Omni550, you wrote "I'm not Shokwave, but do have a condo in Estero. "
Estero would be my preferred location, for my purposes it is very centrally located, but it seems only slightly less expensive than Naples. Are there variations in pricing due to < or > distance from coast? Or other variations? I would be the sole occupant, so that gives me a greater range of choices, I hope. Open to condo, townhome, or house.
Pellice,
I had looked at dozens and dozens of properties from Marco Island all the way up and throughout Naples, and a few in Bonita Springs and Estero. Much of what I had seen was too remotely located for me. (I'm single and like to get out & about for cultural and social things, as well as to go kayaking and hiking.) Also, much of the housing stock was older and not updated (popcorn ceilings, anyone?)...and lacking garages (I wanted a garage to protect my vehicle from baking in the sun and to store my kayak and bike). I also seemed to keep finding condos that had a lot of street noise or noise from a nearby pool heater, etc. (which I cannot abide.) Additionally, in season, I'd noticed that the roads and stores and parking lots in Naples were too crowded and stores were often out-of-stock, simply due to the huge influx of people.
I sort of stumbled onto this condo complex in Estero as a high school friend of my bro-in-law had purchased a unit here and we stopped by for a visit. It's centrally located, was 13 years old at the time, with large, airy rooms and a
2-car attached garage! I also liked the vegetation here. (It's a gopher tortoise preserve, although I've never seen one nor heard of anyone seeing one. Being a preserve, we have designated "preserve" sections of the property that are a bit more natural-looking which appeals to my aesthetic as well as provide natural screening.
)
Coconut Point Mall is 3 minutes away -- with tons of shopping, restaurants, farmers market, and Regal Cinema's 16-theater complex. Ft. Myers/Southwest Florida (RSW) airport is 20 minutes away. Although the Gulf is a mile up the street, the nearest beach is 15 min. away. It's an easy drive to Ft. Myers or Naples for various events, 30-45 min depending on traffic/time of day...and the Everglades, Fakahatchee, and Corkscrew Sanctuary are all less than an hour's drive. I'm 20 min. from FGCU campus, and enjoy going there to hear various lectures, etc.
It's hard to say about pricing. Obviously waterfront commands $$$, but there are many other factors. If you're not into golf, be sure to avoid golf communities (they often appear to be low-priced but they are hard to sell due to their high mandatory fees -- for golf and sometimes dining fees -- which is why their selling prices are depressed).
They used to say anywhere "west of 41 (aka Tamiami Trail)" was the most desirable location-wise...but as development expands eastwards, now I see listings saying "west of I-75" as a positive. One word of caution -- there are 2 huge housing developments just underway in Estero, east of I-75 along Corkscrew Rd. (which is mostly a 2-lane road). It's also Exit 123 on I-75. So they are predicting much future congestion in that area. Similarly, Bonita Beach Rd. & 41 is a very busy intersection (~100,000 cars a day in season), so it's best to bake that into any location/driving planning you are doing. I also hear that the further inland you go, the warmer/hotter it typically gets as you don't get any cooling effects from the Gulf.
Unless you enjoy yard maintenance (and things here grow like crazy year-round) or trying to hire it done (in this very competitive market), I'd consider avoiding a house...unless you have pet(s) that require a yard. There are TONS of condos available....and fewer town-homes (perhaps developers realize that much of the population are seniors, as single-level floor plans abound.)
With an eye to eventual resale, I bought a 2BR+den/2 Bath ground-floor unit in a very quiet area. 2BR/2Bath units are much easier to resell than 1-bedroom units -- as many folks here have guests/grandchildren come for visits. Also, I learned that condos have different rules as to how long owners can rent them out. I chose to avoid complexes that allow by-the-day or by-the- week rentals -- as my research showed that often those attract people/families who come for a quick get-away...and they can sometimes be partying/letting off steam and be noisier/less considerate.....as they know they'll never see their neighbors again. Month-long rentals tend to attract a quieter crowd -- usually seniors.
Sorry for the long post. Hopefully, I answered some of your questions. PM me if you have others.
omni
