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| What Fort Myers is like for active adults |
As a retirement community Ft. Myers is old and new Florida at the same time. 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. New developments go off in every direction; in the early 2000's day it seemed another ranch or forest was turned into an active adults 55+ development. Virtually every retail chain and franchise in America is represented here on Route 41 and other arteries. Ft. Myers Beach to the Southwest provides sensational beaches. Golf courses are everywhere, public and private. Ft. Myers is a dynamic city with a diverse population of all ages, including active adults 55+. Fort Myers is the capitol of Lee County. Nearby communities like Bonita Bay/Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres (the subject of a negative New York Times article in 2009), and Estero offer similar alternatives.
Find out more about what it is like to retire in Florida or nearby Naples. |
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| Where to Live & Real Estate Values |
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. Since 2006 demand has been in a free fall and inventories have soared. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median Cape Coral/Fort Myers selling price in late 2011 had fallen to $108,000, about 1/3 the value of just 3 years earlier ($322,200). Short sales and foreclosures are dominating and distorting the market. |
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| What is special about this retirement community |
| • Ft. Myers Beach • Charming old downtown area • Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Estates • World class shopping • Fabulous new airport • Golf and fishing; and something for everybody • Spring training for Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins (the Red Sox have a beautiful new stadium, JetBlue Park that opened in 2012 as a replica of Fenway Park). |
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| What is not special about this retirement community |
| • Oppressively hot, humid summers • Traffic • Way too much development, now in a bust cycle • Too many strip malls |
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| What kinds of people like retiring here |
| Ft. Myers is a rapidly growing, vital city. Although there are many people of retirement age in the community, there are also plenty of people of all ages. There is a significant school age population and a burgeoning professional and business class. Wikipedia page for Fort Myers. |
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| Local economy is driven by |
| Tourism, Banking, Retail, Healthcare, Construction |
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| 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"). |
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| 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. |
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| Crime |
| Crime rate is much higher than the U.S. average, although it differs by neighborhood. |
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| Medical facilities |
| Ft. Myers has an astonishing array of hospitals and medical professionals. |
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| Transportation |
| The Ft. Myers airport is new, convenient, and first rate. A car is essential, and traffic can be nightmarish in season. There is a public bus system |
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What people are saying about Fort Myers | | Hard Times, yes ..but |
| Since the boom years of 2006-7 a lot has happened in Fort Myers, much of it bad. The bottom fell out of the real estate market, construction stopped and workers lost their jobs, and foreclosures and walk-aways are rampant. Yet there are still many lovely neighborhoods. The recreation is first rate. Home prices are very low. And the beaches are great! |
| Posted by marty50 on October 29, 2011 | | Fort Myers Florida retirement |
| Me, i love Fort Myers because its so diverse. It's a city and it is the suburbs. You can live in a gated community (of every description!) or you can live in a mixed generation neighborhood. You can live in the suburbs or you can live in what is an old city with a vital downtown.
So my primary attraction is that it is not homogenious. Real people live here.
My least favorite thing is the traffic Jan - March. We just can't build the roads fast enough to handle all the northerners and mid-westerners that come down for our sunshine. |
| Posted by marty50 on December 13, 2006 |
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Facts about FORT MYERS
- State: FL
- Environment: Urban,Suburban,College Town,Coastal,Boating Community,RV Community,Golf Community,Gated,Resort Community,
- City Population: 100,001+
- Median age of Population: 25-44
- Avg Jan Temperature: 61 +
- Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
- Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
- Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
- Total Crime Index: 121+ (very high)
- Cost of Living Index: 81-90 (low)
- Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
- State Sales Tax: Yes
- State Income Tax: No
- Name of the Guide: jb
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Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts |
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Vote on the Ratings for Fort Myers |
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Update Your Ratings |
1. Overall Retirement Ratings
1. Rating: 2.9/5 ( 16 votes cast)
2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury
2. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 23 votes cast)
3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive
3. Rating: 2.8/5 ( 18 votes cast)
4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan
4. Rating: 3.1/5 ( 16 votes cast)
5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp
5. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 17 votes cast)
6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub
6. Rating: 2.7/5 ( 14 votes cast)
7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox
7. Rating: 2.6/5 ( 21 votes cast)
8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent
8. Rating: 3.7/5 ( 16 votes cast)
9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal
9. Rating: 2.7/5 ( 20 votes cast)
10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green
10. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 15 votes cast)
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