Moving to Ft. Myers? The Gulf of Mexico’s sandy beaches and Caloosahatchee River’s scenic shoreline are just two of many reasons why retirees as well as families with young children relocate to Ft. Myers. Many people with different interests can appreciate the natural beauty and excitement of the area. Golfers, baseball fans, fishing enthusiasts, bird watchers, and serious shoppers enjoy all the offerings in what locals refer to as the Gateway to Southwest Florida. The Ford and Edison winter homes attract tourists every year. Ft. Myers is a town filled with history and modern charm, making it a beautiful place to live. Here is more information about your future home: 

Nickname – City of Palms – In the 1800s, imported royal palms that grow over 75 feet were planted alongside McGregor Boulevard, making it one of the most beautiful boulevards in the world.

               
Population – According to the Census Bureau, 65,729 people resided in Ft. Myers in 2006; the median age is 32.

County – Lee

Housing – Any type of resident can find affordable accommodations, whether seasonal guest, renter, or homeowner. Choices include high-rise condominiums with ocean views, modest apartments, golf course villas, country club estates, or lively retirement communities. Prices range from the low $100,000s for manufactured homes to million-dollar luxury and custom-built houses as well as everything in between.

Schools – Ft. Myers has 43 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, and 13 high schools. Included in these numbers are four alternative schools and ten charter schools. Fort Myers High School is consistently ranked as one of the top high schools in the nation. Education is so important that the Chamber of Commerce allocates 10% of its membership dues to an education fund benefiting teachers and programs in the Lee County School District. Excellent private schools give residents many terrific options.

Religion – There is a rich diversity of churches, mosques, and temples in the Ft. Myers area.

Climate – Sunny days are most common (they don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing) and gulf breezes only add to the area’s appeal. Mild winters boast average temperatures in the 60s. Spring brings with it beautiful days filled with sunshine, warm showers, and temperatures averaging in the 70s. Summers in Florida can get hot, but Ft. Myers’ enviable location near the water assures temperatures don’t rise past the low 90s.

Industry – Tourism remains Ft. Myers’ biggest industry as people from all over the world are drawn to area attractions, beaches, and weather. Construction, retirement, and manufacturing make this a profitable area for other businesses as well.  

Things to do–places to see – Stroll through the beautiful winter homes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Baseball fan? Cheer for the Boston Red Sox or Minnesota Twins during the teams’ Spring Training games. Over 50 public and private golf courses will challenge and excite the beginner and experienced golfer alike. Enjoy a romantic sunset at the beach, stroll for seashells or swim among the dolphins, gentle manatees, and frisky fish in the area’s beautiful beaches. The Calusa Nature Center is a must-see for any nature lover. Located on 105 lush and pristine acres, you are encouraged to visit the nature trails, museum, planetarium, as well as the lovely butterfly and bird aviaries. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy flowers and wildlife for hours.

History – The town’s founders built Ft. Myers to scare off the local Seminole tribes whose warriors were trying to rid the area of European settlers. After eight years of fighting, the settlers prevailed, the fort left empty and soon forgotten. During the Civil War, the fort again occupied, this time by Union soldiers who kept Confederates at bay. After the war’s end, people left the area alone until the late 1880s when the city incorporated and grew to rival Tampa as the second largest city on the southwestern coast of Florida. When workers finished constructing the Tamiami Trail Bridge across the Caloosahatchee River in 1924, subdivisions sprang up and Ft. Myers grew to be the city that we know and love today.

A treasure in southwestern Florida

When moving to Ft. Myers, you are sure to be the envy of family and friends who will soon find a reason to visit. Ft. Myers is home to a natural beauty and charm that make it a desirable and enchanting place to live.