{"id":335,"date":"2012-06-30T19:22:29","date_gmt":"2012-06-30T19:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.websitefix.net\/clients\/Generic\/?page_id=335"},"modified":"2021-04-27T14:42:23","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T14:42:23","slug":"master-planned-communities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/?page_id=335","title":{"rendered":"CHARLOTTE COUNTY"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHARLOTTE COUNTY<\/strong><\/p>\n

County Offices<\/strong>
\n18500 Murdock Circle
\nPort Charlotte 941-743-1944
\nhttps:\/\/www.charlottecountyfl.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>
\n326 West Marion Avenue
\nPunta Gorda 941-639-2222
\nPort Charlotte Office
\n2702 Tamiami Trail
\nPort Charlotte 941-627-2222
\nwww.charlottecountychamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Ideally located along the Gulf Coast of Florida and nestled against Charlotte Harbor, panoramic Charlotte County offers a serene environment and a relaxed lifestyle. Nearly 130 miles of sparkling waterfront, world-class fishing, abundant wildlife, and a casual atmosphere are just a few of the attractions to this corner of southwestern Florida. The vibrant city of Fort Myers lies approximately 25 miles to the south, adding a wealth of services and amenities to the pleasures of country living. The major thoroughfare of Interstate 75 provides a number of interchanges in Charlotte County, starting with North Port and ending just south of Punta Gorda.<\/p>\n

Charlotte County is one of the fastest-growing regions in Florida, attracting new residents and businesses to efficient services, affordable and attractive housing, an appealing tax base, low business costs, and outstanding recreational opportunities. This rapidly growing region of Florida has been earning national accolades for its livability, natural beauty, and premier sports facilities. Money Magazine<\/em> selected Charlotte County as the “Number two best place to live in America.” Others have honored it as the \u201cNumber One Best Place to Live in the South\u201d and one of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Best Places to Sail.\u201d Most recently, Golf Digest<\/em> numbered the region as third on the list of the best golf destinations.<\/p>\n

Services
\nNewcomers will be pleased to discover a high quality of life that includes efficient services from first-rate healthcare facilities to a wide array of educational opportunities. Quality healthcare services are available in state-of-the-art facilities staffed by skilled professionals in every major specialty. Peace River Regional Hospital in Port Charlotte offers comprehensive medical and surgical services within a system that includes a women’s center, home health, convenient health parks, rehabilitation, and many other specializations. Port Charlotte is also home to the acute-care center of Fawcett Memorial Hospital. Charlotte Regional Medical Center in Punta Gorda adds a regional heart institute, oncology cancer program, wellness centers, health and fitness club, outpatient centers, and many other specialized units. Charlotte Regional Hospital continually provides leading-edge cardiac and stroke leadership for southwest Florida, enjoying “100 Top Hospital” status. Focusing on a compassionate, family-like atmosphere and quality care, Englewood Community Hospital provides a vast array of specialties and integrates the latest technology.<\/p>\n

The progressive attitude toward education is reflected in innovative programs on every level. In addition to a wide range of extra-curricular activities and special programs, local high schools offer advantages like a dual-enrollment program involving Edison Community College, Manatee Community College, and the Charlotte County Vocational Technical Center. A number of institutions of higher education are available close to home in Southwest Florida. Colleges and universities within a 60-minute drive from Charlotte County include Florida Gulf Coast University, opened in the Fort Myers area in 1997. Manatee Community College offers a campus between North Port and South Venice, and Edison Community College opened a Charlotte County Campus in 1997. Other nearby institutions include Goshen College in Sarasota; IMPAC University in Punta Gorda; New College, Keiser College, Ringling School of Art & Design, and Argosy University in Sarasota.<\/p>\n

Lifestyle
\nCharlotte County is quickly being discovered as one of Florida’s most idyllic places to live, work, and play. The county features more than 70 parks and recreation areas, magnificent golf courses from executive to championship, unspoiled cypress swampland, rolling Peace River, and miles of beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. The thrill of racing is available at the Charlotte BMX Track and Charlotte County Speedway, both in Punta Gorda. The multi-purpose venue of Charlotte County Stadium serves as the spring training home of the Texas Rangers, while the Memorial Auditorium and Civic Center features touring productions, arts and crafts shows, antique and trade shows, theatre, and competitive athletic events. Shoppers will fine everything from waterfront boutiques like those in Historic Fishermen’s Village to major malls, antique fairs, and open-air markets. Restaurants from casual to fine dining and international cuisine combine with cozy cafes and coffee shops and entertainment centers to fill leisure hours with relaxation and memorable moments with friends and family.<\/p>\n

Active cultural organizations and performing arts groups keep the calendar filled with live stage performances as well as dance and musical concerts. Aficionados of classical music will enjoy the season of Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performances. Fine museums and visual art centers pay tribute to the area’s rich history and legacy of artistry and talent. Annual events and seasonal celebrations add a colorful note to community life, from holiday traditions and famous competitive events to block parties. Encompassing everything from pristine beaches to rich farmland, Charlotte County features friendly communities, thriving industries, historic districts, and handsome residential developments. Each community boasts a distinctive flavor and personality, blending single-family homes with townhomes and condominiums in a wide variety of architectural styles and price ranges. Little wonder that so many newcomers are settling in Charlotte County, where picturesque images of shrimp boats and distant dolphins create a Caribbean atmosphere.<\/p>\n

 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Charlotte Harbor, Harbour Heights
\nCounty Offices<\/strong>
\n941-743-1944
\nwww.charlottecountyfl.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>
\n941-639-2222
\nwww.charlottecountychamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Appealing to vacationers and seasonal visitors as well as permanent residents, Charlotte Harbor and Harbour Heights offer a haven of tranquility and natural beauty. This serene coastal community and its barrier islands combine a natural shoreline with picturesque marinas, public beaches, and peaceful coves at a distance from crowded metropolitan areas. Peace River provides a backdrop of natural beauty and the opportunity for waterfront property in the Harbour Heights area. Fishing, kayaking, canoeing, water sports, or just relaxing in the view of a spectacular sunset are common pastimes. The regional attraction of the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center is appropriately located in Charlotte Harbor, offering educational programs and recreational opportunities in a region that is extremely rich in wildlife and unspoiled terrain. More than five miles of trails intersect a variety of Southwest Florida ecosystems, complementing the center’s wildlife exhibits and large-screened pavilion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Englewood, Manasota Key, Cape Haze
\nCounty Offices<\/strong>
\n941-743-1944
\nwww.charlottecountyfl.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>
\n941-639-2222
\nwww.charlottecountychamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cape Haze Peninsula\u2014encompassing Englewood and Cape Haze as well as Rotonda, Gulf Cove, and El JoBean\u2014offers a low-density, tranquil region nestled between Sarasota and Punta Gorda. The unincorporated area known as Englewood and Manasota Key stretch between Charlotte and Sarasota counties, home to tropical beaches and intimate, friendly residential communities. Year-round cultural events, lush parks and recreation areas, a wide array of outdoor activities, beautiful Lemon Bay, and Manasota Key Beach are major attractions. Manasota Key is one of the Englewood area’s barrier islands, offering a 14-acre stretch of beaches, dunes, sea oats, and nesting turtles. This angler’s paradise offers prime fishing at Lemon Bay, Stump Pass, and the Gulf of Mexico. Velvet golf courses dot the area, challenging players with a combination of water and sand elements. Englewood Community Hospital provides major healthcare services close to home, and this area boasts one of the state’s finest school systems.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande, Placida
\nCounty Offices<\/strong>
\n941-743-1944
\nwww.charlottecountyfl.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>
\n941-639-2222
\nwww.charlottecountychamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Nestled on the Grand Barrier Island of Gasparilla, the secluded paradise of Boca Grande offers a beautiful beach, fine dining, local shopping, and some of the best fishing in the world. Beautiful Placida is characterized as a picturesque fishing village and arts center. The entire area invites newcomers to step back in time to a vision of “Old World Florida,” where natural beauty and history are well preserved. Swimming, boating, sailing, shelling, and fishing are popular pastimes in this serene community. The seven-mile island lacks traffic lights and high-rise developments, showcasing tranquil streets shaded by 80-year-old Banyan trees and Caribbean-quality beaches. With Charlotte Harbor and Gasparilla Sound on the east, boaters can explore 750,000 acres of estuary where freshwater and saltwater create nurseries for an abundance of fish. Palm Island, accessible by ferry or boat, features the award-winning Don Pedro State Park. Local waters are home to dolphins, white pelicans, osprey, and manatees. Each spring, tarpon fishermen head for the “Tarpon Capital of the World” to fish famous Boca Grande Pass. In fact, Boca Grande hosts the “World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament” with a $100,000 purse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Gulf Cove, Rotonda, El JoBean
\nCounty Offices<\/strong>
\n941-743-1944
\nwww.charlottecountyfl.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>
\n941-639-2222
\nwww.charlottecountychamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n

The area known as Gulf Cove in Southwest Florida is experiencing rapid growth and development, offering a diverse array of home sites and residential opportunities. Among the unique communities in this region is Rotonda, a deed-restricted, fresh-water canal community that has been constructed \u201cin the round.\u201d Every home site in Rotonda enjoys a prime location that either borders a sparkling canal, the sweeping fairways of a golf course, or a lush greenbelt area. South Gulf Cove is appealing for the abundance of saltwater canals that provide access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The Myakka River is also accessible to the beautiful homes that line the canals in Gulf Cove. Developments often provide superb recreational amenities such as swimming pools, recreation centers, and sparkling lakes. The gated community of Riverwood surrounds a European-style golf course that enjoys a “top 10” ranking in Florida. The Cape Haze Peninsula\u2014encompassing Englewood and Cape Haze as well as Rotonda, Gulf Cove, and El JoBean\u2014offers a low-density, tranquil region between Sarasota and Punta Gorda.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Port Charlotte
\nCounty Offices<\/strong>
\n941-743-1944
\nwww.charlottecountyfl.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>
\n941-627-2222
\nwww.charlottecountychamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Developed in the late 1950s, the relatively young and unincorporated community of Port Charlotte blends single- and multi-family housing in a friendly, small-town atmosphere. At the same time, metropolitan advantages are available close to home in Fort Myers and Sarasota. Located north of the Peace River with access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico via a series of canals and waterways, Charlotte Harbor is a paradise for water-sport enthusiasts. Miles of natural shoreline make this community ideal for waterfront living. Golf courses, tennis courts, yacht clubs, lush parks, white beaches, swimming pools, fishing piers, and boating access points are just a few of the recreational amenities. An active cultural community and major attractions like the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the Charlotte County Historical Center waterfront museum enrich community life. The Port Charlotte beach complex offers a waterfront museum featuring changing glimpses into Charlotte’s past. The cultural center features a lounge, theater, library, woodshop, and country store. Port Charlotte Town Center mall anchors a medley of shopping districts and plazas.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Punta Gorda, Charlotte Park
\nMunicipal Offices<\/strong>
\n941-575-3369
\nwww.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us<\/a><\/p>\n

Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>
\n941-639-2222
\nwww.charlottecountychamber.org<\/a><\/p>\n

The charming waterfront town of Punta Gorda serves as the seat of county government and is distinguished as the only incorporated city in Charlotte County. More than a century old, Punta Gorda features a quaint downtown district that offers 19th-century Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets, and gas lamps. The thriving local economy complements a growing number of residential developments. Harmonizing beautifully with the original historic district are handsome new subdivisions and communities like Charlotte Park, Punta Gorda Isles, Burnt Store Isles, and Seminole Lakes. Many developments are located on velvet fairways or take advantage of deep saltwater canals that offer access to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. The canal lots all feature concrete sea walls that are maintained by the city. Noted as a center for art in Southwest Florida, the community boasts a visual arts center adjacent to Fisherman’s Village. Superb recreational facilities include golf courses, yacht clubs, tennis clubs, parks, and marinas. Punta Gorda is also famous for superior tarpon fishing and boating.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CHARLOTTE COUNTY County Offices 18500 Murdock Circle Port Charlotte 941-743-1944 https:\/\/www.charlottecountyfl.gov Chamber of Commerce 326 West Marion Avenue Punta Gorda 941-639-2222 Port Charlotte Office 2702 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte 941-627-2222 www.charlottecountychamber.org Ideally located along the Gulf Coast of Florida and nestled against Charlotte Harbor, panoramic Charlotte County offers a serene environment and a relaxed lifestyle. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/335"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=335"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":725,"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/335\/revisions\/725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sunraydirect.com\/SouthFlorida3\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}