Port Charlotte, Fordia is more of an area than a city that is ruled by a county commission. It is a census-designated place in Charlotte County Florida that is situated at the north end of the Charlotte Harbor Estuary. It is just northwest of the city of Punta Gorda, 100 miles south of Tampa and 65 miles north of Naples. There are less than 50,000 people living in the area. Its isolation and the natural beauty of the Everglades have made this town one of the best places for gay retirees and gay retired couples. However if life gets a bit dull you can always go to Fort Meyers, which has a slightly larger gay community with several big bars with special activities such as Wii tournaments.
Sugar white sand and hot temperatures are the main appeal of Port Charlotte. The location is well known for it’s gay-friendly low-key happy beach. Port Charlotte Beach Park is less crowded then other beaches in Florida and also has a pool, canoe and kayaking.
There are also two very well known gay bars in downtown Port Charlotte. Charlotte’s Web is a low key bar with karaoke and naughty chandeliers and Masquerade’s Bar and Cabaret offers drag entertainers and dancing. There is a very strong, older, activist gay community here. It is known for its Fagtastic fantasies Drag Show that takes place at Charlotte’s Web and the Charlotte County Pride Fair that takes place every June.
Many of the homes that are in Port Charlotte are newer as the town was devastated by Hurricane Charlie in 2004. However there are still many older Victorian and Spanish style homes in the older New York Section of the town. The fact that Charlotte has been rebuilt has benefited the community in many ways. It now has a greatly improved storm and sewage system. Residents also recommend living on the water where there is new boardwalk built, new hotels and many great new eateries.
In the period from February 23, 2013 to April 13, 2013 the median sales price for home was $83,000. The average square foot price was $71, which is an increase of 14.5% from the same period in 2012. Port Charlotte also has an abundance of resale and new homes including 1,942 homes that have pre-foreclosure, auction or bank-possessed as their status. As the community is still dealing with the damage from the hurricane it is a really good idea to consult with a Port Charlotte gay realtor to find the neighborhood that is the most rebuilt and safe for you. It is also good to know that Port Charlotte also has one of the lowest crime rates in Florida. Long-time residents say that the further away you live from the interstate the safer you will be from crime.
Port Charlotte also has a couple of gay-friendly inns that you can stay in while looking for a property buys in Port Charlotte. There is the Tropical Paradise Bed and Breakfast and also the Days Inn that is centrally located in downtown Port Charlotte on the Tamiami Trail.
For more information about Port Charlotte, or to book a pre-move trip visit: http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/port-charlotte.html
