moving to Florida (Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Naples: 2014, homes, buying)

[lakegirl54]

We are planning on retiring in the Port Charlotte/Englewood area this summer. We would like to be on a canal and within 10 minutes or so to the beach. We have been looking in the SGC area. Are there any other areas that are better suited for that price range. We plan on either building on a lot or buying an existing home. Any thoughts on that. Our top budget is about $375000.00 for everything. Prices seem to be so much more affordable in this area. We looked in the Naples area and anything reasonably new on a canal is over $1,000,000.00.

[TamRE]

Are you looking to just be on a canal or are you looking for a Gulf access canal? Read some of the threads on City-Data about South Gulf Cove. It is a long ride out to the gulf if that is what you are looking for. You may want to look in Port Charlotte along the Edgewater to Ohara area which will be quicker out to the gulf. There are also some older homes in Punta Gorda Isles in your price range, but if you want a newer home those in PGI are $400k and above. There are some other areas along the Myakka River in Port Charlotte near Irwin and Eisenhower that are on decent canals. Gulf Cove also has homes right along the Myakka River too. The Edgewater and Harbor area also has salt-water sailboat canal access homes. Or Harbor Heights area.

Out of all of these the closest to a gulf beach would be Gulf Cove. Or the Port Charlotte Beach Complex is off of Harbor and Edgewater, which is a river beach not a gulf beach. You may also find something in Cape Haze which is closer to the beach.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by lakegirl54

We are planning on retiring in the Port Charlotte/Englewood area this summer. We would like to be on a canal and within 10 minutes or so to the beach. We have been looking in the SGC area. Are there any other areas that are better suited for that price range. We plan on either building on a lot or buying an existing home. Any thoughts on that. Our top budget is about $375000.00 for everything. Prices seem to be so much more affordable in this area. We looked in the Naples area and anything reasonably new on a canal is over $1,000,000.00.

It really depends on what you're looking for. I live very close to South Gulf Cove on Palm Island. South Gulf Cove takes a very long time to get to open water but it is closer to the beaches. Punta Gorda Isles has much shorter access in many areas but is farther from the beaches. At this point there are some good deals on the water so it probably doesn't make much sense to build. You can most likely buy an existing home cheaper. I think you need to take a look at both communities and figure out what your top priorities are-closer to the beaches and shorter distance out or farther from the beaches and not as far to open water.

Have you looked at Palm Island? There are a few homes out here on the water in your range. I've also seen some decent deals in the Cape Haze/Englewood area lately.

[mr&mrssunshine]

I know SFG loves Palm Island, me it would drive me crazy living there. we like taking the boat over for the day but being stuck there , I don't know. there's one tiny little shop and a below average restaurant. otherwise you have to ferry over to the mainland every time you want a burger or a bottle of milk.

SGC seems hot right now, yes you have the saltwater canals but as has been well documented its a long boat ride to the ocean. I have also heard the mossie can be brutal out there, not sure if that's true. we have looked at building out there but not sure whether the market is good enough.

as for beaches , Boca is nice and local and we dock our boat at Gasparilla marina, 5 mins drive 15 minutes to the gulf...nice

If any old canal or a lake would do why not look at Rotonda ?

[MikeM8560]

Originally Posted by lakegirl54

We are planning on retiring in the Port Charlotte/Englewood area this summer......... Prices seem to be so much more affordable in this area. We looked in the Naples area and anything reasonably new on a canal is over $1,000,000.00.

I moved here 10 years ago and bumped into several people I knew from my business before in new Hampshire. because it was an affordable area

[lakegirl54]

Thanks for all the info! Will check into the areas. We would rather stay on the mainland and want to have our boat on the canal, but putting it in a marina and letting them take care of it is also a good option. We checked out the Rotunda but really like being by water. We are from a small city and really like the "small town atmosphere" of this area compared to the Naples/Fort Myers area. During the winter months the traffic is crazy in the bigger cities.

[mr&mrssunshine]

what I like about the marina is the no hassle option. they put it in the water, they take it out and flush it, there is a mechanic and gas on site ...all for $225 a month.....hassle free


a home on a canal will cost a big $$ premium and as has been mentioned from SGC you are a LONG way from the ocean

that's my thinking , of course each to their own so good luck

[SoFLGal]

Here's an article in todays paper about the Freedom Boat Club: For locally based boat club, smoother sailing | HeraldTribune.com

[lakegirl54]

The marina sounds like the way to go. We are expanding our search to homes not on a canal, but closer to the beach and marina. Any ideas of what areas?
Thanks so much for all the posts! They are so helpful.

[TamRE]

Do you want to be in a deed-restricted community or non-deed restricted? South Gulf Cove has lots that are not on canals, Rotonda West, Eden Harbor, Gulf Cove, anywhere along 776 (S McCall Rd) has non-deed restricted homes, Lake Marlin, Oyster Creek, Stillwater.