Cape coral : Florida

What Cape Coral is like for active adults

Cape Coral is one the nicer communities for retirement in south Florida. This relaxed town is just north of Ft. Myers and west of North Ft.Myers, along the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico. Cape Coral is a very new town; it was formed in 1958. The population is about 165,000, an increase of over 45% since 2000. The average age is 41.6, 3 years higher than the average in the State of Florida.

One of the most unusual things about Cape Coral is its access to the water, since it is surrounded by it on 2 sides. It also has more than 400 miles of canals; having a home with water access is very available. The cost of living and crime rate is lower than average. Being next to Fort Myers is a plus because of all its shopping, recreation, cultural, and transportation opportunities.

Cape Coral real estate has been pummeled because of its nearness to Ft. Myers; there are significant bargains to be had in mid-2009. The shape of the real estate price curve looks like Mt. Everest - prices went crazy in 2005-6, only to recede below 2003 levels in 2009 - when average prices fell into the low $100's. Many active adult communities are available in Cape Coral and surrounding towns of Punta Gorda, Ft. Myers, and Port Charlotte. Topretirements links to as many of them from our City Review pages as we can, but many 55+ communities, particularly the resident-owned communities, can be harder to find. (Try asking the Chamber of Commerce in each town for a list).

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What is special about this retirement community

With more than 400 miles of canals, Cape Coral has more canals than any place on earth. Cape Coral's access to the water and Gulf are extraordinary. Pine Island is nice place to live or visit. The Cape Coral Art Festival is one of the biggest in Florida. Warm winters.

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What is not special about this retirement community

The real estate bust has hit Cape Coral and some of its neighborhoods and developments hard. Traffic in the winter season can be a bear. Summers are hot and humid. Cape Coral tends to have a lot of older people.

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What kinds of people like retiring here

Cape Coral is very well suited to retirees looking for a comfortable lifestyle in the warm Florida winters. It is not a fancy town, although there are plenty of places near the water that are expensive and very nice.

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Local economy is driven by

Up until recently construction was very important to Cape Coral's economy. Now medical services and retirement are the big drivers.

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Climate and Physical Environment

Cape Coral is surrounded by the Caloosahatchee River on the south and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. It is in southwest Florida. There is a huge island to its west, Pine Island. There are many bays, sounds, and harbors in the area. Winters are warm in Cape Coral, summers are hot and humid with daily rainstorms.

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Cultural environment

The Cape Coral Festival of the Arts is held the second weekend of January every year. More than 100,000 people and over 300 artists and crafts people exhibit. Cape Coral Gardens is a popular attraction. Nearby Ft. Myers has many theatres and cultural attractions including the continuing schedule at the Barbara Mann Hall.

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Medical facilities

Cape Coral Hospital is in town, while Ft. Myers has several large hospitals. There are qualified doctors for every kind of medical specialty in the Cape Coral area.

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Transportation

Southwest Florida International airport in south Ft. Myers is nearby and one of the busier airports in the country.

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Valuable Links

Florida retirement guide
Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce
Cape Coral Festival of the Arts

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Facts about CAPE CORAL

State: FL
Environment: Suburban,Coastal,
City Population: 100,001+
Median age of Population: 45-64
Avg Jan Temperature: 61 +
Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
Average Home Price (MLS): Less than $100,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
Total Crime Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
Cost of Living Index: 81-90 (low)
Culture Index: 81-90 (low)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: No
Name of the Guide: boomer1

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