Port Charlotte or Punta Gorda? (North Port: rental, insurance, houses)

[SusanandTeddy]

My husband and I are looking to move to either Port Charlotte or Punta Gorda. Rental houses are very affordable. Is there much of a difference between the two towns? Why is one better then the other? I will be commuting to Ft. Myers. How long will that take in rush hour? Is flooding a regular problem? How often do you have to evacuate for Hurricane? Lastly, is it necessary to spray for bugs monthly? If not, how often? Thank you for your time.

[Variable]

Living in Punta Gorda would remove the need to cross the bridge over the Peace River each day, so will shave some time off your commute.

Each property can have a different Hurricane Evacuation Zone. People in the earlier evacuation zones typically evacuate more often than those in the later evacuation zones. The county should have Evacuation Zone maps online and they usually have printed copies available in some places. These maps are typically color coded and you look up your property to learn the zone.

Realistically, usually only evacuate once every 5 years or perhaps less than that, on average. Depends on how close you live to water or flood prone areas and what type of structure you live in. Some people rarely, if ever, evacuate, due to the type and location of their property.

[ranchonodinero]

The closer you are to the water the more expensive. The land costs more, the insurance is more and taxes are higher. If boating is not a concern, or you don't mind driving a little bit to boat, then get off the water. A cheaper alternative would be to look at Peace River properties that have water access if that is important to you. It is very very easy to burn through all that downtown Punta Gorda has to offer-and Port Charlotte seems like one giant strip mall all the way to North Port.

[ranchonodinero]

Just be REALLY REALLY sure you know what you are getting into down here. Charlotte county is known as the vast health waste land. Better not get sick and if you do, better get on a plane. Because if you stay, your last ride will be in a hearse. Insurance has gotten crazy and what was once affordable now is not. Building a house-better plan on possibly 3 years and 2 years for sure. Oh, and the build will be filled with mistakes and incompetence and vast swaths of no one working. City government is a joke-they are wasteful and don't seem to worry about accountability. And then there are the rudest people you will ever encounter-snow birds. They come from the north east and many have never driven before. They don't seem to understand what a stop sign or a yield sign is and they ignore all of them. If you are down on the one way streets in PG or PGI, better drive with caution as they will go the wrong way then flip you off. Rude, entitled people. The cherry on top of all of this is that food is more expensive (pretty bland too) energy is expensive, and wages are low. After 3 years I'm headed back!