OT: Marco Island & Naples

[vic_torre42]

With all due respect, Central FL and SW FL are two completely different animals
Sans job, family issues, Disney or being a die hard Magic, Orlando City or UCF fan, I'm not sure why anyone would move there

We’ve enjoyed our vacations to Central and SW Florida over the years.

A lot of super fun things to do with outdoor and water activities and really nice people.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

We’ve enjoyed our vacations to Central and SW Florida over the years.

A lot of super fun things to do with outdoor and water activities and really nice people.

It's a great time here
I guess the only real downfall would be a few things

1. Slower pace - we don't mind, but if you're in a hurry, it can get annoying
2. Increased traffic - still beats NE
3. Hot Hot Hot - need that pool from June - September
4. Food options lacking vs. NE - we're old school and cook mostly so that's not an issue for us, but for those who truly enjoy going out often, I can see the downfall in that

The pizza and bagels (and Italian food in general) aren't very good, but being Italian, we typically cook the food ourselves via the raw ingredients from the grocery store

 

[e5fdny]

I was born in central FL. Spent a lot of my life, growing up, there.

I am completely mystified by the people who are so anxious to move to the southern Gulf Coast.

Simple answer from me is there less of “us” around.

I’m sure that’s changing too but I found it refreshing when I first started visiting.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

Simple answer from me is there less of “us” around.

I’m sure that’s changing too but I found it refreshing when I first started visiting.

Midwesterners following 75 south
Super nice people
Def more NE transplants moving down though

 

[e5fdny]

Midwesterners following 75 south
Super nice people
Def more NE transplants moving down though

We are the locusts. 🤷‍♂️

But if your NE meant New England, they’re not so bad IMO.

 

[jaydogsmooth1]

We are the locusts. 🤷‍♂️

But if your NE meant New England, they’re not so bad IMO.

I meant NE for northeast
I've found New Englanders to be great overall

 

[RU4Real]

Southern Florida used to be a critical - and majestic - ecosystem. It's been destroyed by all the people who, for some reason, just have to be able to tell people they live there.

One thing I feel pretty sure about - when Mother Nature, in whatever manifestation you're most comfortable with - decides to shed itself of some human contamination it will begin in southern Florida. Malaria, Dengue, Leprosy, Naegleria fowleri - all of these things are on the rise in the region. Bitch wants her Everglades back, and y'all gonna be toast. 😉

 

[e5fdny]

Southern Florida used to be a critical - and majestic - ecosystem. It's been destroyed by all the people who, for some reason, just have to be able to tell people they live there.

One thing I feel pretty sure about - when Mother Nature, in whatever manifestation you're most comfortable with - decides to shed itself of some human contamination it will begin in southern Florida. Malaria, Dengue, Leprosy, Naegleria fowleri - all of these things are on the rise in the region. Bitch wants her Everglades back, and y'all gonna be toast. 😉

To that point, I don’t think could ever live there full time.

Not so much because of this what if of a scenario but really because I like where I am now. A lot.

Maybe an extended visit in the winter months as I am done skiing and after working 30+ yrs in the elements, I don’t want to be cold. 🙂

As for the ecosystem thing…pretty cool (and NOT cool at the same time) the original 41 was made with and out of seashells.

 

[T2Kplus20]

We’ve enjoyed our vacations to Central and SW Florida over the years.

A lot of super fun things to do with outdoor and water activities and really nice people.

We are also in the camp of FL is for awesome vacations (including Marco/Naples and central FL), definitely not living there even as a snowbird location. Other better options for us.

 

[T2Kplus20]

Southern Florida used to be a critical - and majestic - ecosystem. It's been destroyed by all the people who, for some reason, just have to be able to tell people they live there.

One thing I feel pretty sure about - when Mother Nature, in whatever manifestation you're most comfortable with - decides to shed itself of some human contamination it will begin in southern Florida. Malaria, Dengue, Leprosy, Naegleria fowleri - all of these things are on the rise in the region. Bitch wants her Everglades back, and y'all gonna be toast. 😉

So, it's not a good thing that humans introduced pythons to the Everglades? :)

 

[newell138]

It sounds like we have the makings of a group to gather on Marco Island to watch Rutgers hoops and football. Sami’s on Collier Avenue owner (Sami) would love to host Rutgers groups. I am not a Rutgers grad but a northern NJ native and long-time Morris County resident. In winter season (January through March), Marco is getting very expensive as a rental destination. Lots of folks who rented at Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach, areas decimated by the last hurricane, have adopted Marco Island. Marco Island has an amazing number of Big Ten folks who winter there. Particularly Michigan State and Wisconsin and Ohio State and Iowa fans.

Just got back from Marco and you’re right about it being a BIG fan favorite. 80% of the people there were Michigan fans and the rest were Indy, Wisconsin, etc

 

[rurichdog]

Just got back from Marco and you’re right about it being a BIG fan favorite. 80% of the people there were Michigan fans and the rest were Indy, Wisconsin, etc

I-75 will do that. It's also why the East Coast of Florida is popular with folks who lived close to I-95 previously.