Relocating to Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte. Info Request.

[Vectordirector]

OK you guys.  You talked me into it.  I'm outta here.  This winter is killing me.  I have the means (Federal Gov't Pension) and the desire.  Florida here I come. 

I narrowed it down to the west coast.  I've spent time in the past with friends that lived on Sanibel.  Loved it, but way out of my league price wise.  Looked at Tampa area 20 years ago and loved it too.  I've even spent a week on vacation on Longboat Key.  That was nice too.  All were great places but I think Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte seem to be more sailing friendly.  And less pricey.  So after hours of internet time looking around, it seems Like Punta Gorda Isles or South Gulf Cove might be good places to start looking for a house.  Sailboat access canal, with pool please.  Are there any other areas I should be looking at?  Any minuses that I might have missed?  Budget is up to $400K.  It will just be me, the Admiral wants to stay here in Chicago.  She may change her mind later though.  I may start out renting and buy a lot and build.  Lots of lots available. 

I figure the Eclipse is the perfect boat, now all I need is the perfect place to put it.  By the way, I don't play golf.   

Any information would be appreciated. Real Estate Agent recommendations, Builder recommendations, areas to avoid, etc..

Vectordirector

Shivering in Chicago

[CaptRon28]

You've picked a good area to look at. Charlotte Harbor is a fantastic place to sail. Well protected from most storms, and big enough for some serious sailing. It's the 18th largest bay in the US. But the water is not all that deep for bigger boats with longer fin or wing keels. I wouldn't want to have anything deeper than around 5 feet. You'd be OK on most of the harbor, but getting out or back into some of the inlets could be a problem. I sold a 40 foot Catalina with nearly 6 feet of draft and bought a 28 foot trimaran because of this.

For waterfront property, I'd look mainly at Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. You'd have to exit/enter South Gulf Cove thru a lock at it's northern end. This could add some significant time to your access. House and lot prices there have been rather flat as well, possibly because of the lock and maybe limited local shopping. Saiboat access and motoring distance to the harbor will affect the price.

I'd be happy to show you around Punta Gorda Isles and we could get out into the harbor on the tri if you make it down here.

[atrometer]

North Fort Myers resident (previous Cape Coral).  Because of Charlotte Harbor we sometimes wish we had chosen there,  Don't overlook Port Charlotte (N. side of river) or "Pirate Harbor" ( S. on Charlotte Harbor) or Burnt Store Marina area; or maybe even better, Northern Pine Island or Boca Grande (much closer to Gulf).  Cape Coral also has some good prices but you have to sail down river to get to the gulf and sailing is not as good as Chatlotte Harbor - but if you want to go across FL to the east coast (Okeechobee waterway) you're much closer. Consider foreclosures too - VERY good buys, just takes awhile.  Good Luck!

[capt_nemo]

Excellent choice.

I've lived in the Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte/Charlotte Harbor area for over 12 years now and am sooo glad I chose this spot in Paradise.

Would recommended the following strategy for relocation. If possible, come down here and RENT a place for awhile so you can check out the various residential areas first hand. They each have their pros and cons with varying access to local sailing waters. The worst thing, in my opinion, would be to RUSH IT.

Echo CaptRon28 above in offer to get you out on the harbor. One of my boats can cover a lot of (submerged) ground in a short period of time!

By the way, I don't play golf either - too busy with 3 boats and a motorcycle!

capt_nemo

[Sterling]

Renting first is probably a good idea, which has already been mentioned.  One very good reason is to wait and see what happens with this Biggert-Waters Act.  Flood insurance rates may very well be skyrocketing.  Buying a home on stilts, or paying cash for your home might be the only way to either avoid flood insurance, or afford it.  Existing homeowners will experience a 25% increase a year over four years! but new owners will pay full price.  Something you want to be aware of, and avoid.

[Vectordirector]

Thanks for the information guys.  I'm definitely thinking renting first is a smart way to go.  Also the flood insurance issue is scary.  Guess I will need to look into this more in depth (Its a pun, get it?).  I'd love to take you guys up on sailing/cruising the area to get a feel for it.  Appreciate all the offers.  I'm early into this retirement idea and the timing of it all.  I have a week of vacation scheduled for early April and may hop a flight down to look around.  Do you get a lot of spring break crazies in the area and if so are they gone by April 1? 

[Billy]

Nemo is right.
Rent 1st and learn the area.

Shameless plug, I'm a licensed Florida Architect and I would love to design you your dream home!

But if you do decide to buy an existing home and pay a realtor a 6% commission (my fees are much less) I suggest you buy the worst house in the best area not the best house in the worst area. Let the neighborhood bring the value of your house up, not down.

[CaptRon28]

You've got to be a little careful what you look at in SW Florida, or anywhere else for that matter. Someone above mentioned Pirate's Harbor who's inlet is somewhat shallow. Ditto for Burnt Store Isles and Alligator creek which also still has a narrow, but open, lock. An Eclipse may be able to make it out - but you've got to check these things before you decide. Shopping is somewhat limited at some of these locations as well. Not sure if I'd want to drive a half hour to find a store or gas station. I have friends who moved around here to find out that that they couldn't make it in or out because of overhead power lines. The agent told them no bridges but never bothered to mention the power lines. He/she probably didn't even know. Another key factor is how much time to get to  the harbor. Do you want to motor an hour or more each way? That sort of kills the day sailing concept.

[BruceW]

I have pretty much decided that I will like to live in a place that maximizes the at home needs I have, and drive a half hour to a marina that has quick access to the sailing. Sure, it would be nice to have it all together, but driving is easier than a long-ass motoring experience.

Right now, I drive 2.25 hours and the marina is minutes from the sailing. I'd like to live closer, but it doesn't have to be in walking distance.

So, the issues for me and anywhere would be: affordability of the house, and affordability of the marina.

eh, I'd love to try it in the PG area, just from my own trips to Sanibel and Cabbage Key. Bound to be lots of choices. To get my wife to do it, which might be impossible anyway, I think inland for living would be our only way, unless there's some kind of protected area to live in walking distance of a beach, which is more her thing.

Okay, sorry for the ramble; just doing some plotting and scheming. May have to move on to strategery and trickeration to pull any of this off.

[Vectordirector]

All good information, thanks.  The Eclipse only draws 18" board up so I think it will be ok.  I see some pretty big boats on google earth in the canals at Pirate Harbor.  It might make more sense to live away from the water and get a slip.  Any idea what a slip costs at one of the marinas on the harbor?   I don't think I will venture out into the gulf until I get some experience in this boat. 

[atrometer]

Slips are NOT cheap!  In and around Fort Myers they run from $10 -$15 per foot per month, with a 30' minimum at many.  Then there is the once/month diver fee (~$50), and haul out and bottom paint every two years.  $$$$$$$$  Which is a BIG reason I no longer have 40' boats - replaced by a 16' Compac that I keep in my back yard.  Bottom paint not needed since I only have her in the water 2/3 days at a time.  From an investment standpoint on the water is better, BUT you might be able to find a slip at a private home for rent.  I would look for a place off water where flood insurance isn't required and you can keep your boat, then just haul it there.  Some marinas (on Pine Island there's one) will allow you to park your trailer with the boat already rigged for a reasonable fee - just move it several hundred feet and drop it in the water, sail, haul out, rinse, and park.

[BruceW]

That Pine Island marina with drysailing spot sounds like a great idea.

[atrometer]

http://www.pinelandmarina.com/  This is it.  In the northern 1/3 of Pine Island.  Many barrier islands short distance away - Cabbage Key, Cayo Costa, Sanibel, Captiva, North Captiva, Boca Grande, Usseppa, etc.

[Vectordirector]

Great info on the marinas, thanks.  Actually those prices are cheap compared to Lake Geneva, WI.  If you can find one, a 30 ft. slip costs about $5000, May to October.  Or you can buy a house.  On the water costs $1.5 million for a  2000 square foot fixer upper (And $15,000 per year in property taxes!).  Yacht club membership with dry mast up storage 150ft from the ramp runs me about $2500 a year, including indoor storage in the winter.  Well worth it in not dealing with the crazy public ramp, towing each way, rigging/unrigging every time, etc.  The people are really nice and I got to meet Buddy Melges, (America's Cup skipper,  sailing hall of fame member, and all around legend up here, google him if you don't know who he is), the first time I launched my boat there. He actually helped my line my boat up on the ramp. 

Thanks guys, still kicking this all around in my head.  The options are numerous and I'm getting real anxious to get down there and look around.  Doesn't help that the low last night was -10 and the high today was 5.  More snow tomorrow too. 

Vectordirector

[skyshadd]

Cape Coral!

Buy on a sailboat canal for under 300k and save the cost of the slip. Not as remote as SGC, and not as far for blue water sailing as PC/PG.

IMHO

ShaddO