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Florida InfoGulf CoastSarasotaOften referred to as ‘The Cultural Centre of Florida’ this upmarket town has it’s own opera, ballet, theatre, comedy clubs, and jazz bars. John Ringling moved the winter quarters of Ringling Bros. Circus to Sarasota in 1927. When he died in 1936 he bequested his 66 acre estate to the people of Florida. The estate encompasses his 32 room mansion, Cà d'Zan, the Circus Museum, 21 galleries housing his private art collection and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay, all of which are open to the public. Bridges link the surrounding islands to the mainland. To the south, Siesta Key is a residential enclave popular with artisans and writers. Whilst St. Armands Key to the north offers one of Florida's ritziest shopping and dining districts, with a short walk to Lido beach. All the island communities have a tropical, laidback yet sophisticated feel. The year round sunny days and tropical breezes are a welcome invitation to over 60 golf courses, tennis, 35 miles of pristine beaches, boating, fishing, and sight seeing. Saraosta and the offshore keys will suit all home buyers whether you are looking to retire, have a holiday home or are an investor looking for capital growth as properties here have consistently enjoyed gains of up to 23% a year. Port CharlotteReferred to as Florida's best kept secret Port Charlotte is a fishermans delight with a wide variety of old and new waterfront properties and plenty of public boat ramps and fishing piers. For the novice and/or master angler, area waters are a treat. Charter boats will take the fisherman or woman out into the Gulf of Mexico where grouper, mackerel, snapper or tarpon will just about jump onto the hook. If golf is your love then we can find you a condo overlooking Deep Creek Golf Club. Charlotte harbor is conveniently located with easy access to I75 and airports and still only 20 mins from the Gulf beaches. Punta GordaLocated on the south side of the Peace River, Punta Gorda is a lively small city. The historic district is dotted with beautiful colonial style houses, royal palms line the red brick streets and Fisherman's Wharf is the ideal place to watch the sunset. Ideal for powerboaters and sailors is the Punta Gorda Isles, a manmade waterside community where every house comes with it's own boat dock. Launch your boat from the back garden and explore the canal system or head out to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. Houses vary in age, size and style, and if you want to build your own custom designed dream home there is still some land available. Fort MyersThomas Edison was largely responsible for putting Fort Myers on the map. It was still a small fishing village when he built his waterfront retreat there in 1886. The house, laboratory and botanical gardens remain much as he left them, and include a giant banyan tree, given to Edison by Harvey Firestone (he of tyre fame) which now measures over 120 metres in cicumference. He also gave the town it's nickname "The City of Palms" by planting the first 200 of thousands of Royal Palm trees that now spread for 15 miles along McGregor Boulevard. Other attractions include "Mangoes", Henry Ford's winter home, next to the Edison estate, museums, charming Old Florida architecture, Indian shell mounds, and the historic downtown area with quaint shops and restaurants. The Caloosahatchee River leads out to the Gulf of Mexico at some of the best shell collecting beaches in the world. Visit some of the local "eco-parks" or just spend some time on the trails at some of the beaches and remote islands. This location really suits a broad spectrum of purchasers. With 8% of the population made up of Brits it is a great place to retire in a like-minded community, while at the same time being suitable for buy to let investors as apartments are still very affordable and there is a strong rental demand from the local working population. NaplesNaples, the exclusive beach front town further south, prides itself on its manicured appearance; with it's pristine shoreline, meticulously maintained parks and shopping areas and 55 lush golf courses, it oozes luxury. stroll along Fifth Avenue and Third Street South's tree-lined avenues in 'Olde Naples' reveals a variety of boutiques, antique emporia, clothes shops and art galleries, as well as a range of cafés and restaurants. The Old Marine Market Place at Tin City on Naples Bay reflects Neapolitan history at a time when the area supplied fresh fish from tin-roofed warehouses. Not far away, The Village on Venetian Bay is reminiscent of a Mediterranean plaza with winding water and walkways. You can take a ride on the old style trolley bus, hopping on and off at interesting spots.
Rachel
Deas |