[Moveeast31]

I am new to this forum but am very interested in everyone's input on this subject. We are currently residing in Arizona and, while we have enjoyed the beautiful scenery and mild winters, we have always been interested in living somewhere that has a more tropical feel to it, beaches etc... I am looking for input on where the best place to relocate would be. We have a steady income so jobs are not an issue. We have a 13 year old so schools are an issue but, since we come from Arizona, I don't think the school systems could get any worse as we are about the worst in the nation. We rent out here for about $850 a month and having done a search I have seen that there are places with similar rental prices but I want to make sure we are close to beautiful beaches and landscapes as that is a huge reason we are interested in moving.

I have looked online at the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area and am also interested in feedback (price/location) on the east end of Florida as well. Any and all feedback will be hugely appreciated...thanks! And, of course, we plan on making a trip out there before deciding : ) I would just like some input on some of the best places to consider.

[SummerBabe]

Originally Posted by Moveeast31

I am new to this forum but am very interested in everyone's input on this subject. We are currently residing in Arizona and, while we have enjoyed the beautiful scenery and mild winters, we have always been interested in living somewhere that has a more tropical feel to it, beaches etc... I am looking for input on where the best place to relocate would be. We have a steady income so jobs are not an issue. We have a 13 year old so schools are an issue but, since we come from Arizona, I don't think the school systems could get any worse as we are about the worst in the nation. We rent out here for about $850 a month and having done a search I have seen that there are places with similar rental prices but I want to make sure we are close to beautiful beaches and landscapes as that is a huge reason we are interested in moving.

I have looked online at the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area and am also interested in feedback (price/location) on the east end of Florida as well. Any and all feedback will be hugely appreciated...thanks! And, of course, we plan on making a trip out there before deciding : ) I would just like some input on some of the best places to consider.

"The Best Place to Live" would depend on each respective person's needs/wants, etc.........Do a search/research in the numerous threads by cities/states, and then visit the places that make your final list.

Good luck!

[Moveeast31]

Lol, I have consumed myself with that most of the morning! I think I would put my needs in order this way...1. Nice rental/area for about $800-$900, 2. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES BEACHES BEACHES, 3. not trashy or crime filled, shopping/entertainment. I have been looking on the east side of the state and while it is equally beautiful it seems to be more expensive. The Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area seems just as beautiful and more affordable. Where we live in Arizona we found a beautiful house for $850 but I regret the area choice because we kind of ended up in the boonies! I have to drive 20-30 miles just to go to a decent restaurant or the movies and I dislike that intesnly and forget about finding a mall : )

Are you from Florida? Sorry if that's a stupid question but I'm new to this forum.

[SummerBabe]

Originally Posted by Moveeast31

Lol, I have consumed myself with that most of the morning! I think I would put my needs in order this way...1. Nice rental/area for about $800-$900, 2. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES BEACHES BEACHES, 3. not trashy or crime filled, shopping/entertainment. I have been looking on the east side of the state and while it is equally beautiful it seems to be more expensive. The Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area seems just as beautiful and more affordable. Where we live in Arizona we found a beautiful house for $850 but I regret the area choice because we kind of ended up in the boonies! I have to drive 20-30 miles just to go to a decent restaurant or the movies and I dislike that intesnly and forget about finding a mall : )

Are you from Florida? Sorry if that's a stupid question but I'm new to this forum.

No, I'm not from/in Florida, but some day I will be (if that is God's will that is!).

However, I'm in the planning/research stage (lots of research..lol..) of my potential relocation.

Good luck..........

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by Moveeast31

I am new to this forum but am very interested in everyone's input on this subject. We are currently residing in Arizona and, while we have enjoyed the beautiful scenery and mild winters, we have always been interested in living somewhere that has a more tropical feel to it, beaches etc... I am looking for input on where the best place to relocate would be. We have a steady income so jobs are not an issue. We have a 13 year old so schools are an issue but, since we come from Arizona, I don't think the school systems could get any worse as we are about the worst in the nation. We rent out here for about $850 a month and having done a search I have seen that there are places with similar rental prices but I want to make sure we are close to beautiful beaches and landscapes as that is a huge reason we are interested in moving.

I have looked online at the Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area and am also interested in feedback (price/location) on the east end of Florida as well. Any and all feedback will be hugely appreciated...thanks! And, of course, we plan on making a trip out there before deciding : ) I would just like some input on some of the best places to consider.

Never lived there - only visited. However, if I were to move there Ft. Myers or Sanibel would be my choice hands down. Much better than the East Coast...of course, there is always Key West if you can afford it.

20yrsinBranson

[Moveeast31]

I never even thought of living IN Sanibel! We went and stayed in a condo on the beach there when we were kids. It was beyond beautiful and the shells we strolled the beach for were amazing. All this talk makes me want to go now!! So far all the research I have done points to Ft. Myers/Cape Coral but of course I will have to see it in person before making a decision : )

Thank you Summerbabe and 20 for your input, I really appreciate it!

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Moveeast31

Lol, I have consumed myself with that most of the morning! I think I would put my needs in order this way...1. Nice rental/area for about $800-$900, 2. BEAUTIFUL BEACHES BEACHES BEACHES, 3. not trashy or crime filled, shopping/entertainment. I have been looking on the east side of the state and while it is equally beautiful it seems to be more expensive. The Cape Coral/Ft. Myers area seems just as beautiful and more affordable. Where we live in Arizona we found a beautiful house for $850 but I regret the area choice because we kind of ended up in the boonies! I have to drive 20-30 miles just to go to a decent restaurant or the movies and I dislike that intesnly and forget about finding a mall : )

Are you from Florida? Sorry if that's a stupid question but I'm new to this forum.

For shopping, entertainment, restaurants and beautiful beaches in a safe area with rents in your price range you should probably most consider Cape Coral. It's the foreclosure capital of the state and as a result there are some amazing deals there, to rent or buy.

[Moveeast31]

So, yes that is where I have been leaning towards from what I have read online. Can I ask your opinion though...do you think the housing situation will still be to my advantage in the spring of next year?

[hiknapster]

First of all, Sanibel is very expensive. Cape Coral has one tiny, tiny beach. Fort Myers beach is okay. It's not beautiful, often it is alright, and sometimes it is affected by red tide or algae blooms. Yes, some areas get that, too, but FMB seems to get it on a fairly regular basis.

Fort Myers is mostly lower-middle class. There are some very poor areas and a couple of nicer areas.

Cape Coral is cute, especially in the older, established areas. A lot of it, even after all these years, is still not built out and it looks very barren; level, dusty, with no trees.

Of course the housing is very affordable. Probably much like Arizona and you could also drive to Sanibel to go to the beaches, which are very nice. It's about 40 to 55 minutes and a toll bridge away.

Schools are a huge consideration, especially because the county has School Choice which often means they choose a school for your child to go and it is not always near where you live. Frequently, kids on one neighborhood do not go to school together. It is not a good situation.

Sarasota is to the north. Much better schools, beautiful beaches, more cultural offerings. It's also more expensive. Not Sanibel-expensive but not as affordable as Lee County, either.

[SoFLGal]

You should try North Port, it's where I live. It's in Sarasota county, so you get the benefit of an excellent schools system. It's about 30 minutes from the beaches, 40 minutes from downtown Sarasota. You could easily find a place to rent for $850+, in a nice area.