Ft Myers-Cape Coral Rentals (Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres: real estate, 2010, condos)

[tagylyn]

Hello all,

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times and I have read through some of the threads, but my husband has been offered employment in the Ft Myers area, off of 82 near Colonial Blvd. We are flying down next week to look at different neighborhoods, areas, etc...we will be renting - up to $1200 but would like to stay around $1000 or less, no condos though.

Keep in mind we now live in Baltimore City, so we are no strangers to riff raff but we do live in a nice neighborhood.

If anyone can help me decipher between North, South, East and West Ft. Myers would be appreciated.

1) What areas should we not consider?

2) What areas would be ideal for a short commute(30 minutes) to work and to the beaches.

3) Do the bridges from Cape Coral to Ft. Myers have tolls?

4)Architectural speaking, which are better newer or older homes?

5) Why do alot of houses on Cape Coral especially on the NW, NE side(pictures from realtor.com) look so barren?

Thanks for any assistance!

[yachtcare]

Tag,
I'll try to answer in order. Keep in mind this is my .02 and I tend to be a bit harsh on the area(But fair, nonetheless)
I think you can do better(lower) than the price range you quoted, if you shop. Depending on your expectations of course. The rental market, and anything real estate related is quite depressed here currently.

82 and Colonial would definatly be considered EAST Fort Myers, very nearly Lehigh Acres.

1) Being somewhat fececious(sp?) I would avoid ALL of SW Florida. But it sounds like you're coming anyway At least it sounds as if you have employment lined up, so you're 1000% ahead of most of the others that are inbound.
2)Lehigh Acres, South Fort Myers, and S.E. section of Cape Coral for 30 minutes to work. Exclude Lehigh for 30 minutes to the beach.
3) Yes, they do. $2.00 one way, inbound to Cape Coral. They let you out of the Cape for free. Toll on bridge to Sanibel is $6.00 one way.
4)IMHO, the older is better. During the recent, and now deceased construction boom, I saw MANY foundations and slabs that were cracked before the block even went up. They were slamming these houses together so fast, the ground didnt have time to settle properly before they poured slabs. The inspectors signed off on them, after all, it was good for the tax base, right?
5) Because it is barren. Cape Coral was created out of dredging the canals through swamp land. The two southern sections of the city were developed first. So the more established landscaping, and tall trees are located there. The northern sections are still very "young" looking as far as terrain and landscaping is concerned.
Hope this helps, I'm sure others will chime in with more info that will be helpful. I didnt comment on living in East Ft Myers for a reason. I dont live there, and wouldnt be caught dead there, if you catch my drift. But I'll let others comment on that......
Best of luck

[Roadrunner69]

Hi welcome to SWFL. Yachtcare covered things pretty well and yes I would stay out of Lehigh and east Fort Myers west of the interstate is not a very good place to get lost in. I think you can look south of College Parkway and still find nice rentals in your price range and still be in very nice neighborhoods. The good thing is you can jump on Metro Parkway or Six Mile Cypress and still be to work in less then 30 minutes. Look in the Villas neighborhood it is central to everything and I have seen homes for rent in that price range. You can Google map Woodland Blvd. Fort Myers FL. 33907 and literally drive down the street and look at the homes click on street view. I may be a little bias this is the neighborhood I live in and have really had no problems.

[tagylyn]

Thanks everyone for your replys! Very helpful.

[tagylyn]

Originally Posted by Roadrunner69

Hi welcome to SWFL. Yachtcare covered things pretty well and yes I would stay out of Lehigh and east Fort Myers west of the interstate is not a very good place to get lost in. I think you can look south of College Parkway and still find nice rentals in your price range and still be in very nice neighborhoods. The good thing is you can jump on Metro Parkway or Six Mile Cypress and still be to work in less then 30 minutes. Look in the Villas neighborhood it is central to everything and I have seen homes for rent in that price range.

I may be a little bias this is the neighborhood I live in and have really had no problems.

Wow, that is sooo cool!!!! I've never noticed that before on google maps.
And I do like that area, thanks for the info

[Jerseycape]

We are 2 new retirees looking for a seasonal rental in southern Ft. Myers area for Jan 2010.
Any comments on the area between Regional Lakes Park and Harlem Heights?
We found 2 units on the net (one in Biggar the other in southern Harlem Heights)...Thank you.

[Roadrunner69]

I would stay away from Harlem Heights get closer to Lakes Park. As I said to the OP you can Google Maps Gladiolus Drive and A&W Bulb rd. or dr. I'm not sure which and head towards the beach and you will see what I mean. It ain't called Harlem for nothing. There are plenty of rentals available and with people coming down from up north buying they're retirement homes early because of the deals available there will probably be more by then. Good Luck with your hunt.

[andreaspercheron]

This thread is interesting to me because if our plans work out and we end up moving down, we are going to rent for a few months then buy. I already know where to look to buy but didn't know where to look for a rental, especially a short term rental.

[im2f04]

I live in Avalon Bay and it is very nice. . .located on Gladiolus, just west of Winkler rd., in the area you cited. You could walk to grocery shopping (2 markets within a half mile). There is construction along Gladiolus right now (road widening) but it's supposed to be done by February, I think. If you call Benson's Property Management about Avalon Bay they can tell you if there are any rentals available...they are limited by convenant but there are likely a few available.

Harlem Heights is a downtrodden area..you might want to check out some of the developments along A&W Bulb Road, and also some of the developments along Winkler Road south of Summerlin Rd.

Originally Posted by Jerseycape

We are 2 new retirees looking for a seasonal rental in southern Ft. Myers area for Jan 2010.
Any comments on the area between Regional Lakes Park and Harlem Heights?
We found 2 units on the net (one in Biggar the other in southern Harlem Heights)...Thank you.

[twobums]

Off A&W Bulb, we have friends and family who live in Venetian Village... it seems like a wonderful place to live but certainly more family oriented. We are at the corner of Summerlin & John Morris. These condos are geared for professionals, not really families. Publix is a short walk as is Bunche Beach. Hope this helps!