15 years in Southwest Florida and still loving it
Posted 08-25-2008 at 07:10 AM by FLBob
In the early 1990's the economy was in turmoil, the real estate market was tailspin. The stress of working in the world of hightech in Washington DC was sucking the life right out of me.
One day Johanne looked at me and said "lets do it, lets quit, sell our house and move to Naples Florida" The worst case scenario we don't make it work and we move back.
Well we made it. We were able to adapt. Jobs were hard to come by, but we noted that an entrepreneurial spirit was alive and built our own software consulting business. The level of local technology needs was no where near as exciting as what we were accustomed to so we eventually decided to move away from our comfort zone. To challenge ourselves in another industry. We decided to venture into real estate.
Real estate is a tougher business than most people ever image. Both Johanne and I find it to be interesting and challenging. Our hightech backgrounds originally gave us an edge in our market place. The internet was our market media and the competition was sparse. That condition has changed and every successful Realtor has learned to market their listed properties and themselves using the internet.
We've moved from Naples and now live in Venice Florida. Venice is a lot like Naples was when we moved there. A small coastal town with friendly people, uncrowded beaches, a place we're glad to call home.
We are coming up on our 15th anniversary of living and working in southwest Florida. We enjoy our life here. We learned early on that we could not change Florida to be what we wanted. We changed to be happy with what Florida has to offer.
Shortly after moving into our house in the Moorings in Naples, a neighbor came by to say hello. I will always remember what she told us, "Some time in the middle of October the first front will make it to southwest Florida, and for the next six months the weather will be so beautiful it will take your breath away". While I do enjoy the Florida summer, I still wait each year to have my breath taken away.
One day Johanne looked at me and said "lets do it, lets quit, sell our house and move to Naples Florida" The worst case scenario we don't make it work and we move back.
Well we made it. We were able to adapt. Jobs were hard to come by, but we noted that an entrepreneurial spirit was alive and built our own software consulting business. The level of local technology needs was no where near as exciting as what we were accustomed to so we eventually decided to move away from our comfort zone. To challenge ourselves in another industry. We decided to venture into real estate.
Real estate is a tougher business than most people ever image. Both Johanne and I find it to be interesting and challenging. Our hightech backgrounds originally gave us an edge in our market place. The internet was our market media and the competition was sparse. That condition has changed and every successful Realtor has learned to market their listed properties and themselves using the internet.
We've moved from Naples and now live in Venice Florida. Venice is a lot like Naples was when we moved there. A small coastal town with friendly people, uncrowded beaches, a place we're glad to call home.
We are coming up on our 15th anniversary of living and working in southwest Florida. We enjoy our life here. We learned early on that we could not change Florida to be what we wanted. We changed to be happy with what Florida has to offer.
Shortly after moving into our house in the Moorings in Naples, a neighbor came by to say hello. I will always remember what she told us, "Some time in the middle of October the first front will make it to southwest Florida, and for the next six months the weather will be so beautiful it will take your breath away". While I do enjoy the Florida summer, I still wait each year to have my breath taken away.
Total Comments 12
Comments
-
Hey FlBob! What's that fish you have there? sconePosted 08-26-2008 at 08:32 AM by scone
-
The fish is a snook. The snook is a favorite game fish in South Florida. The fish in the picture was returned to the water.Posted 09-06-2008 at 06:41 AM by FLBob
-
Hello Bob, we bought a place in North Port, will be down at Christmas time, love the photo's keep em comming:}
AlisonPosted 11-03-2008 at 03:45 PM by grandmallie
-
Hey FLBob,
I'm sure the weather in Naples today is much more pleasant that it is in Minnesota. Enjoy it! And, the market will improve, too. In my area, it is slow and getting slower. I am planning for spring now
Posted 11-10-2008 at 03:55 PM by SassyBelle
-
Hi Bob,
I am looking to move to venice and have found a home in the golden gate city. do you know anything about it? there are an awful lot of forclosures in that little community. what is the problem or are there any problems i should be aware of. jersey girl looking to fly south.Posted 11-12-2008 at 06:28 PM by lisans
-
sorry bob, i meant, naples
jersey girlPosted 11-12-2008 at 06:29 PM by lisans
-
hi we have been thinking of moving to orlando-kissimmee area for many years now but we are not sure if it will work out, don't know where to start to make a decision. we have visited almost every year to the area, love it but i understand its not the same since we are vacationing. we have been researching the internet for jobs and houses but there are so many houses that makes it impossible to choose, and the jobs seems to be so far from the residential areas and they dont always say how much they pay an hour. what will be your suggestions? we also have a first grader and from what i have heard the school days are not longer than 2:30pm how are parents going to work fulltime when the kids get out school so early?Posted 11-16-2008 at 09:08 AM by alex1216
-
Alex1216 - I'm more of a fan of coastal Florida. and if I were looking to start fresh somewhere in Florida I think I'd keep my search to the larger port cities. Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami. While opportunities may exist elsewhere, everything I see and read indicates this is a tough job market, so I see the port cities as having a more diverse economy.Posted 11-17-2008 at 05:40 AM by FLBob
-
I will be starting over from scratch at age 50. I have been looking into the Naples or Jacksonville area of Florida. Can someone fill me in on the pros and cons of these areas? I want to be close to the beach if I am going to stay in Fla. I moved from Destin after 12yrs for economic and personal reasons. I am temporarily living with family in Lakemary Florida and know this area is not for me. I hope to reroot myself in no more than a year to possibly naples or JacksonvillePosted 01-01-2009 at 10:39 AM by waterbaby1
-
Hey there, My husband, I and our two small boys are contemplating moving there this summer. We're in Ormond, just a tad above Daytona, and love our Ocean view, but are looking to go where it's even warmer, nicer, cleaner, and has sunsets! What advice can you give for someone looking to rent beachside? Do you know of family friendly areas? Or any other information that would help? Thank you so much, AudreyPosted 02-20-2009 at 09:43 AM by Audreyonthebeach
-
Obviously Bob, you're not driving I-75 daily and the gridlock traffic on Tamiami Trail, Pine Ridge, Vanderbilt, Livingston, Vanderbilt, Immokalee Roads. So do you sit at home all day? Or just get around in a golf cart?
How about riding a bicycle around town and NOT being run over/hit by cars? Tell me your story about shopping at Target or Publix at Pine Ridge/Airport and finding a parking space!
Be sure to tell the folks when they buy their "dream home" about the HOA Nazi's and closed golf courses and country clubs! ;-)
Aren't you LOVIN' "IT"?Posted 07-20-2009 at 01:19 AM by daytonadewd
-
Daytonadewd - I left Naples when the daily gridlock started to effect my quality of life; around 2000. But living here in Venice the traffic is very tolerable. I drove to and from Rotonda today (50 miles), very little traffic.
In the city of Venice I don't deal with an HOA and the golf course is a public course. So yes I'm still lovin' it.Posted 07-20-2009 at 02:17 PM by FLBob
