Why Fort Myers is an Ideal Option for Florida Home Buyers

Fort Myers

Florida has seen a substantial real estate boom over the past several years as buyers seek out its lower cost of living and beautiful weather. Florida is a large state with many excellent destinations that give buyers an abundance of choices, including the beautiful city of Fort Myers.

Fort Myers is located on the state’s southeastern coast along the Gulf of Mexico. Famed for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, Fort Myers is a dream destination for those seeking a Florida home. Let’s look at some of the characteristics of this charming city that make it stand out for Florida buyers.

Gorgeous Outdoor Settings

Visitors will be immediately struck by Fort Myers’s picturesque outdoor settings. Fort Myers is known for its beautiful sandy beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and it provides several gorgeous areas that can be explored by foot or boat.

Residents can drop anchor on a vast array of islands that surround Fort Myers. Sanibel and Captiva are two of the most famous, but there are plenty of others to explore as well. The beaches of Fort Myers are renowned for the exotic seashells that wash up on the shores every day. The city is considered one of the world’s capitals for shelling. 

The waterways of Fort Myers are teeming with wildlife, which makes it a popular place for both fishing and animal spotting. Dolphins can be found in the protected J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and the Calusa Blueway is a hotspot for kayaking and birdwatching.

Sanibel | Image credit: Melissa Mullin

Appealing Culture

While the scenery of Fort Myers contributes substantially to its appeal, residents also love the city’s many cultural attractions. Fort Myers is a medium-sized city, yet it has so much to see. It has a vibrant and historic downtown with brick-paved streets and old buildings that house an abundance of shops and restaurants. Every month, the town hosts Art Walk and Music Walk, two events that spotlight the city’s massive art and entertainment scene.

Fort Myers is the place for high-end shopping and dining. The city has an array of local and national brands, which can be found in the large downtown core, and the food offerings are spectacular. Seafood meals are everywhere, and fresh Gulf of Mexico catches are regularly served. 

Fort Myers also has unique cultural attractions, such as the estate homes owned by Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, two of the country’s most prominent industrialists. There are also intriguing museums and famous entertainment venues there, including the city’s renowned live theatre company, Florida Repertory Theatre, who performs at the Historic Arcade Theatre and the ArtStage Studio Theatre.

Interior of Thomas Edison's home | Image credit: Sieuwert Otterloo

High-End Affordable Real Estate

Fort Myers has so much to offer, and yet home prices remain lower than the national average. According to Redfin in January 2023, the median sale price of a home in the city was $377,250, making homes much cheaper than other similarly appealing markets. Even with renowned natural beauty and a bustling culture, Fort Myers remains a comparably affordable market.

The homes available in Fort Myers provide serious bang for their buck. Ample beautiful homes that provide huge, spacious residences for fair prices can be found across the city. The luxury home market in Fort Myers is incredible, and buyers’ purchasing power there is greatly enhanced compared to other Florida cities, such as Naples, Palm Beach, or Miami. It is an ideal city with a high quality of living, all at a rate accessible to the average American.

Fort Myers | Image credit: Ameer Basheer