Where should I start looking? (Tampa, Cape Coral: real estate, foreclosure, homes)

[MaggieMooster]

We are moving to Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area and I am starting the process of shopping for a home.

I've lived all over Florida: Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Satellite Beach, Port St. Lucie and I'm familiar with Florida lifestyle both smaller towns and bigger cities.

It appears Port St Lucie is closest to Ft Myers is real estate. They are also suffering from the housing boom and were the fastest growing city for a while and now one of the highest foreclosure rates. In fact we still have a home there that is now a rental.

I won't be able to go down in person for a couple of months so I am starting my search on line. I am interested in a 4 bedroom/3 bath with pool, preferably with MIL suite or guest house. It doesn't have to be on a canal. What area should I search?

Also, what do you think are the best schools? I am somewhat familiar with the school choice system and not thrilled with it. I am admittedly particular about schools. I'm looking for a gifted program for a middle school child (preferably emphasis in language/arts/history) and a math/science emphasis for late elementary going into middle school. I would consider private schools, but would prefer to find a GREAT public school. Any ideas?

We have a good income and stable emmployment, so I'm not concerned about that, but housing a schools are my big issue. Where to start?

Thanks!

[nhkev]

there is a huge inventory of homes to search for but great schools are not as abundant, where that is of great importance to you I would start at a web site called great schools you can put in different zip codes or town names and research the actual schools between how they rate and parent perception. sometimes I hear people brag about how great their schools are when they actually stink and I also hear people trash certain schools which score great. For towns research things like percentages that go on to college, class size, and check out the town budgets to see if they are going to be able to meet the future needs of the schools systems. A town that had a good school may not stay good if they are uncommitted. After you narrow that down think of commuting to and from where you would be working and also take into consideration your lifestyle and if the area accommodates it. good luck

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by nhkev

there is a huge inventory of homes to search for but great schools are not as abundant, where that is of great importance to you I would start at a web site called great schools you can put in different zip codes or town names and research the actual schools between how they rate and parent perception. sometimes I hear people brag about how great their schools are when they actually stink and I also hear people trash certain schools which score great. For towns research things like percentages that go on to college, class size, and check out the town budgets to see if they are going to be able to meet the future needs of the schools systems. A town that had a good school may not stay good if they are uncommitted. After you narrow that down think of commuting to and from where you would be working and also take into consideration your lifestyle and if the area accommodates it. good luck

Yep, yep, yep, yep, yep to all of the above. Try GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community and also SchoolMatters - Home I like the latter because it puts the test scores right up front.

[MaggieMooster]

Just spent a great deal of time on the phone with the Lee County Schools and like PSL it looks like those moving in are at a great disadvantage when it comes to any selection at all.

Still working in that direction, but I'd also like some recommendations from parents about private schools. Headed to SchoolMatters and GreatSchools now.

Thanks.

[yachtcare]

Dont really have any dog in the school fight. My sig other has one graduating next week, and one more that will this time next year. From my observation, and just my opinion, most of the schools here kinda s**k.

As for current and past ratings(for public schools), I would caution this....with the massive and sudden budget cuts due to the high foreclosure rates in the area, many programs and even teachers themselves are being cut. I know of a couple that have already planned to move from the area this summer, in search of teaching jobs elsewhere, as they have been told there wont be a position for them in the fall. And one that was a substitute teacher, has left for Oklahoma as they were told laid off teachers would have first crack at those temp jobs for the foreseeable future......

Changes are coming hard and fast in almost every arena here, as TPTB look for ways to make up the budget deficits. So far public service cuts, and increased utility rates, along with speed traps seem to be the preferred method of dealing with it.

[kroeran]

there is a school on Sanibel?