Moving to Cape Coral?? (Miami, Lee: 2009, mortgage, big house)

[TheJagMan]

Originally Posted by bren514

In many ways the fact that the North parts are not built up could certainly be an advantage for my landscaping husband especially if we end up having our own business.

You're missing the point; there isn't a demand for landscapers...There's a demand for home buyers and job openings...

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by nhkev

With all that said the nw will get built up, businesses will move in, trees will grow, utilities will be installed,

That's what the Rosen's said in 1958.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[nhkev]

i bet it's a little more built up than it was in 1958

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by nhkev

i bet it's a little more built up than it was in 1958

Sure. It was a swamp then. But it still looks flat barren in many places, with roads leading to nowhere. I wonder if the Rosens envisioned that in fifty years it would still not be finished. Hmmm....My money's on "THEY DIDN'T CARE."

Or better yet, I wonder what Lee Ratner would say about Lehigh Acres.

[bren514]

Even if landscaping isn't in high demand at this time, at some point in the future, the economy and Cape Coral will bounce back. Tourism is and always will be a prime source of income in Florida and that alone makes jobs in any are of Florida a better possibility than in Indiana where the auto and rv industry has all but shut down. We aren't expecting a six figure salary in Cape Coral, but we assume that just like in Indiana that lawns still need to be mowed, shrubs still need to be trimmed, etc. Everything is what you make it and if we can buy a foreclosure in Cape Coral for under $100k, live in the sun all year round, be close to the beach and find part time work to get us through till things improve, we'll be happy. The negativity on this site needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It seems to be a sounding board and gripe session for a lot of people. Every town, city, state and school has it's problems and the economy sucks everywhere and where it doesn't suck, you can't afford to live. I work in a food pantry and believe me, from what we are seeing, things are just getting worse with more layoffs and more unemployment. But, everywhere has it's share of problems, bad areas, crime, unemployment, etc. There is more crime and domestic disturbances in our little Indiana town then there ever has been, Cape Coral is not the lone ranger here. Wherever you live, you accept the good and bad and realize that it's pretty much the same everywhere, but the question is, would you rather live in sunshine year round with the threat of hurricanes, or would you rather live in Indiana and deal with snow, sleet, ice and gray skys for 5-6 months out of the year? For northerners, the answer to that questions is what matters. So lighten up and try to give us some positive feedback. We want facts and valuable input, but not biased opinions.

[tommy-105]

FYI:Lawn care competition on Craigslist.

classifieds - craigslist

Seems like everybody out of work is cutting lawns. Or cleaning up foreclosed properties.

[trubclub]

We moved here in sw 1 year ago and still looking for a home.I have been out bidded ,lost out to cash after offer was accepted ,Even had a home sold out from me while signing couter offer, and have had bids on short sales for over a year( and never hear again from them and they are still listed).One of the biggest problems are the banks are very slow to respond,unless its a forclosure then if there is more than 1 or 2 offers they will tell you its going to go to biggest and best offer(you don't know if your #1 with your bid or not )So you maybe bidding against your self.if I didn't sell my home up north and move in with my kids I would think about moving back.Now the jobs here are another story sad as it is.

[mlehman59]

Originally Posted by tommy-105

FYI:Lawn care competition on Craigslist.

classifieds - craigslist

Seems like everybody out of work is cutting lawns. Or cleaning up foreclosed properties.

yup..my business is in there somewhere..well the one in CC anyway..my other is in Pa

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by bren514

Even if landscaping isn't in high demand at this time, at some point in the future, the economy and Cape Coral will bounce back. Tourism is and always will be a prime source of income in Florida and that alone makes jobs in any are of Florida a better possibility than in Indiana where the auto and rv industry has all but shut down. We aren't expecting a six figure salary in Cape Coral, but we assume that just like in Indiana that lawns still need to be mowed, shrubs still need to be trimmed, etc. Everything is what you make it and if we can buy a foreclosure in Cape Coral for under $100k, live in the sun all year round, be close to the beach and find part time work to get us through till things improve, we'll be happy. The negativity on this site needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It seems to be a sounding board and gripe session for a lot of people. Every town, city, state and school has it's problems and the economy sucks everywhere and where it doesn't suck, you can't afford to live. I work in a food pantry and believe me, from what we are seeing, things are just getting worse with more layoffs and more unemployment. But, everywhere has it's share of problems, bad areas, crime, unemployment, etc. There is more crime and domestic disturbances in our little Indiana town then there ever has been, Cape Coral is not the lone ranger here. Wherever you live, you accept the good and bad and realize that it's pretty much the same everywhere, but the question is, would you rather live in sunshine year round with the threat of hurricanes, or would you rather live in Indiana and deal with snow, sleet, ice and gray skys for 5-6 months out of the year? For northerners, the answer to that questions is what matters. So lighten up and try to give us some positive feedback. We want facts and valuable input, but not biased opinions.

Once again, we have another person that has never lived in the area doling out advice.

First of all, never assume anything. Life is much worse in Lee County, FL than it is in Boone County, IN. I looked up your unemployment rate for April and it has actually gone DOWN to 7.5 percent. Good god, unemployment in Lee County was at 12 percent for April!

And definitely understand that landscapers are a dime a dozen in the area. There's people that have had established businesses for decades that are now very much hurting. And no, you aren't going to just be able to pick up a part-time job. Even Walmart is not hiring. Also, if you ever do get a job, understand that the pay is WAY lower in Lee County.

We have an aunt and uncle that come from your area. They moved down to Cape Coral in 2007 and now they wish they never left but they are stuck.

Further, if you are going to buy a $100,000 house you better have it inspected. Also, please read the Chinese drywall thread.

You say you want facts so I gave them to you, but I suspect that you want to hear what you want to hear while dreaming about the beach. I suggest you make a visit and volunteer in the local soup kitchens. That will open your eyes.

[samjune2009]

hiknapster, excellent!