Impression of Punta Gorda (Sarasota, Bradenton: big house, shop, move)
Punta Gorda - Port CharlotteCharlotte County
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Just got back from a week of property shopping for 2 BR condos in the 1200 sq. ft. range around Punta Gorda. Sorry to say, I was not impressed at all with that area. Flew into Ft. Myers, and coming over the bridge on 75 into PG, the area looked depressed, swampy; and around that 41/King's Hwy. corner with all the commercial look trash really turned me off. There is no beach at PG! and the harbor water is brackish and brown. Ate at Harpoon Harry's, impression was so so, gave the food a 6 out of 10. Fisherman's Village to me was just like many other gee gaw trinket shops, overpriced, ok to stroll.
Probably looked at 15 or 18 units, some in the King's Hwy. areas, complexes not looking well kept. I realize the area is in a drought, but they're calling "lakes" what I would call mud puddles on some of those. Newport condos I wouldn't even look at. The only nice ones I saw were Heritage Lakes (crazy high taxes), and Crystal Bay over at Lake Suzy (nice but unrealistic overpriced unit owners). Was told that PG is an "up and coming" "historic" area. Could not get that vibe at all. Downtown is sort of cute, but on a 1 to 10 of other cute, quaint towns in the south, I'd have to give it a minus 2. Went to gallery walk Thurs. night .... hardly anyone there and all the snowbirds have not left yet. The one pretty historic street going into PG Isles was very pretty. Burnt Store Meadows area, same downtrodden look as other areas. Not enough in PG to make me want to invest there. What did I miss?
Beaches at Venice, gorgeous; ate at Sharkey's yesterday, nice ambiance there. Wasn't impressed with Englewood area either, old, some pretty shabby areas off 775 and 776.
Went up to Sarasota Bradenton areas .... much more dense population, nicer looking properties; homeowners and complexes seem to take more pride up in that area, of course it's more $$ than PGorda, but nice shopping centers, clean streets, attractive and looks progressive. All sorts of arts and entertainment, cultural attractions there. Traffic around St. Armand's Circle at noon on Thursday was bumper to bumper which was fine, I was just observing, not shopping.
In a few weeks, I'm going to head over to Hobe Sound, take a look around there, see what there is to offer. There is a condo complex in Stuart (Estates of Stuart) that may have some good discounted units. Will check that out, and Sebastian, Vero areas.
Does anyone else have a better impression of PGorda? What about Ft. Myers? Saw a bit of Ft. Myers on the way to Sanibel, didn't have time to pursue neighborhoods but the general "feeling" there was better than in PG. Can't tell much from that road going by the Edison estate....but did wonder about Whiskey Creek area. There must be some nicer residential condo complexes in Ft. Myers ... as long as I can be 15 or 20 minutes from a nice beach, is fine.
A couple of points about your post:
1) brackish water: did your friend not mention this to you? The upper harbor is made up of two rivers. Rivers are usually brown from all of the organic matter (mainly vegetation falling into the river and decaying). The water is very safe for swimming, in fact, there were a bunch of kids out tubing/water skiing this past weekend.
Depending on time of year, recent rains, etc...., the water turns to blue/green right around the Cape Haze point.
If you want the pretty water, it will cost you. The further west you move (pretty water), the more expensive. You didn't mention your price range, but my guess is that you are looking for a cadillac on a kia budget.
I had a buddy from up north phone me over the winter wanting info on area condos. He just "knew" he could find a 2bd/2ba waterfront condo with dock for $30,000 cash or less. I told him he was crazy insane. Well he came down, looked for a week on his own, and went home disappointed. Apparently the media was misleading to him (NOOOOOO!)
2) The gallery walk is usually pretty popular...November-March when it's not 95 degrees out! The older folks that generally take these walks don't care to sweat much.
Anyway, yes, there are not-so-good areas of Charlotte county, just like every other county in FL. Sounds like your tour guide/friend didn't do a very good job showing you the nice areas, unless he/she was trying to keep you in areas that fit your budget. Better luck on your future shopping trips!
Yes, I recall saying to my agent that I'd rather be on the "other side of the bridge". Also I did find 2 condos that may be a good fit... one is furnished; not a selling point for me == sellers don't realize tha buyers who want to be permanent residents don't want their furnishings. I haven't ruled PG out yet.
A condominum may be a good option. You pay fees for that, but then you don'thave to worry about all the maintenance work - they do it. You just pay their rate and it frees you up to come and go, and not worry about the lawn, pool, watering the landscaping, the roof leaking, etc... But you do want someone checking the inside once a week or so, so that they can detect that you left the water running, or you have some other leak, left the heat on too high, or the air conditioner set too low, or all the food in freezer has spoiled after a power outage - things like that.
Did they take you to the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, so that you can see the factilities, and see all the clubs and activities they have going on? If you join that, you will be invited to a ton of meet and greets, and clubs - check out pgica.org. But, you have to be a resident of PGI to join.
I really think you didn't get to see the best of PGI / PG, and I am not sure that you saw some of the nicer areas of PC. PC is a much older community, and so are the homes. The prices are a lot lower than you will find in other areas, and even though I have bought and sold a house or two there, and I do like some of the communities there - it isn't for me either. That said, there are some really nice areas there, and some awesome canal front homes - which I've really come to enjoy living on! Harbor Hopper as a great place and rumor has it, that he just added a pool. Of course, I'm not so sure - I trust him, but I'm just not positive. Hopefully, I can validate his claim some day. I do know he has a really nice boat.
A couple of points about your post:
1) brackish water: did your friend not mention this to you? The upper harbor is made up of two rivers. Rivers are usually brown from all of the organic matter (mainly vegetation falling into the river and decaying). The water is very safe for swimming, in fact, there were a bunch of kids out tubing/water skiing this past weekend.
I thought there was a beach nearby PGorda, that was a disappointment but not a deal killer. I did see people walking on a little beach over at Ponce de Leon park ... being from New England and Cape Cod, that was not my kind of "beach".
Depending on time of year, recent rains, etc...., the water turns to blue/green right around the Cape Haze point.
If you want the pretty water, it will cost you. The further west you move (pretty water), the more expensive. You didn't mention your price range, but my guess is that you are looking for a cadillac on a kia budget.
I had a buddy from up north phone me over the winter wanting info on area condos. He just "knew" he could find a 2bd/2ba waterfront condo with dock for $30,000 cash or less. I told him he was crazy insane. Well he came down, looked for a week on his own, and went home disappointed. Apparently the media was misleading to him (NOOOOOO!)
Beg your pardon sir, I am not wanting a Caddy on a Kia budget, my budget is none of your business frankly -- and is nowhere near the vicinity of your bottom feeding friend's idea of what he could get. I cannot believe that someone told him what you quoted. He is dumb for following that kind of advice. I've been a Realtor for 23 years and know how to judge the markets.
2) The gallery walk is usually pretty popular...November-March when it's not 95 degrees out! The older folks that generally take these walks don't care to sweat much.
I know that many of the snowbirds were gone, but to call that a "gallery" walk was ludicrous. A few shops that had some nice quality items, but in my experience, it was so so. You have your opinion, I have mine. Having lived in the Asheville NC area for 10 years, and traveled extensively, that was not my idea of a true gallery scene. Sorry; everyone is entitled to an opinion.
Anyway, yes, there are not-so-good areas of Charlotte county, just like every other county in FL. Sounds like your tour guide/friend didn't do a very good job showing you the nice areas, unless he/she was trying to keep you in areas that fit your budget. Better luck on your future shopping trips!
Is it ok if I like Sarasota Bradenton ? Is it ok if I like Clearwater or Dunedin areas? Or Stuart? When I go back in a few weeks, I'll call you first for advice. You would like that.
Harbor Hopper as a great place and rumor has it, that he just added a pool. Of course, I'm not so sure - I trust him, but I'm just not positive. Hopefully, I can validate his claim some day. I do know he has a really nice boat.
Haha BH! Here's the pics to prove the addition When are you coming over for a beer????
BTW, the beach that your friend mentioned is likely the beach complex in Port Charlotte. It is a white-sand beach with a pool, shuffleboard, kids play area, boat launch, kayak rentals, fishing pier, etc... Nice little area for a local spot. But again, the water is brackish.
A condominum may be a good option. You pay fees for that, but then you don'thave to worry about all the maintenance work - they do it. You just pay their rate and it frees you up to come and go, and not worry about the lawn, pool, watering the landscaping, the roof leaking, etc... But you do want someone checking the inside once a week or so, so that they can detect that you left the water running, or you have some other leak, left the heat on too high, or the air conditioner set too low, or all the food in freezer has spoiled after a power outage - things like that.
Yes, I am only looking at condos. Don't want a single family home anymore.
Did they take you to the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, so that you can see the factilities, and see all the clubs and activities they have going on? If you join that, you will be invited to a ton of meet and greets, and clubs - check out pgica.org. But, you have to be a resident of PGI to join.
You have to live in PGI to belong. But my friend does belong to the walking club. The condos on PGI are lovely, the only one I was interested in was at Park Beach and got sold the day before I arrived.
I really think you didn't get to see the best of PGI / PG, and I am not sure that you saw some of the nicer areas of PC. PC is a much older community, and so are the homes. The prices are a lot lower than you will find in other areas, and even though I have bought and sold a house or two there, and I do like some of the communities there - it isn't for me either.
There are two at Lake Suzy that I liked, waiting to hear because they are both furnished and that does not interest me at all. My broker will be back Wednesday from a conf. in Atlanta.
That said, there are some really nice areas there, and some awesome canal front homes - which I've really come to enjoy living on! Harbor Hopper as a great place and rumor has it, that he just added a pool. Of course, I'm not so sure - I trust him, but I'm just not positive. Hopefully, I can validate his claim some day. I do know he has a really nice boat.
You can read my response to Harbor Hopper above. It was unnecessary for him to be so condescending.
BTW, the beach that your friend mentioned is likely the beach complex in Port Charlotte. It is a white-sand beach with a pool, shuffleboard, kids play area, boat launch, kayak rentals, fishing pier, etc... Nice little area for a local spot. But again, the water is brackish.
We went to the "beach" at the end of the road over at Ponce de Leon circle. Not a complex that I could tell, and wasn't appealing; and my friend never goes there. Venice beach and Englewood beach is more our cup of tea, take an umbrella, nice water, etc. Actually don't mind the drive to those beaches at all.
We went to the "beach" at the end of the road over at Ponce de Leon circle. Not a complex that I could tell, and wasn't appealing; and my friend never goes there. Venice beach and Englewood beach is more our cup of tea, take an umbrella, nice water, etc. Actually don't mind the drive to those beaches at all.
Like I said, the "beach" is the one in Port Charlotte. You can see it about 2 miles to the north of Ponce De Leon park, across the river.
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Hopefully, I can validate his claim some day. 
I do know he has a really nice boat. 
