[MRF26]

Hello all,
I am a resident of Massachusetts at the present.
I have been reading your comments for the past couple of days along with doing my own foot work in regards to research.
My husband is being relocated to SW Florida, he works out of our home so we are not made to live in a particular county.
I have two children a 5 and 4 year old; I am looking for a family community and schools that meet(prefrebly exceed) the standards.
I look forward to your correspondance.

[jamesdsimpson]

Look into the North Port area. Go to cityofnorthport.com for info.

[CHEWY12]

Check out Charlotte County. Port Charlotte,Punta Gorda,Deepcreek & Englewood. This area is still pretty clean and most of the damage from Charlie has been cleaned up.

[MRF26]

I have heard good things about both North Port and Port Charlotte. Thank you.

[FLsunshine]

Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda~very nice! Still quite affordable, not too, too crowded yet.

Fort Myers~ While I *love* Fort Myers, the crime is really rising. There are only pockets of desirable neighborhoods.

Cape Coral~ It's ok :-) I lived there for a few years. Quick commute to Fort Myers.

Naples~ too $$$$$.

(I don't know of any SWFL counties with great schools. There are supposed to be some good schools here and there but not all in a particular area. That's why we homeschool. :-)

[IBNYer]

Ft Myers schools OK, crime rate not so ok.
Cape coral schools not as good as FT myers, but crime rate lower than Ft Myers.

[Grog]

Don't believe what you hear about Fort Myers. There's only one neighborhood called Pine Manor that I wouldn't dare walk in, but it's isolated from everything there. It's safe, and great to raise a family in. Look at neighborhoods off of McGregor Blvd. Lee County does have a great school system despite what you might hear. I went to Fort Myers High, rated one of the best in the nation.

I couldn't imagine growing up anywhere else. Don't torture your kids and live in Cape Coral, they'll be bored to death; unless they find empty lots and canals exciting.

[lizziep]

Originally Posted by Grog

Don't believe what you hear about Fort Myers. There's only one neighborhood called Pine Manor that I wouldn't dare walk in, but it's isolated from everything there. It's safe, and great to raise a family in. Look at neighborhoods off of McGregor Blvd. Lee County does have a great school system despite what you might hear. I went to Fort Myers High, rated one of the best in the nation.

I couldn't imagine growing up anywhere else. Don't torture your kids and live in Cape Coral, they'll be bored to death; unless they find empty lots and canals exciting.

I am so glad to see somewhat finally say something positive about Fort Myers. It is a scary thought thinking that everything is bad about a place. There has to be some positive somewhere!

[hiknapster]

Well, there is more bad areas than Pine Manor. The poster neglected to mention the Dunbar/MLK area. I think that area is worse than Pine Manor, and that is saying something. Dunbar is also right next to the small downtown area. Heading to the east of Dunbar isn't really great, either.

In other words, Pine Manor is bad, but it is at least fairly contained. However, it does spill out to the nearby hotels. I always feel bad for the tourists that stop there.

[IBNYer]

Noone is doubting the A rating that Ft Myers high school received.
The crime rate is statistically higher, thats all.
Compare here @ City-data.com