NAPLES FLORIDA - FOR RELOCATION??

[chief38]

The Mrs. and I are considering (quite seriously) of leaving The PR of NY and heading down to a better "Political Climate". Do any of you live in the Napes FL. area and if so I'd love to hear about it. I have been to FL many times but have never been to the West Coast. We are probably going to take a look see over the next 6 months, but I am curious now. How has Naples fared with Hurricanes? How are the Summers (heat & humidity)? I've already done some checking into the Gun Laws and those look pretty good to me.

I will miss the weather here in the NE but NOT the restrictive rules and regs. Any advise would be appreciated.

Chief38

 

[Jessie]

Chief, I lived in Homestead, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville Fl. Been to Naples many times. It's relatively quiet, lots of retirees there and the fishing is fantastic. The hurricanes usually come from the east and slow somewhat before they reach the west coast. Sometimes though, they will come from the south and south west and hit the west coast first. Most I remember made landfall north of Naples.
It is hot and humid in the summer, no doubt about that, but that's what a/c and boats were made for.
Mosquitos can be bad. There is no perfect place.
You'll be hard pressed to find better sunsets anywhere.
If you don't care for boating or fishing, there's not a whole lot to do there other than collect shells on the beach.

 

[Nevada Ed]

It is still there, so far.............

The huge sink holes have not made it there yet !!

 

[diamonback68]

The West Coast is the way to go, a lot less traffic, but you are going to find Naples rather expensive. You may want to check out Ft Myers and Cape Coral just up the road a piece, more reasonable there. We checked out all that area for years, but ended up in Sebring dead center of the state, low taxes and easy living. From here Mousetown (aka Orlando), East Coast, West Coast, just about anywhere is 80 minutes away.
People think Florida is so blooming hot, it's not. Trivia question, what's the hottest it's ever been in Tampa FL? Answer, it has never been over 99 ever. I'd bet there are dozens of places in NY that can't make that statement. Good hunting.

 

[Jessie]

I don't know how I forgot it but I also lived in Punt Gorda for several years. It's on Charlotte Harbor just north of Ft. Myers.
I enjoyed my time there. It was then a close secret and kind of a back water place. Not sure about now. I know it's grown.

 

[ladder13]

Naples is expensive, it doesn't have 4 banks at every intersection for nothing.

East of 75 more affordable.

 

[BlackAgnes]

My brother lives in Naples--beautiful area.


Yes, it's the high-rent district, but for a modest retirement home at a reasonable price, check out Naples Park.

 

[hangnoose]

NAPLES

To retire or continue working? YES it's pretty and expensive, and don't expect to earn NY $ in FL. Sinkhole/flood insurance may be impossible. It's south enough to not worry about frost. There is a reason they call it the gunshine state. Being near the coast has a moderating effect on temps & when it hits 96-97 degrees it rains HARD, & lightning is a big issue. App 2-3 hrs north along the coast is Homosassa & Crystal river which is much more affordable, many more shooting/hunting opportunities, laid back & colder in the winter, I've seen 17 degrees in Homosassa (for a couple hours). E. coast Fl from say W. palm to Miami is a lot like downstate NY & western LI. Spanish isn't required yet, but it wouldn't hurt, BIG $ and BIG attitudes. W. coast is where all the laid back, less affluent & "real people" are IMO. I fit right in on the W. coast. Do your homework, maybe rent for a year to see if it's what you really want. Don't bother bringing most of your cold weather gear. If you want to save yourself some grief, don't TRY AND tell a native how you used to do it in New Yawk.

 

[sqhead]

there is year round golf if ur not into fishing,lots going on here on the east coast and cheaper living,Brevard area,check it out as well.

 

[DeathGrip]

Golden Gate is on the west side of Naples. Mostly acre plus homes. Tree farms and horses. Well water and septic tanks.

You can look houses up and see if any are in your price range.

Naples is a nice area and home to a lot of snowbirds. Even a lot of Germans own property there. It's quiet in the summer and hotter than the thermo says, Think high humidity and no breeze.

Lots of fishing and some good hunting inland. Turkey, Hogs, Deer and I hear they have coyotes there also but I've never seen one.

 

[Naples22]

I'm in Naples for 9 years, retiring from NYC. Its the cleanest, safest place in Fl. but it is expensive. Health care is superb. Its in Collier County, population a tad over 300K, 2/3 are seasonal residents. The economy here is booming, they anticipate closing on 5000 new homes in the next 5 years. Summers average 91 degrees, 30 min of rain in the afternoon. Its humid, but as a retiree it really doesn't matter. I play golf 12 months a year and am not uncommfortable, 2 new indoor ranges are opening very soon. PM me if I can be of further assistance.

 

[Damn Yankee]

I have some friends who moved to the Villages. Any of you shooters live there or in that area?

 

[straightshooter1]

Yankee:

Several folks I know live there, all love it. However, in addition to being a nice place to live, it is a bit infamous for having the highest STD rate in Florida.

Bob

 

[Damn Yankee]

Yankee:

Several folks I know live there, all love it. However, in addition to being a nice place to live, it is a bit infamous for having the highest STD rate in Florida.

Bob

Sounds like them folks like to party.

 

[DeathGrip]

The Villages

Just don't step on the Viagra dealers turf.

 

[diamonback68]

Sounds like them folks like to party.

Yup and they are all old. They wheel around from place to place on their golf carts.

 

[Nick B]

Bah !! 9 years .You all are a bunch of noobies . I've lived here in Naples for 57 years . To the OP . Send me a PM with any questions you might have .

 

[chief38]

Thank you all for the replies and I think I will be checking it out soon. After living on ridiculously expensive Long Island all my life I would be surprised if Naples could be more costly - but that's something that remains to be seen. If it is beyond my affordability I'll look a bit more around that area.

I am not looking forward to the summers down there but as I said to my wife..... I'd rather be uncomfortable with the climate down there for 3 months than the political climate here in NY for 12 months a year.

What about shooting facilities like Ranges and Sporting Clay set-ups?

 

[Llando88]

We live in Tampa, moved down from Atlanta last year.

We love the west coast of Florida.

Have been to Naples a couple of times, very upscale area.

Obviously the state is gun friendly, also.

 

[Llando88]

To retire or continue working? YES it's pretty and expensive, and don't expect to earn NY $ in FL. Sinkhole/flood insurance may be impossible. It's south enough to not worry about frost. There is a reason they call it the gunshine state. Being near the coast has a moderating effect on temps & when it hits 96-97 degrees it rains HARD, & lightning is a big issue. App 2-3 hrs north along the coast is Homosassa & Crystal river which is much more affordable, many more shooting/hunting opportunities, laid back & colder in the winter, I've seen 17 degrees in Homosassa (for a couple hours). E. coast Fl from say W. palm to Miami is a lot like downstate NY & western LI. Spanish isn't required yet, but it wouldn't hurt, BIG $ and BIG attitudes. W. coast is where all the laid back, less affluent & "real people" are IMO. I fit right in on the W. coast. Do your homework, maybe rent for a year to see if it's what you really want. Don't bother bringing most of your cold weather gear. If you want to save yourself some grief, don't TRY AND tell a native how you used to do it in New Yawk.

I'd say this was pretty accurate.