Lehigh acres !!! (Cape Coral, Naples, Lee: crime rates, living, safe)

[JBMallory]

if you're looking for a home ANYWHERE

visit multiple times at multiple hours, see what the happening is

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by justNancy

The best thing to do is walk up and down the street and talk to people. Go into local businesses and get a feel for the area. Then go into the supermarkets at night to checkout the general atmosphere.

Originally Posted by JBMallory

if you're looking for a home ANYWHERE
visit multiple times at multiple hours, see what the happening is

Of course if your trying to line up housing while you're out of state this isn't possible. That's where the knowledge of other City-Data members becomes so valuable. JB, thanks for the positive comments about Iona (in another thread), hopefully Rainbow girl will see them.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Oh, I agree. Especially in Florida. Living in a gated community is no guarantee.

There are drugs everywhere. The area where that Census worker was found is known for homemade meth labs and grow houses, and that was in Kentucky. The news this morning reported that "12 Iranian Nationals were arrested in Nashville with conspiring to distribute opium." On Thurs the police in Manchester NH conducted "all-night drug raids" according to the Union Leader. WBZ in Boston reported on Friday that along route 2 in Gardner MA, a small town near Worcester, "police uncovered a large quantity of cocaine and heroin stuffed in a hidden compartment in the dashboard."

...and the list goes on.

Originally Posted by tommy-105

Of course if your trying to line up housing while you're out of state this isn't possible. That's where the knowledge of other City-Data members becomes so valuable.

I wouldn't be posting if I didn't agree to some degree, but keep in mind that every person's perception is based on his or her own experience. There are thousands of very happy people living in Cape Coral & Lehigh, but there are a lot of people here (including me) who don't like those cities. YMMV

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by justNancy
but keep in mind that every person's perception is based on his or her own experience. There are thousands of very happy people living in Cape Coral & Lehigh, but there are a lot of people here (including me) who don't like those cities. YMMV

Yes Nancy, I probably could have phrased my comment better. I meant the Knowledge of the city-data members as a group. I would never give too much weight to the opinion of a single person. Especially if you're new here and haven't had time to form your own opinions as to the creditability or agenda of some of the regular posters here.

[debbe]

We bought property there this summer, so far EVERY SINGLE PERSON WE"VE MET, has been the friendliest folks ever. We've planted piles of flowers, met lots of neighbors and well, what can I say..... I'm love'in it so far. Lots of folks from other countries too, very warm and friendly. I still run into people that say its a dump, but not to me so far. You talk to people at the airport, Lowes, Homedepos and it sounds like 70% of the folks that work there, live in Lehigh. Like I said, WE LOVE IT! We plan on staying there a long, long time!

[jim09091]

L.A. seems like a mixed bag. Some like it, some hate it. It is a huge area. Some parts were overbuilt and have streets with lots of empty homes. Other streets have blocks of people who have lived there for years and take care of their places. It is a "need to see it and in what part you will live" kind of place. Believe it or not, the actual crime rate index for the geographical area of Lehigh Acres (the one that is based on the scale where 100 is the national average) is below 100 (I believe it is 80-something). In comparison, the rate for the city of Naples (city limits) is a little over 120. Bonita Springs was in the 80 range also. Perception vs. reality are two different things. Bonita Springs has a few "bad streets" but the overwhelming majority is very safe. Same with the City of Naples (there are a few neighborhoods with projects and issues with drugs). Lehigh is probably mostly safe with a few bad areas. It will continue to get a bad rap for sometime (i.e. residents of Sherwood want a zip change because they believe that having a Lehigh Acres mailing address lowers their property values - and they are probably right; Sherwood residents fight Lehigh Acres ZIP code | news-press.com | The News-Press).

[debbe]

Thanks Jim09091, the crime info is incouraging. (that sounds weird), but I'm still lovin the heat and my mixed neighborhood in beautiful downtown Lehigh Acres. Its still paradice for my family and I. We liked Bonita and Estero too, because its closer to the beach but was more pricy there. The more we heard about LA, the more it made us want to see what it was about. I went through 11 realators before one actually took me serious or should I say bothered to even show me properties in the Fort Myers area. I guess they don't make much money on sales in LA. We will be experiencing our first busy winter season, we can't wait. I like this site, lots of info..... I just need to get figure out how to work these type of sites. Sorry if this post ends up in the wrong spot. Happy Forum...ing!

[Cruzincat]

Originally Posted by debbe

Thanks Jim09091, the crime info is incouraging. (that sounds weird), but I'm still lovin the heat and my mixed neighborhood in beautiful downtown Lehigh Acres. Its still paradice for my family and I. We liked Bonita and Estero too, because its closer to the beach but was more pricy there. The more we heard about LA, the more it made us want to see what it was about. I went through 11 realators before one actually took me serious or should I say bothered to even show me properties in the Fort Myers area. I guess they don't make much money on sales in LA. We will be experiencing our first busy winter season, we can't wait. I like this site, lots of info..... I just need to get figure out how to work these type of sites. Sorry if this post ends up in the wrong spot. Happy Forum...ing!

Debbe,
Please click on my name and send me a direct message with your realtor's information that finally worked with you. We have been planning to come down on Sunday for a couple days before heading to Orlando to look around for a second home. No one in the Ft Myers area has responded to us. If I don't hear from someone soon we may change our plans and go elsewhere.

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Originally Posted by debbe

We bought property there this summer, so far EVERY SINGLE PERSON WE"VE MET, has been the friendliest folks ever. We've planted piles of flowers, met lots of neighbors and well, what can I say..... I'm love'in it so far. Lots of folks from other countries too, very warm and friendly. I still run into people that say its a dump, but not to me so far. You talk to people at the airport, Lowes, Homedepos and it sounds like 70% of the folks that work there, live in Lehigh. Like I said, WE LOVE IT! We plan on staying there a long, long time!

Yay Debbe, Congrates on your new place, I'm glad you LOVE IT! best of luck to you and your family. Mr. Cool

[Samiamnh]

The only reason that Lehigh has an %80 crime rate is because there's nothing left to steal.....all the thugs,homies,addicts and punks with tatoo's on their neck go elsewhere to commit crimes.If you check the News press "arrests" each day....a big % live in Lehigh.