Moving to Ft Myers-PLEASE HELP (Orlando, Cape Coral: crime, how much, neighborhoods)

[gib2320]

We are moving to Ft Myers in July and I am terrified! I have not read one good thing about the town or schools.
We have three kids ages 8, 6, and 3 and are moving from New Orleans.
Our kids are currently in great private schools but we were hoping to be able to put them in public school but with the "school Choice" thing it doesn't look like that is possible since we are moving in July and not even sure where yet. So I guess all the "good" schools will be full.
PLEASE if anyone has anything good to say about the community or schools please share it with me. I was excited about this move now it is just a frightening and miserable thought.

[nomoresnow]

Gib, any move is scary.

I live in N. Ft. Myers and we're quite happy here. Unfortunately, I can't help you with the school issues as we're retired and don't have any experience with it. Just do your homework, research, research, research. There must be some happy people around or the place would be deserted.

Best of luck to you.

[jillbeachbound]

Our family is moving to FM/CC this summer too! I don't really care for the whole school choice thing and it is surely not something anyone from out of the area is used to, but it is what it is. I have talked with people from Lee County schools in FM as well as CC. They were very helpful. If you are planning on using busing, once you get your address, you can go to leecountyschools.org and put your address in under their transportation area and you can see if they provide transportation and even where the bus stop is. They do try to keep children from neighborhoods together otherwise it would be a total busing nightmare (providing the schools are not full). You can visit greatschools.org and compare schools.....that's a big help. We have been working w/ a realtor in FM and have spoken with many different people in neighborhoods and most have only had good things to say which is encouraging. My daughter will be going into 5th grade and I also have a daughter who will be a freshman at UCF in Orlando. We have been to the FM area many times and the area is beautiful with lots of conveniences. The traffic is heavy but does seem to move along. Sanibel Island is one of the nicest beaches in the US and will be very close to visit often. The other nice thing about moving to FL now is that prices are much lower than they have been in years, so for buyers....it is a good time to buy! Good Luck to you! Would love to talk w/ you further!

[tomno00]

you're moving to swfl, not Compton or Camden

as long as your kids are good students and you take an active role with their education, they should do fine anywhere.

[gib2320]

I realize that but if you look at other postings about relocation to Ft. Myers and the schools there are Very few positive remarks. So I figured that there must be something nice about the town other than the beaches and was hoping to get a little positive detailed info on the area.
The majority of postings relating to relocation all say not to move to Ft Myers and that it is a terrible place and the schools are horrible but no one really says why. Is the crime out of control? I am moving from New Orleans, a city with one of the highest murder rates in the country along with one of the worst public school systems. But believe it or not there are nice things for kids to do and it is a family oriented city. So I am trying to research and do my homework to find out if this is a good place for my family or should I looking elsewhere?

[coastal chic]

Originally Posted by gib2320

I am moving from New Orleans, a city with one of the highest murder rates in the country along with one of the worst public school systems.

Bingo. SW Florida will seem like Candyland!

[tomno00]

Originally Posted by gib2320

I realize that but if you look at other postings about relocation to Ft. Myers and the schools there are Very few positive remarks. So I figured that there must be something nice about the town other than the beaches and was hoping to get a little positive detailed info on the area.
The majority of postings relating to relocation all say not to move to Ft Myers and that it is a terrible place and the schools are horrible but no one really says why. Is the crime out of control? I am moving from New Orleans, a city with one of the highest murder rates in the country along with one of the worst public school systems. But believe it or not there are nice things for kids to do and it is a family oriented city. So I am trying to research and do my homework to find out if this is a good place for my family or should I looking elsewhere?

People are always more eager to spread their negativity when writing reviews. Click on any one of these cities on this forum and the overriding tone will be negative... it's just human nature. So I guess just keep that in mind when researching. The comment about crime is way off base. Cape Coral is statically the safest city in Florida. In south fort myers and anything below south fort myers, there is very little crime. I cannot speak for education b/c I came here after I graduated, but I'm sure if you walk into the Public Education Center off Colonial, they would be willing to answer any questions you have. But again though, I happen to believe when attending public schools, your success will be based on how much effort you put into it. Every public school is going to teach the same things, right?

What exactly do you mean when you say family oriented? I mean you have all the typical things here for kids that most other suburbian areas have... sports leagues, karatee, gymnatics, etc etc... plus the beach. What kind of job would your husband have here? Like any other place, your level of enjoyment will also depend on your disposable income.

[CCRESI]

You will love it here! We live in Cape Coral, and moved in the summer too. *(Active Duty orders) We got our first choice for schooling. I wish you luck and if you have any questions, ask away.

[nhkev]

I don't know a whole lot about ft myers but there are lots of people on here that do. I think the overwhelming majority feel it is neighborhood to neighborhood. There are some developments that are pretty ghetto and some that are multi million dollar, if there is a specific area you are looking into then ask about it, like any area of the country there are nice sections and not so nice sections.

[CCRESI]

nhkev, just like anywhere. I would do a drive around town when you get down here, to figure out which area is best for you and yours.