Need advice on areas (Cape Coral, Fort Myers: apartments, HOA fees, house)

[dingbat1]

I will be starting a job in downtown Fort Myers soon, and need advice on where to live.
We want to be somewhere safe, with good schools, and hopefully a half-decent commute.


I'm looking to purchase a home in the 300-450k range (depending on HOA/CCD), 3 or preferably 4 bedrooms, and preferably its own pool, but at least a community pool. Community fitness center, tennis, and golf would be awesome, but may be beyond our budget.


I know I should avoid North Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres. Beyond that, I have no idea.

[Marc Middleton]

Lots of good options in that price range. inventory is tight, you'll have to be very quick/aggressive but a 3 bedroom pool home for under $450k is definitely do-able. Same for Estero as well, even Bonita possibly.

Golf might be tight, unless its bundled golf therefore having very high HOA fees ($1k/mo all in usually plus F&B spend in clubhouse) and if that's the case, then the home prices are lower. (Like Worthington in Bonita for a coach home vs a similar home next door in Village walk or San Remo - one has bundled golf with high HOA fees and one has no golf and low HOA fees).

[chiluvr1228]

I would consider Gateway. It's also close to downtown.

[wjj]

Originally Posted by chiluvr1228

I would consider Gateway. It's also close to downtown.

Definitely.


3-4 bedroom pool home in Gateway is very doable at $400K - even less. Gateway golf and tennis club recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. There is no requirement to join. There are about 30 different communities within Gateway and amenities and HOA fees, and what is included in the HOA fees, can vary widely from one to another. Most are gated, but some are not. There is a CDD that handles all of the infrastructure like water, sidewalks, landscaping, etc. as well as parks. CDD fee is not that bad - about $675/year for all single family homes in Gateway.


There are several schools within Gateway (public and charter) including a new HS that is to open this summer. But "good" schools is in the eye of the beholder depending on where you are coming from. Schools everywhere in SWFL do not compare favorably to schools in many other areas of the country. Also, in Lee County there is the school choice system which could cause your kids to attend a school far from the neighborhood school. Someone who has direct experience with that system can better answer questions about the ins and outs of Lee County school choices.


I would not call Gateway close to downtown Fort Myers (which is a good thing), but it is not too far either. About 11 miles from my house in Gateway. But traffic can make the 20-25 minute ride double or more. But still, nothing like bigger cities elsewhere.

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by wjj

Definitely.


3-4 bedroom pool home in Gateway is very doable at $400K - even less. Gateway golf and tennis club recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. There is no requirement to join. There are about 30 different communities within Gateway and amenities and HOA fees, and what is included in the HOA fees, can vary widely from one to another. Most are gated, but some are not. There is a CDD that handles all of the infrastructure like water, sidewalks, landscaping, etc. as well as parks. CDD fee is not that bad - about $675/year for all single family homes in Gateway.


There are several schools within Gateway (public and charter) including a new HS that is to open this summer. But "good" schools is in the eye of the beholder depending on where you are coming from. Schools everywhere in SWFL do not compare favorably to schools in many other areas of the country. Also, in Lee County there is the school choice system which could cause your kids to attend a school far from the neighborhood school. Someone who has direct experience with that system can better answer questions about the ins and outs of Lee County school choices.


I would not call Gateway close to downtown Fort Myers (which is a good thing), but it is not too far either. About 11 miles from my house in Gateway. But traffic can make the 20-25 minute ride double or more. But still, nothing like bigger cities elsewhere.

Great response! Very informative and 100% correct on all points.

If you did join golf or tennis, the rates are much lower too compared to Naples clubs.

[dingbat1]

Gateway is out due to schools.I did a lot of research. First, Lee County breaks school choice into 3 zones, and Gateway is lumped with Tice, Lehigh Acres, etc. The outcomes of all the schools in that zone generally are not what we'd like. Statistically, the other two zones are noticeably better. That also goes for the charter schools.


Right now we're looking at the gated communities in the Harlem Heights / Cypress Lake area. Is that a good or bad area overall?


We're also looking at homes at the area west of the I75 from Gateway, as well as Estero.

[SellingNWCape]

Cape Coral would work for your budget but there aren't a large number of gated communities here. You might want to check out Sandoval which is pretty central & convenient to the IB high schools in town. There are a few gated communities in the far northeastern part of the city but would make for a longer commute.

[SellingNWCape]

Originally Posted by dingbat1

Right now we're looking at the gated communities in the Harlem Heights / Cypress Lake area. Is that a good or bad area overall?

I would say it's a pretty decent area overall. Convenient to a lot of shopping and dining, close enough to the beaches, etc.

[xingowner]

And maybe you can advise a place with apartments? Thanks

[SellingNWCape]

Originally Posted by xingowner

And maybe you can advise a place with apartments? Thanks

Best to remain south of Colonial in Fort Myers. Cape Coral doesn't have that same kind of dividing line, no Dunbar-like issues.