Helping parents relocating from Boston : Appreciate any advice (Port Charlotte, Venice: 2015, HOA)

[mr&mrssunshine]

Rotonda / Placida are very close together. we live in a Rotonda sub division yet our postal address is Placida.

Rotonda West is the main part also know as the circle. this has the bigger lots, canal lots, golf course lots and fetches higher prices. as I say you can get a new home inside the circle for sub $325. its the most populated of the Rotondas.

then surrounding the circle you have Rotonda Heights, lakes, Sands ., The Heights is on the west side and is probably the second densest sub. The Lakes being number 1. then the sands and last the Meadows which is the other side of gasparilla Rd. all these subs have smaller lots. The Lakes are narrower and deeper meaning building split plan homes is very difficult (most have all bedrooms on one side) Although I like the lakes I am not a huge fan of narrow homes.

the Sands , the lots are wider but not so deep so you have to be careful you can get a pool on.

the Meadows is very sparsely populated , right now its like a poor mans South Gulf Cove. If you like being remote it may be worth a look, but again small lots and there are a huge number not served by power ($$$$$ to run).

All of the subs have a LPS sewer system which means you have a mini sewer in your front yard. its no big deal. All are on city water.

We have dogs and love the fact they can wander.

you are close (within 20 minutes) to golf courses, shops, beaches while still feeling that you aren't in a town/city.

So yes I love Rotonda , it suits our lifestyle and just through word of mouth we are now building 11 homes here :-)

[Harbor Hopper]

Originally Posted by Messing About

PS - forget about Bonita and Ft Myers. Erase them from your thoughts.

BIG rep points for that statement MA! Just our opinion and tastes, but we could never imagine living down there!

[wpc691]

Originally Posted by Harbor Hopper

BIG rep points for that statement MA! Just our opinion and tastes, but we could never imagine living down there!

3x on that. Unless they're well off enough to have "people", those areas are miserable with traffic from Nov to May. On the heat and humidity issue, remember it's not just the temp index during the week you visit. It's more or less the same high heat and humidity from the middle of May to the middle of October. So Labor Day rolls around, summer is over up North, and you realize you've got 6 more weeks of very tropical weather before it cools off. I'm not trying to be discouraging, as we love it here. But, we lived in Florida in the 80's, so we knew exactly what we were getting into. We adjust our activities toward the early morning and evening, and enjoy the lack of traffic. But, if somebody "hates" the heat and humidity, May to October is a long time to tough it out, so just be realistic.

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by wpc691

3x on that. Unless they're well off enough to have "people", those areas are miserable with traffic from Nov to May. On the heat and humidity issue, remember it's not just the temp index during the week you visit. It's more or less the same high heat and humidity from the middle of May to the middle of October. So Labor Day rolls around, summer is over up North, and you realize you've got 6 more weeks of very tropical weather before it cools off. I'm not trying to be discouraging, as we love it here. But, we lived in Florida in the 80's, so we knew exactly what we were getting into. We adjust our activities toward the early morning and evening, and enjoy the lack of traffic. But, if somebody "hates" the heat and humidity, May to October is a long time to tough it out, so just be realistic.

Let's be clear the traffic is bad during the high season in Pt Charlotte and Punta Gorda compared to the off season anyplace else it would be considered normal traffic.

Also if they like 90° in Boston it like 90° down here The only differences is that it's 90° for a much longer period of time down here.

Gary

[SeaRay35]

I'll take 90's over 0 any day of the week!

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by SeaRay35

I'll take 90's over 0 any day of the week!

Mr too!

There's a saying you can put more clothes on to keep you warm but you can't take it off or keep your cool.

But you can always jump in the pool!

[jonmac56]

They will be fine as we have visited Miami several times in summer and despite the heat/humidity they loved it (at least key Biscayne lol) They also come from a home without central ac so trust me they will be fine.

So the most impressive homes to them have been in Port Charlotte. However they really like the Rotunda (some are in the west) location and homes as well. They also found a few 2006 built homes in PG that are gorgeous. So first thing is to narrow it down to Venice or Rotunda/Placida. Pros and Cons of each... We will likely look at the Port Charlotte homes since they are impressive but I was really hoping to know if any of you have any big negatives toward PC? I realize as slightly bigger location crime is higher but compared to a big northeast city is it really bad? They love the PG area and what they have been told so my gut tells me they will sacrifice some luxury for PG as long as it meets their basic needs.

I lived in Naples for 1 year and they visited a few times and loved it so while Naples is too expensive (they would be looking at a condo or TH) Bonita will be spot they will checkout. How about Cape Coral? One of my co-workers just moved her parents there and spoke highly? Of PC, Rotunda,PG which is cape coral most similar too?

Sorry for so many questions just want to narrow it down before august .

[MartyGras]

Originally Posted by jonmac56

They will be fine as we have visited Miami several times in summer and despite the heat/humidity they loved it (at least key Biscayne lol) They also come from a home without central ac so trust me they will be fine.

So the most impressive homes to them have been in Port Charlotte. However they really like the Rotunda (some are in the west) location and homes as well. They also found a few 2006 built homes in PG that are gorgeous. So first thing is to narrow it down to Venice or Rotunda/Placida. Pros and Cons of each... We will likely look at the Port Charlotte homes since they are impressive but I was really hoping to know if any of you have any big negatives toward PC? I realize as slightly bigger location crime is higher but compared to a big northeast city is it really bad? They love the PG area and what they have been told so my gut tells me they will sacrifice some luxury for PG as long as it meets their basic needs.

I lived in Naples for 1 year and they visited a few times and loved it so while Naples is too expensive (they would be looking at a condo or TH) Bonita will be spot they will checkout. How about Cape Coral? One of my co-workers just moved her parents there and spoke highly? Of PC, Rotunda,PG which is cape coral most similar too?

Sorry for so many questions just want to narrow it down before august .

I think the most important thing is to check out the areas first and try to figure out where you want to live.

Have a first and second choice and then try to find a home.

Gary

[Harbor Hopper]

We lived in PC for 5 years before moving out to Englewood. Like most towns, it is mixed. Nice neighborhoods and not-so-nice ones. The properties you are looking at are in nicer neighborhoods.

I wouldn't consider cape coral like any of the areas around here. Port Charlotte or PGI if I had to choose. Lots of waterways, lots of restaurants & shopping. Cape Coral is very large with lots of traffic, and the towns up here are not even close to the same size.

[SeaRay35]

Cape Coral and PG or PC, no comparison!