Why Punta Gorda- NOW?
When choosing a location to buy a home in Southwest Florida, it is important to find a place that offers:
* A sound investment
* An excellent location
* A place you can call home.
I believe that Punta Gorda offers all three!
Investing in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda has received high marks from numerous national publications and surveys, such as U.S. News and World Report, CNN, Money Magazine, Forbes, MSN, Sperlings Best Places, Florida Trend and more, as one of the Best and Healthiest Small Towns in America to live or to retire. With Punta Gorda's location directly on the Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve (approx. 128 square miles),
you are able to buy a home with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico more reasonabley than most other coastal Florida towns. I feel confident if you compare Punta Gorda's waterfront opportunities with other Southwest Florida locales, you will agree with the national concensus that Punta Gorda should be high on your list to invest in your next home. Further, Punta Gorda is situated in Charlotte County, an area of over 700 square miles which allows the area to offer a wide variety of golf course properties and non-waterfront properties all at a competitive price point. Punta Gorda and its surrounding communities are truly unique and offer buyers an attractive investment opportunity.Punta Gorda's Excellent Location
Punta Gorda's location on the second largest natural harbor in Florida caught the attention of Sail Magazine, another well respected national monthly periodical. Sail featured an article about 2 years ago describing the 10 Best Places to Sail in the United. States. It would have stood to reason Florida may have dominated the report, but it did not. There was actually only one location highlighted in the entire state of Florida. That place was Charlotte Harbor! I have boated Southwest Florida extensively over the past 40 years and I could not agree more. In fact, in February 2010, Punta Gorda will play host to the first annual Charlotte Harbor Regatta. The Charlotte Harbor Regatta will be a major Class Boat sailing event which will showcase Charlotte Harbor as an exemplary water sports destination. Due to its temperate climate of mid-90's in the summer and the mid 60's in the winter, Charlotte County offers year round golf on more than 20 courses. Golf Digest ranked Punta Gorda the 3rd Best Place in America to Live and Play Golf.
The courses range from executive level to championship. In addition to having two of the courses ranked 4.5 stars by Golf Digest , three of the courses are Audubon-certified. A number of major projects have been completed recently that enhance Punta Gorda as a desireable location.
The Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center which began hosting conferences and meetings at the end of 2008, is a perfect example. The Events Center has 43,500 square feet and is nestled on the banks of the Peace River in historic downtown Punta Gorda.
The Charlotte County Sports Park, the Spring Training Camp for the Tampa rays, was a $27 million project and is designed to be a multi-functional sports facility which will also be used for concerts, festivals, and expos. Located in Port Charlotte, the Sports Park is the Charlotte Stone Crabs Ripken Baseball home stadium and is the Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays in the Florida State League.
Laishley Park & Marina, within walking distance to the heart of downtown Punta Gorda, are now complete and the homeport for vessels up to approx. 55 feet. The
Municipal Marina has 85 boat slips, 47 trailer spaces, a double wide public boat 
launch, a Ship's Store, Boaters' bathrooms with showers, a Community Room and is designated a "Florida Clean Marina." Also at this site is the newly opened restaurant- the Laishely Crab House, a band pavillion used for outdoor community concerts and an interactive fountain for children.
To welcome our guests, Punta Gorda is fortunate to have two new hotels offering accomodations in the historic downtown:The Wyvern Hotel and the Sheraton Four Points Hotel.
The Wyvern Hotel is located adjacent to the Laishley Park Marina on Highway 41 North. This five story boutique hotel has 63 guest rooms. The exterior is European Art Deco and the latest in advanced building techniques were implemented, such as the vaulted water storage under the parking lot behind the hotel. The roof top is 30% planters as Burhard Corporation planned this hotel as a "green oasis." Service is of supreme importance along with top notch amenities including a fitness area, wireless Internet service, computers, in-room dining, a roof top restaurant, a find dining restaurant on the ground floor called Lullu's, flat screen LCD televisions, imported linens and evening turn down service.
The Sheraton Four Points Hotel offers 106 guest rooms and is located on the edge of Charlotte Harbor waterfront directly west of Laishley Park and Marina in downtown Punta Gorda. To add to their guests' enjoyment the hotel amenities include a fitness center, meeting rooms, high speed Internet, free bottled water daily, a hotel dining room and an outdoor heated pool. Small pets under 25 pounds are welcome for a minimal fee. The Four Points is a 100% non-smoking property. 
The Charlotte County Courhouse has been fully restored and is once again a stately historic building. Due to the need for a larger facility, a new Justice Center was built 8 years ago. Since that time, at a cost of $6.5 million, the "Old Court House" was remodeled and refurbished with various county offices as its present day occupants. The historic charm it affords the City is remarkable.
Plus, two significant projects are currently in the planning stages that will further contribute to Punta Gorda's uniqueness: the Waterfront Sports Activity Center focusing on kayaking and sailing for adults and children and the Ring-Around-the City, a multi-use trail for walking, jogging and biking. All in all, Punta Gorda is becoming an ideal year round location for the outdoor enthusiast.
Punta Gorda: A Place You Can Call Home
Punta Gorda is an outgoing town with a devotion to its tradition as a hospitable, safe and natural tropical oasis. True, the old-Florida architecture, historic buildings and cobbled stone streets add substantially to its charm, but it is the people of Punta Gorda that are its true treasure. Two major all volunteer organizations help to keep our delightful small town on this positive, upbeat track.
TEAM Punta Gorda is an organization local citizens formed to revitalize Punta Gorda after the devastation caused by Hurricane Charley in 2004. As the memories of Charley fade with the successful revitalization aided by the guidance of TEAM's Citizens' Master Plan, TEAM continues to bolster the city's renewal. This civic minded group bestows Design Awards to those building new projects aligned with the principles of the Master Plan. TEAM also continues to nurture a diversified volunteer cadre for city projects and events. It would be difficult to not see TEAM in evidence at any of the city functions.
In the spirit of continued growth and improvement, Punta Gorda became a "Main Street" town committed to promoting and facilitating the prosperity of our city while preserving its historic character. This volunteer driven group has three words which encapsulate their action plan: "Vision, Co-operation, and Vitality." Annually you will see Main Street at work during the Christmas Parade, the Coconut Craze Days, and the Harbor Run/Harbor Walk to name a few community events.
Other local happenings that underline the stong sense of community, are the Guitar Army that meets every Thursday evening by the Harbor at Gilchrist Park- much to the delight of local and visiting musicians and music lovers of all ages; the annual Cardboard Boat Race held at Laishley Park Marina, the weekly Farmer's Market every Saturday in front of the Historic Court House, the 3rd Thursday Gallery Walk, the Annual Block Party, the Lighted Christmas Boat Parade, the annual Hibiscus Festival and the Wine and Jazz Festival.
Punta Gorda is a true jewel waiting to share its abundant world of natural beauty with you. To quote the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Punta Gorda is "a friendly community with a remarkable past and an exciting future."
It's a place you can call "Home."