Just moved here! Pros & Cons so far.....

[craigiri]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I will just never understand, troll or not, why someone becomes so vehement about a city or town - like it's personal or something. Over and over we see on these forums people who hated a town (or the whole state) and left and STILL can't let it go.

There are places I have lived and did not care for, or got tired of (including Sarasota, lol) but I still always see the good in them. I guess some people are just miserable being themselves.

On the other hand, there are a lot of things she says which can be true for many. Just as some people here cheerlead and act like it is "paradise" when, in fact, it is anything but. As one post said "do your research" - know what you are getting into. People should not buy into the marketing (of Florida, a development, etc.) but rather do their homework, rent, explore and decide.

Florida is a stark place - every explorer and settler has agreed on that much. We have reshapened much of it to our liking, but that type of newness (lack of history, roots, fewer town centers, etc.) can be very foreign too many. I've always felt more connected when I am in an area with history, buildings and institutions that go back 100's of years.
Others may be more "nomadic" and can easier adapt to "anywhere USA".

There are positives and negatives but we really should face one fact. Florida, for many of us, is sorta the "poor mans paradise". There is no "San Diego weather" or topography here on the East Coast and if there was you couldn't buy a place for $250K there.

When one is talking about the average prices and what many of us have.....many might be in the category of "you get what you pay for"...and we ain't paying much (considering).

Better someone should read her post and be prompted to rent for a couple months or similar to be sure...than to pull up roots and have to deal with complete relocations twice.

[ranchonodinero]

So, to get back on track. How would you say this area compares to Punta Gorda? Married, late 50s and am contemplating the move from Texas. Texans scoff at the heat and humidity. Not sure if I would work-I am "retired" but working. One thing that concerns me about PG is the age of the residence and the fact that it appears you have to drive somewhere to do something. Don't get me wrong, doing nothing is great. We have a boat and love the water and outdoors. So anyone on here lived down in PG or Port Charlotte and moved up here?

[beach43ofus]

Punta Gorda is a boaters haven. If you are not a regular boater, you will not like it. If you are a boater, you will like it.

[vacoder]

Lived in PG for three years. It has a great downtown and rivals any downtown south of Sarasota and north of Naples. It is 50 minutes from the beach so if you intend on going to the beach often it may not be for you. Not sure where else you are looking but most of SW Florida is dominated by retirees.