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Living a Resort Community Lifestyle in Fort Myers, Florida

Ft. Myers is a popular resort destination on the west coast (Gulf of Mexico) of Florida.  Tourists come here from all over the world to sample its warm weather,  plentiful golf courses, and beautiful sandy beaches.  Nearby Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, and Captiva Island also offer additional top rated resorts. The population is 65,000 with many times that in the surrounding area. Located on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River on southwest Florida’s coast, its roots go back to 1886. It has the charming Thomas Edison Museum and a beautifully restored downtown along the river.  Ft. Myers is more than just a resort town, it is a dynamic city with a diverse population of all ages.

Where to Retire in Fort Myers and Home Prices

Fort Myers has many active adult living housing options. You can live in quiet neighborhood near the Gulf, in a high rise, or in every type of gated community.
Because the community is so large and diverse, there is a considerable range in real estate prices.  Beginning in 2006 demand went into a free fall and inventories  soared. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median Cape Coral/Fort Myers selling price in early 2012 had fallen to $117,600, about 1/3 the value of just 3 years earlier ($322,200).  Since then prices have rebounded with gusto -  the NAR reported median sale price in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area to be $380,000 in the 4th quarter of 2021, up 21.8% from a year earlier.

What Is Special about Fort Myers

• Ft. Myers Beach • Charming old downtown area • Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates • World class shopping • Fabulous airport •Golf and fishing; and something for everybody • Spring training for Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins (the Red Sox have a beautiful stadium, JetBlue Park, that opened in 2012 as a replica of Fenway Park).

What Is Not Special about Fort Myers

• Oppressively hot, humid summers • Traffic • Way too much development • Too many strip malls

Climate and Physical Environment

Ft. Myers is a large metro located on a major river, the Caloosahatchee. The coast is on the west side, with countless bays and islands. It is just a few miles from some of the best beaches and fishing in the world. The terrain is flat and tropical. The average July high temperature is 92 and the average January high is 75 (the average low is 45). The wettest month is June (10").

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Ft. Myers is blessed with several live performing arts theatres. The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall is on the campus of Edison Community College in South Ft. Myers and offers a regular schedule of plays and concerts. Various community and dinner theatres abound, such as the Broadway Palms Dinner Theatre. The Thomas Edison Museum is a must visit. The libraries are first rate and artists thrive as well.

Crime

Crime rate is much higher than the U.S. average, although it differs by neighborhood.

Medical Facilities

Ft. Myers has an astonishing array of hospitals and medical professionals.

Transportation

The Ft. Myers airport, known as Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), is convenient, and first rate. A car is essential in Fort Myers and traffic can be nightmarish in season. There is a public bus system

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