Merry Christmas from Iowa moving to the North port area 2016 (Punta Gorda: home, neighborhood)

[n0xd]

Thanks for all the info the past several months. My wife will be retiring in 2016 and we cant wait to get moved down there and meet some of you. Sounds like a great bunch. This forum and the Punta Gorda forum are a wealth of info. Iowa is a nice place to live but I can't stand the cold and snow anymore. I know I will have to get used to the bugs, heat, and old people driving from Iowa. But... I have a 370Z so I doubt you will have to wait on me to get going. Anyway, thanks to all that have answered so many questions like Chinese drywall. Who knew. Merry Christmas all. Mike in Iowa

[Sunscape]

[Icemodeled]

Merry Christmas to you also. I agree, the folks here and on the punta gorda/port Charlotte forums has been very welcoming and helpful as we prepare for our move next year! Their kindness and enthusiasm has us even more excited for the big move!

[n0xd]

Thanks for the replies. It's been a mild winter here this year until now. We can't wait to move down there.
It can't come fast enough for me. But my wife has to retire first. Just took our shizu out to potty. It's freekin cold. See you all down there in 2016. Mike

[n0xd]

Thanks dixie-dust. I understand what you are saying. Where we live (in the Waukee school district) the schools are very good and the people are nice. But like you we can't stand the winters any longer. I have lived here my whole life (61) and I am ready for a big change. Just want to find a nice neighborhood in North Port or somewhere in the area. From the searching I have done North Port is a nice area. We have a few months to think about it. But I do a lot of reading on the forums.

[jean_ji]

Originally Posted by dixie_dust

I lived in Iowa , about 50 mile east of DM, and I enjoyed the people more than anything, but the cold was brutal. Be advised however the people that you will meet in FL do not, for the most part, share your same midwestern values, and sensibilities - not by a longshot. No place is perfect, and the scammers, n'er-do-wells, etc like the warmth too.

I disagree with this. I grew up in the Midwest and it feels like home where I am in SWFL. I've also lived in NY for many years and Midwesterners don't have a monopoly on good values and sensibilities. Yes, there are scammers etc., but a lot of nice folks too.

[kiggy]

There's been a cultural change all over the country, Dixie, not just SWFL. And there are a LOT of nice people here. Chances are they're running away from your attitude, so you might have missed them. Toodles.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I am originally from NJ - so I know corruption and scams very well - if you are careful you will have no problems here - you have to get recommendations from your neighbors of who to clean your pool, who to service your air conditioner, etc - the best are all word of mouth.

We now live in Nokomis and used to live in North Port - North Port is a mostly a nice area - interesting to read about the Ukranians though - there were a lot of Ukranians there -

And I met my new best friend here - she is a Midwesterner- I have to say she has my back - not the same as friends I had in NJ...

[n0xd]

Since I am the original poster and was just wishing all a Merry Christmas it would be nice if this thread didn't turn into a UFC cage fight. Can't wait to get down there. Mike

[jean_ji]

Originally Posted by n0xd

Since I am the original poster and was just wishing all a Merry Christmas it would be nice if this thread didn't turn into a UFC cage fight. Can't wait to get down there. Mike

Mike, you'll find the FL forums a virtual roller coaster of opinions. After finding and reading C-D, I was afraid to move down here and was looking over my shoulder for the first few weeks. Moral of that? Remember to believe nothing that you hear and half of what you see. I'll fix Ben Franklin's saying to include nothing you read on the internet either. And yes, that would include me too.

Happy New Year to you!