Need info on Ft Myers area

[honeymom]

I don't know about Ft. Myers. We have been to Sanibel a couple of times and it is one of our favorite places.

 

[kamgen]

Thanks!

 

[Niagara2]

Hi - We own a villa in Estero. We bought in 2004 and what a change since then. This area is booming. Building everywhere and now they are doing all the commercial building. A beautiful mall just opened called Coconut Point. They have put a new North/South road in to help with the snow bird traffic congestion near there. You are 10 minutes from Bonita Beach. Lovers Key State Park is there too and was named one of the top 10 beaches in the world! The town of Estero has very strict building codes and everything from strip malls to car dealerships to drug stores have to have a Mediterranean look. The new Lowe's that opened last month looks so cool. No big box looks allowed. The new Estero community park just opened and for $20 your family can become lifetime members. There is a lot to do there from bike paths, to a planned water park, basketball, community center, state of the art gym etc. The Outlet malls are there, the Germain Arena for Hockey and entertainment. A top of the line design center just opened there too. People travel from the east coast to visit this high end establishment. The weather is grand and warmer in the winter than more northern parts of Fl.
Naples is 25 minutes down the road, Fort Myers 20 minutes. You have the beach if you want it. The arts and culture are here too. If you buy west of 41 you can get property with gulf access. There are many incentives for buying right now. The housing is a better deal now than two years ago when things would sell in the first three hours of being listed. My brother in law is a real estate agent right in Estero so if you want me to have him contact you just PM me.
We live in Western New York and right now the wind chill is minus 22 degrees. Boy I wish I was there right now.
I don't know how old your kids are but for the future there is a SW Fl University right there. It is growing leaps and bounds also. The airport is 10 minutes away. Near the University is a new Bass Pro shop, movie theaters and many new restaurants. Most of this came in the last few years so it is all new and fresh.
Traffic is the downside. Insurance is high anywhere in FL. Otherwise I cannot think of any other negative aspects of Estero.
Good Luck!

 

[kamgen]

Thanks ! I sent you a PM!

 

[figmentvi]

Hey, Ft. Myers is home to Red Sox Spring Training. Nuf Ced !!!

Actually, Ft. Myers is "OK". The traffic during Spring Training/Spring Break time though was horrible. We stayed over on Ft. Myers Beach once which was very nice, but it took close to 45 mins. to go to the City of Palms Park which was not that far away. There were also a TON of cheap strip malls and neon signs, and tons of people.

However, living in the Caribbean, I'm not a great one to comment about traffic and strip malls and such. If I sit in traffic for more than 2 minutes, I think the island is too crowded

 

[kamgen]

Thanks for all the tips.

 

[kamgen]

Thanks again to all of you for your opinions. We are now in the "wait and see" mode. Not sure when we will hear if dh is going or not. I will post when we know!

 

[Gramgwen]

I lived in Ft. Myers for a few years in the 90's. I think, unlike some other Florida communities, you will find quite a mix of ages. Estero is nice and like other posters have said, Naples, Sanibel, and other cities are close by and great for a day trip. Disney World is about 2 1/2 hours away!

 

[kamgen]

WDW 2 1/2 hrs away is such a plus!!! Right now we are a 2 1/2 hr plane ride or a 18+ hour drive!