Moving to Fort Myers? That's how it is here (2023)

If you are thinking of onelong distance movementIn southwest Florida, there is hardly a better city than Fort Myers. Unlike other Florida cities, Fort Myers is known for its laid-back atmosphere and slow pace of life. Nearly a quarter of the city's population is retired, but the already sizable millennial population is growing every year, thanks to the area's ample economic opportunities. The Fort Myers metropolitan area is home to 680,970 residents, with more people moving into the city each year.

Fort Myers People and Lifestyle

As much of the population is older, Fort Myers tends to lean towards the politically conservative side, but the city is also home to its fair share of people on the left, particularly among the younger generation. Most people in Fort Myers identify as Catholic, but other major religious philosophies are well represented in the city.

As you'd expect from a town tucked away along the Gulf Coast, life in Fort Myers is all about enjoying the great outdoors. Beautiful beaches can be found on virtually every corner, and the town center is filled with an array of quaint shops and restaurants. Fort Myers is also home to many museums, art galleries and amusement parks, so there's always something to see or do.

The cost of living tends to be quite affordable in Fort Myers, thanks in large part to the fact that residents don't have to pay state income tax. While the average annual salary is slightly less than the national average, average housing costs in the Fort Myers area are about $12,000 less than the national average, which helps even things out.

Best Neighborhoods in Fort Myers

Before youmover cross countryFor Fort Myers, it's important to experience some of the best neighborhoods in the city. Whether you're interested in living close to the water or want a home in a quieter part of town, there's a Fort Myers neighborhood you're sure to love.

Distrito do rio Fort Myers

If you prefer to live in an urban area filled with frequent shops, restaurants and activities, you might want to find a home in the Fort Myers River District. The waterfront skyscrapers in this area are perfect for young professionals who want quick access to the city's best nightlife, and the nearby historic district has restored homes that are great for retirees.

fort myers beach

Fort Myers Beach is the best area of the city to move to if you want to spend as much time in the sand and surf as possible. You can find many homes on the water in this neighborhood, and it also offers several quieter residential areas that families will enjoy. The Fort Myers Beach area is very popular with tourists, so the neighborhood can get crowded during the summer months.

captive island

Captiva Island is just off the coast of Fort Myers and is a great neighborhood for those who want to live close to the city but prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle. Stunning ocean views are the biggest benefit of living on Captiva Island, but the area offers several other perks. For example, due to its small size, Captiva Island is very walkable, so you can enjoy a sunset tour whenever you like. From Captiva Island, you can also take boat trips to other islands in the region.

Fort Myers Food Scene

While living in Fort Myers, you can enjoy a meal almost whenever you like at some of Florida's best restaurants. As you would expect from a seaside town, freshness is the name of the game when it comes to local cuisine. Fort Myers residents are very picky about seafood, and restaurants that don't serve fresh fish and lobster usually don't last long in this city.

In addition to the fresh food you can enjoy at one of the many great restaurants in Fort Myers, you can visit one of the popular farmers markets in the area to buy locally sourced fresh produce so you can prepare your own tasty meals at home. . Some of the top fresh produce markets in the Fort Myers area include the Downtown Farmers Market, Southern Fresh Farms, and Health Park Farmers Market.

Fort Myers is also a great place to live if you like to relax with an adult beverage at the end of a long day at work. While there are no vineyards in the immediate Fort Myers area, you will find several excellent wineries that you can visit to purchase wine by the bottle or by the glass. You'll also find several top Fort Myers breweries where you and your friends can sample hoppy craft beer and buy your favorites so you can enjoy a bottle at home whenever you like.

Here are some of the best restaurants in Fort Myers:

Cape Cod Fish Company:This seafood restaurant is known for its fresh lobster rolls that rival the rolls you can order at Boston's finest restaurants.

The Gaucho Inca: at this steakhouse, you can eat succulent steaks and other homemade dishes with a Latin touch.

Bennett's Fresh Roast: You can stop by this donut shop every morning for a fresh donut or a piping hot cup of coffee.

How is the weather in Fort Myers?

Lots of sunshine is one of the main reasons people move to Fort Myers. Sure, the city gets its fair share of rain, especially in the summer and fall, but those few wetter months are offset by nearly nine months of sunshine, giving you a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the Fort scenery. Lauderdale. Myers.

Winter

Thanks to its tropical climate, winters in Fort Myers are very mild. Average temperatures in the winter months are 64.9 degrees, and when there is precipitation, it is in the form of rain, rather than the snow and ice that can be seen in the northernmost states.

While you may not experience any white Christmases in Fort Myers, winter in this sunny state still offers plenty of festive fun. Take a stroll around town and you're likely to see lush palm trees bedecked in colorful Christmas lights, which is a sight to behold, especially if you're a newcomer to the city.

How to Have Fun in Fort Myers

Lots of fun is why so many Floridians are proud to call Fort Myers home. Whether you want to spend as much time in the sun as possible or are looking for exciting activities for the whole family, there are almost no limits to what you can see and do in the Fort Myers area.

go outdoors

Southwest Florida is home to over 600 miles of stunning coastline, which means you can stretch out on the warm sands or swim in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico almost whenever you like. Fort Myers offers a wide variety of beaches, some perfect for a relaxing getaway and others ideal for spending a day playing in the sand. If you prefer to soak up the sun away from the crowds, for example, you'll want to head to one of the serene beaches in nearby Captiva Islands.

If you're in the mood for some time on the water, you might want to head to the great Calusa Blueway paddle trail. This nearly 200-mile trail is one of the most popular canoeing and kayaking spots in the Fort Myers area and is perfect for experienced paddlers and beginners alike. As you sail through the shimmering coastal waters, you'll see unforgettable sights, including seabirds splashing in the water and verdant vegetation.

stay inside

It is sometimes too hot to spend much time outdoors in Fort Myers. Fortunately, the city is full of exciting indoor activities where you can have fun while escaping the heat. For example, if you're the type of person who likes to eat dinner and see a show, you might want to book a table at Broadway Palm, Southwest Florida's premier dinner theater. Not only will you be able to enjoy a delicious meal, but you will also be treated to a Broadway-style show performed by some of the country's best performers.

Shopping is another way to have fun indoors in Fort Myers. If you're always looking for a great deal, you'll want to spend a day at the Sanibel Outlets or the Miromar Outlets, two of the best outlets in the Fort Myers area. You can also take a trip to Periwinkle Place, a nearby shopping center that is filled with some of the best brands in the world, as well as eateries and restaurants.

Whether you're trying to escape the heat or the rain, rolling a few frames at the Beach Bowl is one of the best indoor activities in Fort Myers. Located right next to Fort Myers Beach, the Beach Bowl is one of the best bowling alleys in town and is a great place to spend a day with your friends or family when outdoor fun isn't possible.

fun with your kids

Finding something to do with your kids can sometimes be difficult, but not when your family lives in Fort Myers. The city is full of must-do family activities, from parks perfect for a soccer game to amusement parks where you and your kids can spend a day playing games and riding horses.

Zoomers Amusement Park is by far the top family attraction in Fort Myers. Outside the park, you'll find a variety of games for all ages, as well as a go-kart track that you and your older kids will love. Enter to find an arcade filled with your favorite games. You can challenge your kids to a game of air hockey, see who has the best basketball shot, or try out one of the many new and classic video games.

The Sun Splash Family Water Park is another great Fort Myers place to visit with your kids, especially during the sweltering summer months. Spanning 14 acres, this seasonal water park offers lots of different ways to have fun, including thrilling waterslides and refreshing pools. Paddling pools are available for smaller children, and the park has a lazy river where you can spend hours floating in the water.

Cultural Institutions of Fort Myers

Fort Myers also offers several cultural spaces where you can learn something new and expand your mind. If you're a history buff, for example, there's no better place than Edison & Ford Winter Estates, the historic winter homes of two of America's most notable figures: Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.

Art aficionados will love the Fort Myers Beach Art Association and Gallery. In this popular cultural institution, you can see master paintings by local artists and, if you want to try your hand at an artist career, you can enroll in one of the Association's regular workshops.

The Imaginarium, also known as IMAG, is another world-class museum in the Fort Myers area. At IMAG, you'll find a variety of fascinating science exhibits that can help you learn more about Fort Myers and the world at large. Animal lovers will have a blast visiting the IMAG Aquarium, which features exotic species such as sea turtles.

fort myers sports

While Fort Myers doesn't have the professional sports scene you'll find in other Florida cities, you can still spend a day at the stadium or catch a home and away basketball game. For example, every year the Boston Red Sox travel to JetBlue Park, known to locals as Fenway South, for spring training. So each spring, you can sit in the Green Monster replica and watch some of the best baseball players in the world prepare for the season ahead.

If you are a basketball fan, you can root for the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles basketball team. During the 2012-2013 season, the Eagles pulled off one of the most memorable upsets in NCAA Tournament history by beating second-place Georgetown University. The Eagles' magical streak ended in the Sweet Sixteen, but their flying style of play earned them the nickname "Dunk City".

While you might not expect that from a warm-weather city, Fort Myers still has a semi-professional hockey team. During hockey season, you can visit Hertz Arena to watch the Florida Everblades team fly up and down the ice as they try to outrun the competition.

Top landmarks and attractions near Fort Myers

Just outside Fort Myers, you'll find a variety of attractions, including several of Florida's best national parks. These are some of the many things you can enjoy if you venture a little outside the city.

Reserva Six Mile Cypress Slough

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a 3,500-acre nature preserve where you can immerse yourself in the ecology of the highlands and swamps. In addition to the swamps, which are narrow wetlands with slow flowing fresh water, beautiful cypress trees and a variety of bird and animal species can be seen.

Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular national parks in the Fort Myers area. The refuge spans 40 acres and its shores are dotted with mangroves that help support native wildlife. Keep an eye out when visiting the refuge, because you might just see a manatee or two slowly swimming through the waters.

Reserva Powell Creek

Powell Creek Preserve is a 77-acre riverfront preserve that offers many opportunities for Fort Myers residents to enjoy the great outdoors. The reserve is filled with hiking and biking trails that will allow you to get active amongst the wildlife this area of Florida is known for.

Estero Bay Aquatic Reserve

Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve is a great place to visit near Fort Myers if you are interested in seeing exotic marine animals and other creatures. You can regularly see sea turtles swimming around the bay, as well as colorful birds flying through the air.

Schools in Fort Myers

Fort Myers is served by the Lee County School System, which currently operates 120 schools and educates 93,167 students from preschool through high school. On the convenient quick facts page provided by the school system, you can learn a little more about the school system, including the annual budget and what types of special services are offered to students. Lee County system schools include:

Primary Schools: 45.
K-8 schools: 4.
High school: 16.
Secondary schools: 14.

According to GreatSchools, the Fort Myers area has several highly rated schools at all educational levels. Some of the best schools your kids can attend in Fort Myers include:

Three Oaks Elementary School (public).
Cypress Lake High School (pública).
Florida SouthWestern Collegiate High School (charter).

If you're considering pursuing graduate school to improve your access to the best jobs in the Fort Myers area, you'll be happy to know that there are a variety of colleges and universities to choose from. Some of these Fort Myers institutions include:

Southwest Florida College (887 students).
Edison State College (15.731 alunos).
Florida Gulf Coast University (14.965 alunos).
Fort Myers job prospects

Fort Myers has a very strong job market and an unemployment rate of just 4%, making this city a great place to move to for anyone looking for a rewarding career. Most jobs in Fort Myers are in the administrative, administrative or sales support sectors, although the construction industry is also on the rise, thanks to several major projects such as moving Hertz's corporate headquarters to the area.

According to the Southwest Florida Economic Development Alliance, Algenol Biofuels is one of the top employers in the area. The company was founded in Fort Myers in 2006 and is primarily focused on creating biofuels from algae. Several technology and electronics companies also operate in Fort Myers, including Fox Electronics and Gartner Inc.

The Lee County School District is the area's largest employer, with 13,723 employees in 2017. Lee Health, which operates several of the best hospitals in Fort Myers and surrounding communities, ranked second with 13,595 employees in 2017. Other Large Employers in the Area Fort Myers include Lee County Local Government, Publix supermarket and NCH health system.

As reported by U.S.A. News, the median annual salary in Fort Myers is $40,420, below the national average of $49,630. Although the average salary in Fort Myers is lower than the national average, Florida's lack of income tax still makes this city an attractive employment destination.

Fort Myers Transportation

Fort Myers is a city built with travelers in mind, and most people tend to get around the city using a personal car. However, that's not to say that you won't have access to a robust public transportation system once you move to Fort Myers.

Fort Myers and surrounding communities such as Pine Island and Cape Coral are served by LeeTran bus and streetcar service. LeeTran offers 24 bus routes throughout the city and Lehigh County, which means you don't necessarily need a car to make the most of Fort Myers' sights and amenities. If you want to enjoy the city's bustling nightlife, you'll probably need personal transport, as LeeTran only runs until 9:45 pm. m. From Monday to Saturday and until 20:55. the sundays.

Major highways such as Interstate 75 connect Fort Myers to neighboring communities such as Punta Gorda. As is to be expected in a suburban city, traffic can get heavy during morning and evening rush hours. The average trip, according to US News, takes about 27 minutes, though it can be more or less depending on the time of day and traffic congestion.

One of the biggest benefits of living in Fort Myers is that you'll have quick access to a major international airport, making it easy to live the lifestyle that so many dream of. The Southwest Florida International Airport is just a few miles outside the city and served by some of the country's most popular airlines. Best of all, LeeTran offers regular routes to and from the airport, so you won't have trouble catching a flight when you want or need it.

Fort Myers Annual Events

Fort Myers' beautiful year-round weather means there's always something to do in town. Once you move to exciting Fort Myers, you'll be able to experience some of Southwest Florida's most exciting annual events, from art festivals to musical performances and beach parties.

winter festivals

River District Holidays: In December, the Fort Myers River District lights up with festive cheer. You can stroll through the streets of this neighborhood to see the decorations and then do your Christmas shopping.

Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival – One of the city's newest annual events, the Fort Myers Seafood & Music Festival is a fun festival where you can sample fresh seafood while listening to top-notch music.

Edison Festival of Lights – Every February, the citizens of Fort Myers celebrate Thomas Edison and his gift of electricity to the city.

spring festivals

Shrimp Festival Parade: Sponsored by the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club, the annual Shrimp Festival features craft vendors, live music and delicious shrimp dishes.

St Patrick's Day Parade in Fort Myers Beach: During the St Patrick's Day Parade in Fort Meyers, you can visit Estero Boulevard to celebrate Irish culture.

Fort Myers Beach Film Festival: The Fort Myers Beach Film Festival has been running since 2007 and is a great place to catch interesting films from around the world.

summer festivals

Fort Myers Art Walk – On the first Friday and Saturday of every month, you can take a self-guided tour of some of Fort Myers' finest art galleries.

Fort Myers Music Walk – On the third Friday of every month, the River District is filled with live music that will have you dancing the night away.

4th of July Fireworks – Every 4th of July, Fort Myers celebrates Independence Day with a parade through downtown and a colorful fireworks display that lights up the sky.

Fall festivals:

Car Cruise-In – Every fourth Sunday from October through May, the streets of downtown Fort Myers are filled with cool classic cars.

Southern Fresh Farms Fall Festival – In October, you can attend the Southern Fresh Farms Fall Festival, which features exciting activities like a petting zoo and hayrides, as well as Southern cuisine.

US Sand Sculpture Championship: The annual US Sand Sculpture Championship begins in November and features some of the world's best sculptors creating intricate works of art using only their imagination and the sands of Fort Myers beaches.

Interesting facts about Fort Myers

If you're considering moving to Fort Myers, it's good to learn as much as you can about this Florida city. Here are some interesting Fort Myers facts that might make you want to move to this beautiful community sooner rather than later.

Fort Myers is one of the sunniest cities in the state of Florida. When you live in Fort Myers, you will see 266 days of sunshine, which is more than any city in the sunshine state.

Fort Myers was the winter home of world-famous inventor Thomas Edison. In 1898, Edison brought electric light to the city for the first time. Although the locals eventually accepted the gift of electricity, there was some resistance at first because Fort Myers was once a primarily farming community, and the bright lights kept the cows from sleeping.

The city was named after him as an engagement present. General David Twiggs decided to name the city Fort Myers after his future son-in-law, Abraham C. Myers. Although Myers and his wife, Marion, moved to Germany, the Fort Myers name has remained, and the city has grown over the years into one of the most vibrant communities in Florida.

Fort Myers is one of Florida's premier cities, and whether you're looking for a place to spend your retirement years or a place where your young family can grow and thrive, this Southwest Florida community is a great choice. Not only does Fort Myers offer beautiful scenery, exciting activities and a world-class dining scene, the city also offers many job opportunities, making it an increasingly popular destination for young professionals seeking career success. Start planning yourinterstate movinga boy from Fort Myers!