't buy 18 of them if they were almost free.Which they were. The condo I like is right by the beach area in down town cape coral. A few minutes out to the river. I do like the trolly and down town area for resale later. They seem to have fix up plans for this area. I did like the sw section at the gulf area also but still to over priced for the cape. I have to decide on my unit by Friday. Till later Steve

Great sense of humor!

Cape Coral has had plans, alright. The Rosen Brothers had plans in 1958 and they still aren't completed! It's funny but it's true. Think of all the roads that lead to nowhere.

The town was drunk on its money, four years ago. Now they are broke. It will take years, maybe decades, still, for them to come to fruition.

[AKAY316]

I have been doing some research as well on CC. I don't really have to worry about work as my husband retired early and i am in the health field. per diem is okay for me. the zipcode 33904 is high and dry what makes it so, and also, if I came down would I be able to buy a house without the hassles I'm learning about? I would like to have second house --as a snowbird. I don't mind jersey, but my husband can't take the cold any longer too much for him and his health. I say keep the house in Jersey and have the 2nd as a retreat for my family and older kids.

What the concensus?

[benkhanobi]

I'll wager in 5-10 more years having two homes will become a burden for you. At that point you will have to decide which state will be the one you need to live in fulltime, in order to be close to your preferred medical services or family. I think many people are just too picky, today. Much of 33904 is only a couple feet higher elevation, but that is enough to be above flood elevations. Search for a Cape Coral address on leepa.org and look for an "X" flood elevation to be sure. Back in 1983-89 I had a paid for home in Illinois and Mobile home park in Florida. For several years I went up north for the summers and back to Florida for the other 9 months. I was always needing something that was in the wrong state and it was a worry having an empty home up north during the winter. I finally rented the house in Illinois and stayed in Florida. Do what is right for you- not your kids. If you must have two places I would get a condo in Florida- 2nd floor at least (fewer bugs, no flood worries) and keep your costs, taxes and worries down. Personally, I like Century Village, 55+, over in WPB and Broward county for condo selections and amenities. Not very many months ago I saw condos advertised, "buy with a credit card"- They were 1br/1ba condos needing updates in Century Village for $15-20K. Look on craigslist.com for deals- good luck.