Where would be a better place to live: Fort Myers or Lehigh Acres (Cape Coral: transplants)

[deschlerj]

Im currently living in Wisconsin now and planning to move to the southern end of Florida in June. Im just wondering where would be better, Fort Myers or Lehigh Acres. Any advice??

[whippersnapper]

Fort Myers. Cape Coral isn't too shabby either. What exactly are you looking for? What's your price range?

[Bette]

Fort Myers - and it has a beach! (Fort Myers Beach)

[deschlerj]

Well I found an apt called twin oaks. Its 499 a month and I currently have it on hold for me till June 1st. Im not looking for anything expensive seeing as how im gonna be down there on my own. Any ideas on any other apts?

[deschlerj]

Do you live in Fort Myers?

[snowbird1964]

Originally Posted by deschlerj

Im currently living in Wisconsin now and planning to move to the southern end of Florida in June. Im just wondering where would be better, Fort Myers or Lehigh Acres. Any advice??

I am in the process of buying in Lehigh Acres myself. Fort Myers is 20 minutes or so away. Certain parts of Lehigh have problem spots, just like Fort Myers or any other city though. I chose a quiet area in Lehigh Acres; off the beaten path and just close enough to get to all the fun, beach and night life Fort Myers has to offer. Keep in mind jobs though and the price of gasoline and a busy commute. Lehigh has jobs but Fort Myers will have more. I made a few trips down from Maine first to scope out the area. People in both cities are nice, friendly and helpful- most of us are transplants to Florida anyway. I would pick Cape Coral over Fort Myers though, to me it seemed cleaner although for a city Fort Myers is still very clean- did that make sense? My best advice is to find an area you have an interest in, find a Sheriff and ask his/her advice on safety for that area- that sold me on my new home. Hope this helps. Jeff

[outsider1]

Definitely Ft. Myers, unless you're currently in some of the more "adventurous" parts of Racine and want to duplicate that environment in a tropical setting.

[IRDotCom]

I've lived in the Fort Myers area for 30 years and definitely would not move to Lehigh Acres if you are still working. I am a recruiter and know the job market. It's a 45 minute commute to Ft. Myers off season and during the season add about 30 minutes.

A lot of the, shall we say, less that honorable mortgage companies that loaned money to people that couldn't afford to own a home and are now in foreclosure, targeted the Lehigh area. A lot more homes are going on the forclosure block from there and that definitely affects value. I know one builder out there that has 76 vacant lots...still hasn't paid the property taxes on these lots and who knows what will happen.

South Ft. Myers, while it still has homes in foreclosure as well, seems to be a more stable area. If you look you can find some great bargains.

Good luck