Help - moving from Cleveland to Naples or Ft. Myers (Tampa: renter, condos)

[beckymayhew]

I need some feedback as I am selling my home in a suburb of Cleveland and want to relocate to either Naples or Ft. Myers. I'm not wealthy - but am receiving enough to afford to rent an apt./condo/home for a year until my home sells or I lease it. What areas should I look in Naples and in Ft. Myers. I would like to be close to the beach. I don't know either city. I like the Tampa, St. Pete area but it is more expensive.

[mrs7699]

We just relocated to Naples from Atlanta and we moved to the North Naples area but we're about 9 miles from the beach. The area around Vanderbilt beach seems nice. They're lots of condos there but not sure the price you'll pay. Naples is very small compare to other cities. You will be near water anywhere in Naples, that's how we feel.

[helplessinfl]

South Ft. Myers is a good area also. It is close to Ft. Myers Beach and Sanibel. Rental prices are also very decent in this area.

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by beckymayhew

I like the Tampa, St. Pete area but it is more expensive.

Than Naples??

You will need to be more specific, i.e., what size, will you have children, do you have pets and, most of all, what you can spend each month for rent.

Also, what do you mean by "close to the beach?" If you have a job, don't plan on living at the beach day & night. Believe me, I came here for the warm weather & the beaches, and I even lived on an island. But even that gets old after a while. Being 15 minutes from the beach won't make that much of a difference. You will still be surrounded by lakes, parks and rivers.

[69njhome]

Originally Posted by mrs7699

We just relocated to Naples from Atlanta and we moved to the North Naples area but we're about 9 miles from the beach. The area around Vanderbilt beach seems nice. They're lots of condos there but not sure the price you'll pay. Naples is very small compare to other cities. You will be near water anywhere in Naples, that's how we feel.

Naples is not "small" at all. Naples starts in the north at the collier county line and ends at Marco Island. 15 miles long.
Naples starts at the gulf of Mexico and goes east to the last street in Naples which is DeSoto Ave. 27 miles wide. One City, (many from Naples proper or "old Naples" would disagree, but sorry to say the whole area is NOW NAPLES!). 500,000 PEOPLE YEAR ROUND, 80,000 EXTRA "SNOWBIRDS" IN SEASON!! Naples is now the Wealthiest city in the state of Florida and Collier county is the Wealthiest county in the state.

[tjstrain]

I'd suggest starting your look in the Estero 33928 / Bonita Springs ?????? area. That is right between Naples and Ft Myers. Plus it's only minutes from the beach. there's a great mix of communities, from no restrictions with slum shacks right next to million dollar palaces. Nice gated and ungated communities there. If your gonna rent now is the time!!!!!!!! we're flooded with tons of vacant units. Rent prices are low. Large parts of Bonita were crowed with a lot of the spanish population who supported our construction trades and now have moved elsewhere. Where ever you look ask your perspective landlord question about his ownership of the unit. Quite a few of landlords are collecting rents for their units that are not paying their mortgage. Which then puts you out on the street to look again. Be careful!
Here's an example of what $1500 to $1700 right now can get you. in a couple of years it will be back up to $2500.

***MOD CUT***

[tjstrain]

Originally Posted by beckymayhew

I need some feedback as I am selling my home in a suburb of Cleveland and want to relocate to either Naples or Ft. Myers. I'm not wealthy - but am receiving enough to afford to rent an apt./condo/home for a year until my home sells or I lease it. What areas should I look in Naples and in Ft. Myers. I would like to be close to the beach. I don't know either city. I like the Tampa, St. Pete area but it is more expensive.

Be sure to check out fee's in the communities that your interested in buying in. The fee's are like another mortgage payment. They will kill a deal as long as you ask up front. Realtors here try to avoid talking about them early, until they got you hooked on the place. Then it's easier to convince you that you can afford it.
Also check out the neighbors and their homes and their lawn ornaments or trash (they think are treasures) that they keep out side. Hey, don't forget about the community deed restrictions. You as a renter are also bound by them. Certain things can and can't be done or parked in some 'hoods. At least your smart to rent first!!!!!!

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by tjstrain

there's a great mix of communities, from no restrictions with slum shacks right next to million dollar palaces.

Yup! Sounds just like my street!