Buying 2nd home in Naples-from MN (Miami, Tampa: transplants, real estate market, renting)

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by minnesotanmama

This is very handy information! Thank you so much! Wow! Can’t even begin to say how excited we are.

Hopefully I’ll get down there in a couple weeks and get my boots on the ground again to see for myself which areas we really want to dig our heels in to.

We are wavering between some place like the vineyards or some place smaller within walking distance to a beach. Still weighing and figuring it all out. Hubs really likes the idea of being within walking distance to a beach and I’m still deciding if I want a more “homey” place there or just a respite type of place to visit.

As Minnesota gets weirder with its politics, Naples is looking more & more tempting to just live there to me lately. With all the changes in work environment it may be feasible to just work from home wherever we are so that opens up that opportunity.

Please be safe and mask up. Collier has over 7000 COVID cases now. Many are in Immokalee and not directly in Naples but it is spreading.

https://www.naplesnews.com/story/new...ty/5444085002/

[bbtondo]

Originally Posted by minnesotanmama

This is very handy information! Thank you so much! Wow! Can’t even begin to say how excited we are.

Hopefully I’ll get down there in a couple weeks and get my boots on the ground again to see for myself which areas we really want to dig our heels in to.

We are wavering between some place like the vineyards or some place smaller within walking distance to a beach. Still weighing and figuring it all out. Hubs really likes the idea of being within walking distance to a beach and I’m still deciding if I want a more “homey” place there or just a respite type of place to visit.

As Minnesota gets weirder with its politics, Naples is looking more & more tempting to just live there to me lately. With all the changes in work environment it may be feasible to just work from home wherever we are so that opens up that opportunity.

It's all about what you want, your budget and priorities. Walking to the beach is a wonderful thing! We started there too, but we found with our budget that we had to give up too much for it. Do you want gated, non gated, large, small, sfh, condo, highrise on the gulf etc. On Sundays there are a lot of open houses in the various communities. Even if you don't know of a specific home you want, tell the gate that you're there for the open house which will allow you to get through the gate. From there you are free to look at what each communities offer.

Good luck! Can't wait to here about your house hunting.

[minnesotanmama]

Has anyone had any experience with staying at the Best Western near the Vineyards?

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by minnesotanmama

Has anyone had any experience with staying at the Best Western near the Vineyards?

I stayed there for work before we relocated to this area. It was nicer than I thought, pool was great, indoor restaurant, etc .For a Best Western, I was happy. I'm a Marriott guy and prefer the nicer, new Marriotts' (like the Townplace Suites in Coconut Point).

But that is the closest hotel to the Vineyards for sure.

[minnesotanmama]

BBtondo can you please share that information about the vineyards with me? We bought a place last year to VRBO and visit in Captiva but are now buying another place to live permanently. Vineyards keeps popping up. Want to walk the beach regularly, at least once a week if not daily, but like you said -our budget to be less than a 10 min. drive is not happening right now. Vineyards seems to have good walking trails. Walking is essential. And the community sounds vibrant. I'm 49 and hubs is 57, works remote. We'll be starting over at this ripe age! Ha! Recent empty nesters with a grandbaby on the way. Any info shared is appreciated! And I'd be happy to share your name if you get a perk out of it. Our primary home goes live on the market tomorrow in MN. Here we go!

[bbtondo]

Originally Posted by minnesotanmama

BBtondo can you please share that information about the vineyards with me? We bought a place last year to VRBO and visit in Captiva but are now buying another place to live permanently. Vineyards keeps popping up. Want to walk the beach regularly, at least once a week if not daily, but like you said -our budget to be less than a 10 min. drive is not happening right now. Vineyards seems to have good walking trails. Walking is essential. And the community sounds vibrant. I'm 49 and hubs is 57, works remote. We'll be starting over at this ripe age! Ha! Recent empty nesters with a grandbaby on the way. Any info shared is appreciated! And I'd be happy to share your name if you get a perk out of it. Our primary home goes live on the market tomorrow in MN. Here we go!

What information would you like about the Vineyards? If you're looking to buy a single family home right now in the Vineyards it will cost you and there's barely anything available. What communities in the Vineyards are you interested in? Have you bought something yet? I can't believe how high the prices are and how quickly homes sell. Seems to me that the condos haven't gone up quite as much as single family homes. That's just my observation.

I think you'll fit right in at the Vineyards. Some communities have more families in them than retirees. Most are very retiree friendly with a few families mixed in. Are you interested in joining the country club? There you'll find many friends and social activities. During covid I feel they did a great job being as safe as possible and continue to do so. It's really just a matter of what you're comfortable with.

I'll be more than happy to answer any questions you have. Good luck!

[Capemayrich1]

After many years lurking on this forum, special thank you to Babs (btondo) and all the other helpful posters, my wife and I pulled the trigger on a villa in the vineyards and could not be happier! There is a mix of families and retirees here but mostly the latter. We started our florida research on the east coast (where we have family) quickly realized it wasn't for us then moved west started in naples and then up the west coast and nothing compared to naples. Info gleaned from this forum which is loaded with useful tips on communities, things to do, beaches, etc. allowed us to explore different naples communities that fit our budget and lifestyle.



Pretty much followed Babs journey which is similar to ours since we too are from the northeast and in similar age bracket. We even used her realtor which was helpful. Our profile differs in that we will snowbird back and forth for now (but that may change) and Babs is here full time. All of her info is spot on. The vineyards is in a central location and most of our destinations (shopping, beaches, restaurants, banks) are typically 15-25 min away. And as a Bonita and estero are a short trip up I75 with fort myers airport about 30 min away.


It seems to me that the vineyards has something for everyone. There are SFHs, villas, townhouses and condos but this crazy house market leaves little availability and properties do sell fast. A villa in our community went up for sale and the elderly homeowner was swamped with offers. The villa was on the market less then a week before it went into contingency. Good luck on your search I am sure you will find it interesting!

[bbtondo]

Originally Posted by Capemayrich1

After many years lurking on this forum, special thank you to Babs (btondo) and all the other helpful posters, my wife and I pulled the trigger on a villa in the vineyards and could not be happier! There is a mix of families and retirees here but mostly the latter. We started our florida research on the east coast (where we have family) quickly realized it wasn't for us then moved west started in naples and then up the west coast and nothing compared to naples. Info gleaned from this forum which is loaded with useful tips on communities, things to do, beaches, etc. allowed us to explore different naples communities that fit our budget and lifestyle.



Pretty much followed Babs journey which is similar to ours since we too are from the northeast and in similar age bracket. We even used her realtor which was helpful. Our profile differs in that we will snowbird back and forth for now (but that may change) and Babs is here full time. All of her info is spot on. The vineyards is in a central location and most of our destinations (shopping, beaches, restaurants, banks) are typically 15-25 min away. And as a Bonita and estero are a short trip up I75 with fort myers airport about 30 min away.


It seems to me that the vineyards has something for everyone. There are SFHs, villas, townhouses and condos but this crazy house market leaves little availability and properties do sell fast. A villa in our community went up for sale and the elderly homeowner was swamped with offers. The villa was on the market less then a week before it went into contingency. Good luck on your search I am sure you will find it interesting!

Thanks! So happy that you have found your place in paradise!

[lchays25]

interested in Hammock Isles...can you comment on flooding there ?

[cvap]

I think most would agree that Naples is full. Bumper-to-bumper from 951 all the way up to Immokalee Road on 41 almost all year round.They can’t add any more lanes either.