The state of Florida also known as the Sunshine state holds some of the most beautiful cities around the country. The amount of tourists that visit the state every year is a witness to its glory and there’s no surprise why. Everyone would love to experience the beautiful year-round climate with sunny days most of the year.
From numerous coastline cities offering world-class beach experience to cities that are culturally diverse, vibrant and home to some of the best attractions worldwide, Florida has everything. Meaningful historical events took place on the land of Florida and some of the most significant historical personalities called Florida their home.
Some cities in the state of Florida have a very touristic appeal to them. Such a city is Fort Myers. Located in the southwest region of Florida, Fort Myers is one of the undiscovered gems of America. Fort Myers, Florida is a city fit for people of all ages that provides plenty of entertainment and a comfortable lifestyle to it’s residents.
If you are looking for a city that is quite affordable and not as crowded as other metropolitan cities than Fort Myers, FL is for you. The breathtaking landscape and a gorgeous downtown is what characterizes the city of Fort Myers, FL. Also, the safe city of Fort Myers, FL has a family-friendly environment that is very appealing for families with children and older adults. Let’s dive in and find out more about the city of Fort Myers, Florida and find out what makes it a great place to live and visit.
Experience great year-round weather in Fort Myers, Florida
There is a reason why the state of Florida is called the “Sunshine State” and that is thanks to the fact that Florida gets an average of 237 days of sunshine per year. Also, the amazing sunsets witnessed in Fort Myers are uniquely beautiful compared to anywhere in the world. The city of Fort Myers gets to enjoy every single bit of this aspect that makes Florida amazing.
The climate in Fort Myers, FL is just at the border between a humid subtropical climate and a tropical savanna climate. Temperatures in the summer rarely rise above 100 degrees and in the winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
The city of Fort Myers gets an average rainfall of 55 inches per year, and most of the rainfall takes place during the rainy season from June to September. Therefore, you get to enjoy the outdoors most days, thanks to the beautiful year-round weather in Fort Myers, Florida. There are a lot of attractions and outdoor activities that can grab your attention in Fort Myers, FL, so we will cover some of the best things you can do while you are there.
Best things to do in Fort Myers, Florida
You probably heard about Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone. These men had a significant impact on the way we live our lives today.
Thanks to Edison’s ingenuity and creativity, inventions such as the light bulb, phonograph and the motion picture camera were brought to the modern world. Henry Ford the creator of Ford Motor Company, which is the first auto manufacturer to automate production and produce a vehicle for the mass-market. Harvey Firestone was a respectable businessman who founded the company Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, one of the first global companies of automobile tires.
Why are these men important for the city of Fort Myers, you might wonder? If there is something Fort Myers, FL is known for then this is one of them.
These men worked together in finding a solution to the rubber crisis that they were facing during the war. Most of the research on rubber-producing plants and trees was conducted in Fort Myers. Thanks to their research, now Riverside Avenue is now lined with Royal Palms. A great thing to do while you’re in Fort Myers is riding along McGregor Boulevard to see the palms along with the sunny skies.
A park and a bridge in Fort Myers carry Edison’s name and the bridge was inaugurated by himself. In Fort Myers, Ford and Edison used to spend their winters in their winter estate. Also known as the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, nowadays these two properties are opened for public tours. This is just one of many other things to do, in Fort Myers, FL.
For one of the most extraordinary outdoor walks you will ever have, go to the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. You will have a close encounter with wildlife while you get to enjoy the beautiful natural landscape.
If you want a place that offers a bit of everything in terms of dining and shopping, then Fort Myers River District is for you. Beautiful for walks where the palm park is located, in the area, you can find plenty of good restaurants and good places for shopping. A farmers market is located in the area as well and the lively nightlife is just perfect if you want to enjoy a night out with friends.
If having a glass of wine while taking a shot at painting something on canvas is more up your alley then Vino’s Picasso is for you. No experience is needed and you will be helped along the way. If you want to let the professionals do it and just sit back and enjoy the artistic performance then head to Alliance for the Arts. The theater presents more than 100 performances a year and the amphitheater features concerts, outdoor movies, and art galleries.
The pros and cons of living in Fort Myers, Florida
So far we have touched on all the aspects that make Fort Myers an amazing city and a great place to live. But, just like with all cities there are good parts and there are downsides to them. Let’s see what are the pros and cons of living in Fort Myers, Florida and let’s see if the pros outweigh the cons of living here.
Will start by highlighting the pros of living in Fort Myers, Florida:
- Off the bat, one of the pros of living in Fort Myers, Florida is that you will never have to worry about shoveling snow. Winters have high temperatures in the low 60’s and occasional cold snaps drop temperatures to the ’30s.
- The area offers some fabulous homes fit for millennials, professionals as well as retired men and women. Thousands of people prefer the tranquility of the city and the housing costs are lower compared to other suburbs and big cities on the coast of the Atlantic.
- It is easy to drive around. Well placed parking lots, wide-streets that are well marked and long lights. This makes it easy to navigate around and you can find almost anything you want in the immediate vicinity. Also, the scenic streets lined with royal palms are a delight to see and ride along.
- Good recreational activities that you can attend in your free time. Water sports and beach activities are the most common and most sought after.
Here are some of the cons of living in Fort Myers, Florida:
- One of the cons of living in Fort Myers is that the hurricane season might bring some strong storms in the city. Although, the last major hurricane that did significant damage to the city was back in 1999. Ever since hurricanes that struck the city did minimal damage.
- The geography is flat as a pancake, so if you love hills or any activity related to hiking, forget it! This might be more a thing of personal taste since cyclists might prefer flat ground instead of hill climbs.
- Hot and humid days in the summer are usually not a very pleasant combination. While this is common anywhere in South Florida, it also impacts the city of Fort Myers, FL.
- In the way of art and culture, the city of Fort Myers has some art galleries and museums, but other than that it lacks in this area. Opera, top musical arts and live theater are hard to find in the city.
Homes for sale in Fort Myers, Florida
Since we have already talked about the affordability of the city, let’s see how affordable the housing market in Fort Myers, Florida is. If you are looking for a winter retreat or maybe just a place you can call home, Fort Myers is a place fit for all lifestyles and it is sure to please everyone. Make sure you come in contact with one of our real estate agents in Fort Myers FL in order to find a home that suits your needs.
According to Zillow the median price for homes listed for sale in Fort Myers at the time the article was posted was about $265,000. The median listing price per square foot in Fort Myers, Florida was about $152. Prices will vary a lot during the year so this is just a rough estimate of what you should expect in the housing market in the area.
At the time on Zillow, about 66% of homes for sale in Fort Myers, Florida were between the price range of $200,000 to $500,000. Only 19% of homes are above the $500,000 price range and 13% are below $200,000. That still consists of about 278 results for homes under $200,000 and with some negotiation you might be able to lower the price even more.
Prices will obviously vary from one neighborhood to another, so make sure you decide where you’re going to stay in Fort Myers before you search for a home.
The average rent in Fort Myers, Florida
In terms of rent, the prices for apartments range from $500 up to over $2,000. Don’t be worried, from the high rent price range, because only 4% of apartments in Fort Myers exceed the $2,000 price mark. About 12% of apartments are priced between $1,500 and $2,000 and most apartments are between the $1,000 to $1,500 price range, about 68% of them. Only 17% of apartments are priced below $1,000.
The average rent in Fort Myers, Florida is about $1,280 and it has increased with about 3% over the past year. Looking for apartments that are closer to the beaches near Fort Myers are going to be priced differently from apartments that are situated more inland or away from the main areas of the city such as downtown Fort Myers.
Conclusion
Overall the city of Fort Myers offers a tranquil environment with a beautiful downtown area and amenities to accommodate anyone new to the town. The rich history and the beautiful climate made it a favorite destination even for some of the most important historical figures. You will find yourself feeling like home in no time in the city of Fort Myers, Florida.
What do you think is great about Fort Myers, Florida? What do you love about the city? Let us know in the comment section below.
