Reviews/Comments on RV Parks in area (Fort Myers, Punta Gorda: extended stay, homes)

[Bugqueen]

We are thinking about buying property in or around Ft. Myers. Sick of Illinois winters! Retired, so jobs and schools are not an issue. But before we make that kind of committment, would like recomendations on RV parks in the area. Would like to spend a month or so in the area in a nice park located not far from a highway, prefer not to have heavy traffic noise right outside the park. We are country people. Also if we do decide to relocate can anyone give us a clue about how to find moderately priced homes that have at least one acre of land up to 10-20 acres? Have horse, will travel, lol.

[Compression]

This area is kind of light on RV parks. There's one south of Ft Myers called Woodsmoke, IIRC. It's been there a long time. I think theres a KOA in the same vicinity, these would be on US 41. There's another smaller park located on Sanibel Island.
Not an expert on the land issue, but have started looking around a bit myself lately. North east sections of Lee county, and the south area of Charlotte county, sort of east of Punta Gorda seem to have some acreage, zoned AE (agricultural) at decent prices, of course that depends on your own frame of reference........

[justNancy]

Yachtcare, I always thought Woodsmoke was in Estero, but it's hard to tell where Estero ends and South Fort Myers begins when I'm driving up 41.

Yup, the link says it's in Fort Myers. Live & learn!

Here is the link, Bugqueen. It's the only one I'd recommend in this area.

[URL="http://www.woodsmokecampingresort.com/"]Woodsmoke | Welcome to Woodsmoke[/URL]

Periwinkle Park is the name of the park on Sanibel Island. It is definitely not as convenient as Woodsmoke if you want to be near route 41 or I-75, but I love Sanibel. I lived there for 2 years, but that was a long time ago.

[URL="http://www.sanibelcamping.com/"]Periwinkle Trailer Park & Campground - Sanibel Island, FL[/URL]

Originally Posted by Bugqueen

Also if we do decide to relocate can anyone give us a clue about how to find moderately priced homes that have at least one acre of land up to 10-20 acres? Have horse, will travel, lol.

What do you mean by "moderately priced?"

[Bugqueen]

A big thank you to both of you who replied. Woodsmoke is the one I was considering. I have visited their website and liked what I saw. However I have used RV websites before to book reservations and lived to regret it, lol. Pictures and pretty words don't always give an accurate assessment, the website is designed to show the best features, not the reality of it.
Also thanks for the tip about the area to start looking for land, will do some internet searching in that area before we come.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by Bugqueen

A big thank you to both of you who replied. Woodsmoke is the one I was considering. I have visited their website and liked what I saw. However I have used RV websites before to book reservations and lived to regret it, lol.

I never stayed at either park, so it's difficult to give you an educated opinion. I only know that both are in good, safe areas. Woodsmoke is right off of route 41, so how quiet it will be depends on your site location. OTOH there aren't too many noisy places on Sanibel Island, although the raccoons can be very aggressive. Periwinkle is the main road on Sanibel, so it can get congested during peak hours when vistors are driving on & off the island, although there's little traffic at night.

[imagardener]

I've stayed at Periwinkle Park on Sanibel and it is very cute. For an extended stay would probably feel cramped except that it's your only choice in the area.
Gotta see the bird exhibition given every morning by the bird lady who rescues abandoned and mistreated exotic birds. It is awesome. Birds are on display all day long. The park is as much fun as any zoo and much more personal.

However, the rear of the park backs up to the sewer plant which you can smell when the breeze is just right. That's the spot we were assigned, probably because we were transient (2 nights). Park tenants were very nice.

Big note on visiting Sanibel in an RV: it's a very tight fit everywhere you go. Hard to turn around. Felt like a size 12 body in a size 6 dress. So if you've got a big one be warned.

For a one month stay look at some of the Florida state parks at floridastateparks.org. Some of the most fantastic locations and $24/nite can't be beat. There is a max stay time but I think it's a month (to keep out homeless?). You can even be a "camp host" and get free camping at the bigger ones. Some of the smaller ones will be booked solid for the winter months butyou could always move around and see Florida.