Living in Fort Myers
Fort Myers is the county seat of Lee County, on the Caloosahatchee River across from Cape Coral. The downtown River District keeps its early 20th-century buildings along the water. Buyers here choose between riverfront and historic homes near downtown, golf and waterfront communities to the south, and quick access to the airport and the beaches.
By Alejandro Muguercia · UpdatedRiverfront, historic and golf
Many homes with a Fort Myers address sit outside city limits in unincorporated Lee County, in communities such as McGregor, Iona, Cypress Lake and San Carlos Park. Check which government handles permits for any address.
River, canals and the road to the beach.
The Caloosahatchee flows past Fort Myers and Cape Coral into San Carlos Bay, sheltered by Sanibel Island, and is a link in the Okeechobee Waterway across the state. Riverfront and canal homes can reach the Gulf, but bridges and depth decide which boats fit.
Hurricane Ian made landfall north of Fort Myers Beach on September 28, 2022. On any home near the water, ask what flooded, what was repaired and what permits were pulled.
From historic homes to golf communities
Fort Myers covers historic homes along McGregor Boulevard and in Edison Park, riverfront and downtown condos, golf and waterfront communities to the south, and newer single-family homes to the east.
Flood history
After Hurricane Ian, the flood zone, the elevation certificate and the repair permits all matter. Check the address on FEMA's map and ask the seller for the storm history.
City or county rules
The City of Fort Myers and unincorporated Lee County run separate permitting and flood programs. Check which one covers the address and its current Community Rating System class.
Insurance
Wind and homeowners coverage is the cost buyers here underestimate most. Roof age, construction and a wind mitigation report all move the quote, so get one on the actual address during your inspection period.
What insurance really costsThe all-in number
Mortgage, taxes, wind, flood, HOA or club dues and assessments together. That's the number to compare homes on, not the price.
Run the monthly cost calculatorHomes for sale
Fort Myers homes for sale, on the map.
Live MLS listings from Naples to Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres, on a map you can move and filter. If you'd rather get a short list, tell me what you're looking for and I'll send matches by hand.
Open the map searchPlaces locals use
- Edison and Ford Winter EstatesWinter homes, museum and gardens on McGregor Boulevard
- Downtown River DistrictShops, galleries and the riverside amphitheater
- Six Mile Cypress Slough PreserveBoardwalk through a wetland preserve
- Manatee ParkSeasonal manatee viewing
- Lakes Regional ParkCounty park with trails and lakes
- Spring TrainingMinnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox
- Sidney & Berne Davis Art CenterArts venue in the 1933 former post office on First Street
- Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts HallTouring Broadway and concert hall at Florida SouthWestern State College
- Legacy Harbour MarinaDowntown river marina, reopened in fall 2026 after rebuilding from Hurricane Ian
- San Carlos Bay-Bunche Beach PreserveCounty preserve with beach, mangroves and a kayak launch
Roads + airports
Roads: I-75 exits at Daniels Parkway, Colonial Boulevard, SR 82, Luckett Road and SR 80. US 41 crosses the river on the Caloosahatchee Bridge, and the Midpoint and Cape Coral bridges lead to Cape Coral.
Airports: Southwest Florida International (RSW) connects to I-75 at Exit 128. Page Field is a small general aviation airport.
New stores, hospitals and roads on the way
Pick an area to see what's being built nearby and how far it is from town.
Upcoming projects
Replaces the Cypress Lake Dr store. On Colonial Blvd between Metro Pkwy and Plantation Rd. No opening date announced.
Approximate location
Source: Gulfshore Business, as of 2026-08-20
Draft, waiting on Ale
53-acre hospital campus on Challenger Blvd that replaces Lee Memorial.
Expected: Late 2027 to early 2028 (sources differ)
Approximate location
Source: Business Observer, as of 2026-03-18
Draft, waiting on Ale
650,000+ sq ft building on State Road 82, toward Lehigh Acres.
Expected: 2027
Approximate location
Source: The News-Press, as of 2026-05-12
Draft, waiting on Ale
About 165,000 sq ft with gas, at Chiquita Blvd S near Pine Island Rd. Timing depends on Costco.
Approximate location
Source: WGCU, as of 2026-10-27
Draft, waiting on Ale
53,000 sq ft office near the airport, with about 300 jobs.
Expected: 2027
Approximate location
Source: Business Observer, as of 2026-04-10
Draft, waiting on Ale
131 acres on Pine Island Rd with apartments, a hotel, shops and entertainment. Site work set to start January 2027.
Source: City of Cape Coral, as of 2026-11-08
Draft, waiting on Ale
5.6-mile paved path along the Able Canal, linking Lehigh Acres parks to Harns Marsh.
Expected: Fall 2027
One point along the route
Source: WINK News, as of 2025-08-25
Draft, waiting on Ale
Four lanes from Bella Terra Blvd to just east of Alico Rd, plus a new traffic signal.
Expected: End of 2026 (county estimate)
One point along the route
Source: Lee County DOT Roadwatch, as of 2025-10-30
Draft, waiting on Ale
About 45 acres of homes, shops, restaurants and offices at US 41 and Coconut Rd.
Expected: First homes Q3 2027
Approximate location
Source: CoStar, as of 2026-08-28
Draft, waiting on Ale
68-acre center on Bonita Beach Rd east of I-75, with T.J. Maxx, Ulta and Starbucks signed.
Expected: Stores begin opening late 2026
Approximate location
Source: Business Observer, as of 2026-08-31
Draft, waiting on Ale
New store on US 41 at Wiggins Pass Rd. The old building is down; construction waits on permits.
Expected: Mid-2027
Approximate location
Source: Gulfshore Business, as of 2026-06-19
Draft, waiting on Ale
About 200,000 sq ft cardiac and stroke center on the NCH Baker Hospital campus downtown.
Expected: Late 2027
Source: Gulfshore Business, as of 2026-05-29
Draft, waiting on Ale
82-acre plan at Davis Blvd and Santa Barbara Blvd with a Whole Foods. Still in county review.
Approximate location
Source: Gulfshore Business, as of 2026-09-04
Draft, waiting on Ale
Warehouse store with a gas station at Collier Blvd and Rattlesnake Hammock Rd. No opening date announced yet.
Approximate location
Source: Naples Daily News, as of 2026-10-14
Draft, waiting on Ale
Plans change. Details come from the linked public source as of the date shown and are not a promise. Locations are approximate and distances are straight-line from the town center.
Check schools, safety and storm zones at the source
Fair housing rules mean I don't rate schools or rank neighborhoods myself. I'm glad to point you to the same official sources families here use, and walk you through any of them.
School grades
Florida grades every public school A to F each year. Look up a school's grade and report card with the state, then confirm the assigned school for a specific address with the district, since zones can change.
Public safety
Crime statistics come from the agencies that report them. The county sheriffs and city police departments post news and contacts, and the state and the FBI publish the reported numbers.
Storm and flood safety
Hurricane evacuation zones and FEMA flood zones are different maps. Check both for any address before you make an offer.
Send me an address and I'll send you the official links for its schools, evacuation zone and flood zone. Ask about an address
Property records, taxes, flood information and city services, from the official sites:
Fort Myers questions
Is Fort Myers Beach part of Fort Myers?
No. Fort Myers Beach is a separate town, incorporated in 1995, on the north end of Estero Island off the coast of Fort Myers.
How do you get from Fort Myers to Cape Coral?
Across the Caloosahatchee on the Midpoint Memorial Bridge or the Cape Coral Bridge.
Is every Fort Myers address inside the city?
No. Communities like McGregor, Iona, Cypress Lake and San Carlos Park use Fort Myers addresses but are in unincorporated Lee County. Check which government handles permits and flood rules.