Young Family moving to the area (Sarasota, Fort Myers: real estate, to rent, homeowners insurance)

[pool_ready]

Hi,
We have 4 year old and an 8 year old. My husband will be working in Ft Myers, though I don't think that is where we want to live. We are originally from Louisiana, but we are living in Idaho right now.

We'd like to find a community with low crime and excellent schools. (We are just interested in elementary and middle schools at this point). We don't mind commuting.

Things we want:

1. Low Crime
2. EXCELLENT schools
3. Larger lots of land (would prefer at least 1/2 acre, but we'd settle for less if it meant a better school area)
4. Commute time of 45 minutes or less
5. Homes under $300,000
6. Lower home insurance rates


We don't have to have a house on the water. We don't own a boat. Also, my husband loves to golf, but we don't care about living on a golf course. I don't mind a deed restricted community. We are slow-paced, family-oriented, conservative, etc.

The most important things to me are the low crimes and excellent schools. When you suggest an area to me, please suggest the names of excellent schools. I would really appreciate it.

I hope I have provided enough information to everyone.

Thanks so much for any insight!

[Raybo1]

Low crime and excellent schools are what every young family is seeking. In SW Florida, there are some areas that provide this and your best bet is to wait until the realtors that use this forum respond to your questions (i.e. SoFlaGal ). Good luck with your move. Be patient and look around the area before deciding where to live. Stay away from flood zones and you won't need flood insurance. Unfortunately, homeowners insurance is high all over Florida because of hurricanes. You may want to rent for awhile to give yourself time to find the right place. Take care.

Ray

[nhkev]

not sure of the schools but everything else seems to describe golden gates in Naples

[Obxnc7]

If you want excellent public schools.......DON"T COME HERE! Lee County schools are a mess......and from what I hear, Collier County isn't any better. Be prepared to pay for private schooling if you want good schools!

[pool_ready]

Can you recommend any good private schools?

[MrsTommy]

The best public schools are in the city: Lake Park Elementary and Gulfview Middle. You will need to live within the city limits. Any of the Catholic schools are good. Avoid Grace Christian. For the 300K cap, you can find a few smaller houses in the Lake Park neighborhood. City servcies are much better, crime rates lower, police response quicker.

[TANaples]

Seagate Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon School. You have school choice but good luck trying to get into this school unless you actually live in the area.

[justNancy]

I don't know much about the schools, but since you mentioned a large lot, I suggest you look in areas east of Fort Myers like Buckingham. There are beautiful estate homes with acreage and right now you can find a home for a lot less than $300K.

Fort Myers has some lovely areas closer to the city. You can buy a beautiful 4 or 5 bedroom house in gated communities like Gladiolus Preserve that are close to the beach, but still near shopping and other activities. However, you will probably get a 10,000 s.f. lot at best.

I agree with TANaples about Seagate, but it would be very difficult to find a house on 1/2 acre in that area. I don't have children, but I had friends who sent their children to a private school in Naples called Seacrest off of Davis. I knew these people well and they would have only chosen the top school in the area, but I'm guessing that it's very expensive.

[tommy-105]

Originally Posted by Raybo1

Low crime and excellent schools are what every young family is seeking. In SW Florida, there are some areas that provide this and your best bet is to wait until the realtors that use this forum respond to your questions (i.e. SoFlaGal ). Good luck with your move. Be patient and look around the area before deciding where to live. Stay away from flood zones and you won't need flood insurance. Unfortunately, homeowners insurance is high all over Florida because of hurricanes. You may want to rent for awhile to give yourself time to find the right place. Take care.

Ray

Ray, SoFLGal doesn't visit this forum (Lee County) much at all. She seems to focus her attention on the Sarasota-Bradeton-Venice area. I don't think ANY real estate agents visit here. (aside from Hiknapster) IMHO Renting for awhile before buying is excellent advice.

[Obxnc7]

Again, there are many nice places to live. The main thing I would do is focus on schools and start looking for one that you like. I think if you are picky about schools you will want to go with a private school no matter where you end up living. There are a lot of options for private schooling down here if you are willing to pay. Take the time to look at many different schools, because they all offer different things. We enrolled our daughter in one private school and ended up on our third school before we were happy with it. Just because it's private doesn't always mean it's a great school or the one for your children. I do know that Fort Myers has a couple of very big home school groups. They meet up and do many activities. I have several friends that home school and although I don't do it, it seems to be pretty popular around here and a lot of people enjoy it.

The people who have suggested you rent first are very wise. You can rent a decent place very cheap these days and then you have time to explore and find out where you really want to be.....I highly recommend it!

Good luck!