House Hunting, For Real (part 1)

Hey Everyone....how was your long weekend? I hope it included friends and fun. We headed south for the weekend....to Naples. This was our first of many trips down before we decide on our next zip code.
Last week sometime, I was in touch with our new Realtor. Actually, we have a team and I'm starting to think we need an army. I am about to drive Rick and Jeff completely nuts! 

On Friday, we (husband and kids) met Rick and Jeff at their office. We received so much information about Naples, I was sure there was going to be a test later.  I was right about that one. If you know what is at the end of 111th Ave, you did better than I.
For the next four hours, we drove a pattern similar to this one.

The purpose was to make us nuts see what type of neighborhoods we liked as well as house styles. 

We drove through gated communities

planned communities, beach communities and gulf communities.

We got out of the car twice. Once, to go out on the Naples Pier

The view looking back from the pier

I should tell you that some of you were dead right....I love it here.

The next time we got out of the car was at the Bonita Bay Club.

This is a private beach club available only to the residents of this area ...for a fee.

By the end of the road trip, there was only one area that I absolutely fell in love with. These two sections.

It is the most beautiful area with mature trees, gorgeous homes, and walking distance to the downtown areas. 

Did I mention that the home prices are so expensive, I would need to spend more than I could get for my current home for a lot less home and property? With a daughter going off to college soon, I'm not sure that would be the best decision.

Tomorrow, I'll tell you how it went when we went into some of these homes. 

Have you ever lived in a planned or gated community? Did you like it?