NAPLES AREA LINKS

BONITA SPRINGS & ESTERO AREA LINKS

FORT MYERS AREA LINKS

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Naples

With the second-highest proportion of millionaires per capita in the country, Naples serves as the playground for the ultra-wealthy. Lush, manicured landscaping lends to the tropical flair of the city. Country clubs, high-end automobiles and yachts abound, and the shopping avenues rival Rodeo Drive. Upscale gated communities are heavy on amenities, and the living is luxurious.

If you are looking for a sophisticated and luxurious lifestyle, and you want country club or resort-style living in a community that is fresh and newly built, Naples is likely the place for you. 

AREA HIGHLIGHTS

The Neighbors
Affluent; ultra wealthy; early retirees; professionals; older adults; well-educated; families; young professionals; diverse; multicultural; service industry workers; median household income significantly above state average.

Market
Master-planned communities; waterfront communities; gated communities; exclusive neighborhoods; luxury homes; newer developments; single-family homes; condos; high-rise condominiums; growing population; housing prices within Naples city limits four times the state median; median value of houses $707,000 within Naples city limits; home values vary from $300,000 to $40 million within the Naples city limits

Lifestyle
Luxurious lifestyle; big-city amenities and conveniences; coastal lifestyle; affluent; cultural; boating; golfing; active; country club living; resort-style living; relaxed lifestyle; landscaped; sophisticated; stylish.

You’ll Love
Beaches; boating; access to the Gulf of Mexico; public parks; nature preserves; swimming; fishing; vibrant community; local theater; concerts; arts; community events; festivals; independent restaurants and pubs; independent boutiques.

Perfect For
Boaters; golfers; water sports enthusiasts; foodies; shoppers; nature lovers;  snowbirds seeking winter homes; people seeking upscale homes and gated communities.

AROUND THE AREA

Nestled into the northwestern corner of Collier County south of Bonita Springs and Fort Myers, water plays a significant role in the geography of Naples. The Gulf of Mexico defines its western edge, and the Gordon River flows south through the city to the Gordon Bay. The bay defines a long, thin peninsula that houses the downtown core of Olde Naples and many of its most expensive beachfront mansions and bay-front yachting estates. Downtown is a walkable and bikeable historic small town with Cambier Park that serves as the setting for big community and cultural events. The Gulf of Mexico shoreline offers a mix of beach parks as well as beaches with homes, condominiums and nearby restaurants. Gated golfing communities offer resort-style living with upscale shopping and dining nearby. The incorporated area of the city of Naples has a population of about 21,500 people living in its 12.5 square miles, and the population is projected to grow at around 1.5 percent per year. Roughly 300,000 people live in greater Naples, so the area feels rather like a small town ringed by the suburbs of a major metropolitan area. I-75 runs within greater Naples eastern edge, and U.S. Highway 41 serves as the area’s “main street” with shopping and dining options. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is a 30-45 minute drive from greater Naples. Naples Municipal Airport is within the city limits. While it does not offer flights from a commercial carrier, it is the 24th busiest general aviation airport in the world, given the number of private jets that fly in and out of it.

Naples was founded in the late 1880s by former Kentucky Sen. John Stuart Williams and his business partner Walter N. Haldeman, the publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper. Their intention was specifically to create a destination for wealthy tourist, so they chose to name their new resort after Naples, Italy, to evoke thoughts of a warm, pleasant place to visit. Haldeman used his influence in the media to draw winter tourists by promoting the mild climate along with the fishing and hunting opportunities. Naples was incorporated in 1923, and major development began taking off in the 1960s. A good deal of current popular subdivisions and communities lay outside the city limits in unincorporated Collier County. Greater Naples offers an astounding range of housing options, from beach mansion estates to single-family homes to horse farms. Gated developments abound, offering country club or resort-style living. Beach condos range from modest low-rises to luxurious high-rises. Assisted living communities offer resort-style living with full medical facilities right on site. Waterfront communities offer the opportunity to tie off your yacht at your own dock. Popular gated communities include Pelican Marsh, Fiddler’s Creek and Island Walk. Other subdivisions include Naples Park, Park Shore and the Moorings.

The city of Naples Parks Department administers seven city parks, including Lowdermilk Park on the beach, Cambier Park, which includes a band shell, tennis center and a performing arts hall, the iconic Naples Pier, a skateboard park and a dog park. Collier County Parks serves greater Naples with over 30 parks, including the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon water park, a skateboard park and several fitness centers. The county parks also administer the Gordon River Greenway linear park and several beach parks, including Clam Pass Beach Park that offers a ride to the beach on a tram through the mangroves. Nature preserves include The Naples Preserve, which is located within the city, and close to a dozen county-owned preserves in the greater Naples area.  Also near Naples are the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Big Cypress National Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Naples also has the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and the Naples Botanical Gardens. Greater Naples offers nearly 30 golf courses, 20 marinas and recreational sports leagues for youths, adults and seniors.

Naples and its surrounding region are renowned as a shopper’s paradise. Shopping is a swank experience on the ultra high-end Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South within the city limits. Boutiques carry merchandise to please well-heeled customers. Many of the city’s art galleries are located along these streets. Luxury malls in the area include the modern-styled outdoor Waterside Shops with fountains throughout and the faux-downtown styled Mercato. Coastland Center Mall offers an indoor shopping experience. Dining out could be considered a competitive sport in a place with so many restaurants, making Naples a foodie’s paradise as well. Greater Naples abounds with innovative, chef-driven restaurants. The city has entire festivals, such as the Naples Winter Wine Festival, built around the sport of dining and imbibing. Naples also offers many options for entertainment once the sun goes down. Many of the afore-mentioned chef-driven restaurants offer live entertainment, and the area has a number of hopping bars, such as the Blue Martini Lounge. The swank shopping districts encourage people to shop, wine, dine and stroll after dark with special entertainment events nights held on a regular basis, such as “Thursdays on Third” in the Third Street South district. Naples is home to several theater companies and visual art organizations. Artis-Naples is home to the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts major national-touring concerts and musicals. Local concert bands featuring accomplished musicians play jazz and light classical concerts at the Cambier Park band shell nearly every weekend during the winter season. The winter “snowbird” season is gala season in Naples, with multiple charities throwing events every weekend to raise money. Major yearly events include the Naples Stone Crab Festival, Naples National Art Festival and Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade that draws 40,000 people to downtown Naples. Museums are numerous in the greater Naples area, including the Collier County Museum system, art museums, Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples (C’mon) and the Holocaust Museum and Education Center of Southwest Florida.

The Naples economy leans heavily on tourism dollars, with the Ritz-Carlton being a major employer. In greater Naples, major employers that fall outside of the tourism sector include ASG Software Solutions and the medical equipment manufacturer Arthrex. Greater Naples is served by Collier County Public Schools, with seven high schools, nine middle schools, nearly 30 elementary schools and two charter schools within the community. Florida SouthWestern State College and Hodges University have campuses in greater Naples, and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) near Estero serves the entire Southwest Florida region. The Renaissance Academy has a branch in Naples that offers an additional wide-ranging catalog of adult non-credit classes sponsored by FGCU, and Collier County Schools also offer adult classes.

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Fort Myers

Beaches, culture, entertainment, affordable housing and a tropical climate make the Fort Myers area a favorite for those looking to relocate. Proclaimed the “City of Palms” for its emperor palm-lined boulevards that welcome visitors into the city, Fort Myers provides a wide range of housing options, with several affordable city, suburban and rurala housing communities as well as exclusive country club and waterside residences.

No matter what kind of housing you are looking for, one of the communities of greater Fort Myers will be sure to have a place you will love to call home.

Ft. Myers, an early fort and commercial center in colonial Florida, has emerged as one of the State’s foremost centers, with a proud array of financial, educational, cultural, and medical facilities that have made it a favorite for both retirees and an increasingly youthful population. And housing ranges from old Florida through every kind of modern; there is something for everybody.

AREA HIGHLIGHTS

The Neighbors
Families; retirees; young adults; professionals; multicultural; educated; education workers; healthcare workers; service industry workers; construction workers

Market
Master-planned communities; waterfront communities; growing population; new developments; single-family homes; condos; affordable housing

Lifestyle
Boating; golfing; community influenced; outdoorsy; suburban; urban; nightlife; family friendly; active

You’ll Love
Community events; festivals; entertainment; independent boutiques; independent restaurants and brewpubs; easy boating access to Gulf of Mexico; family activities; baseball spring training

Perfect For
Boaters; golfers; outdoor recreational sports enthusiasts; families; snowbirds seeking winter homes; people seeking affordable homes

AROUND THE AREA

Located along the southern shore of the Caloosahatchee River, the greater Fort Myers area with the regions of the city of Fort Myers, South Fort Myers, the Iona-McGregor corridor and Gateway are the heart of Lee County. Fort Myers is the seat of Lee County and is the principal cultural, economic, educational and transportation center of Southwest Florida. It also serves as the judicial center with a federal courthouse in the city. About 213,000 people live in the 195 square miles of greater Fort Myers. The projected population growth rate of the region varies, with Fort Myers and Gateway showing growth around two percent and South Fort Myers and the Iona-McGregor corridor showing growth less that 1.5 percent. The major transportation artery of U.S. Highway 41 runs through Fort Myers and South Fort Myers. I-75 runs through the eastern side of Fort Myers and past Gateway. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located in Gateway and is reachable quickly from anywhere in greater Fort Myers.

Named in honor of Col. Abraham C. Myers, the son-in- law of the commander of Fort Brooke in Tampa, Fort Myers was built along the Caloosahatchee River as one of the first bases of operations during the Seminole Indian Wars. Reoccupied during the Civil War, the fort itself was disassembled with some of the wood used in construction of the first buildings in what would become downtown Fort Myers.

No more than 10 families lived in the original town when it was platted in 1876. Cattle, farming and logging were early mainstays of the Fort Myers area. Different parts of the greater Fort Myers area were developed at different times. The City of Fort Myers was developed first. Then homes were built in South Fort Myers and along the Iona-McGregor corridor on the way to Fort Myers Beach. Gateway is an area that has only seen substantive development in the last two decades.

The different districts of greater Fort Myers vary as to the price and type of housing. Homes in Fort Myers and South Fort Myers are more affordable, with the median values closer to the state median. Fort Myers homes run a median of $141,000, and South Fort Myers homes run a median of $166,000. Two-thirds of homes in Fort Myers were valued at below $200,000, and half of homes in South Fort Myers were valued at between $100,000 and $200,000. Homes in Gateway run a median of $222,000, with two-thirds valued between $200,000 and $300,000. Homes in Iona-McGregor run a median value of $176,000 and also two-thirds were valued at between $200,000 to $300,000.

Housing options also run the gamut. The historic Fort Myers river district features new urbanism style living with condominiums in renovated historic buildings in a walkable downtown. Nearby are high-rise luxury condos with views of the river. Single-family homes are available in all areas of greater Fort Myers. Additional options include gated communities, country club golfing communities and condominiums, waterfront homes with boat docks and even equestrian communities. Assisted living communities offer resort-style living with full medical facilities right on site.

In the greater Fort Myers area, the city of Fort Myers and Lee County Parks administer numerous park and recreational facilities ranging from small neighborhood pocket parks and playgrounds to large regional parks, such as the 300-acre Lakes Park that features nature trails and gardens. The county also administers a number of nature preserves, including Six-Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which keeps a bit of ancient wetlands and woods in modern Fort Myers so that both humans and animals can enjoy the tranquility. The city also features 17 golf courses, nine marinas and recreational sports leagues for youths, adults and seniors. There are two professional baseball parks — jetBlue Park and Hammond Stadium — which host the spring training games for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, respectively. Gulf of Mexico beaches are nearby at Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.

Shopping options range from malls with national retailers to big-box stores in shopping plazas to quirky little antique stores in old storefronts. Malls include the indoor Edison Mall, the outdoor and elegant Bell Tower Shops and the faux-downtown Gulf Coast Town Center. Dining choices range from franchised chains to upscale chef-driven fine dining and everything imaginable in between. Greater Fort Myers also offers a variety of ethnic eateries. Many themed restaurants with whimsical décor have opened downtown. The historic downtown City of Fort Myers river district has retained much of its charm, and measures are in place to preserve it. The downtown has become the cultural heart of the greater Fort Myers area, with Art Walk and Music Walk taking place on Friday nights every month.

For major events, such as the New Year’s Eve celebration, the streets are cordoned off and fill with people who have flocked downtown to be a part of the party. The river district is also the night-club district, with a number of chic venues that get the party started close to midnight. The downtown is also home to the Florida Repertory Theatre, just one of a number of theater and arts organizations active in the city. The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall hosts two different symphony orchestras as well as a full season of Broadway plays and touring national and international acts. Museums include the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the Southwest Florida Museum of History, the Imaginarium Science Center and the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium.

Education levels of the populace, and therefore their professions, vary widely throughout the greater Fort Myers area, but many work in retail, healthcare and government. Major employers include Lee Memorial Health System, the School District of Lee County, Lee County Government and Florida Gulf Coast University. Chico’s FAS Inc., the parent company of Chico’s and White House/Black Market, has its headquarters in Fort Myers. Fort Myers is served by the School District of Lee County, with five high schools, seven middle schools, 18 elementary schools and 14 charter schools (including middle and high schools) within the communities. Florida SouthWestern State College, Southern Technical College and Hodges University are located in Fort Myers, and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) near Estero serves the entire Southwest Florida region. The Renaissance Academy in Fort Myers offers an additional wide-ranging catalog of adult non-credit classes sponsored by FGCU, and Lee County Schools also offer adult classes.

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Cape Coral

Nicknamed the “Waterfront Wonderland,” this planned city was conceived as a boaters’ paradise. Bounded on three sides by water and featuring more than 400 miles of navigable canals that provide access to the Gulf of Mexico, Cape Coral is the place to live in Southwest Florida if you wish to keep your boat at your own dock in your own backyard.

Cape Coral also provides affordable housing and plenty of room to grow, given that portions of the city are still being developed and have sites available for new businesses, subdivisions and homes.

AREA HIGHLIGHTS 

The Neighbors
Families; retirees; young adults; multicultural; educated; education workers; healthcare workers; service industry workers; construction workers; median household income slightly above state average

Market
Master-planned communities; waterfront communities and homes; growing population; new developments; single-family homes; condos; affordable housing; on par with state median housing prices; median value of houses $158,000; half of houses are valued between $100,000-$200,000

Lifestyle
Boating; golfing; community influenced; outdoorsy; suburban; nightlife; family friendly; active

You’ll Love
Community events; festivals; entertainment; independent boutiques; parks and recreation; independent restaurants and brewpubs; easy boating access to Gulf of Mexico; family activities

Perfect For
Boaters; golfers; outdoor recreational sports enthusiasts; families; snowbirds seeking winter homes; people seeking affordable homes

AROUND THE AREA

Located on a large peninsula west of Fort Myers, water bounds Cape Coral on three sides, with the Caloosahatchee River to the east and south, and Matlacha Pass to the west. The world’s largest network of canals in a single community serves as the defining feature of the city’s terrain along with an open prairie feel to the land. The open terrain provides ideal habitat for the city’s official bird, the threatened Florida burrowing owl. Developed from south to north, Cape Coral’s downtown region, called South Cape, features a retro-1960s vibe to the architecture. The city’s feel becomes more suburban in the later development further north. Encompassing about 119 square miles, Cape Coral is geographically the largest city in Southwest Florida and has plenty more room for growth and development. Its current population of over 163,000 is projected to increase by nearly 1.5 percent per year. The Cape’s Midpoint Memorial Bridge and Florida Route 78 provide direct connection to Southwest Florida’s main arteries of I-75 and U.S. Highway 41. Cape Coral is served by Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), a 25-minute drive from South Cape and 45 minutes from the northwestern section of the city.

Developers Leonard and Jack Rosen founded Cape Coral in 1957 as a master-planned city, and the city government incorporated in 1970. Cape Coral offers a mixture of established neighborhoods of mid-century modern Floridian-style homes built in the 1960s and 70s to brand-new developments still being built. Neighborhoods and subdivisions include the upscale Cape Harbour and Tarpon Point, the gated communities of Sandoval and Coral Lakes, and the neighborhoods of Rose Garden, Cornwallis and Concordia.

Cape Coral administers 37 city-run parks, which feature three ecologically focused parks, almost 20 parks with various sports facilities and one dog park. The city parks offer major recreational attractions in the form of Sun Splash Family Waterpark, the largest waterslide park in the region, and the Cape Coral Yacht Club and Beach, which features an impressive retro-1960s building.  The city also features five golf courses, five marinas and over a dozen recreational sports leagues for youths, adults and seniors. Gulf of Mexico beaches are nearby at Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.

South Cape has become home to innovative chef-driven restaurants, brewpubs and small retail boutiques. Nightlife includes monthly pub trolley events. Family run ethnic eateries dot the city. Major retail and restaurant chains abound along the Pine Island Road corridor in the northern section of the city. Monthly or semi-monthly community events include motorcycle “bike” nights, sunset beach celebrations, and first Friday hoedowns. Yearly signature events include the Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Tour de Cape for bicyclists, the Burrowing Owl Festival, Sounds of Jazz and Blue Concert, and the Cardboard Boat Regatta, plus the largest Fourth of July, Oktoberfest, and holiday tree lighting celebrations in Southwest Florida. Arts groups and performance venues include the Cape Coral Art League and the Cultural Park Theater. Numerous clubs provide a significant influence in Cape Coral’s social life, including the New Residents Club of Cape Coral and the German-American Social Club of Cape Coral. The Southwest Florida Military Museum offers many programs, support services and social opportunities for veterans.

Construction and real estate, retail, healthcare and government provide the majority of employment within the city. Major businesses in Cape Coral include Gulf Care Inc. and Affordable Roofing & Gutters. Cape Coral is served by the School District of Lee County, with four high schools, six middle schools, nine elementary schools and five charter schools (to include a charter high school) within the city.  Cape Coral Technical College offers post-secondary training in business, health, hospitality and technology. Florida SouthWestern State College is located just across the Cape Coral Bridge in Fort Myers, and Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) near Estero serves the entire Southwest Florida region. The city’s parks and recreation department offers extensive adult non-credit classes and features special programming for retirees. The Renaissance Academy located just across the Cape Coral Bridge in Fort Myers offers a wide-ranging catalog of adult non-credit classes sponsored by FGCU.

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Bonita Springs/Estero

A welcoming beach community in Southwest Florida, between Fort Myers and Naples, Bonita Springs is home to the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Nature Center. Fishing and outdoor activities are popular in Bonita Springs, as are the sparkling beaches. Most particularly, Bonita Springs harbors Lovers Key State Park, a place so named because it once was an island so remote only lovers went to the trouble to seek its privacy. Today, you don’t need a boat to get to the beach. It’s easy to reach, but still not as well-known as many other state parks. The 2.5-mile beach is lined with natural vegetation and is perfect for beach combing and birding.

The Bonita-Estero area has emerged as being one of the most diverse areas in Lee County to experience the Southwest Florida lifestyle.  The area is perfectly situated between Fort Myers and Naples.  Residents of the area enjoy close proximity to the Interstate, Southwest Florida International Airport, Shopping Malls, Education Centers and the Beaches. In recent years, major commercial development and the addition of Florida Gulf Coast University have forever changed the face of this once secret area of Lee County. Estero and Bonita Springs offer many Real Estate Options.  From High Rise condos that over look the Gulf of Mexico to affordable Golf Course Condos and from Beach Front Estates to gated Single Family home communities, there is a place for everyone in Bonita Springs and Estero area. The activities available in this southern part of Lee County, Florida are endless. However, the quiet natural settings allow for maximum relaxation. Call me to schedule your home tour today.