Reviews & Comments
Port Charlotte, FL
Want the truth??? -
6/26/2007I moved here 15 years ago. At that time Port Charlotte was a sleepy fishing town. Since then a lot of doctors, etc have moved in because they could buy a mansion on the water for less than $500,000 (home prices were very affordable at one time--I bought a nice 3/2 with a big pool for $65,000 in a nice neighborhood). It has grown--big building boom and with that the prices of homes went up dramatically (my house would probably go on the market for about $240,000) right now.
Hurricane Charley attracted many investors that came in and bought up destroyed homes from people who "wanted out". Now our real estate market is flooded; sales are very slow--because of it homes are creeping down in price somewhat especially with a motivated-seller (and there's many right now). So there might be some "deals" available...
But consider this...
Since the wave of hurricanes our home owners insurance has tripled in price-going from $800 a year (pre-charley) to $2400; flood insurance (not included) is another $300 a year (flood insur. can be much higher in other areas in PC).
Our economy is not good right now--very slow. Prices of utilities are high, food is high--it's just not worth it. Many are trying to sell and go to NC, TN, SC, etc.
The people were once southern-friendly but now it's a lot more "plastic" and clicky.
PS. Yeah, winter weather is awesome...but you SO pay for it during the summer...long, long, super hot and humid summers...and the last couple of years you can add--dodging hurricanes.
My advice: Look elsewhere!