Port Charlotte
Typical Port Charlotte canal property, there are over 100 miles of canals.
Port Charlotte
The Port Charlotte area was largely platted and developed by the now-defunct General Development Corporation, which also developed many other subdivisions and municipalities along Florida's west coast. Port Charlotte is not a chartered municipality but is, however, the most-populated area in Charlotte County. In Port Charlotte you can find the large chain stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Dillards, walmart, and target and many chain resturants flanking Tamiami Trail.
Port Charlotte is home to the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall, the Charlotte County Administration Center (home of the Charlotte County Commission chambers), as well as Charlotte Sports Park which will be the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays beginning in 2009.
Port Charlotte was hard hit by Hurricane Charley on 13 Aug. 04. The hurricane, predicted to was predicted to hit either Fort Myers or Tampa depending on which area new station you were tuned into, but took a hard right turn into Charlotte Harbor and caused severe damage in the city of Punta Gorda and in the Port Charlotte area. Many residents were caught by surprise because of many false alarms in recent years. The last hurricane to cause major damage was Hurricane Donna 1960. Although Most storms tend to brush by or miss the area all together. These storms should never be taken lightly.
Port Charlotte property values have doubled and tripled in many areas in less than three years, especially in the wake of speculation from investors. However, in 2006, property values fell greatly in a statewide "market correction" now leaving Charlotte County and the Port Charlotte area one of the most affordable coastal areas in Florida. Unfortunately, as of a report in October 2007; Charlotte County also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. The area's real estate taxes remain high due to a sub-par performance by the Charlotte County Government.
