All About Punta Gorda Real Estate 

Savor the breathtaking sunsets in Punta Gorda, Florida, where life is more than just fishing and the beach. Sure, residents enjoy access to multiple marinas all along the harborside. Still, life in Punta Gorda includes parks, mom-and-pop restaurants, and growing opportunities for employment in diversifying industries. Best of all, homes on the Punta Gorda real estate market are reasonable for a waterfront city.

Punta Gorda could be an option if you are looking for a new Florida home but don’t have the budget for living in Sarasota or Naples. You still get those coastal perks without the same seasonal crowds or higher cost of living. Learn about Punta Gorda with these frequently asked questions.

About Punta Gorda, FL

Punta Gorda sits on the southwest Florida coast at the mouth of the Peace River, where it empties into Gasparilla Sound and Charlotte Harbor. It features one of the US’s natural harbors. 

The name means “Fat Point” in Spanish. The town was laid out in the 1880s as part of a push to build towns in tracts of Florida by developers and brokers buying large swaths to profit from that purpose. A park was placed at the end of each waterfront block, which is why Punta Gorda’s shorefront is lined with beautiful parks today.

It was first a resort and fishing town, with northerners coming for Hotel Punta Gorda in the winter while year-round residents cast in the waters and tended the fields inland. The population and development boomed in World War II when an airfield was constructed to train crews. Some of the historically protected properties from the city’s development are the:

• A.C. Freeman House Museum 
• Punta Gorda Women’s Club
• Sullivan Street
• Old First National Bank of Punta Gorda Building
• Ice House

But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Punta Gorda. Hurricane Charley startled the town in 2004 when it made a sudden veer right, coming ashore as a devastating category 4 storm. 

It took time, but Punta Gorda did rebound. Today, this 21.87 square miles of tropical landscape delights with its small-town charm, sparkling waters, and thriving family-friendly neighborhoods. Residents find the subtropical climate ideal for fishing, boating, and outdoor activities.

What county is Punta Gorda, FL, in?

Charlotte County covers 681.1 square miles and is home to multiple towns and cities. It comprises ten cities: Cleveland, Grove City, Harbour Heights, Manasota Key, Solana, Englewood, Placida, Port Charlotte, Rotonda West, and Punta Gorda. Combined, their perks lead to a high quality of life: 365 miles of canals, 53 trails, and 28 miles of sandy white beaches.

Charlotte County’s reputation for affordable cost of living and mild winters has made it a well-established retirement destination. Most of the area is cheaper to live in than the average city in the US, making it an ideal home for many older Americans.

To better its citizens quality of life, the county’s multiple initiatives include clean air and water, adding community amenities, and improving safety. In addition, they promote local business growth and a business-friendly atmosphere.

Is Punta Gorda growing?

It is the only incorporated city in Charlotte County. Home to over 20,000 residents, Punta Gorda has grown substantially since 2010. That tracks with the Cape Coral-Fort Myers region, the fastest-growing region in the state.

Punta Gorda’s population saw a 5.9% growth from 2020 to 2022 with no signs of slowing down. Since 2000, the overall population has grown over 30%.

Even though its population classifies it as a small town, it may feel more crowded at certain times of the year, as a robust tourist and part-time population visits during the winter and spring.

What is the cost of living in Punta Gorda?

Living coastal and near the Peace River comes at a reasonable price. Punta Gorda is known to be more affordable than the average American city, with the cost of living sitting at 6.3% below the national average and 9.1% below the Florida average.

A resident living in Punta Gorda with no children on one income must earn only $34,489 annually to make ends meet. Families with two working adults and two children need $101,998 per year in total household income to afford Punta Gorda. 

Since the average cost is over 9% lower than the rest of the state, residents can spend their extra income on local activities, dining, and real estate.

What’s happening in Punta Gorda real estate

Punta Gorda is recognized for its cost of living below the national average, and it is no surprise that real estate comes at a reasonable price. At the end of Q3 2023, Charlotte County had a median home price of $364,000. August 2023, home buyers paid a median of $350,000. Most homes were on the market for 49 days. 

Are there any condominiums or townhomes available in Punta Gorda? 

With its large retiree population, the Punta Gorda real estate market has plenty of condominium and townhome listings, priced from $146,000 to $171,000, about $176 per square foot. In August 2023, 49 of the closed sales were condo and townhome properties and 274 were on the market. Activity in this market segment is usually busiest in the spring. 

Are there any waterfront properties found in Punta Gorda?

Thanks to being on the Peace River, plus the many canals and lakes throughout Punta Gorda, home buyers do have waterfront properties available. In October 2023, there were waterfront units for sale priced between $439,000 and $2.750 million, or about $276 per square foot. There were even vacant waterfront lots with prices as low as $30,000. 

Are there golf course communities in Punta Gorda? 

There is nothing like a good game of golf under the clear blue skies and Florida sun. In Punta Gorda, five local golf courses are available.

• Saint Andrews South Golf Club
• Seminole Lakes Country Club
• Blue Heron Pines Golf Course
• Twin Isles Country Club
• Heritage Landing Golf & Country Club

Seminole Lakes Country Club lets you play a game of golf while surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary. Players will see eagles, fish, pelicans, and gators in this 18-hole golfing community. This community is open to the public and allows for games of 9 or 18 holes.

As an active part of a 55+ community, the Blue Heron Pines Golf Course is an 18-hole executive golf course with an aqua driving range. Surrounded by palm trees, wildlife, and a quiet community, this golf course is a perfect amenity for residents.

Twin Isles Country Club features an 18-hole championship golf course with wide fairways, water hazards, and other obstacles. The 6,722-yard course tests even the best golf players with multiple leagues, clubs, and tournaments.

Are there active adult communities in Punta Gorda?

Punta Gorda has a reputation for being a good option for retirees. Ventura Lakes is a notable 55+ community in Southwest Florida that encourages an active lifestyle. To that end, it provides resort-style amenities to its residents, like a gym, spa, clubhouse, and craft room.

Many other options exist for retirees, like Riverside Oaks, Buttonwood Village, and Lakewood Village. These 55+ communities have desirable amenities like swimming pools, pickleball courts, greens, tennis courts, events, and easy access to essentials like grocery stores.

What is the property tax rate for Punta Gorda, FL?

Floridians all pay their share of property taxes directly to their local county. Residents receive a tax bill combining ad valorem and non-valorem assessments each year. The Punta Gorda region millage rate for 2022 was 6.187.

The local county offers discounts to property owners if they pay their taxes early–up to 4% so long as they pay their tax bill in November. Some owners may qualify for a property tax exemption. To learn more, visit the Charlotte County Property Appraiser’s website.

What neighborhoods are in Punta Gorda?

If you are considering moving to Punta Gorda, your neighborhoods range from Peace Riverfront estates to active 55+ living to master-planned new subdivisions. Some of the most popular communities are the Burnt Store Subdivision, Deep Creek, and Calusa Creek.

Burnt Store Village is a newer subdivision with multiple new construction communities within its gates. With almost 1,500 deed-restricted lots, the properties were designed with home chefs in mind, as most models portray large kitchens and entertainment areas. The community has a lake surrounded by a walking path, a playground, and picnic tables.

What makes Deep Creek unique is its civic association. The residents have taken the initiative to partake in their community’s future. They encourage community, friendship, and volunteering within Deep Creek through annual events for the whole family. Join gardening clubs, landscaping competitions, and pickleball groups while including value-protecting property perks like a gated community, HOA, and community pool.

The gated community of Calusa Creek consists of mid-sized single-family homes at reasonable prices. Constructed in 2007, today, its lifestyle includes homeowners’ community events and celebrations like yard sales and holiday activities for the kids. Residents’ amenities include playgrounds, community pools, and a private HOA.

The increase in Punta Gorda’s population means more master-planned neighborhoods are cropping up. One such new construction community, Babcock Ranch, has over 50 home designs available from nine homebuilders. It includes condominiums, townhouses, and single-family homes with layouts to appeal to every home buyer, from young millennials to retirees. Its perks include a golf club, fitness center, dog park, and commercial shopping area. 

Things to do in Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda is right on the harbor and provides its residents with many local water-related attractions, from its waterfront parks to wildlife viewing at its preserves. One such attraction is the Babcock Wilderness Adventures, an excursion through the swamps where locals experience Florida wildlife in its natural habitat. But there are multiple parks and preserves around Punta Gorda, with facilities to fish, go boating, picnic, and soak in the local sparkling waters of the Gulf Coast.

The downtown area adds to Punta Gorda’s coastal small-town character. Some call it the “coolest block in Florida,” with its Tiki-bar-themed bars, breezy rooftop lounges, patio dining, and gas-styled lamps wrapped with string lights. If it feels new, that’s from all the post-Charley reconstruction. Many of its older brick buildings were too damaged to save. However, there’s still historic character in the cobblestone streets and restored old Florida cracker homes. 

Locals have so much to do, like decide which restaurant is their favorite from what USA Today ranked the second-best small-town food scene. It’s tough, with fresh-caught Florida seafood and waterfront venues.

Retirees will delight in all the activities to do. The twenty regional golf clubs mean ample opportunity to make a reservation and play to your skill level. The local fitness clubs and community centers have senior-focused classes, Pickleball clubs, and shuffleboard. In season (that’s winter), the local calendar becomes packed with street festivals and performance events.

The city has a rich and active cultural scene. Just visit the Punta Gorda Train Depot and Antique Mall, the Mural Art Walk, or enter one of the many local museums to learn more about the events that molded Punta Gorda into what it is today. Or jam to the live music from the bars and tiki huts downtown. Find sculpture gardens, streets fairs, and art boutiques to while away the day.

What areas are near Punta Gorda?

There is much to do around Punta Gorda. Located just off I-75 and along US 41, residents have reasonable access to surrounding cities like Fort Myers and Sarasota and beyond Tampa, Orlando, and Miami. Tampa is a commute of about two hours while Miami is about three hours drive.

Charlotte Harbor is just across Peace River and a short drive for Punta Gorda residents. Visitors take star gazing tours or a boat out into the sandbar to shop at the Fisherman’s Village Mall. Charlotte Harbor is ideal for relaxing, shopping, and exploring nature.

Continuing up US 41 or I-75 brings you to Venice, Siesta Key, and Sarasota, with their nationally top-ranked beaches, flourishing arts scene, and restaurant-packed downtowns.

Tampa is the closest major metro to Punta Gorda and comes packed with entertainment for residents of any age. You don’t have to go to Orlando for theme parks; Busch Gardens‘ has some of the most thrilling roller coasters in the country, with iconic rides like SheiKra, Cheetah Hunt, and Montu. Professional sports fans can visit the Raymond James Stadium for an exciting football game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Or, for those looking to eat, dine, and party, you can spend your day visiting Ybor City, a district built by the Cuban immigrant community with vintage shops, bars, and nightclubs.

What to know about living in Punta Gorda

An affordable lifestyle, warm summer weather, and endless sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico are typical days for those living in Punta Gorda. Residents ride their boats through intercity canals, walk the historic downtown, or hike through the many miles of trails throughout the city and become one with nature.

If living in Punta Gorda sounds appealing, see what real estate is available today in this small coastal town.