Is The Fort Myers Waterfront Area a Safe Place to Live? (Naples: sale, rental)

[InPlaneSight]

I am looking to move to the Fort Myers/Naples area. I am looking at The Riviera Condos on the waterfront at 2743 First Street in Fort Myers, for a rental until I purchase a home. I am surprised the beautiful condos sale and rent for such a low price. What's wrong with them? I have read the area is not one a person should venture out in after dark. What's the true story? Please help. Thanks.

[Samiamnh]

The downtown historic district is a fun place.Revitalized...nice shops,sidewalk cafe's and restsaurants,lots of activities.The Riviera condo's are a little bit east of downtown but close enough to walk and enjoy.
That said,if you look at a Google map,you'll notice that state road 80 is just a few blocks south of you and that is the beginning of the "hood" so you'll want to remain alert if you are out late at night.

[InPlaneSight]

Originally Posted by Samiamnh

The downtown historic district is a fun place.Revitalized...nice shops,sidewalk cafe's and restsaurants,lots of activities.The Riviera condo's are a little bit east of downtown but close enough to walk and enjoy.
That said,if you look at a Google map,you'll notice that state road 80 is just a few blocks south of you and that is the beginning of the "hood" so you'll want to remain alert if you are out late at night.

Thanks for the information! The "hood" is a little close for comfort.

[jdahunt]

The Riviera condo's are nice as well as the Tropez, Beau Rivage, Alta Mar and others nearby....we have looked at all of them.

IMO...you don't have to worry about security...they are kind of like an oasis of their own...how much time would you spend in the nearby neighborhoods anyways.....zero right, why would you.

We've walked around and ate at local resturants in Fort Myers downtown area and never felt it was unsafe.

The only issue I have with the condo's is the lack of deeded boat slots, which is big on our list of must haves.

[Olereb]

It gets real bad fast downtown in that area,you couldn't pay me enough to deal with what crawls out of dunbar to pillage at night.

[SWFL_Native]

Feel like we can help a bit.... We lived in the Riviera for 2.5 years '08 - '10ish (renters). The building is amazing and the amenities for the most part were good. The elevators were fast and most of the tenants (mix of renters, snowbirds, and full-time owners) were professional. The HOA fees seemed higher for owners for what you get.

On the negative the location sucks! You're a few blocks away from the gheeeeeeetto, when we moved in they were shooting each other off palm beach like a volleyball game. The parking and pool are not secure, we saw obvious outsiders there. The noise from the street is greater than expected, sitting on a porch was ok but not the best.

Take a drive around and go during a busy time of day and you'll see most of my points. I'd probably pass on buying if it were my money as better value to be found elsewhere.