Golden Gate Estates

[NickJames]

What do we think about Golden Gate Estates in Collier County, FL for palm growing?

[kinzyjr]

@NickJames It straddles the 10a-b line over the last 50 years with an absolute minimum of 26F over the last 82 years.

https://tinyurl.com/2024zoneMap

On that map, go to SW FL and look for the node for NAPLES_01 for more information.

[PalmatierMeg]

Golden Gate Estates (my perception from 30+ years in SWFL) has always displayed that FL cracker vibe as it has a history of population by native Floridians. If you are a Yankee (non-native Floridians are Yankees to FL natives) who expects gated communities with security guards, golf courses, tennis courts, upscale shopping and Whole Foods Markets this is not the place to go. BTW, I am a Yankee too but I have empathy for FL natives who get pushed out and scorned by uppity northerners pouring into their State. I'm native to another great Tourist Trap of the Universe, i.e., Washington DC Metro area and I spent years trying to get to work while  dodging and cursing senior citizens from God's Waiting Room. The Banana Republic of FL has my sympathy.

Golden Gate tends toward rural and periodically has a crime problem, is not well lit and I don't know how sketchy its police patrols are. And because it has the Everglades as a close neighbor, it has a contingent of wild native/invasive animals, including panthers (protected), alligators, bear, boas/pythons, coyotes. If winter temps fall to 26F (colder than I've ever gotten in Cape Coral) you may have to protect uber tropical plants.

I suggest you take a week or so, go down and check out the area in detail. Talk to the locals to determine if you can co-exist with them. Report back to us.

[Keys6505]

I was trying hard to move to FL two years ago and this was the area I had kind of zeroed in on.  Ultimately the seemingly regular flooding in that specific area is what killed it for me.  That, coupled with the strict disturbance limits on most of the lots, lead me to the realization that it wasn't great for what I wanted it for (big pool and lots of palms!).

[awkonradi]

I would be wary of any neighborhood in southern Florida that pretends to be in northern California, for growing palms, or any other purpose.

[RiverCityRichard]

A few years ago I took my boat down and fished the golden gate canal system. The fact that peacock bass are thriving in the canals tells me the climate is as warm as northern palm beach county. The plant life I saw looked to be a warm 10b, similar to WPB area. I would say all but the Uber tropicals (cyrtostachys renda; euterpe oleracea; etc) should thrive just fine. 

[NickJames]

On 9/25/2024 at 9:27 PM, kinzyjr said:

@NickJames It straddles the 10a-b line over the last 50 years with an absolute minimum of 26F over the last 82 years.

https://tinyurl.com/2024zoneMap

On that map, go to SW FL and look for the node for NAPLES_01 for more information.

Thank you!

[NickJames]

On 9/26/2024 at 11:33 AM, PalmatierMeg said:

Golden Gate Estates (my perception from 30+ years in SWFL) has always displayed that FL cracker vibe as it has a history of population by native Floridians. If you are a Yankee (non-native Floridians are Yankees to FL natives) who expects gated communities with security guards, golf courses, tennis courts, upscale shopping and Whole Foods Markets this is not the place to go. BTW, I am a Yankee too but I have empathy for FL natives who get pushed out and scorned by uppity northerners pouring into their State. I'm native to another great Tourist Trap of the Universe, i.e., Washington DC Metro area and I spent years trying to get to work while  dodging and cursing senior citizens from God's Waiting Room. The Banana Republic of FL has my sympathy.

Golden Gate tends toward rural and periodically has a crime problem, is not well lit and I don't know how sketchy its police patrols are. And because it has the Everglades as a close neighbor, it has a contingent of wild native/invasive animals, including panthers (protected), alligators, bear, boas/pythons, coyotes. If winter temps fall to 26F (colder than I've ever gotten in Cape Coral) you may have to protect uber tropical plants.

I suggest you take a week or so, go down and check out the area in detail. Talk to the locals to determine if you can co-exist with them. Report back to us.

Great idea!

[NickJames]

14 hours ago, Keys6505 said:

I was trying hard to move to FL two years ago and this was the area I had kind of zeroed in on.  Ultimately the seemingly regular flooding in that specific area is what killed it for me.  That, coupled with the strict disturbance limits on most of the lots, lead me to the realization that it wasn't great for what I wanted it for (big pool and lots of palms!).

Good intel, thank you. 

[NickJames]

11 hours ago, awkonradi said:

I would be wary of any neighborhood in southern Florida that pretends to be in northern California, for growing palms, or any other purpose.

What does this mean? 

[NickJames]

9 hours ago, RiverCityRichard said:

A few years ago I took my boat down and fished the golden gate canal system. The fact that peacock bass are thriving in the canals tells me the climate is as warm as northern palm beach county. The plant life I saw looked to be a warm 10b, similar to WPB area. I would say all but the Uber tropicals (cyrtostachys renda; euterpe oleracea; etc) should thrive just fine. 

Good intel, thanks so much!

[PalmatierMeg]

9 hours ago, NickJames said:

What does this mean? 

No self-respecting Fl cracker would pass himself off as a No Cal denizen. Golden Gate Estates doesn’t emulate San Francisco any more than Hawaii covets an Alaska vibe. The problem with all the Yankees moving here is they immediately want to tear down what makes the State unique in favor of mega-mansions, private beaches, upscale shopping, fine dining of their dreams. Skyline chili cheese dogs make a tasty, economical meal too. Ultimately, Golden Gate Estates is a relict bit of “Old FLorida” under threat from outsiders who think they are smarter and more sophisticated than natives who have lived here for generations. The trope of “Florida Man” and “Florida Woman” with the IQs of a cucumber is stale and over used. If the wiseacres who peddle this drivel are smarter than an artichoke, let them create fresher tropes.

Why do I care that many of my fellow Yankees take such glee in scorning the native people who didn’t invite them here in the first place? Well, I am one of the rare native Washingtonians and I spent over half my life being lectured by “visitors” who sneered “I have the right because I pay your salary” (no, you don’t; I was self-employed). No one should be treated as a second class citizen in their home town.

[awkonradi]

12 hours ago, NickJames said:

What does this mean? 

Sorry.  This was my poor attempt at humor.  I was suggesting that when land developers named Golden Gate in Collier county during the 1960's, they were referring to the entrance to San Francisco Bay in northern California, which was named the Golden Gate during the mid 1800's.  My bad.  I will try to stick to palms on PalmTalk going forward.  I very much appreciate all Florida palm information on PalmTalk.

[FlaPalmLover]

I would see a strict disturbance limit as a plus, personally. . .Those who think that just because they have a pool they have a license to be extremely loud and inconsiderate to their neighbors are pretty annoying. I would imagine a lot with that attitude are Yankees who move down here and think it's some big playground for them.