Northeast retirees looking for unfurnished Naples rental recommendations (Venice, Estero: best neighborhood, apartment complex)

[easton123]

Hi,

We are a retired couple in the northeast and looking to move to Florida. We have somewhat narrowed it down to the Naples area. We are selling our house of 30 years and selling all its contents and would like to down size starting off into a 2 bedroom unfurnished rental apartment in a safe, quite area. We would be in the $1,300+ monthly range. We have never been to Florida and are unable to travel back and forth right now so we would like to accomplish as much as we can online and on the phone, etc. before we head down. Appreiciate any ideas or specific apartment complex recommendations. Thank you!

[markjames68]

"We are a retired couple in the northeast and looking to move to Florida."

"We have never been to Florida"

While it can be a great move, WHY would you move to Naples without having been here first? Do you have friends or family here? What are your expectations?

If you're moving because of weather or cost of living reasons you may want to do some due diligence before you sell and dispose of all of your belongings.

Also, you are a retired couple. Are both of you equally motivated to make this move?

[movin1]

Are you aware that Naples is one of the most expensive places in SW Florida? Rent is very high.

I would not consider trying to rent a place sight unseen. When we moved here, we had to rent for 9 months while we had a house built. My wife was in tears trying to find a place to rent. She said she would not live in 90% of the places the realtor showed her and had a heck of a time finding someone to help her.

We ended up getting a nice 3 bedroom, 2,300 sq ft house in a good neighborhood, but it was $2,800 a month which was a good deal compared to what other similar houses were renting for. This was 2 years ago and rates are higher now.

Search this forum, there are other threads on rental apartments.

You should also look in Bonita Beach, Estero and may all the way up to Venice.

[lynnc99]

I agree that you'll want to get the "feel" of a place before making the commitment to move. We love Naples - and vacationed here for years - before making the move permanently. (We are not yet retired, but kids are grown.)

Here are a few thoughts at random....
1. You'll want to experience summer in FL. Naples temps are generally in the low 90's but humidity is high. It doesn't bother me but some people don't like it. Others really really don't like it!
2. You'll definitely want to research communities if/when you decide to purchase a home. There are a lot of variables in Florida, and it has its own language (who ever heard of "bundled golf"?)
3. Rents in Naples are on the rise, quickly! 1300 will get you a basic 2 BR rental in a complex like Bermuda Island (well located). Be careful if you find a deal that is too good to be true - it might not be the best neighborhood.
4. Where are your kids living? Naples is v-e-r-y far south and we miss our northern family because every trip means a plane ticket. (From our prior home, we were a day's drive away.)

I'm sure there is more but short on time just now....will be following this thread!

[easton123]

Thank you for all the replies, ideas and suggestion, this is very helpful in our planning.

[motordavid]

Florida is a large state, esp north to south, with broad range of climate zones, most noticeable in 'winter' vs the usual hot everywhere in summer.

Naples area is fine place, but there are a dozen other areas in FL with their own appeal, but maybe not with the premium cost(s) one will bump into across Collier County.

Selling one's home place with most of your stuff and moving to the Naples area is a helluva leap, for a single person in their 20s, and a huge jump for retirees that just picked a place name off the map.

Do some reading in the Florida Forums here on City Data, do some book work via the net, and maybe do some reading in the Retirement Forum on retiring on a shoe string.
GL, mD

[Sweetbottoms]

As far as I know $1300 won't get u much of anything in Naples. Certainly not even a 2 bedroom and a 1 bedroom in that price wouldn't really be where you'd want to live.

[Tripower455]

Lots of great advice in this thread!

I really can't add anything for a change.