retiring to Fort Myers (Cape Coral, Surfside: relocation, real estate, cul-de-sac)

[actordad]

We are retiring next year and are thinking of moving to the Fort Myers area. are there any nice communities someone can recommend.

[rusty78]

Originally Posted by actordad

We are retiring next year and are thinking of moving to the Fort Myers area. are there any nice communities someone can recommend.

Have you been to Fort Myers yet......are you looking for a house, condo, apartment, ???...it's kinda hard to tell you where to go...for what is good for me....might really duck for you...

Here are some web sites to try www.stateofflorida.com www.flgov.com www.leepa.org www.florida-relocation.com www.realtor.com all of these sites will give you information......but none of them can tell you what it is really like to live there....if you buy a book on relocating...(strongly suggested)...you will see that they all tell you to RENT - RENT - RENT - before you buy...for there is nothing like living the life....before you put down your hard earned cash!!

[actordad]

I am looking for a home or villa .Ideally in a adult community.

[Suncoast Guy]

I don't know if I would retire to Fort Myers, however if you want to stay in the Lee County/Southwest Florida area, I suggest Cape Coral. A lot of oler friendly residents there, and it's a nice town.

Good Luck with your search!

[rusty78]

Originally Posted by actordad

I am looking for a home or villa .Ideally in a adult community.

When you say you are looking for a home in a villa or an adult community...you have to be willing to live with the rules that others have set up...long before you have gotten there......most times they are for the better...but then sometimes...you get people who have nothing else better to do than to count the weeds in your garden...and send you a fine for not removing them......so be sure and read the rules...well before you consider buying...that is why everyone recommends...renting before you buy...this way you can take your time...and find the place that's right for you....remember...it is alot easier to pack your bags and move if you did not buy......

Cape Coral is nice...they have a bridge onto the island...which usually deters lookers......a definate plus in my opinion...

[nomoresnow]

There are tons of 55+ communities in the area. We live in one in N. Ft. Myers, which is a bit away from "the city" and is a bit more rural. I agree with rusty78. Check out the rules. We have one neighbor in our cul-de-sac who waits for you to do something against them. She needs a life. As mentioned before, rent. There are a lot of places up for sale or rent right now thanks to the real estate market. Find a community you like and try it out for a bit.

Best of luck to you.

[GFMRE]

Here is a link to some of the popular 55+ communities in the Fort Myers area:MOD CUT

[MikeP]

Check out "Cape Royal" in Cape Coral.

[Suncoast Guy]

Originally Posted by MikeP

Check out "Cape Royal" in Cape Coral.

Yes, I here that's very nice community.

Another Nice Community that I know of is Sandoval in Cape Coral. Off Burnt Store near Surfside. I hear it's very nice. It's not a retirement community, but nevertheless...

[memoriesbre]

Heron's Glen is a nice gated community. It's on Rt. 41 in North Ft. Myers. There are rules though as in many of the gated communities.