Punta Gorda and Punta Gorda Florida Real Estate

Punta Gorda, Florida is located in Charlotte County and is the only incorporated town in Charlotte County. It is situated between Sarasota, Florida (54 miles away) and Ft. Meyers, Florida (22 miles away). Punta Gorda is one of southwest Florida’s most beautiful places to live and visit.

One of the benefits of living here is that even though the town has a historical feel, which is purposely maintained this way, all of the buildings have the modern conveniences you would expect in a big city. This is due to the fact that after Hurricane Charley swept through the town, the historical district was rebuild to meet all of the modern requirements for hurricane protection and have all modern conveniences while still maintaining the sense of history that has always made this town so special.

Founded in 1882, Punta Gorda was initially named Town of Trabue after its founder, Colonel Isaac Trabue. In 1887 the town was renamed Punta Gorda, which means Fat Point in Spanish, and has remained so every since. It is the law that all of the buildings in the downtown area be made of brick or concrete due to a fire that occurred in 1904 that destroyed every building in the downtown area. The fire and Hurricane Charley are the only two natural disasters that have affect this city in its 117 years of existence.

You'll discover stunning views over water that can be seen from many of the water front residences, mansions, golf courses or restaurants in this picturesque town. In Punta Gorda, Florida real estate is available in all of these locations, making it possible for you to choose your perfect place to live.

Fall in Love with Punta Gorda

This city offers a wonderful climate for those who want to live or visit there. The average temperature in January, which is the coldest time of the year here, is 54 degrees. In July, which is their hottest time of the year, the average temperature is 91. There are also 267 sunny days a year in this venue, which means that it rains 98 days of the year. However, like most of Florida, this rain comes in the afternoon leaving the mornings and the evenings perfect for being outside enjoying the beauty of Punta Gorda.

Punta Gorda is conveniently located just eight minutes from the county airport, making it easy to catch a charter flight to Ft. Myers or Sarasota to catch a flight from an international airport or to visit places of interest like the Florida Keys (30 minutes by air, 4 hours by auto), or Orlando (15 minutes by air or 2 hours by auto). The prime location makes it possible for you to visit nearby beaches very conveniently or take a weekend trip to Disney World, Key Largo, St. Augustine or any other Florida locations that you would like to see.

Things to Do in Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda has a well-established fishing community. Groups of people go out daily to fish for mullet, Spanish mackerel and channel bass. Fishing is more than a sport in this area, the Consolidated Ice Manufacturing, Refrigeration and Fish Company also does their company's fishing in these waters.

Boating is also a favorite pastime, and with 70 miles of canals to boat in, it is no wonder that people love to spend time boating. Naturally, you can boat in the ocean as well and sail around the west coast to visit nearby beaches or simply to enjoy the sites.

Punta Gorda has local entertainment as well. You can visit the theater or one of the local restaurants like Cafe Ruelle or Laishley Crab House to enjoy an evening out. If you love to spend time outdoors then Laishley Park or Harbor Walk Linear Park are beautiful. There are also dozens of bicycle paths and walking paths for you to use.

You can also join the Punta Gorda Historical Society, Punta Gorda Historical Mural Society, Charlotte County Historical Center Society or the Arts and Humanities Council of Charlotte County. The visual arts center is open for visitation for those who prefer to visit rather than join in the cultures.

Why Choose to Live in Punta Gorda, Florida

There are many reasons to live in Punta Gorda: it is beautiful, it is convenient entertainment, recreation and businesses, and it is close to airports and other major cities and towns if you find it necessary to commute for work. However, there are other, more practical reasons for living in Punta Gorda as well.

For example, according to the 2007 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement, Punta Gorda is an exceptionally safe place to live with very low crime rates. In fact, the crime registers only slightly on a scale compared to Florida’s crime rates and to the national crime rates.

Punta Gorda also has a low unemployment rate, especially compared to Florida and to the rest of the United States. In November, Florida’s unemployment rate was 11%, the national unemployment rate was almost 11% and Punta Gorda’s unemployment rate was 6.7%, what’s more, there is an expected increase of jobs in Punta Gorda in several markets.

The price of Punta Gorda real estate has been affected by market downturn just like any other place in the country. Although sales are steady, (193 homes sold between August and October), as of November 2009, there were 1,777 homes for sale. In addition, the average asking price for a home here was $298,467, however the average sold price was $135,000. It is certainly a buyers market and purchasing Punta Gorda real estate has never been more affordable.

There are also plenty of lots for sale in Punta Gorda as well. If you want to purchase land and build your own custom home, then Punta Gorda is the place to do it. Even the waterfront property is very affordable, making it a wonderful place to build your dream home with the views that everyone desires.

Choosing the right place to live is important. If you are looking for a great place to raise your children (very safe, remember?) with affordable homes, then Punta Gorda Florida real estate has everything that you are looking for and more.