Punta Gorda: Florida's Best Kept Secret (Port Charlotte: real estate market, crime, house)

[jvelte]

Originally Posted by 121804

It is.

It has vitality in its own way & with its own touch. It is lacking youth and young family vibe, which is exactly why it is such a high choice for retirees or those without children.

Fisherman's Village is nice for an older crowd. Looking at paintings & unique clothing only lasts so long when you have young children. Harpoon Harry's does hold a very fun Halloween lunch for children. Fishing, boating, golf, and tennis are all wonderful things. But you can only do so much of that when you have toddlers or infants. Celtic Ray is great...it's fun bar but again, it's a bar. There are some nice restaurants...not really the biggest thrill for a 3yr old.

It's draw is the laid back attitude with some ok restuarants & not a lot of hustle & bustle. People boat, golf & go to the bars/restuarants. The park is ok. It's pretty to watch the harbor but my son, then 1, would only "sit" for so long before he was off running through the grass & hitting fire ant mounds.

If a young family expects to move to a PG & have a lot of variety in choices for families...it's just not there. I found Deep Creek way too shady after spending a good amount of time there & that is where the younger families are located. DC is more Port Charlotte than it is PG, though..it just uses PG's zip code.

If an older couple whose children are grown moves there or a younger couple without kids...the options are limitless.

We were in such a unique situation at the time we moved there & fortunately saw the writing on the wall in regards to longterm employment choices before buying a home.

There truly are pros & cons to the area. My biggest issue with it was the lack of family or younger community. There is a definite community, but there is also a feeling of being an outsider if you have younger children. It made me quite depressed & made me long for community.

It's great to visit. It's designed for that & has that feel.

It would also be great to see that entire area (to include Port Charlotte) get more going in terms of professional growth & thus start to entice younger families.

I remember the exact conversation we had with our realtor when we were initially moving there & my husband asked her "What do people who have to work do here for jobs?" Her response: "Construction." We were driving past the IHOP & I remember thinking "Construction is the main employer?"

I would say that since it is so small (again, I never counted Deep Creek as PG), it gives off an exclusive feel. And I think many are drawn to that feel. Thus, why it does have its repeat visitors & those who retiree there.

Also, what it has & should do...it's lived off its reputation for rebirth after the hurricane. Quite amazing what they did in such a short amount of time. Our realtor said that there were people who retireed to PG who were willing to put in the $$ after the hurricane & rebuild. She also said that PG has a lot of older people with "quiet money". And that was what the town was counting on to rebuild & stay strong.

I guess we will be a positive statistic to your post! We are an early 30s couple with our first child on the way and we are moving to PG early next year if our house deal goes through (thank you SWFL GAL). We've done the big city life and can't wait to spend our free time boating year round which is our passion! Wonder if we can find trustworthy neighbors to babysit while we go enjoy friends & cocktails at Harpoon Harry's for an evening!?!?!? haha. Can't wait! Screw the snow!!!!!

[121804]

Originally Posted by jvelte

I guess we will be a positive statistic to your post! We are an early 30s couple with our first child on the way and we are moving to PG early next year if our house deal goes through (thank you SWFL GAL). We've done the big city life and can't wait to spend our free time boating year round which is our passion! Wonder if we can find trustworthy neighbors to babysit while we go enjoy friends & cocktails at Harpoon Harry's for an evening!?!?!? haha. Can't wait! Screw the snow!!!!!

A good resource to look into is the MOMS Organization, especially since this is your first child & you really haven't experienced life with a newborn or 4 month old or a 10 month old teething baby or a 16 month old who sits still for maybe 10 seconds, etc Life sort of changes when you have a baby so boating & Harpoon Harry's may be on hold for a few months..so, getting involved with other moms helps....they may also be a good source of babysitter recommendations, positive outlets, & just nice to talk too since they are living the same life you are at the time.

PG & PC both have small but active groups. I met a few of the women from the PC group & they were very nice & welcoming.

I don't care for big city life myself but I do like a good family community feel. We didn't experience that at all but that is not to say some flourish. Our realtor raised her children in PG (though she refused to send them to the public schools there) & loved living there. They were also avid boaters.

Everyone has different passions & that's what makes living in this country so great.

[hiknapster]

But it boils down to a investor from South Africa just cut and pasted an advertisement for the area. Please bear that in mind, folks.

It's funny, but the huge money that is floating around Cape Town, right now, was due to the same kind of housing boom, but of bigger proportions. Meanwhile, there is a massive homeless problem.

I suppose it doesn't matter. At this point, as a "sell" for the Florida side is good, but living in Lee County, investors left a bad taste in my mouth.

My apologies to "Vegas Boy."

[seven of nine]

All I know about PG is the fact that during the last hurricanes when the reporter from CNN pronounced it with a shall we say negative Spanish term. After the break someone has straightened her out

[LizzyWNC]

Not sure if this question has already been asked, but: What about property taxes, and homeowner's insurance? Since the hurricanes, has the insurance gone through the roof? literally. Also, what is the average price of let's say a 1300 to 1400 sq. ft. home in Deep Creek?

[121804]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

But it boils down to a investor from South Africa just cut and pasted an advertisement for the area. Please bear that in mind, folks.

It's funny, but the huge money that is floating around Cape Town, right now, was due to the same kind of housing boom, but of bigger proportions. Meanwhile, there is a massive homeless problem.

I suppose it doesn't matter. At this point, as a "sell" for the Florida side is good, but living in Lee County, investors left a bad taste in my mouth.

My apologies to "Vegas Boy."

Just like you have to remind toddlers not to do something b/c they will get hurt & they do it & get hurt....same as some adults, I guess

Lee County & Charlotte County are "special" that is for sure. The school system & its scores speaks volumes. But when retirees & snowbirders run the show, school is easily put on the back burner. I am more than willing to give up my personal "likes" & tolerate unfavorable weather (be it hot or cold) than to send my child to a low performing school. How unfair to the child. If a person with a child is so gung ho about living in warm weather, it's interesting how they pay little to no attention to the quality of education their child will receive. There are areas of FL with much better school systems with the SAME homes & SAME lifestyle but BETTER schools b/c it is not a retirement focused/tourist run city. But, hey, I only lived there... When inventory is what it is, people do what it takes to convince site unseen is even the way to go. Sight unseen & moving there?? And we wonder why the country is in the toilet with no way out. People just cannot learn the lesson & then we all have to sit around & watch them crying & whining on CNN about how their "dream" was "shattered". I am amazed that even now how people are hearing what they want to hear & not realizing that reality is not a postcard.

And it is also just my experience & there are others with the exact opposite to say!

Hey Hiknapster, the post could have been been an advertisement for Lehigh Acres, so, things can always be worse Maybe a photoop with President Obama could be a plus to moving to the area! Nothing like the Pres to visit the area b/c it's one of the hardest hit right now...

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by 121804

Just like you have to remind toddlers not to do something b/c they will get hurt & they do it & get hurt....same as some adults, I guess

Lee County & Charlotte County are "special" that is for sure. The school system & its scores speaks volumes. But when retirees & snowbirders run the show, school is easily put on the back burner. I am more than willing to give up my personal "likes" & tolerate unfavorable weather (be it hot or cold) than to send my child to a low performing school. How unfair to the child. If a person with a child is so gung ho about living in warm weather, it's interesting how they pay little to no attention to the quality of education their child will receive. There are areas of FL with much better school systems with the SAME homes & SAME lifestyle but BETTER schools b/c it is not a retirement focused/tourist run city. But, hey, I only lived there... When inventory is what it is, people do what it takes to convince site unseen is even the way to go. Sight unseen & moving there?? And we wonder why the country is in the toilet with no way out. People just cannot learn the lesson & then we all have to sit around & watch them crying & whining on CNN about how their "dream" was "shattered". I am amazed that even now how people are hearing what they want to hear & not realizing that reality is not a postcard.

And it is also just my experience & there are others with the exact opposite to say!

Hey Hiknapster, the post could have been been an advertisement for Lehigh Acres, so, things can always be worse Maybe a photoop with President Obama could be a plus to moving to the area! Nothing like the Pres to visit the area b/c it's one of the hardest hit right now...

Your post had me laughing so hard that I cried!

My husband and I were talking about this. I really think that no matter how much research you do, unless you live in the area you do not have any idea how it is going to be.

I lived my whole life in Massachusetts and when someone referred to "bad schools" we were talking about the town next to us. However, those schools are still better than most throughout the country. I didn't understand the meaning of "bad schools" until I moved.

When you move away from what you are use to you will find education, people, food, culture, politics, traffic, weather, etc. that can be SPECTACULARLY different than what you've known your entire life. But I bet most of these readers say, "Yeah. Bad schools. How bad can it be? And foreclosures? We have foreclosures, too."

When I moved up to Tennessee, I worked with a girl that kept on insisting that she had been through Hurricane Charley. She was in North Carolina when it hit. Yes, she experienced Charley, but not like Punta Gorda. Yet, she kept on talking over me, telling everyone how SCARED she was. She was the sweetest thing, but if she really shook hands with our friend Charley she would have told a different tale.

Which brings us to the OP. The Capetown housing boom is not southwest Florida's boom, or even the United State's boom. There are still thousands and thousands of people left homeless in Capetown.

He can do all the research and trips that he wants but he missed one thing. Right now, in this country, there are a lot more houses than people, to the point of leaving some to speculate on what should be done with the inventory, and southwest Florida is right in the center of it.

He may come out okay, but he may not.

[Jammie]

Vegas, what a neat post. I'm just curious how you know so much about Punta Gorda since you really are posting from South Africa. Could you enlighten us and clear up the confusion?

[SoFLGal]

Wow! Nice post vegasboy. Here's what I can tell you about Punta Gorda:

Punta Gorda, Florida is an historic fishing village community on Charlotte Harbor in Southwest Florida. Punta Gorda, Florida features one of the largest natural harbors in the United States and is centrally located between Sarasota to the north and Fort Myers to the south. With sunshine all year and balmy gulf breezes to cool the summer, Punta Gorda is prized by boaters, fishermen, water lovers and tourists alike. This vibrant community has an historic downtown area with brick, gas-lit streets and plenty of shopping, art galleries and other amenities, and is home to fine dining, marinas and many recreation areas. The historic downtown has been revitalized with beautiful flowers, colorful wall murals, trees, charming brick planters and benches where you can rest and watch life as it passes by.

Grab a healthy lunch at the tiny Cafe Ruelle on the alley or feast on Tex-Mex fare at the outside patio at Dean’s South of the Border. When the sun goes down, head for Harpoon Harry’s at Fishermen’s Village, River City Grille downtown or Biehl’s Slip Not Lounge with its neon palm trees and pirate ship atmosphere. Everywhere you go, there is something to do outside.

Punta Gorda, Florida is the county seat for Charlotte County and is home to approximately 17,000 people, including young families, singles and seniors.

With 130 miles of water, natural preserve Charlotte Harbor is popular with boaters and fishermen, and leads out into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, Punta Gorda, Florida is situated on the Peace River and is ranked one of the Money Magazine best places to live in America. The picturesque waterfront area includes many public waterfront parks where year-round events take place. Fishermen’s Village, a complete marina, is right next to downtown, and a new public boat ramp and fishing pier are on the waterfront. In addition, the new civic center is under construction along the waterfront. Punta Gorda, Florida is also a favorite of golfers with its beautiful courses, each offering challenging greens, sand traps and water.
The city is convenient to Charlotte County Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and Naples Municipal Airport. This ‘Main Street’ designated community has much to offer tourists and residents. Visit the historic A.C. Freeman House built in 1903, and browse its quaint museum, take a downtown gallery walk, or head to the Babcock Wilderness to commune with nature. Take a Trolley Tour with a local historian, or visit the Peace River Wildlife Center, Ponce de Leon Historical Park or Florida Adventure Museum. Fisherman’s Village is a new waterfront shopping complex with boutiques, dining and entertainment. It has also a 98 slip marina and boat, jet ski and bicycle rentals. Catch a sightseeing boat here and venture out to Cabbage Key or do some sport fishing.

Punta Gorda, Florida is a waterfront paradise with single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums, moderately priced condos, luxurious waterfront homes, and open land on which to build your dream home. There are numerous upscale and gated communities in the Punta Gorda, Florida area, many with private golf courses.

Downtown Punta Gorda is popular with many residents. With its huge, swaying palms, brick streets, and homes with wide verandas and tin roofs, you will feel as if you have gone back in time. It’s a great place to walk and discover hidden treasures. Gilchrist Park along the Peace River has tennis courts, a huge playground, gazebo and is home to country, bluegrass and folk musicians as they gather in circles to perform every Thursday evening.

Charlotte Ranchettes, south of town, features country living and offers plenty of space for horse-lovers to ride. This equestrian community just off I-75 at Jones Loop, offers out of the way country style living. Most of the land is divided into an acre or more to allow for horses. A new super Wal-Mart is just a few minutes away, and downtown Punta Gorda, Florida is just up the road.

Ridge Harbor is an area of older homes along US 17 on the way to Arcadia. It has a voluntary homeowner association and no deed restrictions but features a clubhouse, a community boat ramp, and access to Shell Creek, and Peace River and Charlotte Harbor beyond.

Punta Gorda Isles and Seminole Lakes are popular golfing communities with amenities like a clubhouse, pool and miles of beautifully manicured fairways and greens. Each one has its own unique character.

Other communities include the old town of Cleveland with its moderately priced single-family homes, large land parcels and plenty of room for horses and Solona which is an historic area just outside of town along the Peace River.
Tropical Gulf Acres is between Punta Gorda, Florida and Fort Myers and features undeveloped land for home sites and very affordable single-family classic homes built in the 1970s and 1980s, while South Punta Gorda Heights is an affordable area a little closer to town.

Punta Gorda, Florida has everything from waterfront homes in the millions to fine historic to bungalows to new Florida style homes.

[Chicken Wing]

How do you pronounce it?

I was surprised when I came down here to hear the newscasters say "Punta" like "pun-ta". I would think it should be pronounced like the Spanish do as "****-ta".