Port Charlotte, FL--any information on this area appreciated!!

[friskykitten]

We will be moving to this area and I was hoping that I might run into some DISers that have lived in or near this area. We are coming from the Mid-West and so this will completely new territory for us. I am already braced for the fact that the schools are somewhat disadvantaged from what we are used to. Can anyone help? Thanks!

 

[CookieGVB]

Don't live there - my parents own property there, and I keep telling them I want it!

 

[JeniC]

FriskyKitten:
We live close to Pt. Charlotte. You are right about the school system lagging. Right now the governor's up for re-election and the biggest topic on the ballot is how badly he messed up the school system in FL by lack of funding, the FCAT test etc. Basically schools receive funds based on the scores the students receive on a standardized test.

The Pt. Charlotte town center mall is nice. There are beaches near by in Englewood The Peace River is a great place for boating. I believe that the Texas Rangers have Spring Training in Pt. Charlotte. The best part: you'll only be a few hours away from WDW! .


The link below is for the Charlotte County School Board and could tell you how well the schools in Charlotte are doing.
http://www.ccps.k12.fl.us/

Welcome to Florida; its Paradise!

 

[friskykitten]

Now who could argue with you two?? How about this particular area...........664 Hartford? I looked it up on Mapquest but that won't really tell me whether it is in a good neighborhood or not. The ERA agent told us it was in a great area. No offence to RE agents as they have a job to do, but every RE agent says their listing is in a great area. We will be renting with several kids and some animals but the rent is high compared to what we are used to and it is going to hurt!! Finding a rental that will accept our animals is HARD! We think we may have preferred Cape Coral or Englewood. What do I know??? I have lived in one place for all of my life!

 

[DocRafiki]

I talked to a vet about a job there when I first moved down. All I know is, it was too far from WDW!

 

[Disney Dee]

My Dad use to live in Port Charlotte, my stepmom still does. I was only there once a long time ago. If youwould like, I could get you in touch with her through e-mail, let me know.

 

[GeorgeG]

I know several people who either live there or have family there. Everything I've heard about Port Charlotte is good.

We're going to be at WDW next week into the following week and will then head for Port Charlotte to check it out as a place to retire to (soon, I hope). The schools aren't an issue for us.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

My brother just moved there from MA... he loves it... I have heard it is an up and coming place where you can still buy reasonably...but I have not been there.. Good luck.

 

[friskykitten]

Thanks for all the encouragement! As it gets colder here (I am allergic to cold without snow) the better Florida is!!

Disney Dee I would love to be able to talk to your mom about the area! You can only get so much information about a place from a book. The best information can come from the people who have lived there before.

Now, another request, anyone willing to contribute to our moving adventure with cash funds please feel free to set up a special bank account in my name. Preferably one that earns boocoo interest. Of course we are also willing to accept a free home of about 3000 square feet right on the gulf beach. Preferably Sanibel or Captiva areas. Englewood beach would be acceptable as well.

Seriously, Port Charlotte is far enough from WDW that we can still consider it a "vacation" and stay in our DVC accomodations. We have plenty of points so we could get annual passes and take many small vacations or a huge one!! If I lived near WDW I would never show up at work! I would always be in the magic!!
DocRafiki--I will need a good vet when I move! I have three American Eskimo Dogs and one aging Sheltie. Plus a Himalayan and a black domesticated (mutt) cat. One of the AE's is my Professional Show Dog who will soon be working his way to his championship title!

MackyMouse--we would love to be able to buy a home but we realize that it would be better to rent first and get a better feel of the area and it's surrounding area. I am just afraid that the mortgage rates will raise quite a bit by next year. Neither one of us has a job there yet so we won't be able to get a mortgage. SIGH!

George--we can't wait to have your family as 'neighbors'!!