Downtown River District (Punta Gorda, McGregor: real estate, HOA, condos)

[Barbara]

We are considering some high rise condos in the River District. How is it at night there as far as being safe walking along the streets. I've heard good things about it recently from friends who live in the area. The Alta Mar condos look nice on the computer but we haven't seen them live yet or looked into the how sound the HOA is.

[SWFL_Native]

We lived in the riviera for 3 years. It's a beautiful building but honestly it's dead set in the ghetto. If you stay west of 41 on Mcgregor things get much better quickly. We never walked outside our building while there.

[Samiamnh]

Safe enough to live there but some unsavory types from the hood are apt to be wandering around at night.Especially on weekends.

[Barbara]

Thanks for responding. Considering Punta Gorda as well.

[BugManTPC]

It is a typical downtown setting. Some good, some bad and some renovation to make it better.

Our city council just went ahead with the beginning of negotiniations to make our convention center more of an actual convention center. They are in talks with a hotelier to add a hotel to the convention center area along the river.

We are in a climate that during the winter our homeless population actually increases.

We have well lit streets, good police coverage and very little "slums".

But our river district is part of Old Ft Myers, which means our affluent population has moved on, leaving the older homes and industrial areas to lower income families. If you go a few blocks from downtown stay alert and don't take **** from anyone.

This is a true statement for every metro area I have ever visited or lived in.

Contrary to popular belief, there are no roving bands of gangs, zombies or ax murders waiting for you to walk your dog.

I hope this helps.

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by BugManTPC

It is a typical downtown setting. Some good, some bad and some renovation to make it better.

Our city council just went ahead with the beginning of negotiniations to make our convention center more of an actual convention center. They are in talks with a hotelier to add a hotel to the convention center area along the river.

We are in a climate that during the winter our homeless population actually increases.

We have well lit streets, good police coverage and very little "slums".

But our river district is part of Old Ft Myers, which means our affluent population has moved on, leaving the older homes and industrial areas to lower income families. If you go a few blocks from downtown stay alert and don't take **** from anyone.

This is a true statement for every metro area I have ever visited or lived in.

Contrary to popular belief, there are no roving bands of gangs, zombies or ax murders waiting for you to walk your dog.

I hope this helps.

I would consider the entire area surrounding downtown to the river and then east to Lehigh and South to Colonial one giant slum. Downtown FTM has never been nice in my lifetime. It's not a destination regardless of my gentrification that city/county try to do or spin it. Alta Mar was right next to the building we lived in. If you walk 200 yards to the east of it you're right in the hood. Driving anywhere except to McGregor you drive through the hood.

I would not recommend any significant real estate investments in that area unless you cross 41 and go over to W First Street.

[FloridaCT]

Originally Posted by SWFL_Native

I would consider the entire area surrounding downtown to the river and then east to Lehigh and South to Colonial one giant slum. Downtown FTM has never been nice in my lifetime. It's not a destination regardless of my gentrification that city/county try to do or spin it. Alta Mar was right next to the building we lived in. If you walk 200 yards to the east of it you're right in the hood. Driving anywhere except to McGregor you drive through the hood.

I would not recommend any significant real estate investments in that area unless you cross 41 and go over to W First Street.

I agree that there is a good area:

"except to McGregor ..."

"unless you cross 41 and go over to W First Street."