NYC 50s Widow contemplating Naples (Marco Island: moving, public transportation, activities)

[Tripower455]

Originally Posted by UWSgal1

Also, I'm assuming central air conditioning is the norm down there? I hate the window ACs that those who live in prewar apartments must resort to.

Yes. Central is the norm in all but the oldest homes, and most of those have been retrofitted with central AC.

Humidity is as big, (or even bigger) an issue as temperature is in the summer, and often in the winter.

My lake house (in Central FL) was built in the mid 50's as a well to do snowbird's winter home, and it wasn't originally built with AC. It has a whole house attic fan and originally had an oil burner like you'd see up north. The winters up here are a bit cooler than down in Naples though.

[MOforthewin]

mid 50s and widow moving to Southwest FL?

I mean for you I'd find a single, wealthy guy in his mid 60s in Naples and go with that. If you like guys a bit older you should have no problem dating in SWFL. Find a retired guy with money. Should have no issues at all. Dating for old people is great in Florida.

I on the other hand I'm 36 and my area is just dreadful being the oldest median age in the state. Online dating sites are terrible around here for my age.

[bbtondo]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

mid 50s and widow moving to Southwest FL?

I mean for you I'd find a single, wealthy guy in his mid 60s in Naples and go with that. If you like guys a bit older you should have no problem dating in SWFL. Find a retired guy with money. Should have no issues at all. Dating for old people is great in Florida.

I on the other hand I'm 36 and my area is just dreadful being the oldest median age in the state. Online dating sites are terrible around here for my age.

Soooo true! But may have to go with a guy in his 70's. lol

[UWSgal1]

Originally Posted by Tripower455

Yes. Central is the norm in all but the oldest homes, and most of those have been retrofitted with central AC.

Humidity is as big, (or even bigger) an issue as temperature is in the summer, and often in the winter.

My lake house (in Central FL) was built in the mid 50's as a well to do snowbird's winter home, and it wasn't originally built with AC. It has a whole house attic fan and originally had an oil burner like you'd see up north. The winters up here are a bit cooler than down in Naples though.

Good to know, thanks.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by Tripower455

Yes. Central is the norm in all but the oldest homes, and most of those have been retrofitted with central AC.

Humidity is as big, (or even bigger) an issue as temperature is in the summer, and often in the winter.

My lake house (in Central FL) was built in the mid 50's as a well to do snowbird's winter home, and it wasn't originally built with AC. It has a whole house attic fan and originally had an oil burner like you'd see up north. The winters up here are a bit cooler than down in Naples though.

Very true. Even in Naples back then winters were a bit cooler.

But today, central FL like Orlando and that you would need AC in the winter since you get more and more days with highs approaching mid 80s now in the winter than back in the 50s.

[zazzyhippie]

oh great, another NYer

[Tripower455]

Originally Posted by MOforthewin

Very true. Even in Naples back then winters were a bit cooler.

But today, central FL like Orlando and that you would need AC in the winter since you get more and more days with highs approaching mid 80s now in the winter than back in the 50s.

Yeah, there's no way I could live here without AC, even in the winter. I was amazed at how little we used it last year. We'd go weeks without the AC ever kicking on, where in Naples, you were lucky to get a few days, maybe a week at a time. We used the heat more last winter than we did in the previous 32 years, combined, in Naples.

[MOforthewin]

Originally Posted by Tripower455

Yeah, there's no way I could live here without AC, even in the winter. I was amazed at how little we used it last year. We'd go weeks without the AC ever kicking on, where in Naples, you were lucky to get a few days, maybe a week at a time. We used the heat more last winter than we did in the previous 32 years, combined, in Naples.

I live in Punta Gorda, 50 miles north of Naples and even in that distance it's a lot different. our nighttime lows in winter are always a few degrees cooler and highs a couple degrees cooler in winter. Even the landscape is different with a quite tropical look in Naples with big Coconut trees. We don't have nearly as many Coconut trees in Punta Gorda or as tropical look. But you go out to Englewood on Manasota Key and it looks a lot more tropical in a short distance

Regardless of time of year I do notice the dewpoints are higher in Naples and it always feels more humid in Naples, especially in the summer compared to Punta Gorda.

On the west coast of Florida south of Tampa Bay along the immediate coast takes on a more tropical type look, otherwise Ft. Myers on south it really becomes more tropical regardless of how far inland.

Naples though feels a lot warmer than when I lived there in the 90s. I do have to wonder if water temps keep staying warm later in the year and lack of cold fronts if we will start seeing more late season tropical threats come up from the south well into Nov if that becomes a norm eventually.

[LoveSRQ]

I'll put in my 2 cents on this thread. 1.) I love warm, tropical weather but taking 3 showers a day and changing 3 outfits a day grows old. Naples is hot and steamy. Get ready for that. 2.) Major congestion on the roads, in the grocery stores, etc It might not be bad to you since you are used to NYC, but it gets old after a while and as someone mentioned, Naples is not a very walkable city 3.) Politics....SWFL tends to be more conservative. So if you plan on bringing your politics with you, you most likely will have to look for other NYers to connect with. With that all said, have you thought about Sarasota? It is cooler, much more walkable, less congested, safe and has a plethora of arts and activities. On top of that is a more Liberal city. The mayor is a Democrat, educated in France. Do some research into the Lido Beach/St. Armands area. It is really lovely. You would not need a car in Sarasota if you chose to live in that area. Beach, theatre, symphony, el Fresco dining at world-class restaurants, banks, shops, groceries, boat marina, as well as a highly rated hospital are all within a 6-mile radius. I have lived in both areas and Lido/St Armands wins hands down over Naples. Good luck to you.

Read more: NYC 50s Widow contemplating Naples

[UWSgal1]

Originally Posted by LoveSRQ

I'll put in my 2 cents on this thread. 1.) I love warm, tropical weather but taking 3 showers a day and changing 3 outfits a day grows old. Naples is hot and steamy. Get ready for that. 2.) Major congestion on the roads, in the grocery stores, etc It might not be bad to you since you are used to NYC, but it gets old after a while and as someone mentioned, Naples is not a very walkable city 3.) Politics....SWFL tends to be more conservative. So if you plan on bringing your politics with you, you most likely will have to look for other NYers to connect with. With that all said, have you thought about Sarasota? It is cooler, much more walkable, less congested, safe and has a plethora of arts and activities. On top of that is a more Liberal city. The mayor is a Democrat, educated in France. Do some research into the Lido Beach/St. Armands area. It is really lovely. You would not need a car in Sarasota if you chose to live in that area. Beach, theatre, symphony, el Fresco dining at world-class restaurants, banks, shops, groceries, boat marina, as well as a highly rated hospital are all within a 6-mile radius. I have lived in both areas and Lido/St Armands wins hands down over Naples. Good luck to you.

Read more: http:////www.city-data.com/forum/nap...-naples-4.html

Thank you! Will research.