Local opinion of Cape Coral/Ft. Myers (Fort Myers, Naples: renting, crime rates)

[Ak5spot]

My family and I are considering moving to Cape Coral and were wondering what the real info is on the city? What do people in their 30's think of the place? We have kids so what is the place like for them? I'm looking for the stuff that you can't find out about unless you live there. Crime rates and other info. Anything you want to let me know would be greatly apprieated.

[firemed]

There are alot of posts on Cape Coral. Go to search on the blue bar at the top of the page and search Cape Coral.

[FedUpInFtMyers]

Also read about Fort Myers. Look at City-Data stats as well. In addition, be sure to check out the 100 cities for high crime list also on City-Data. Good luck!

[121804]

My husband's job is relocating him to the FT Myers branch. When I went to realty website & tried to search a home for $200/$225, I almost starting crying. Then, I called a realtor to find out about Cape Coral. After about 30 listings @ $200k were sent to me, I decided to thoroughly research the area to figure out why.

I HIGHLY suggest to do all your homework on Cape Coral. The thing that really turned us off was the tax assessments being placed on the residents for city water/sewer. $18,000. The realtor told me I could talk someone in a 225-230K home down to 200 b/c so many are wanting off due to "reasons".
That, backed up with the recent spike in crime & having to travel over a bridge 2 times a day were just not worth it for us. We were also concerned about the way you get placed in a school.

After about a month of heavy research, we decided to look more north & are SOOO happy we did. While the commute is a little long, we found a great city and a trustworthy realtor. We are initally renting while we look & get a better feel for the area.

[hiknapster]

121804, you are a very smart woman. Good job reading between the lines and figuring out what was really going on. Congratulations, and I hope you are very happy in your new place!

[Jammie]

I've always heard that Ft. Myers is beautiful. I don't understand about the water thing you referred to and the 18,000.

FedupinFtMyers~what are the reasons that you no longer want to live there? They do have an awfully high crime rate. Is that the reason?

[LeavingFlorida05]

This is my personal opinion, but I would not raise a family in Cape Coral/Fort Myers/Naples. My daughter is still young and I want to get out of here, ASAP. Unfortunately, my career holds me back. Hopefully I can get out before she starts school. I just don't like the social enviroment down here. It's not what I want for my daughter.

[RickP]

Hello, now that's interesting.

Regarding your opinion, I've heard the same thing once before.

If you don't mind me asking to share your opinion as to why you feel that you would not raise a family in Cape Coral/Fort Myers/Naples. what's going on with the social enviroment down there. I ask because I've never been there.

Thanks in advance

Rick

[Donna-50]

I live in Cape Coral and it is a SAFE place to raise kids. The schools my kids attend are all A or A+. They have a lot of parent involvement in the schools.

The $18,000 that someone was refering to was for water and sewer. Some homes are on well and septic and when they have to convert over that is what the rate is now.

The median age is in the 30's now.

I have lived here for 14 years and find it a great place to raise a family.

Do want to mention that the price of houses has gone way up over the last 5 years, but they did come down some in the last year.

Good luck on your decision.

[Floridian34210]

Cape Coral is wonderful! Just choose your area wisely. (Area= SE, SW, NE, NW) The South parts of Cape seem to be the best areas. I live in Southeast and have friendly, caring neighbors and have no problems.