Florida Florida Florida
11-13-2018, 07:16 AM
#1
Admirals Club 
Thread Starter
Florida Florida Florida
Wife and I are planning a move to Florida in 1 1/2 years, yeah, I know, it's full,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she's an elem. admin. and I'm a tool and die maker working as a CNC machinist.
We vacation there every Christmas for 2 weeks. Stayed in Miami, Key West, Tampa, Naples, Venice, Pine Island and this year Port Charlotte. So far we liked Pine Island the best, then Venice. Water plays a major role and
I don't think the water in Port Charlotte will be clear enough, being river water, but we wanted to spend a couple weeks there and get a feel for the place. We'll also scope out the job situation for both. Pine Island was the furthest for any job opportunity for me, I think.
Soooooo, how's the fishin' and how about sink holes? Any other advice?
We vacation there every Christmas for 2 weeks. Stayed in Miami, Key West, Tampa, Naples, Venice, Pine Island and this year Port Charlotte. So far we liked Pine Island the best, then Venice. Water plays a major role and
I don't think the water in Port Charlotte will be clear enough, being river water, but we wanted to spend a couple weeks there and get a feel for the place. We'll also scope out the job situation for both. Pine Island was the furthest for any job opportunity for me, I think.
Soooooo, how's the fishin' and how about sink holes? Any other advice?
11-13-2018, 08:39 AM
#2
Senior Member
Originally Posted by nibble
Wife and I are planning a move to Florida in 1 1/2 years, yeah, I know, it's full,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she's an elem. admin. and I'm a tool and die maker working as a CNC machinist.
We vacation there every Christmas for 2 weeks. Stayed in Miami, Key West, Tampa, Naples, Venice, Pine Island and this year Port Charlotte. So far we liked Pine Island the best, then Venice. Water plays a major role and
I don't think the water in Port Charlotte will be clear enough, being river water, but we wanted to spend a couple weeks there and get a feel for the place. We'll also scope out the job situation for both. Pine Island was the furthest for any job opportunity for me, I think.
Soooooo, how's the fishin' and how about sink holes? Any other advice?
We vacation there every Christmas for 2 weeks. Stayed in Miami, Key West, Tampa, Naples, Venice, Pine Island and this year Port Charlotte. So far we liked Pine Island the best, then Venice. Water plays a major role and
I don't think the water in Port Charlotte will be clear enough, being river water, but we wanted to spend a couple weeks there and get a feel for the place. We'll also scope out the job situation for both. Pine Island was the furthest for any job opportunity for me, I think.
Soooooo, how's the fishin' and how about sink holes? Any other advice?
Pine Island fishing is legendary. I don't know if the red tide has affected the fishing in recent months. If you are into offshore fishing Port Charlotte would be fabulous. The inshore fishing has been pretty good in the Port Charlotte area also, even if the water clarity may not match that of the Keys or some of the springs in north Florida. I don't have a post red tide update on that fishing.
We used to be a low tax state. Check with the Bilge for current updates on that.
Last edited by Lobstercatcher229; 11-13-2018 at 08:58 AM.
11-13-2018, 09:04 AM
#3
Admirals Club
In that area, make sure you check out Useppa Island and the other islands around that area. All good stuff. Night fishing on an outgoing, full moon tide can not be beat - IMO.
- Sinkholes are mostly in lake country up around the I-4 corridor and a little to the north so I wouldn't worry about them much.
I've lived on the water in Florida since 1980 - all along the Gulf Coast from Marco north to Bradenton (current).
- River living : I live on the manatee river and while the river water has more silt and usually has a brownish color, I have found being on the river to be awesome. For starters, your boating is not as dependent on the weather - bad/windy weather and you go up river or play in the bays. Also, the boat traffic is much better than on the intracoastal. On the river, it doesn't go anywhere really so you have people heading out in the morning and back up river in the afternoon but the overall traffic is much lower than being on the Intracaostal (it's like having I-75 in your back yard ). And the fishing is second to none if you like/enjoy Reds, Tarpon, Snook, etc. TONS of fishing to do and it's always changing with the seasons so it doesnt seem to get boring.
All that said, it really just depends on what you and your wife want in terms of a lifestyle. Gulf coast is more laid back and friendly, and there seems to always be something to do somewhere within a short drive. If you buy on the water, just be mindful of the flood zones. As things get built up, those flood zones are becoming more important in my opinion and I wouldn't be surprised if some day it becomes impossible to get flood insurance in zone V or A unless the structure is brought above BFE. Just something to be aware of.
- Sinkholes are mostly in lake country up around the I-4 corridor and a little to the north so I wouldn't worry about them much.
I've lived on the water in Florida since 1980 - all along the Gulf Coast from Marco north to Bradenton (current).
- River living : I live on the manatee river and while the river water has more silt and usually has a brownish color, I have found being on the river to be awesome. For starters, your boating is not as dependent on the weather - bad/windy weather and you go up river or play in the bays. Also, the boat traffic is much better than on the intracoastal. On the river, it doesn't go anywhere really so you have people heading out in the morning and back up river in the afternoon but the overall traffic is much lower than being on the Intracaostal (it's like having I-75 in your back yard ). And the fishing is second to none if you like/enjoy Reds, Tarpon, Snook, etc. TONS of fishing to do and it's always changing with the seasons so it doesnt seem to get boring.
All that said, it really just depends on what you and your wife want in terms of a lifestyle. Gulf coast is more laid back and friendly, and there seems to always be something to do somewhere within a short drive. If you buy on the water, just be mindful of the flood zones. As things get built up, those flood zones are becoming more important in my opinion and I wouldn't be surprised if some day it becomes impossible to get flood insurance in zone V or A unless the structure is brought above BFE. Just something to be aware of.
THT sponsor
11-13-2018, 12:16 PM
#6
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
We haven't bought yet, no.
Thanks for all the advice, I may like Port C. more than I thought. We love Venice for it's laid back style and few tourists compared to other locals. Loved the location of St. James City on Pine Island. Liked Naples alot but $$$ brings snobby people that think they're all that, so we don't fit in as we're not all that, just simple folk.
Thanks for all the advice, I may like Port C. more than I thought. We love Venice for it's laid back style and few tourists compared to other locals. Loved the location of St. James City on Pine Island. Liked Naples alot but $$$ brings snobby people that think they're all that, so we don't fit in as we're not all that, just simple folk.
11-13-2018, 04:21 PM
#8
Admirals Club
Born and raised here. 5 generations
Maybe we can swap properties.
This place has become paradise to newcomers.
Maybe we can swap properties.
This place has become paradise to newcomers.
Likes:
11-14-2018, 08:53 PM
#11
Admirals Club
We also live in N.C. and spend about 5 years looking for the right Florida location for us. Both my wife and I grew up in Florida and wanted to move back home for retirement. We closed on a house on Pine Island a few weeks ago. Our house is in Bokeelia, on the north end of the island. We will be moving there full time in about a month, just got back to NC today. Took our boat out for the first time Sunday, made it over to Boca Grande Pass. On Monday our new neighbor took us to Caya Costa for a few hours. Wow, we are certainly happy with our decision to settle on Pine Island.
Make sure you understand what insurance is going to cost. Flood insurance is cheap, because we are above base flood elevation. Wind insurance “blew us away” until we got credits for impact windows, roof strapping, newer roof, and things like that.
We grew up on the east coast on FL, Merritt Island. We looked a lot in the Crystal River area, but Pine Island is where we settled. To us, it is a close to Ole Florida that we could find and still be around salt water.
Make sure you understand what insurance is going to cost. Flood insurance is cheap, because we are above base flood elevation. Wind insurance “blew us away” until we got credits for impact windows, roof strapping, newer roof, and things like that.
We grew up on the east coast on FL, Merritt Island. We looked a lot in the Crystal River area, but Pine Island is where we settled. To us, it is a close to Ole Florida that we could find and still be around salt water.
11-15-2018, 02:32 AM
#12
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by cws
We also live in N.C. and spend about 5 years looking for the right Florida location for us. Both my wife and I grew up in Florida and wanted to move back home for retirement. We closed on a house on Pine Island a few weeks ago. Our house is in Bokeelia, on the north end of the island. We will be moving there full time in about a month, just got back to NC today. Took our boat out for the first time Sunday, made it over to Boca Grande Pass. On Monday our new neighbor took us to Caya Costa for a few hours. Wow, we are certainly happy with our decision to settle on Pine Island.
Make sure you understand what insurance is going to cost. Flood insurance is cheap, because we are above base flood elevation. Wind insurance “blew us away” until we got credits for impact windows, roof strapping, newer roof, and things like that.
We grew up on the east coast on FL, Merritt Island. We looked a lot in the Crystal River area, but Pine Island is where we settled. To us, it is a close to Ole Florida that we could find and still be around salt water.
Make sure you understand what insurance is going to cost. Flood insurance is cheap, because we are above base flood elevation. Wind insurance “blew us away” until we got credits for impact windows, roof strapping, newer roof, and things like that.
We grew up on the east coast on FL, Merritt Island. We looked a lot in the Crystal River area, but Pine Island is where we settled. To us, it is a close to Ole Florida that we could find and still be around salt water.
11-15-2018, 06:37 PM
#14
Senior Member
My gparents had a house on PI and my mom still lives there.
Spent a ton of time there since the 70’s
Of all the coastal communities I’ve visited, that must be the one community that has resisted growth the most
it still has the old FL charm for sure
Spent a ton of time there since the 70’s
Of all the coastal communities I’ve visited, that must be the one community that has resisted growth the most
it still has the old FL charm for sure
Likes:
11-16-2018, 02:29 AM
#15
Admirals Club
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by mxs0ixk
I have a vacation rental house on pine island and love it. Live in okeechobee but get over there as much as possible.
11-16-2018, 03:02 AM
#16
Senior Member
If you have kids you should check out schools. Fishing is great all around Charlotte Harbor. Sink holes are not a problem. Be prepared to pay a lot for flood insurance, and newer homes will be built to higher wind standards.
