Anyone from Ft. Myers FL

[magictrickboy71]

Howdy,

We are relocating from NJ and my wife has an interview in Ft. Myers. Does anyone have any info on the area.

Thanks,
Frank

 

[halld6479]

my parents live there and love it we have been down a couple times to visit, are you moving to ft myers beach or ft myers? I can tell you you don't want ot be within 20 miles of the beach during spring break, we were last year took us over 2 hours to get from one end of the strip to the other and it isn't two miles long.

 

[TreesyB]

My parents have a place down there (15 years now) and I'm down there about 3 weeks per year. It's beautiful down there, what do you want to know?

 

[magictrickboy71]

Thanks for the help.

How is the area for hurricains and how far from Disney it? Also who do the schools rate overall?

Thanks a bunch,
Frank

 

[dianeschlicht]

I know it's about 200 miles from Disney, but I need to know driving time between the two. We will be doing both Disney AND spring training in Fort Myers.

 

[Judique]

I know it's about 200 miles from Disney, but I need to know driving time between the two. We will be doing both Disney AND spring training in Fort Myers.

Driving time is about 3 hours. Unless you hit bad traffic.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Driving time is about 3 hours. Unless you hit bad traffic.

Which route?

 

[dvc_john]

Diane:
I travel between WDW and Ft Myers all the time (I have a couple of timeshares on Sanibel island). I used to take US27, SR 29, SR80, I75. Taking that route, it was fine from about Sebring south. But in the last few years, US27 from I4 to Sebring has been getting worse and worse, with a lot of truck traffic. Last time I took I4, I75. It's longer distance wise, but took about the same amount of time. And traffic wasn't bad, so it didn't seem as frustrating. It takes me longer than 3 hours though. But that's probably because it can take an hour just to get from Sanibel over to I75. Another route that I haven't taken but other people have is US17 over to I75.
To the OP: I love that area, and if I ever moved to Florida, that's probably where I would end up.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Diane:
I travel between WDW and Ft Myers all the time (I have a couple of timeshares on Sanibel island). I used to take US27, SR 29, SR80, I75. Taking that route, it was fine from about Sebring south. But in the last few years, US27 from I4 to Sebring has been getting worse and worse, with a lot of truck traffic. Last time I took I4, I75. It's longer distance wise, but took about the same amount of time. And traffic wasn't bad, so it didn't seem as frustrating. It takes me longer than 3 hours though. But that's probably because it can take an hour just to get from Sanibel over to I75. Another route that I haven't taken but other people have is US17 over to I75.
To the OP: I love that area, and if I ever moved to Florida, that's probably where I would end up.

Thanks, John! We were thinking it would be better to go the interstate most of the way, so that sounds like a good plan.

 

[magictrickboy71]

Thanks again for all the input.

I am really stressing about this because it came up really fast. Our house is not even on the market yet so if my wife gets this job I probably won't see my kids for a few months, but I really want to move to Florida. I'm aslo worried about being able to support a house in NJ and a rental in Florida until my house sells.

Any info on Hurricains in that area and how nice are the beaches?

Thanks a bunch,
Frank

 

[dvc_john]

re: hurricanes...
Just about any area in Florida is subject to hurricanes, especially the coastal areas. Ft. Myers lucked out for a long time - I think the last major hurricane before 2004 was in the 50's (or maybe 60's). In 2004 and 2005, a lot of places in Florida got hit. Ft Myers was no exception. In 2004, Charley went north of Ft Myers (near Punta Gorda), so the city fared pretty well. Sanibel and Captiva islands got hit hard though. Then in 2005, Wilma came thru, but went south at about Marco Island. Again, Ft Myers fared pretty well, with most damage being the downed tree variety.

re: beaches...
in a recent special on the travel channel, they listed the top 10 Florida beaches. 2 where in the Ft Myers area: Sanibel, and Lover's Key. Sanibel is known for the 'Sanibel stoop' because of all the shells, and people going shelling there. I also like the south end of Ft Myers beach - it's a nice crescent shaped beach with soft sand.

 

[CPM]

I live in Ft. Myers. BTW, I have a friend that lives in Piscataway. I wonder if you know them?
We have been very happy with the schools here. We have school choice, so it's very important that you get them registered before first batch is processed. can't stress enough how important that is. I think first batch end in March for next school year. I have one in third grade and one is a senior.
It takes me exactly 3 hours to get to WDW. I live near Sanibel. Depending on where in FM's you live it can take anwhere from 2.45- 3.25 hours.
Housing and school zones vary big time, so you really have to take your time looking. IMO the best school zone is the south zone.IMO it's also the best area to live in.

Any questions feel free to ask me We relocated here from the Boston area 6 years ago, I'll never move back
Don't stress about the hurricanes!!!!

 

[CPM]

my parents live there and love it we have been down a couple times to visit, are you moving to ft myers beach or ft myers? I can tell you you don't want ot be within 20 miles of the beach during spring break, we were last year took us over 2 hours to get from one end of the strip to the other and it isn't two miles long.

20 miles of the beach? I don't think FMB is even that long. It's not that bad. The beach area itself will get congested, but I live 7 miles from FMB and never have to deal with beach traffic.
Personally I wouldn't live on FMB with a family, but it's sure nice being so close .

 

[CPM]

Frank,

Did you ever read the rest of this?

 

[magictrickboy71]

I did,

Thanks for the input. I was a little busy taking care of the kids while my wife was on her interview. We hope to have an answer tomorrow. My kids are 4 1/2 and 7 months so I think we will be OK with schools for now.

Who do you know in Piscataway, I have lived here all my life.

I think the office my wife is looking to work at is on Winkler Ave. It's a plastic surgen's office.

Thanks again,
Frank

 

[CPM]

I did,

Thanks for the input. I was a little busy taking care of the kids while my wife was on her interview. We hope to have an answer tomorrow. My kids are 4 1/2 and 7 months so I think we will be OK with schools for now.

Who do you know in Piscataway, I have lived here all my life.
I think the office my wife is looking to work at is on Winkler Ave. It's a plastic surgen's office.
Thanks again,
Frank

Mr. Mom,

I know what office you are talking about.
I'm PMing you with my friend's name.
Will your 4 1/2 year old be starting kindergarten in the fall?
There is a great preschool right on Winkler if you need one, it's called Bright Beginnings.
Hope everything goes well for you.

 

[magictrickboy71]

Thanks, I PMed you back.

She got the job but didn't accept it because the money wasn't right. We will keep looking.

Thanks for all the help.
Frank