Estero/Bonita Springs west of 41 (Naples, Naples Park: to rent, HOA fees, condo)

[PAnurse03]

Not sure this is the right forum but I don't see one for Lee County. Looking for info on areas west of 41 in Estero, Bonita Springs or North Naples. It would be nice to be close enough to take a beach walk after dinner (yes, a short drive is ok, but I know I'd find excuses not to do a 20-30 minute drive). A 5 mile bike ride would be ideal. I would be full time, moving to be close to my dad who lives in Naples. Prefer a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house or villa, 2 car garage with low HOA fees. I enjoy the sound of kids/families outside but haven't experienced that much while in FL. Perhaps it's the hot weather, small yards and crunchy grass. Perhaps everyone's in the pool. Kids up north are always out playing ball or hockey in the streets or bike riding or in winter, building snowmen and having snowball fights. Couples walk around chatting it up with neighbors where I live and have neighborhood get togethers. Our kids are grown so I'm not looking for playmates, just happy sounds of life.

Someone advised me to avoid Naples Park due to the high # of renters. My husband and I prefer to stay in the 300-400K range if possible. Willing to do without all the fancy amenities (golf, gym, country club, community center) to keep costs down but I think I prefer a HOA to maintain some standards. Also willing to do without the guarded entrance into the community. Some people have advised a gated entrance helps with security (and resale) and they suggested Vanderbilt Lakes or similar communities over the neighboring non gated areas. Someone else suggested a non gated development like Meadowbrook of Bonita Springs.

Can anyone comment on Meadowbrook or Vanderbilt Lakes? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[newB13]

I'd like to hear about this area also. Maybe post this in the Naples forum and someone will answer.

[FLKeysFam]

I bought & sold a condo in Vanderbilt Lakes, sold it in 2009. It's a nice area in general, but was too "old" for me. My grown daughter was at the pool with her family, and was harassed for ID and not being a properly registered guest. Not my cup of tea. The Realtor I sold with, was very good and I would recommend for the area you are looking.

[PAnurse03]

Thanks.

FLKeysFam, are most condo environments like that since they have community facilities and don't want "outsiders" using them? When I was checking out a few non gated places with my husband a few months back, I walked around checking out the community pool, community centers and tennis courts. I certainly could tell all eyes were on me. I'm sure the residents were trying to figure out if I "belonged".

At VL, do you think it would be the same in the single family home section? More families?

I may need to rent so I can "try out" different communities.