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Posted 7/10/2012 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have a question about living in southwest Florida. This has nothing to do with fibro so I hope these questions are okay to ask in here.

My fiance and I would eventually like to move down to the Sarasota, Venice, Cape Coral, Fort Myers area. I haven't been to that area of Florida yet but my fiance has. His brother has a second home in Cape Coral. My question is he lives on a canal and his home was recently broken into. As you know with fibro you don't want to have any additional stresses in your life. Do you recommend living in a gated community like Pelican Preserve? This gated community, according to the information I've looked at on the internet, looks expensive and my fiance would like us to have a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home. Is this doable in a gated community down there for the maxium amount of $250,000? If not, are there safer areas in Cape Coral than others? Would Venice be better?

Thanks!

Posted 7/10/2012 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
My family lives in bradenton and my sister had and issue but my mom didn't and they two houses from each other. I have found to be helpful, we speak to local sheriffs dept and they tell us areas that we are looking into if there is a lot of calls there or not. I don't think gated community is the only crime e free area. Gated or not I would check into the area you are looking. Also if you have kids what the school rating for that area is :-). Hope that was helpful!
Posted 7/10/2012 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I live an hour north of Sarasota.  I do not live in a gated community.  My daughter lives three miles from me in a gated community and there are still break-ins.  These occur very rarely but they can still happen.  You might have a thief that owns a home in the development, for that matter.  Teenagers who live in the development can break in houses, too.  There was a pornography ring in my daughter's development...just about 10 houses down....and no one had any idea.  Also, anyone that lives in these gated communities can make a list of people that are allowed to come in.  I'm on her list and I just tell them I'm there to see so-and-so and I'm let right in.  They don't even check my ID.  This is a gorgeous community, too.

 

So, I suggest that you not project yourself in the future.  You nor anyone else knows what will happen.  I do not live in fear.  That is a daily stress that can cause more pain.  A break-in would cause more pain for several days but living in fear causes more pain every day of your life!  Just use common sense.  Everyone should do that. 

 

Florida doesn't have any more crime than any other place.  I've been here for 15 years and I have never had a problem nor have any of my friends and acquaintences.  So do try to relax. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/10/2012 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
I would make the argument that any population center will have a larger proportion of petty crime, and that this would hold especially true for a 'tourist' center. there are more people there, ergo, more crime. There are more people there who tend to be part-year residents, ergo, more houses untenanted for a period of time. Take the proper precautions no matter where you are. Gated is only so good as the people doing the gating. I wouldn't use that as my decision maker, personally.
Posted 7/10/2012 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I am about 2 hours north of Sarasota.  I've been here 29 years.  I don't live in a gated community, hate them.  I have never had a problem.  If you go looking for trouble, it will find you.  We don't have more crime than anyplace else in the country. 

I also think you are not being realistic in wanting a 4 BR home in your area for that price.  That home would go for a LOT more.

Posted 7/11/2012 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
I think homes get broken into more often when no one is home, and so I find I feel safer when one of our cars is in the front (not in the garage), lights are on. I also own a big dog. Now she'd just lick someone to death, but still, she's a big black dog and scares most people. I live in central florida, so it's not like those areas you mentioned. It's always gonna be hit and miss w/ break ins, imo. But if it looks like someone is home, they'll usually move on to an empty looking house. Good luck w/ your move. I love it here in florida. We visit friends in the towns you mentioned, go to lots of the beaches, spend a lot of time in Orlando.... love it!
Meg
Posted 7/11/2012 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your helpful advice.

Spookiesmom, I would be interested to know why you don't like gated communities. What I was looking forward to if we moved into a gated community was the opportunity to more easily make friends? My fiance lives in a subdivision, I raised my kids in a subdivision and it seems neighbors keep more to themselves. It's not a condusive way to make friends.

When we eventually come down to Florida to look at homes it would be nice to know which areas we would like to explore so we can spend more of our time relaxing. And thanks for sharing with me about the price of homes. It should be interesting.

Thanks again!
Posted 7/11/2012 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure where you got the idea that being in a gated community will attract friendlier neighbors.  That isn't true.  It's "hit or miss" just like any neighborhood.  Also, I said that there was a pornography ring in my daughter's development.  I was wrong.  There were neighbors molesting children...even bringing in children from outside the community.  Plus they were taking photographs of them.  They lived about ten houses from my daughter and no one suspected anything!  My daughter lives in a very upscale gated community with a clubhouse, golf course, community pool, etc.  These are expensive homes.  So, don't let the term "gated" determine where you will live.

 

I personally don't like gated communities because  you have to call the gate for anyone coming in to see you...family, friends, workers, etc.  That could really be a pain in the neck.  Also, the association fees are high because if you are gated, the community has to take care of all of the roads inside the gate...instead of the county doing that.  My development was going to go gated and we decided against it because of the added fees it would entail. 

 

I like being in an association because people have to keep their homes looking nice but be sure to read the rules before signing on the dotted line.  My daughter's development is so strict.  No fences, you have to submit a plan as to where you are going to plant things, they check your back yard, as well as your front yard, several times a year.  My development checks twice a year...the front of the property...because that helps keep home values up.

 

Homes cost more in a gated community, also.  I do think you can find a four bedroom, three bath home for $250,000 or less.  Price depends on square footage and also it's a buyer's market right now.  You will get a much better deal...more bang for your bucks!

Best of luck finding the perfect spot for you.

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/11/2012 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine, thanks so much for sharing. This all makes perfect sense.

Years ago I was in a relationship with a man who lived in a senior apartment complex. His living in this complex was a great way to make friends. There were monthly dinners, field trips, and just by taking a walk through the halls of this large complex you could meet people and make new friends.

What is also nice about living in a senior complex (or perhaps a senior community of homes) is seniors are more likely to understand limitations because they could have their own. So when you share with a potential friend that you can't stay for very long, or go to long-distance events, they perhaps are more likely to understand? A person gets a bit tired of running into people who don't understand limitations.

I like the idea of an association. I'll share all this with my fiance.

Thanks again!
Posted 7/11/2012 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I don't like gated communities, Home Owners Associations, or any thing of the sort. I DO NOT want somebody telling me: What color to paint my house. What I can or cannot plant in my yard. How long the grass and what type it must be. What window treatments can be visable from the street. What I can or not do in my back yard, i.e. fencing. What size dog I can have. What I can or not park in my driveway. When to paint my house. Oh yes, the outrageous HOA fees, for what? Pool maintenance? Petty bickering on how or when to spend the funds?

I don't like cookie cutter McMansions. This should give you an idea of why I don't like them. I have to go, my BP is bouncing off the roof. Which is a color of MY choice.
Posted 7/11/2012 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Spookiesmom, I would agree with you, wholeheartedly, about HomeOwners associations and gated communities. They might be the best solution for some, but I would agree about looking at the expectations and the contract with a fine tooth comb, and making sure that there are not any clauses that might be disagreeable.

I wouldn't want to live in one, personally. But for others, they might make for a sense of security and for an assurance that homes and common areas are kept up in a previously-agreed to manner.

Post Edited (Myself 09) : 7/11/2012 11:29:20 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/11/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
This is exactly why I say to read the association rules first.  We can have fences, dogs any size (the people across the street from me have two beautiful great danes), we can plant whatever we want, etc.  But the rules do have us submit color changes to the outside of the house to be approved before painting it.  This doesn't bother me because I wouldn't want to live next door to a purple or pink house.  Some people have no taste at all and it definitely would affect my home price and possible sale.  We also have to keep our yards mowed and taken care of, gardens weeded, and no cars parked on the grass...like a junk yard.  If you have a boat or camper, you can store it behind a fence and also our garbage cans.  That's just about all the rules we have and I think they are totally reasonable.  If I didn't, I wouldn't buy in this development and would look elsewhere.  Consequently, when you enter my development, it's gorgeous and all yards and homes are well maintained.  It does make a difference when you go to sell your home, too.

 

I understand the over 55 communities.  Yes, they have get togethers, bingo, bunko, etc. but I have enough to keep me busy without that.  What I do not like about these communities is you can't have a child live with you.  If one of my children lost their job and needed a place to stay to get back on their feet, I couldn't have them live with me because they are not 55 + years old.  If I had my family killed and grandchildren needed a home, I couldn't take them on.  My family is too important to live someplace where I couldn't provide a roof over their heads if they needed it. 

 

My mother lived in Sun City Center in Florida (about a half an hour from Sarasota) and that is a gorgeous 55 and over community and her section was also gated.  But, whenever my husband and I would come to visit, Mom had to let them know ahead of time.  Then we had to go to the clubhouse shortly after arriving, have our pictures taken and a badge made for us to use to get into the pool, into the gates, etc...and we had to pay for those badges, too!  We could not stay longer than one month either.  We only stayed two weeks and were glad to get back to our own home. Some people really love and want that but it wasn't for me.  Sun City Center is really nice...especially if you are looking for a retirement community.  There is a lot there so you might want to look it up online if you are interested.  It's about a half hour north of Sarasota. 

 

I also love seeing children and people of all ages.  That makes me feel younger.  In those over 55 communities, you sit around and watch your friends get sick and die.  I have three darling children next door to me, and several across the street.  We have people of all ages in my development, too.  We also have cook outs several times a year, and adult only St. Patties Day party...and even a pig roast!  We have cookie exchanges at Christmas and also we do Christmas caroling down the streets at Christmas.  We have parties for the children like Easter egg hunts, Christmas parties, including bounce houses and pony rides.  This comes out of our association dues.  My dues run me under $300 a YEAR.  Now that's what I call cheap!  LOL  So I can be as active or reclusive as I want to be. 

 

So, sit down and weigh everything before you decide what you want to do.  There are good things and bad things to everything.  I think everyone has given you some food for thought, too.  This is the largest investment you most likely will make so go into it with  your eyes totally open. 

 

Sherrine

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