Best Healthy Places to Retire: Punta Gorda, Florida

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went down to punta gorda isles in 2010 as a 1 night stop over while exploring sw florida & ended up buying a palce..hidden jewel in paradise.. no buses, o traffic, low crime & no rush..the real florida experience..secrets out...sw florida laid back paradise mon!!!

jack of MA 7:54AM January 18, 2013

To Steven, Grant that Punta Gorda is a beautiful city but please open your eyes to the beauty in Port Charlotte. I know the properties immediately to the left & right across the bridge North on 41 aren't filled with beautiful buildings, but look around. We have 2 great hospitals, Pt. Char Beach Complex,Grassy Point and all the beautiful homes surrounding, Collingswood Pointe, Mc Grath Point, Leah Maria, Gulf Cove and many small gated communities tucked in the city, that you are apparently not aware of. And most of these properties have larger lot sizes than the smaller Punta Gorda lots. We in Pt. Char are a very rich community. Rich with wealth, health care facilities and personel, Culture Center, canals, Mall and County Bldg. But mostly we are rich with elderly people who still contribute to society though their their homes may be moderate but lovely. And we have nice homes that the younger generation can afford, own their own home and build on their dreams. With OPEN eyes you will see that Pt. Charlottes in NOT run down!

Ann Clay of FL 10:40AM July 12, 2012

I moved to Punta Gorda about a year ago from southwest Michigan, and besides the lack of things to do for younger people (20's) I like it. Across the bridge into Port Charlotte is very run-down. would NOT want to live there.... I currently live in PGI (Punta Gorda Isles) and love waking up and watching the fish jump in the morning. Charlotte Harbor is only 10 mins away.

Steven of FL 2:36PM July 05, 2012

MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT A CANAL HOME IN PUNTA GORDA ISLES..ITS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, VERY NICE PEOPLE, AND LOTS TO DO..WE ARE ONLY THERE FOR WINTERS BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF PLACES TO DINE, ALOT OF FESTIVALS, ART SHOWS ETC. WE ARE GETTING A BOAT THIS WINTER, NO BETTER AFFORDABLE LIFESTYLE ANYWHERE :)

LISA of ME 4:32PM August 10, 2011

I'm luckier then most. I came to Punta Gorda in 1945 and though I moved away to find work. But I've never really left. We have visited and lived in Punta Gorda numerous times over the years and there was never any doubt where we would retire. Just watch the sun set over the horizon at Gilchrist Park and you will be hooked. But it is not for everyone. If you like driving in traffic, street crime, frantic activity, load noises and unfriendly people bumping you off the sidewalk then Punta Gorda is not for you.

Les Caraher of FL 7:53AM July 08, 2011

My husband and I moved to Punta Gorda about 8 months ago. Having never heard of it or visited before, a job relocation found us here. We were initially reluctant, due to the lack of nightlife, but at 32 and 26 years old, we find plenty of folks our own age to hang out with, and love the community and small town atmosphere. When we really want exciting night life, we just drive to Sarasota, or go spend a night in Tampa -- although it can be hard to find an open restaurant in the summer.
Someone below mentioned that you have to do all your shopping and dining out in Port Charlotte, which is not entirely true. For most shopping beyond what you can find at a Wal-mart, you do have to go to Port Charlotte or Fort Myers, but the dining scene in Punta Gorda is vibrant and diverse. Unless you're eating out every night, you can find plenty to keep you interested for a long time in town.

Amanda of FL 3:14PM February 26, 2010

My wife and I moved here from NYC and enjoy watching the fish jump in our backyard as we have our morning coffee.Life is sweet.

Michael Getoff of NY 5:04PM January 25, 2009

Punta Gorda is really nice but it's neighbor, Port Charlotte is a run-down hell hole. If you live in Punta Gorda, chances are you do most of your shopping and dining in Port Charlotte.
If you don't mind having to drive thru crappy Port Charlotte to do your shopping and eating-out, no big deal.
Come on Port Charlotte people, clean your hell holes up!

of FL 6:45PM January 18, 2009

We came here by sailboat from Annapolis 20 years ago and quickly dubbed Punta Gorda "Chesapeake Bay South." Although Hurricane Charley put a great big dent in our lives, it brought the citizenry together in many totally unexpected ways. The small town atmosphere was enhanced as hundreds of people banded together under the aptly named Team Punta Gorda in a charette to outline our hopes and goals for a new town.
The rebuilding efforts have have progressed to the point that new commercial buildings, a new civic gathering place, a new marina and public park, plus new hotels, night spots and street plantings are changing and brightening the landscape for the better. There is lots more coming, and soon.
Charley slowed the onslaught of immigrants from Naples who were seeking to regain the Old-Florida-feel of their increasingly unaffordable and crowded waterfront community and the national decline in real estate values have combined to make our waterfront property strikingly affordable once again. That reason alone should prompt any boater who can afford to flee the frozen north to put Punta Gorda at the top of his list right now -- before we are rediscovered again. Towns on the water that have both historic character and a home for your boat behind your house -- with fast & easy acces to open water -- are few and far between. It is highly unlikely prices will ever be this low again.
Don't just think waterfront and boats, however. The number of interest groups to be found here, people banding together to enjoy their favorite activities, spans the entire gamut of a major city. If you are alive at all you will find welcoming clubs galore and meet new friends who share your interests. Public gatherings are frequent, with mini-block parties, farmers' markets, music in the parks, holiday festivities, and Third Thursday street walks in downtown all combining to give Punta Gordans a sense of community and a sense of belonging. Escape (in an hour)for a day or a night to the busyness and bright lights of Sarasota, Fort Myers or Naples and you are gonna love coming back home to Punta Gorda!

Al Rogers of FL 1:11PM November 01, 2008

I'VE LIVED IN BEAUTIFUL PUNTA GORDA FOR 22 YEARS AFTER MOVING FROM COLUMBUS, OHIO (GO BUCKEYES) AND BOATING MOST OF MY LIFE ON THE GREAT LAKES. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS PARADISE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A BOATER, WHICH IS MY SPECIALTY.
LET ME SHOW YOU PUNTA GORDA AND MY HOME MARINA, BURNT STORE MARINA. THIS IS THE LARGEST DEEP WATER DIRECT ACCESS SAILBOAT AND POWERBOAT MARINA ON THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA, COMPLETE WITH RESTAURANTS, SHOPPING, 27 HOLES OF GOLF AND A FANTASTIC YACHT CLUB ALL IN A SECURE GATED COMMUNITY! THE PRICES ARE RIGHT TOO. NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY!
RON CLARK
BROKER/MANAGER
ALLISON JAMES ESTATES & HOMES
BURNT STORE OFFICE
941-286-5797 CELL
CAPTRONCLARK@YAHOO.COM

CAPT. RON CLARK of FL 9:49AM October 27, 2008