Halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers on the banks of the Peace River, Port Charlotte offers a quiet suburban lifestyle with plenty of access to the water without the tourist traffic of other coastal towns. Golf courses and hiking trails surround the city, with Port Charlotte Beach Park to the south offering sandy shores and a fishing pier. Living here offers easy access to hundreds of miles of waterways and nature preserves while being more affordable than Englewood and Punta Gorda, just next door. Home to around 64,000 people, many find employment at the local school system, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, golf clubs, retail chains, Fawcett Memorial Hospital and Charlotte Regional Medical Center. Port Charlotte is also known as a destination for retirees.
Deep Creek Golf Club is located 2 miles from I75 and Harbour Heights.
Bayshore Live Oak Park is located on the west side of the 41 Bridge in Charlotte Harbor.
1/2
Nature trails, beaches and fishing piers in Port Charlotte
According to Trust for Public Land, around 46% of Port Charlotte’s residents are a 10-minute walk from a park. Tippecanoe Environmental Park is a 380-acre preserve in Port Charlotte with 7 miles of trails through wetlands and dry brush. Port Charlotte Beach Park, home to the city's only beach, has a fishing pier, boat ramp, bocce and tennis courts and a heated swimming pool. There are three boat ramps and four fishing piers total in Port Charlotte. “If you’re a boater, you can go out to Charlotte Harbor, which takes you to the intercoastal waterway and Pine Island. You can follow the intercoastal and head to Bocca Grande,” says local Realtor Tina Evans of Paradise Exclusive Inc. Bocca Grande is a super upscale neighborhood known for its pristine, public-access beaches. City marinas include Port Charlotte Yacht Club, Moore Haven Dock, Charlotte Harbor Community Sailing Center and Grassy Point Yacht Club. Golfers enjoy four semi-private and one public golf course in Port Charlotte and at least 10 other courses in the surrounding area.
Harbour Heights Park is popular for its fishing docks and its public boat ramp.
Tippecanoe Environmental Park is a 380-acre preserve in Port Charlotte with 7 miles of trails through wetlands and dry brush.
1/2
Parkside Village is in development
Shopping and dining lines U.S. Route 41, which runs diagonally from Port Charlotte Town Center Mall to Charlotte Harbor. Port Charlotte Town Center is currently in decline yet still has anchor stores like JCPenney and a Regal Town Center movie theater. A few miles away in Charlotte Harbor, waterfront restaurants like Waterside Table offer stunning views of the bay, especially during sunset. Across the bridge in Punta Gorda is Fisherman's Village, where there's more local shopping and dining on the water.
Promenades Mall, another once-thriving mall in Port Charlotte, is in transition. In 2023, it was announced that a part of the mall would be demolished and redeveloped into a mixed-used district called Parkside Village. The new center will eventually act as a downtown for Port Charlotte, with apartments, a hotel, stores and restaurants all within walking distance.
Port Charlotte Town Center is currently in decline yet still has anchor stores like JCPenney.
Harpoon Harry's is just across the Bridge from Harbour Heights.
1/2
Live music in downtown Punta Gorda
Locals can visit Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater for a weekend night out to see a rotating roster of local and visiting stand-up comics. Charlotte County Jazz Society, in Port Charlotte, hosts monthly jam sessions and concerts from October until April. Charlotte Players, the county’s nonprofit regional theater company, is located on the edge of Port Charlotte and has offered live entertainment throughout the year since its founding in 1957. There's usually live music playing at the tiki bars and parks in downtown Punta Gorda on weekends.
More affordable than Punta Gorda and Englewood
Evans says the western side of Port Charlotte, closer to Englewood, is quieter and more upscale than the southeastern side, closer to Charlotte Harbor and Punta Gorda. Neighborhoods are designed along gridded streets, with some homes backing up to canals and rivers. “If you’re by a canal you could have a million-dollar house, but down the street you could have a $150,000 house. It’s kind of skitter-scattered,” she says. “Those beautiful new homes are built in between the original tiny little Florida homes.”
Port Charlotte is an active market with nearly 1,000 homes for sale, and almost the same number of undeveloped lots. One of the newest residential areas is The Cove at Westport, a gated community, where residents have access to a fitness center, pool, pickleball courts and a dog park. Popular 55-plus communities in Port Charlotte are Kings Gate and Maple Leaf, home to the Maple Leaf Golf Course. Gulf Cove is a waterfront community built around canals that lead out to the Miaca River. Custom-built homes on the Peace River have price tags in the millions, but most homes in Port Charlotte are less than $400,000. The median home price here is around $350,000 – approximately 12.5% less than in Punta Gorda and 6% less than in Englewood.
Many homes in Harbour Heights enjoy direct access to not only the Peace River, but the Gulf.
Charlotte Harbor homes deliver tropical vibes with brightly colored stucco.
1/2
Regional transit along U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is the town’s main roadway, running roughly 30 miles south to Fort Myers and about 100 miles north to Tampa. “January through April, you’ll see the traffic pick up. This is tourist season,” Evans says. “For the rest of the year, it’s smooth sailing.” There’s an Amtrak station in Port Charlotte on Kings Highway. Nearby airports include Punta Gorda Airport, about 11 miles away, with flights to over 50 destinations through Sun Country and Allegiant Airlines. Southwest Florida International Airport, in Fort Meyers, is larger and served by 15 airlines, including United and Delta.
Highly rated Charlotte County Public Schools
Charlotte County Public Schools earns an A-minus rating from Niche, and there are over 30 colleges and universities within 100 miles.
Historic Charlotte High School first opened its doors in 1926.
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota has a satellite campus outside city limits.
1/2
Safety reports and countywide hurricane protocols in Port Charlotte
According to FBI data, the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office reports property and violent crime rates significantly lower than state figures. The Sheriff's Office has released a multiyear strategic plan on its website that details the department's goals, including its focus on intelligence-led policing and targeting the distribution of illegal substances.
Weather is warm most of the year in Port Charlotte, with temperatures only dropping below 70 degrees from October to November. The area gets its share of hurricanes though. Helene, in 2024, caused significant flooding throughout parts of Charlotte County. Information about storm preparations and evacuation zones is available on the Charlotte County website.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Bre Gillian
Video By
Anthony Pesa
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Craig McCoy,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Port Charlotte, FL sell after 110 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Port Charlotte, FL over the last 12 months is $302,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to Harbor West – A Gated Gem in Port Charlotte!Experience the best of Florida living in this executive-style, solar-powered home featuring 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a stunning lake view that sets the scene for everyday relaxation. Located in the sought-after Harbor West community, this beautifully maintained residence offers both luxury and efficiency.Step inside
Summer lovin’ in this POOL home with outdoor kitchen. Most desirable SOUTH facing POOL/SPA, extended lanai, outdoor kitchen, FENCED YARD, and a water view! Like new with upgraded appliances, washer/dryer, upgraded lighting fixtures and ceiling fans in all the rooms. Open floor plan, high volume ceilings, kitchen island, dining room and living room combination. Split plan home, large main bedroom
**Seller Financing Available** Do you dream of hopping on your boat and immersing yourself in the Florida lifestyle? This newer custom pool home not only delivers that dream but exceeds expectations. Perfectly oriented to the south, it offers a front-row seat to breathtaking sunsets and a sunlit lanai throughout the winter months. If you're seeking luxury, convenience, and a slice of paradise,
***BACK ON THE MARKET*** – Motivated Seller! Discover a Hidden Gem in the Heart of Port Charlotte!Nestled on a spacious corner lot, this charming 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers an exceptional opportunity. Situated on an elevated plot, this property stands above the neighboring homes, with scenic views across from canal-front residences. With Luxury Vinyl Flooring throughout, combining elegance
This beautifully cared-for 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom pool home offers over 2,000 sq. ft. of comfortable, light-filled living space—perfect for making memories with family and friends. From the moment you step inside, you’ll notice the bright, open split floor plan, designed to make everyday living feel easy and inviting.The home features a formal living room, cozy family room, and two dining
WELCOME HOME! ROOF 2024! This spacious 3-bed/2-bath home is LIGHT, BRIGHT & AIRY, freshly painted inside and ready to make your own. A flexible floor plan offers living & dining areas, a well-laid-out kitchen, and a large family room—perfect for entertaining or everyday living. Pocketing sliders in both the living & family rooms open to an expansive covered lanai, ideal for enjoying Florida’s
Welcome to this beautiful Spacious and well-maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bath home in a quiet Port Charlotte neighborhood. This single-story property offers a comfortable layout, ideal for families or those seeking extra space. Located near top-rated schools, parks, and shopping, with easy access to major roadways. A great opportunity to own a solid home in a desirable area — don’t miss out!
This contemporary residence features an enclosed lanai with a private pool! Luxurious 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home, just 30 minutes from the beach, complete with a 2 car garage - Located in a Lennar gated community. House equipped with stainless steel appliances in a beautifully designed kitchen with Granite counters. Brand new washer and dryer, and an ideal general layout. All tile flooring
Welcome to your boater's paradise, featuring 100 feet of concrete seawall and a private dock for instant access to the harbor and open water. This high-and-dry home is a masterpiece of modern upgrades, including a 2023 roof, 2 new AC units, all new impact windows and doors, and a new electrical panel. The stunning, turnkey interior is completely remodeled with new laminated flooring, a chef's
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
