Fort myers : Florida

What Fort Myers is like for active adults

As a retirement community Ft. Myers is old and new Florida at the same time. 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; every day it seems another ranch or forest is 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, fast-growing city with a diverse population of all ages, including active adults 55+. Fort Myers is the capitol of Lee County.

Fort Myers has many retirement community housing options. You can live in quiet neighborhood near the Gulf, in a high rise, or in every type of gated community. 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. Because the community is so large and diverse, there is a considerable range in real estate prices. For example, residential areas near the Gulf have held up better than some other places. Since 2006 demand has been in a free fall and inventories have soared. The median selling price at the end of 2009 had fallen to $84,000, about 1/4 the value of just 3 years earlier ($322,200). Short sales and foreclosures are dominating and distorting the market.

Find out more about what it is like to retire in Florida or nearby Naples

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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

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What is not special about this retirement community

• Oppressively hot, humid summers • Traffic • Way too 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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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. It is very warm here in winter.

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Cultural environment

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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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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Facts about FORT MYERS

State: FL
Environment: Urban,Suburban,College Town,Coastal,
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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