Young family looking to move (Tampa, Cape Coral: real estate market, foreclosures, rent)

[Jennva]

My husband and I live in Richmond, VA with our 3 and 5 year old (one on the way) and own a small business. My parents are considering a move to Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area and we are now looking into moving as well. We can transfer and operate our business anywhere (home inspection business) as the economy here has been hit, especially in real estate. We have looked into Ft. Myers online but it looks like a much older community and the schools are very concerning. We have some friends in the St. Pete/Tampa area but after looking online, it seems like everyone in FL hates it!

We do not have to move, we would be doing it as it seems housing down there is inexpensive and we think we would enjoy the area. We are definitely considering the gulf coast. My questions are which areas are best for young families? Are the schools really that bad? What are charter schools? Are there many community-oriented neighborhoods with little league/soccer teams/mom's groups/community pools/etc? Right now, we live in a suburban, planned neighborhood with great schools and tons of activities for the kids. We would be lookng for an area like that...wth restaurants, movies, Target, coffee shops, parks, near the water but not on the water?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Jennva

We can transfer and operate our business anywhere (home inspection business) as the economy here has been hit, especially in real estate.

Have you been watching the news? President Obama is touring the areas hardest hit by the failing economy. He will be in Fort Myers on Tuesday.

[Jennva]

Of course I watch the news. Just because FL has been one of the hardest hit does not mean people in other parts of the country are not hurting. Unemployment and a failing housing market is everywhere...and yes, some areas harder hit than others, such as Ft. Myers.

While housing is hurting, people are still buying. People in FL are not buying as their houses are the ones that have lost value, just as ours have in VA. If we moved within our area, it would do no good. But a lot of people are moving to these high-foreclosure areaa from areas with more expensive housng markets. And bringing in new people help the economy.

People post on these forums to get information on the area, which is why I posted. I am hoping to get responses from people who live in these areas for info on family life, neighborhoods, schools and general info on the area.

[RMD3819]

Originally Posted by Jennva

My husband and I live in Richmond, VA with our 3 and 5 year old (one on the way) and own a small business. My parents are considering a move to Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area and we are now looking into moving as well. We can transfer and operate our business anywhere (home inspection business) as the economy here has been hit, especially in real estate. We have looked into Ft. Myers online but it looks like a much older community and the schools are very concerning. We have some friends in the St. Pete/Tampa area but after looking online, it seems like everyone in FL hates it!

We do not have to move, we would be doing it as it seems housing down there is inexpensive and we think we would enjoy the area. We are definitely considering the gulf coast. My questions are which areas are best for young families? Are the schools really that bad? What are charter schools? Are there many community-oriented neighborhoods with little league/soccer teams/mom's groups/community pools/etc? Right now, we live in a suburban, planned neighborhood with great schools and tons of activities for the kids. We would be lookng for an area like that...wth restaurants, movies, Target, coffee shops, parks, near the water but not on the water?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Let me see if I can break down some of your questions.....

Areas best for young families? Fort Myers is a big place. There are some areas more family oriented than others. Sorry I can't be more specific as I live in Naples-definitely not for the young. Remember Florida is based on retirees, snowbirds and tourism, and the political machinery reflects that. You won't find the same sense of community as you have up north.

Schools-Yes they are that bad. Do a search for Lee County schools here. You will find some praise for individual schools but overall Florida schools have a poor reputation. A charter school is a school that receives tax money but is governed by a board independent of the elected school board. Basically the school board provides the funding and the charter school people run it. It is like a contract where the school must achieve certain measures, like test scores, in order to continue to operate. The idea is to separate the running of the school from the politics.

Activities-There are plenty of communities with community pools etc. I don't think they offer any sort of comprehensive organized kids activities, although I could be wrong. These things are available through the YMCA, county parks etc., but remember what I said about the political priorities of the politicians.
As an example, they closed the roller skating rink in Naples and opened a bingo hall.

Shopping-There is plenty of that in Fort Myers.

General comments-Rent first. Do not move here without a job or a wad of cash. I know you are self employed and I would be certain there is a demand for the work that you do.

I don't think you will be able to duplicate the sense of community you have now. There is a saying that no one in Florida is from here. This is very much true. My daughter started first grade with about 30 kids. At high school graduation there was only four that completed all 12 years together.

[Donna-501]

Originally Posted by Jennva

My husband and I live in Richmond, VA with our 3 and 5 year old (one on the way) and own a small business. My parents are considering a move to Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area and we are now looking into moving as well. We can transfer and operate our business anywhere (home inspection business) as the economy here has been hit, especially in real estate. We have looked into Ft. Myers online but it looks like a much older community and the schools are very concerning. We have some friends in the St. Pete/Tampa area but after looking online, it seems like everyone in FL hates it!

We do not have to move, we would be doing it as it seems housing down there is inexpensive and we think we would enjoy the area. We are definitely considering the gulf coast. My questions are which areas are best for young families? Are the schools really that bad? What are charter schools? Are there many community-oriented neighborhoods with little league/soccer teams/mom's groups/community pools/etc? Right now, we live in a suburban, planned neighborhood with great schools and tons of activities for the kids. We would be lookng for an area like that...wth restaurants, movies, Target, coffee shops, parks, near the water but not on the water?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

I live in CC and we have some planned communities but not as many as other places.

It is a nice place to raise a family. There is little league, girl scouts, etc. just like every place else. There is a little beach and a pool. If you move into a planned community they will also have pools.

Schools here from what I read aren't as good as other places but every kid that I knew that grew up here didn't have a problem when they went to college even if it was out of state.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Jennva

Of course I watch the news. Just because FL has been one of the hardest hit does not mean people in other parts of the country are not hurting. Unemployment and a failing housing market is everywhere...and yes, some areas harder hit than others, such as Ft. Myers.

I'm sorry you took my post the wrong way. You said business wasn't good because of the failing economy where you live and the slow real estate market. I was only pointing out that Fort Myers isn't any better and probably worse. No offense was meant.

[tjstrain]

From what has been said is that Florida has been one of the first area's to be hit with the recession and it should also be on the leading edge to recoup from the recession. So if you can afford it buy here now, get a steal of a deal on a nice house, and ride the mini wave to repair.
A lot of the newer family oriented communities here in SW Florida, Ft Myers, Naples are to cramped and congested with people and homes and have crazy high monthly fee's ranging from $250 to $700 a month for ??????????? The homes are about 8 feet apart, if that, so investigate closely. Rent for a year or until your sure where you want to live. I've been here almost 10 years now and went through what your doing back in 1999
If you an outdoors person and outgoing, you'll make plenty of friends. I've noticed that most people who live here hibernate inside and use the HEAT as an excuse not to get out and enjoy the neighborhood and the people around them.
Why live anywhere else? Unless it's ARUBA!

[tjstrain]

Watch out for certain parts of Cape Coral and Leigh Acres. There are so many foreclosures going on there but their also less desirable area's. Lot's of crime there since their sparsely populated. City Restrictions that were put in place years ago by the old school "boys club" was one of the reasons. Forced sewer system install or a cost to each homeowner of about $17,000 +/- each. (Been put on hold due to the economy.) Maybe look into the ESTERO area, fairly new and LOTS of new shopping malls and housing developments. New parks and family activities. Close to the Gulf and beaches. Centered between Naples and Ft Myers. The new airport is 5 minutes away. If you need more info e-mail me at tjstrain@me.com Luckily when we made the move from DE 10 years ago my bro-inlaw and his friends guided us and gave us the low down on the area. "stay out of Cape Coral and Leigh Acres" was top on the list back then also. If you are looking for the school system to be your daily babysitter and not be involved with your kids education then yes the schools suck here. teachers aren't paid very well, as most area's but as long as your involved and monitor your child's school work, progress, and friends whom they "hang" with, they should do fine.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by tjstrain

Why live anywhere else? Unless it's ARUBA!

I've been to Aruba 3 times and I think Florida is a lot prettier! The tourist areas in Aruba are luxurious, but that's not the way the rest of the island looks when you rent a car and take a tour.

Anyway, I want to say I agree with you about Estero. Three Oaks is a nice area, depending on a person's needs & desires. Without knowing what someone wants to spend, the size of the house desired, etc., it's hard to make a suggestion. Cape Coral definitely has better bargains. As I've written before, I wish I liked it more!

By the way, there is nothing wrong with South Fort Myers. There are many beautiful, safe communities there.

[ddct]

I think Ft. Myers area would be good. Dont let people scare you about the economy - it is bad all over. Im trying to buy a condo right now in Naples and the realtors are soooo busy working with out of state buyers that they cant keep up. Its a great time to buy in that area. Schools do seem to be an issue in some areas, but they also seem to have a lot of options. Good luck!