Obviously, as a mother who raised four kids on the island, I know this is not a huge deal for most families. Furthermore, you wont find highly sought-after beaches to visit. We needed a break from the sun so one afternoon we took our son for a drive in to Ft. Myers to the Imaginarium Science Center, he really enjoyed that.Our condo was roomy, well furnished with good quality furniture, and tastefully decorated. 266 days of sunshine per year, which is 73% of the time. It was also very clean. Towels easy to get and return. Please try again later. Regardless, make sure you read the fine print. The only blanket was a heavy down duvet. Starting with the optimistic view. As a result, there are a variety of housing options to choose from. We swam and played in the ocean every day, we absolutely loved it! I'd prefer a lower pile or even tile if I rented out my condo. Knowing this, most lakefront homeowners have either fenced-off or made it a rule to not allow anyone (especially kids and pets) near the shoreline. Bad winter weather. Susan@McCallionRealty.com or 239-472-1950 to reach me and my team. Boating and fishing are a big deal here. Many bikes to choose from, plus helmets provided. We stayed in a 2 bedroom grand beach front. We stayed in a first floor condo in building E and it was the PERFECT location. Tampa is just 2 hours away, while Miami and Orlando can be reached in about 3 hours. There is even a city council ordinance for both islands that states that buildings can be no more than three stories tall, preventing the type of commercialism and expansion that might occur on similar islands. Check out all of our. Preservation efforts took root on Sanibel back in the 1940s when political cartoonist Jay Norwood Ding Darling led an initiative to protect 6,300 acres as a wildlife refuge that now bears his name. We spoke with Rachel and her husband Jeff, who relocated to Fort Myers 2 years ago from New Jersey, and they could not be happier with the weather. Ping pong, touch tank,We stayed in a 2 bedroom grand beach front. Overall, Fort Myers is a nice place to live and one of the top cities in Florida to consider. There was so much we had to figure out on our own, such as easy access paths from our building to main pool, our smaller pool was not managed by the resort but rather a condo association and had different rules, chairs, bikes and other recreational items must be returned by 6 bc the shop closes, the fully renovated spa area they boasted of on the web? But, its good to know if you are young, single, and want to live around others in your same demographic. Call us (123) 456-7890 - (123) 555-7891. Tampa metro is about a 2-hour drive depending on traffic. But the foodie favorite is the Mad hatter, where a sign announces the nightly sunset right down to the minute. The carpet seemed stained but overall it was clean. The beds in our unit were awful! Went kayaking without any problem. Guy was out each morning cleaning the pool and was very friendly. Water is periodically released into the Caloosahatchee River. We knew of the resort fee. But both of those statistics are expected to rise in the coming decades. who makes carquest ignition coils; caribbean wedding traditions; williamson college of the trades staff directory Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This was a great getaway, but could have been better, as far as the dust and ants are concerned. As a result, nothing published on this site should be considered individual investment, financial, tax, or real estate advice. Contact us at: hello (at) strategistico (dot) com. Since the best homes on the water and in the best locations can run up into the millions. Irish fuel taxes are very high at over 50%, which drives up the cost of gas. Theres a toll to cross the Causeway, tolls for beach parking (though Sanibel residents can get annual passes), property values are high, rental values are high, and you might find a slight increase on fuel and grocery items compared to the mainland, though theres not a huge mark-up. Such as Pine Island and Sanibel Island. Weather Fort Myers' climate is classified as sub-tropical and it is blessed with 266 days of sunshine per year, which is 73% of the time. Of retirement age. Plus the beach is amazing! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Fl., the Tiki bar/pool with live music, also in upstairs lounge, FUN, the dining room, and newly added outside dining with panoramic sunsets, and the chefs signature dish, "Mediterranean Grouper", gastronomical!great service & staff, and the rooms, neat & clean.you don't have to leave the country for a island atmosphere, Marilee W. This is going to be an extensive review because I had great expectations based on my web search. Let me wrap with a few parting thoughts. Suprising that it was so good and the views overlooking the ocean were great! As we turn to the pros of living in Cape Coral. Marketing | Branding | Blogging. #3. Conversely, this is not the case in Cape Coral. Pinterest. In this video I go over so. On A Mission to Help Small Businesses to Be a Brand. Are you thinking about moving to Long Island NY? It's impossible to complain about the weather while living in Hawaii! Real Estate Market Stats vs. Comps: Whats the Difference? Bed bugs need to be checked out for sure! There are no high schools on Sanibel Island, therefore, it makes the con list. Fort Myers is the fastest growing large city in Floridaand is probably best known for its relaxed mix of urban and suburban lifestyles with quick access to some of the best beaches in the world. Hopefully the resort renovations transfer over to the condos as this resort is a wonderful place to visit, just needs to have condos at level of main resort areas that are getting renovated. That's right, there is no state income tax living in Florida. Isnt possible in Cape Coral. Sanibel cost of living is 163.0. Click here to see how we prepare for hurricane season. Furthermore, there are several islands off the mainland to explore. Sep 25, 2015 | Lee County Real Estate, Luxury Properties, Sanibel Real Estate, Southwest Florida Lifestyle, Southwest Florida Real Estate, Waterfront. Since it is composed mainly of residential neighborhoods. Residents are able to build new relationships with fellow residents, staff, and volunteers. Didn't enjoy the fact that the large bedroom had two queens, while the smaller had 2 twins. Jul 28, 2022 - Every town has its pros and cons. Rhode Island is one of the pioneer states to be inculcating the green energy mechanisms in the country. If you choose the private school option. With more than 650 full color photographs and illustrations by award-winning nature photographers and artists, this single volume is the only book you will ever need while visiting Florida's fabled barrier islands. The drivers have been named the worst because of their insane ways of driving. The wealthy have gravitated to Sanibel for decades, but its now attracting more families and middle-aged professionals, Weaver notes. COST OF LIVING: Sanibel: Florida: USA Overall: 163: 103.1: 100 Grocery: 116 . When its time to send the kids off to college. You may not like living here. Find out why residents love living on Sanibel Island. We also visited the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum (cool place) and the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village, both of which we all enjoyed. If you are deathly afraid of Florida wildlife, we wouldnt suggest Sanibel as a great place for you to move. Explore. When it comes to making ends meet. Sanibel is a homespun kind of place, where businesses light Periwinkle Way with luminaries at Christmas and children decorate bikes for the annual Fourth of July parade. Steep tax burden. I mentioned shelling and wildlife as Sanibel attractions, but theres obviously a slew of water activities to benefit from living on an island! Not to mention a true hobby for most residents and visitors of the island. In assisted living communities, seniors have an opportunity to socialize and make new friends. And significantly lower than the larger cities in the state like Miami. Never heard, saw anything about available services. Houses overlooking bayous and those with direct bay or Gulf access have the biggest price tags. There are the snowbirds that come for the winter, then the spring breakers around March and April, and then the summer beachgoers that last for the majority of the year. Next, some thoughts about Cape Coral retirement living. Cheers!#TheNiesmanTeam #RealPeople #RealEstate #KellerWilliamsRealty #FortMyers #TheIslands #TalkAboutIt #Zillow #BestPlace #SouthwestFlorida #FloridaRealestate #CaptivaIsland #SanibelIsland #Pros\u0026Cons #Vacationhomes #Beach #bestplacetolive Plus the beach is amazing! And there are a number of obstacles that add to the woes of these drivers like the gigantic volume of traffic, the pathetic potholes or just the casualness of the passersby. Permanent residents of these Southwest Florida islands must be comfortable being one with nature. They have some of the best schools and colleges in the country. Two adults in our 40's, two adults in their 60's, and a 7-year-old boy. Florida Travel + Life may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Fort Myers is certainly a great place to visit, but is Fort Myers a good place to live? Once you move there, you'll be able to spend some time finding the lesser-known gems. There are only a certain number of homes that can be built here, says Weaver. But, I wouldnt sneak up on one by accident if I were you. Its what helped our island economy from the early days, and is still a major source of income for many island businesses. A 50-something, early retired business professional and teacher who loves to share his everyday expertise about: I am not a licensed investment adviser, financial counselor, real estate agent, or tax professional. The state surely has its charm in the expansive stretch of its vast land, its rich history, proximity to water and the bountiful of natures blessing with all the alluring hues and colors. I have met the most incredible people, beautiful people born on the islands and many from varied nations that make up our rich ex-pat community . Caught fresh daily from the Gulf of Mexico. Reduced taxes When living in Florida you can forget about the infamous state income tax, which is a perk that cannot be overstated. City council also guards its commitment to do right by nature; it has passed ordinances restricting buildings exceeding three stories and in 1996 banned formula restaurants specifically to preserve the communitys small-town character and relaxed island pace (a Dairy Queen was grandfathered). The active downtown, endless number of beaches, and affordable cost of living make it an excellent choice. Nature lovers find peace living on this beautiful slice of island paradise. This is mainly due to the lack of direct and immediate access to the interstate highway system. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. While prices vary by location, you can expect to pay double the amount to fill up in Ireland compared to the US. There are often rain showers every afternoon in the summer as well. Hope you have a happy and prospective journey in your quest. However, do note that federal income taxes still apply. Still, Fort Myers is quite affordable and residents also benefit from the lack of a state incometax. Easy to get away. On the other hand, not everyone is retired. The historic Fort Myers River District has recently undergone a revitalization and has come alive in the last few years. Cape Coral is a planned and well-designed community. The state is known for the high standard of quality education that it provides its residents. The live music by the pool was very nice. Made up of older residents and some families. Many homes and businesses across the state utilize green energy with the use of solar and wind technology. Were from small towns in upstate New York, and Sanibel has the same community feeling, says Michelle. Its what attracted Jim and me to the island and kept us here for over a decade now. When compared to other coastal cities. After enjoying the outdoors, you can nourish your creative and cultural side. Fort Myers vs Naples An Unbiased Comparison, 16 Best Places to Live in Florida Newest 2022 Rankings, Regret Moving to Florida? The porch was screened all the way around, which was great because the bugs on the island were nasty. Some items cost more. Leading us to another one of the great things about living in Cape Coral. Its this unique environment Gulf of Mexico beaches and untamed Florida wilderness coupled with the small-town ambience that lure homeowners like Today Show weatherman Willard Scott. Ping pong, touch tank, and many games to play. Here I have another one of the best things about Cape Coral living. We knew of the resort fee. Parking was plentiful and each unit had a spot assigned. The shared-use path is an "unsung hero" on the pros list in my opinion. Be sure to check out our complete list of the best places around Florida to see how close they are to Fort Myers. When you want a little more from the finer side of life, Next, one of my favorite benefits of living in Cape Coral. The alcoholic drinks were a bit pricey, but not to worry when we were at the grocery, we also bought drink mixes and used our blender to make our own drinks. Fort Myers offers numerous affordable neighborhoods and housing options and a lower cost of living compared to other large cities in Florida. Effects of Global Warming on the Coast, Summary Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Myers, Florida. It reminded me of grandmas condo. Finally, and while we are still on the topic of money. Third, there are private schools. Fuel is expensive. But, Fort Myers doesnt just offer the surf and the sand. They arent usually aggressive to humans. If you are wondering what the pros and cons of living in Cape Coral are. Staff at the front desk was EXCELLENT, always helpful and very knowledgeable about the island. Only 4 floors (elevator only at far end), and each condo unit had its own pool and shared space plus path to beach. On the other hand, you are welcome to stick with me here. Michael, a 55 year-old early retiree from Pennsylvania, moved with his wife to Fort Myers in 2018, but they were not ready for such brutal and unpredictable weather. Home States & Countries Living In Rhode Island: 25 Pros and Cons (You Must Know). See our site policies and contact information. Furthermore, it is set off and away from the bustling Tampa metropolitan area. Nevertheless, depending on your income. Five of us stayed at the Sundial late July of 2012 (sorry it took me so long to write my review!). Specifically, by using the cashback app from Rakuten. The Village of Taunton Mills. Definitely bed bugs and not sand fleas. P.J. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The beautiful beaches around Fort Myers and relaxed way of life attract many visitors throughout the year and can be a nuisance to a full-time resident. View Profile. While the ones that operate. You will have to travel further away to satisfy your mountain biking or hiking fix on more challenging terrains. Please see our partners for more details. So, as you consider these 30 moving to Cape Coral pros and cons, dont forget this. That flow almost everywhere though out the city. Pools were very clean, but no lifeguards, even at main pool. Ping pong, touch tank, We stayed in a 2 bedroom grand beach front. The wireless internet access was available in our room at no charge and I had no problems at all with connection. However, you will find that a majority of the residents are seniors. The porch was screened all the way around, which was great because the bugs on the island were nasty. We hope that this list of pros and cons of living in Fort Myers can help you decide if it is worth it for you. Overall we had a great time the beach was awesome, the complimentary chairs and umbrellas was a plus as well as the bikes and kayaks. That also serves grades K-12. First, there are no island resorts like living in the Florida Keys. However, it is still below the property crime rate of Florida as a whole. Here are the cons of living in Cape Coral: Disclosure: At no cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. And place rules and restrictions on residents. * If you're heading into Mt. In contrast, most cities evolved more randomly than Cape Coral. There is a restaurant inside the main building, again the food was pretty good. As a result, most residents choose to head over to nearby Fort Myers. The main pool I mentioned earlier has a bar and you can order food there too. Husband and I had to share our room with the kids. Then disappear during the summer. Possibly the worst I have ever slept on and everyone thought the same. Instead, Im a 50-something-year-old, early retired CPA, finance professional, and business school teacher with 40+ years of DIY dividend investing experience. Small signs and sand driveways often offer the only indication of business, and most side streets dead-end into back bays or the Gulf of Mexico. Think about it this way. Hopefully, this discussion has helped you answer some important questions.