It grows on you - 5/19/2007

We moved here from Michigan 8 years ago. We absolutely hated it at first - mostly because we were of the "that's not the way we do it up north" mindset. We came to realize that this isn't up north and things are done differently down here. The weather in the winter is absolutely gorgeous - no more snow shovels for us! It does rain quite frequently in the summer - but you learn to anticpate/adjust to it. We have all the national restaurant chains as well as quaint local eateries. The Town Center Mall is small, but at least the crowds are manageable during the holidays. Our daughter graduated from the local school system and has found employment locally. Although my husband and I moved here to retire - we immediately found good paying jobs and went back to work. The beaches are close by with easy gulf access for boaters. Sure, it is quiet and not as sophisticated as most metropolitan areas - BUT, you are just a short drive to so many big cities - Miami, Tampa, Orlando (Disney World) and the Keys. I am not sure why so many young people say that this area is full of "old Republicans". There are three high schools here each with graduating classes of 300 or so. Which means there are families everywhere. Certainly, you have to let go of your present mindset and embrace the "Florida Lifestyle". Try it....you just might like it. One bad issue....No decent Chinese food to be found!!!

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Not the town for me! - 4/13/2007

I moved to Port Charlotte a little over a year ago from Naperville, IL. All I can say is...does anyone have a time machine?! It's very difficult to find a job let a lone one that pays decent. The average income here is around 22K-24K. I am making 60% of what I made in IL. Property taxes and insurance have sky-rocketed and there has to be a house for sale practically on every block. People are having a very difficult time making ends meet. The cost of living isn't that much cheaper than Naperville. Which leads to the next problem...crime. The crime rate has also gone up. The school system is absolutely terrible and they're talking about cutting more funds for that. The weather is about the only thing I do like and if that's all, I'll take snow over this anyday! If you're retired with a decent amount of money, with no dependents come on down. This is the place for you.

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Nice place to live if you're an elderly Republican - 12/29/2006

The Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda area is a fast-growing, pleasant place to live. It is well located between Sarasota and Ft. Myers on Florida's Gulf Coast. Demographically, the area is heavily populated by older people and is a popular retirement venue. Paradoxically however, there is virtually no public transportation available to serve an aging population that includes many elderly drivers who do not belong on the road. Other drawbacks include comparatively low wages and a relatively high cost of living that tends to drive younger workers to other areas. Jobs are generally service and retail related, as there is no industry to speak of in Charlotte County. Consequently, the growth mentioned above is largely caused by a continuing influx of baby-boomers who migrate here for their retirement. For them, Charlotte County is a grand place to spend their "golden years." It is nearly impossible for a young person on an entry-level income to find an affordable starter home or even an affordable apartment. For many retirees, that is just fine with them, as they tend to resent young people and snowbirds alike. Interestingly, many of the most vocal snowbird-haters were once snowbirds themselves who decided to move here and suddenly became "natives." They don't much care for real native Floridians either. So, if you're a well-heeled retiree who can afford the property taxes and homeowners' insurance (premiums have more than doubled in the last year), come on down. You'll love it here. Assuming of course that you're a Republican like everybody else. Oh yeah, they don't like Democrats here either.

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Port Charlotte Florida - 8/6/2006

Port Charlotte is a nice little town. We moved here a year ago. I worry that there is not a lot of children here. But it does seem like more are moving to the area. It is close to the ocean, right on the harbor. It was hit hard by the hurricane 4 years ago. The town seems to be coming back from that. It has some growth but not a lot.

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Ms. - 6/23/2006

Nice place to live, altho taxes and insurance have risen since hurricane Charley hit there in 2004.

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Port Charlotte Better place since hurricane Charle - 6/23/2006

Much of Port Charlotte has been rebuilt due to the disaster of Hurricane Charley in 2004. All new stores, rebuilt homes, nice streets and good neighbors. Lots of good property for sale resonably priced now.

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Port Charlotte Better place since hurricane Charle - 6/23/2006

Much of Port Charlotte has been rebuilt due to the disaster of Hurricane Charley in 2004. All new stores, rebuilt homes, nice streets and good neighbors. Lots of good property for sale resonably priced now.

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Thumbs Down on PC - another opinion - 5/6/2006

The reader that posted "Thumbs down on Port Charlotte" went a bit too far. It is obvious that he or she was unhappy with the area. The depiction of the people as a whole describes a portion of the population, but certainly not all. There are people from many backgrounds. As a retired professional with 7 plus years of college, I resent the gross generalizations. Yes, summers are hot - no doubt, and the drivers not the best, but one should look at what others have said about various upscale and "desirable" cities around the country. The crime rate is NOT high in comparison to many, many places. I could go on, but if you think you may be interested in the Punta Gorda/Pt. Charlotte area, come down, spend some time and come to your own conclusions. Yes, Mpls., Mn. was more sophisticated if you don't mind freezing!!

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"Thumbs down on Port Charlotte - 5/6/2006

The reader that posted "Thumbs down on Port Charlotte" went a bit too far. It is obvious that he or she was unhappy with the area. The depiction of the people as a whole describes a portion of the population, but certainly not all. There are people from many backgrounds. As a retired professional with 7 plus years of college, I resent the gross generalizations. Yes, summers are hot - no doubt, and the drivers not the best, but one should look at what others have said about various upscale and "desirable" cities around the country. The crime rate is NOT high in comparison to many, many places. I could go on, but if you think you may be interested in the Punta Gorda/Pt. Charlotte area, come down, spend some time and come to your own conclusions. Yes, Mpls., Mn. was more sophisticated if you don't mind freezing!!

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Port Charlotte FL Area - 5/3/2006

Beautiful, growing area between Sarasota and Fort Myers. A true sportsmans paradise! Come enjoy our waterways, sunsets and weather! Waterfront property here is less expensive than most areas of Florida. Pick up your piece of paradise today!

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Port Charlotte - 4/27/2006

It is growing so fast. Nothing stays the same. Winters are nice as far as weather goes. Summers are hot and stormy. Driving is difficult due to tourists and construction. The beaches are beautiful but the rest is scrubby and ugly.

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looking for some one two ride with - 4/4/2006

loooking for some to ride with in pc ane time and place and just bar hoping

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snooziesuzie - 2/25/2006

currently live in Port Charlotte, FL. originally moved here in 1998 from CT because of the climate & supposed 'small town' atmosphere. it's far from that, all the millionaires are retiring here & driving up property values & cost of living, including taxes. we want to move to a temperate climate with a true small town feel, friendly people, arts & culture, and availability to the water!

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Thumbs down on Port Charlotte, Florida - 11/27/2005

Port Charlotte and the surounding areas (within a 100-mile radius at least) is loaded with more scumbags, losers, bottom feeders, drug addicts, low-class and lesser-educated people than most places I've seen in the country. People here dress poorly and take poor care of themselves. They are overweight, chainsmoking, tatooed, low-self esteem slobs and idiots (Flori-diots) with double chins and cellulite hanging from their legs and fat butts. The crime rate is bad as well. Look it up on the internet and you will discover the city is chock-full of pedophiles and criminals. Many, but not all, of the homebuilders are building cracker-box houses now selling at outrageous prices ($300K and up). If you want to spend all your money living in this bug-infested oven, come on down! And then you will discover that these same, lesser-educated, disorganized idiots are employers and city officials who are selfishly and stupidly running the state and local economy 6 feet underground. Most everyone is living slightly above the poverty level. Houses and yards and vehicles are run-down. Be prepared to be assaulted by mean-streaked locals. Co-workers with low-self esteem will make your life miserable. Making matters worse is that Florida, in general, has perhaps the worst drivers in the country! I wish I never moved here and will be exiting Florida at the earliest possible time. The weather stinks. It gets so hot! You get to enjoy being eaten alive by so many varieties of bugs, the list would be too long to mention. JUST SAY NO!

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