Yet another thinking of moving to Florida thread... (Cape Coral, Fort Myers: short sale, apartments)

[SLippi]

Alright so I'm thinking about becoming one of those people everyone on this board seems to hate. I’m seriously considering moving to Florida specifically the Estero – Fort Myers area. I’ve thought about it for awhile and really can’t see any reason why not. I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about Fort Myers but nothing bad about Estero so I’m wondering, should I focus on Estero? I’ve found a few places I’d like to check out so if you have any info on the apartments/condos below that’d be helpful.

Estero Woods Village
Osprey Cove
Villagio
Promenade at Reflections Lake

Job: I work from home and will keep my current job.

Heat: I’ve spent a summer in Biloxi for training (Air Force) and have to think that running in July/August at noon is probably one of the best initiations to the heat. Also I spent a bit in Saudi/Kuwait in early September and it easily got to over 100. So I have no illusions that it’ll be hot. Plus I tend to work during the summer months a lot more than winter and only go out later in the day.

Schools: I don’t have any kids and don’t plan on having any so the schooling issues aren’t a big deal for me.

I’m thinking it’ll be whatever I make of it. I’m single, no kids, good job, done with college and I’m thinking now is a good time to try out living in a new place and see how it goes. Renting you get far more for the money than in CT and just want to try something different. No real expectation of paradise, Disney isn’t my thing, and I know I’ll still have to work and pay bills in FL. You only live once right? So any thoughts/recommendations? All you Ft Myers/South Florida haters out there am I still crazy for considering it?

Thanks in advance.

[buckinghomestead]

I moved down last summer from Boston and I love it. I got a foreclosure for the price of a loaded pickup. I am in Buckingham and it is quiet. No problems so far. I took a 2 week vacation and put in a few bids on foreclosures last June. I closed in July and moved down in August. It isn't New England though. Some stuff sucks like insurance and such is a little higher but I have no mortgage so it is worth it.

[SLippi]

Originally Posted by buckinghomestead

I moved down last summer from Boston and I love it. I got a foreclosure for the price of a loaded pickup. I am in Buckingham and it is quiet. No problems so far. I took a 2 week vacation and put in a few bids on foreclosures last June. I closed in July and moved down in August. It isn't New England though. Some stuff sucks like insurance and such is a little higher but I have no mortgage so it is worth it.

Thanks I looked at quotes for car insurance and it's a bit cheaper than I pay here in CT. Haven't looked at any other types but I figure even if it ends up being a bit more it can't be a life changing amount.

[Samiamnh]

I'd do it in a minute,if I were you.We bought a short sale in Cape Coral......nice pool,lanai,canal to the gulf......less then the payment on my wife's X5.How can you go wrong?

[mrcoolmrcool28]

Welcome to the board, Yep, If I were you, I'd be loading the truck up at this very minute Don't let the negative posters persuade your thinking, head on down, check the place out, see what you like and visit many areas.

There are a LOT of people that love SW Florida, and I'm sure you would fit right in Best of luck to you. Mr.Cool

[SLippi]

Originally Posted by Samiamnh

I'd do it in a minute,if I were you.We bought a short sale in Cape Coral......nice pool,lanai,canal to the gulf......less then the payment on my wife's X5.How can you go wrong?

Exactly my thoughts, Condos are selling for less than the downpayment needed here. I'm planning on renting down there for a year while I look for a place. If I find that great place I'll have time to fix it up if needed. Thanks

Originally Posted by mrcoolmrcool28

Welcome to the board, Yep, If I were you, I'd be loading the truck up at this very minute Don't let the negative posters persuade your thinking, head on down, check the place out, see what you like and visit many areas.

There are a LOT of people that love SW Florida, and I'm sure you would fit right in Best of luck to you. Mr.Cool

Thanks for the advice Mr. Cool, now I've just got to schedule a trip down there to find a place.

[buckinghomestead]

This is what I was told by my realtor and a couple cops. If you love vanilla then Cape Coral is for you. If you decide on Fort Myers then you want south of Page Field Airport or east of I75 but watch out for Fort Myers Shores. There are good areas of the shores but there are lots of renters in some areas so be careful. And Lehigh Acres has a few decent areas in the outskirts but mostly just a rundown Cape Coral in some parts. Other Parts of LA are so close together that your back yard is also your neighbor's back yard.

[RUGoofy38]

If you already have employment and have experienced Biloxi in summer, you won't have much to worry about; move on down!! I did a similar thing a couple of years ago; was tired of living in the cold, was laid off from my job, was in my mid thirties and thought "what the heck". I didn't want to be 50 years old wondering why I never lived anywhere else. Go for it.

[hiknapster]

Well, that's a bit dramatic, don't you think?

If you have a job and you don't even have to worry about kids, then it seems to be a no brainer. There are going to be more older people than you are used to, but I think that you'll have some younger people to hang out with. More and more young folks are coming down, attracted by the home prices and I bet a lot of them are going to be like you and have internet jobs.

I'm originally from the CT/Mass line (not Springfield, think Worcester area) and the heat wasn't that big of a deal to me. Drink lots of water. If you remember to do that you will be fine.

It's true that New England has always been expensive and during the boom it got downright impossible.

Estero is very nice. Lots of snowbirds, though. There are some decent parts of Fort Myers. San Carlos can be very dumpy. I love Three Oaks, but that is more for young families. Bonita Springs isn't bad, either. I happen to like Cape Coral a lot. Fort Myers Beach might have some younger people? You will definitely be able to find some friends there, anyway. I'm trying to think of a subdivision that has more young people than usual. I'm not sure, anymore. You could always try downtown. There are some beautiful new condos there. I suspect the demographic skews a bit younger?

[ChrisA70]

Originally Posted by SLippi

Alright so I'm thinking about becoming one of those people everyone on this board seems to hate. I’m seriously considering moving to Florida specifically the Estero – Fort Myers area. I’ve thought about it for awhile and really can’t see any reason why not. I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about Fort Myers but nothing bad about Estero so I’m wondering, should I focus on Estero? I’ve found a few places I’d like to check out so if you have any info on the apartments/condos below that’d be helpful.

Estero Woods Village
Osprey Cove
Villagio
Promenade at Reflections Lake

Job: I work from home and will keep my current job.

Heat: I’ve spent a summer in Biloxi for training (Air Force) and have to think that running in July/August at noon is probably one of the best initiations to the heat. Also I spent a bit in Saudi/Kuwait in early September and it easily got to over 100. So I have no illusions that it’ll be hot. Plus I tend to work during the summer months a lot more than winter and only go out later in the day.

Schools: I don’t have any kids and don’t plan on having any so the schooling issues aren’t a big deal for me.

I’m thinking it’ll be whatever I make of it. I’m single, no kids, good job, done with college and I’m thinking now is a good time to try out living in a new place and see how it goes. Renting you get far more for the money than in CT and just want to try something different. No real expectation of paradise, Disney isn’t my thing, and I know I’ll still have to work and pay bills in FL. You only live once right? So any thoughts/recommendations? All you Ft Myers/South Florida haters out there am I still crazy for considering it?

Thanks in advance.

I work here at Estero Woods Village. Have you called Kathy in our office? Estero is awesome. As much as I dislike living in FL anymore, I absolutely like Estero a lot, best place in FL in my 16 years. Any questions about EWV you can PM me if you want.