We are moving despite the gloom reports here :( (Naples, Princeton: fit in, real estate)

[sbapasto]

We are going to be moving to Naples and we are 44 and 47 yrs old with 2 kids in their 20's who may or may not come along. If I was basing my decision on this forum, I would have run like the wind! Although some people have been very helpful (thanks to you) I am astonished at how miserable others are. In visiting 3 times in the past 2 months we have found that there are a lot of family activities for many ages. And that theres lots to do in Naples or by driving 15 minutes to Bonita or Estero or even Ft Myers. I wonder how many doom and gloomers have lived in other states where there REALLY IS nothing to do!!
I only say this because I wonder how many younger people look at this forum and turn down jobs or a move to the area because so many people make it sound like a hell hole for anyone under 65! You cant grow that population by making people think its misery in your beautiful charming, friendly town!
Just my thoughts.

[CoventryDude]

Good luck with your move!

[nyflbound]

We're moving there too! My husband and I are also in our 40's and have a 19 year old and two younger children. My 19 yr old is away at college and will be living with us during breaks but may or may not move to Naples when he graduates. I agree, I'm surprised so many say there's nothing to do and discourage anyone younger than 60 to move there. My cousin in her 30's has a vacation home there and is planning to move there too within the next few years. She loves it! Where are you moving? We're building in Riverstone.

[aprilbutterfly]

I, too, moved despite all of the doom and gloom. Some people just like to complain. Some people really should live somewhere else but continue to stay and be miserable. Who knows, I just know I am glad I am not those people who are wasting life complaining!

I am happy to say that after moving here, I have not come across the doom and gloomers in "real life". We LOVE it here and never want to leave! Our kids never run out of things to do (they are 5 and 7). I am really glad I made my own observations and made the move.

Actually, all the doom and gloom makes it even better when you get here because you look around and say, "This is what you were complaining about???"

Good luck!

[Tripower455]

OP.

You come on here and ask advice. People that actually live here (some, like myself, for almost 3 decades) have given you sound advice, and you've interpreted anything negative about it as hating Naples or being miserable people. This is (at least) the second thread you've started berating folks who've tried to help you.

Naples is a nice place, but it is far from Shangri La, for many of the reasons mentioned in other threads. I'll admit that it IS nicer than St. Louis (I was there last week).

No place is perfect.

Did you just want to hear about rainbows and unicorns, or did you want want to hear about any potential negatives as well?

Regardless of where you live, it's easy to look past the negatives before living there. It's also easy to overlook the positives after living somewhere for a while.

In my case, the few positive things about living here (the winter weather) do not trump the negatives. What it boils down to for me is that Naples is not worth the commute.

Oh, and RE agents will not tell you everything.

Good luck and enjoy the move!

[aprilbutterfly]

I agree that real estate agents definitely will not tell you everything. There are some pretty important things that they will not bring up. For example, on Marco there is an area my kids call the "stinky bridge". The wind blows the water treatment plant smell toward certain houses most of the time. Such a shame, because some of the houses are nice and the water is beautiful, but that smell is awful. If you go on a calm day and don't smell it you wouldn't know until it's too late (in other words you already moved in)! Just one example...

[Esteban Dime]

I hope the original poster tries the area out first by renting. It is so worth the minor extra cost and hassle of renting a place for a year to see if it will work for you. There have been many a new resident that have gone in lock, stock and barrel to only find out 3-4 months later that they really don't fit in as nicely as they envisioned.

As far as the employment situation. If a "young" person were to actually find a job outside the service industry in Naples, the more power to them! My wife who has her masters and 19 years experience can't even find something. There are literally hundred of applicants for every position posted.

Best of luck and be sure to stop back here to let us know how its going, maybe September?

[magemom]

I am very happy here. I know there have been comments about how expensive it is to live here. I came from Princeton NJ where my real estate taxes on a fairly modest home were 14,000 a year. My state income tax was super high. Compared to Central NJ Naples is cheap.
I do agree there are some terrible drivers.
I found a job before I came here so that wasn't a problem.
Many come to this site to complain. Others give solid advice. Others have no idea what they are talking about. Then there are the realtors.lol
I'm happy living in Naples!!

[sbapasto]

NY,

We are moving to a rental in Village Walk in North Naples for 3-5 months before settling on where to buy if we do. The good part is IF we hate it, my husband can have his previous job back so we didnt have to pull the safty net entirely. And my 23 yr old daughter put out 4 resumes and has a phone interview this week. So we feel very encouraged by that. I hear that Riverstone is really nice and a great buy. It was suggested we look there too if we are going to buy. I hope you love it! Are you going to be working?

[magemom]

I really, really like Village Walk! It is very resort like. The first time I was there and saw all the water and the bridges I was amazed. I think you will be happy there. Not the youngest community around but I think it's a good one.
When are you moving?

Maggie