Moving to Cape Coral?? (Fort Myers: homes, to buy, upkeep)

[justNancy]

Very sad letter from Mr. Barron, but also true for many residents.

However, I want to add that I've often had the same attitude as bren514. The only difference is that I already live in Florida. Actually, there are a lot of differences, since I don't have children to think about, but being able to afford your own home is often a big incentive to relocate. Still, unless you have some source of income or enough in the bank to live on for a long time, I wouldn't recommend moving to SW Florida to buy a home without a job. Having said that, I'm guessing that being broke in a warm climate is probably a little more bearable than when you need home heating fuel to keep from freezing to death.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by justNancy

Having said that, I'm guessing that being broke in a warm climate is probably a little more bearable than when you need home heating fuel to keep from freezing to death.

Well, not really. The unemployment rate is SO high in southwest Florida that eventually you won't have a roof over your head.

I mean, yes, lots of bums move to Florida because you can sleep in the woods and it is warm. But I don't think a family wants to do that.

I know that I joke a lot, and it probably sounds like I am being silly, but I am dead serious.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Well, not really. The unemployment rate is SO high in southwest Florida that eventually you won't have a roof over your head.

I mean, yes, lots of bums move to Florida because you can sleep in the woods and it is warm. But I don't think a family wants to do that.

I know that I joke a lot, and it probably sounds like I am being silly, but I am dead serious.

I know you are being serious, since homelessness is nothing to joke about. As I wrote in my last post, I don't have to worry about feeding a family, just myself.

[fwi]

Unfortunately, a lot of broke people do move to Florida ONLY for the climate without thinking of the other stuff.
If they need income, they think they will find "something" to tide them over, but then they figure out that Florida is a lot more expensive to live in than they had thought!
Then they write the Dear John letter to the editor: "goodbye Florida, you let me down, blah, blah, blah,.....)
I bought a house in SW CC as a short sale, knowing full well that there was an unpaid utility assessment on it of $12K.
We now have real piped in water instead of the brown muck that was pumped from an underground well, which then had to be filtered (with your own filtration system...... $$$) and we also have unlimited irrigation water which is only $10/mo, and.......... no more septic tanks, we have sewers!
What is going on in the NW section of CC is something that had been planned for years and I don't see why they should stop it just because a few newcomers don't like the additional/unexpected cost.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by justNancy

I know you are being serious, since homelessness is nothing to joke about. As I wrote in my last post, I don't have to worry about feeding a family, just myself.

Oh! I know that you know. Sorry. I wasn't actually directing the comment at you. It just seemed that way.

I was broadcasting that to the people that think it's going to be easier if they are warmer, when in fact it is probably going to be harder. I keep thinking of that person that was moving from a place with 7 percent unemployment to 12 percent. Good golly.

[outtaindy]

I really appreciate Twobeach and Douleakaraoke's comments, my wife and I are calling it quits here in Indianapolis and are heading to the Cape in the next month or two. Ive done alot of research and we have friends who moved there over a year ago and absolutley love the area. Growing up in Jersey and spending the last 20 years in Indy has given me a better appreciation for any city with lessthen 1.5 million people in it, so for us the crime rate and property taxes are a fraction of what we are used to. Unfortunetly my work is not relocating me but I share Doubleakaraokes theory of willing to find work whever I can.
My only question is on house rentals, our friends are searching as we speak and Ive called a number of rental companies, since we have a 50lb shepard mix/mutt some are quick to say no due to insurance limitations. Can anyone give any suggestions short of getting rid of my 14yr old 4 legged family member.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by outtaindy

Can anyone give any suggestions short of getting rid of my 14yr old 4 legged family member.

It would be a miracle to find someone to adopt a 14 year old dog. Please do your best to find a home that will allow you to keep your loyal friend, especially if he has no life-threatening health problems. Look in the Lee County Shopper instead of going through rental companies. Also try the Cape Coral Breeze. (might be the same company)

Just want to add....make sure the house isn't in foreclosure!

[mlehman59]

Originally Posted by outtaindy

I really appreciate Twobeach and Douleakaraoke's comments, my wife and I are calling it quits here in Indianapolis and are heading to the Cape in the next month or two. Ive done alot of research and we have friends who moved there over a year ago and absolutley love the area. Growing up in Jersey and spending the last 20 years in Indy has given me a better appreciation for any city with lessthen 1.5 million people in it, so for us the crime rate and property taxes are a fraction of what we are used to. Unfortunetly my work is not relocating me but I share Doubleakaraokes theory of willing to find work whever I can.
My only question is on house rentals, our friends are searching as we speak and Ive called a number of rental companies, since we have a 50lb shepard mix/mutt some are quick to say no due to insurance limitations. Can anyone give any suggestions short of getting rid of my 14yr old 4 legged family member.

snd me a PM...I have a home in SW CC that I`ll rent out even if you have a dog, it is a very nice 2/2..house was bought cash and no worries of forclosure, I have a pr of deadbeats in it now that have to gt out

[Nancy Nelson]

I can't believe the complaining of the people in Florida. I can't believe you think it is better in the north???!!! WOW! You are complaing about taxes and bills down in CC? Try coming up to Wisconsin sometime. People flock to Wisconsin in droves...from Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida...EVERYWHERE! Do you want to know why? Because we are the land of the free hand out. Low lifes know that Wisconsin is the place to come if you want free housing, free food, free childcare (AND you can also play the system to get extra money by false reporting etc), free education. And who gets to pay for all this? The middle class who are trying to keep their jobs to support themselves, their families AND the wonderful low lifes of the world!!! and are losing their jobs in droves. Wisconsin has unbearable winters. Heating bills for me this winter were about 400.00 a month! Heat is need here from the middle of August to the middle of June. July 4 it was about 65 degrees outside during the day and 50 at night. Mosquitos are voracious. Yes, you have them there too, but you do NOT have the 100 inches or more of snow. We have a wonderful gas tax up here in Wisconsin that makes our fuel waaay more expensive than most other states. So...our food is more expensive, our clothing is more expensive, because the providers have to pay higher costs to get it to us. Wisconsin also has the highest income taxes in the nation...have to pay for the freeloaders you know!!!! AND they tax the hell out of any retirement that the middle class may get.

I think perhaps you should come on up to Wisconsin for three months! You will run screaming back to CC in a heartbeat! Wisconsin is a dead zone unless you are a free loading low life.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Nancy Nelson

Wisconsin is a dead zone unless you are a free loading low life.

Guess I'll stay in Florida. At least here I'm a warm, freeloading low life.