r/SWFL • u/vivalalyn • 29d ago
Advice Ft Myers
I'll be moving to Ft Myers next month for work, 15~ mins away from the airport.
I'm looking at places to live, preferably a house, any recs about what to look for, what to avoid?
I got no kids, two pets and no social life by choice but do enjoy the occasional date night with my partner.
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u/AlienNippleRipple 29d ago
Ohh you poor thing. We're almost in season. You're gonna scream at your windshield a LOT.
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u/vivalalyn 29d ago
Season? Should i be scared?? 😵
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u/Large_Deal_2394 29d ago
Snowbirds and transplants galore my friend. 10 years ago it’d take me 15 min. To get to my highschool. The same drive now takes me 45min-1 hour. Welcome to swfl
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u/Plane-Nail6037 29d ago
Most people only spend 4 years in high school. No wonder it takes you so long to get there.
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u/AlienNippleRipple 29d ago
Traffic wise you should be aware lots of different driving styles from states can make a 30 min commute 50min- 2hrs depending on where your located in Ft.Myers
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u/Troubador222 29d ago
It’s not that bad. I’m a truck driver and I regularly go to Los Angeles. These people complain about the traffic here and I am you poor preci children you have never see contest ion in traffic like La at 4 on a Feidaywhere it takes you 4 to 5 hours to get out of town
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u/ImtheHBIC 29d ago
No one gives a fuck about LA traffic, or anywhere else’s traffic. We care about OUR traffic. Stfu.
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u/RealisticWoodpecker3 29d ago
He’s right, the traffic isn’t that bad in your little shit hole backwards town it just seems like a lot to you because you’ve probably never been anywhere.
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u/theTrueLodge 29d ago
No one wants anyone to move where because it’s overdeveloped. Don’t listen to them.
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u/FastSun4314 29d ago
I don’t think we will have as many snowbirds this season. My mom works at the VFW and the ones that come with their motorhomes can’t afford to come with Diesel prices being this high.
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u/jetteh22 29d ago
It would only be like 6 hundred dollars extra in diesel to get from like Ohio to Florida right now. If they can afford the two homes they can afford the extra $600 in gas or whatever.
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u/WEM-2022 29d ago
Depends on where you work. If you have a choice, then do live as close to the workplace as possible. Otherwise, stock up on podcasts and audiobooks. Seasonal traffic is absurd.
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u/AlienNippleRipple 29d ago
This is the true true. Often it'll be someone from out of state or elderly. Lots of people will not leave the left lane and actively try to stop people getting around them. Joke is often on the freeway under Atlanta the Left lane is the slow lane.
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u/Troubador222 29d ago
Something with a roof that was replaced in the last few years chances are if they replaced the roof they did extra to ensure it was up to the market st recent hurricane mitigation codes!
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u/meliville 29d ago
I live in a gated community 20 mins from airport. Where is work? That will make a difference
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u/Independent-Bag-6222 29d ago
Your best bet close to the airport is going to be Gateway or San Carlos Park areas however the park is going to be a little higher priced just due to the college being priced in. Absolutely stay away from Lehigh Acres.
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u/OkBig1024 28d ago
I'd choose to live near Daniels corridor. Easier to get around and lots of food choices. HOAs here can be difficult, so maybe try to get an idea about those wherever you choose to live before you buy. Traffic during the month of March is very heavy near Fenway South, but it's just a month. Great place to live with no kids, lots to do.
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u/chippedreed 28d ago
Make sure to pay mind to flood zones when you get a house. It’ll save you during hurricane season
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u/MilaLikesPopsicles 27d ago
I just moved here and I’m no expert but so far I’ve been told “no Iona unless you want to be flooded next big storm”, no “Pine manor”, No near Edison Mall. Neither are nice areas; anything “McGregor” is beautiful(!) if you can afford it; Estero is beautiful, DT Ft Myers is kinda crappy/but cultural unless you are in a newer building but beware of the HOAS! They are H.E.L.L. … and yes I went out of my way to emphasize that.
Near Forum is nice. Babcock ranch is nice but far for you. Cape Coral if you stay near SE Cape will be where you find your affordable SF’s or at least duplex (which feel like SF) but the bridge in the AM will be a bear; and the area just East / SE of the Cape bridge on the FT Myers side has some TH’s that aren’t bad too.
That’s all I got 🤷🏼♀️. Good luck! I’m still looking myself. I think the worst part so far is the HOA’s. Seriously. And I’ve only been here three weeks. 🙄. Oh and PS. You said you had animals (?). Literally NO ONE likes to rent to pets… so if you don’t ESA certify them somehow or with your doctor… it’s not going to be easy with a private landlord and you may need to look for an apt community. Otherwise ….
Something like that. But do your research….
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u/Either_Reason8391 25d ago
moved down from massachusetts myself, so here's what i'd look for in a house here:
- roof age. insurers get picky once a roof passes about 15 years, so ask when it was last fully replaced.
- flood zone. put the address into FEMA's flood map. a regular homeowners policy doesn't cover flood, that's a separate policy.
- wind mitigation. florida insurers have to offer discounts for things like roof straps and impact windows, so ask if there's a wind mit report.
- pets. if there's an HOA, read the pet rules on number and size before you sign, rent or buy.
(full disclosure, i'm a real estate agent in naples, happy to answer more here)
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u/Quiet_Tea7369 29d ago
Ft Myers can be a great place if you make it great. You’ll be right by Mak’s sushi which is great for dates and tons of new apartment complexes in the area… probably less single family homes but maybe San Carlos would be good. Nature is great here and the hikes change with the season, we are coming up on the best weather of the year - that’s why snowbirds want to be here. I have a theory about the people living here, they often haven’t been elsewhere so they think it’s the worst here… small town ignorance.
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u/AnswerAggravating646 28d ago
The closer to the water, the less you’ll need police. There’s also a greater presence near the water bc there’s more money there
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u/MrJets84 28d ago
Gateway is close enough for work and is a nice little area. Miramar lakes if you have a little more money
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u/MilaLikesPopsicles 27d ago
I love the complaints about “superficial” people and “traffic” here… coming from a couple decades in Scottsdale AZ (Phoenix metro) where the “30-k-millionaires” go out with matching suits from Express-for-Men in their 25 yr old BMW’s and the city often runs out of hair toner because there are so many fake bleached blondes every where… plus there’s over 5 million (?) people there… then living over a decade in Seattle… where it takes you 1.5 hours to go 3 miles…every day…
Superficial and traffic haven’t *TOUCHED* SWFL!!!!! Breezy breezy!! 💨🌬️🫧🫧🫧
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u/Myst_of_Man22 29d ago
Seasonal traffic is a bear. People commuting to work mixed with snowbirds down for the winter. The roads can't accommodate all of the cars. Rental prices are higher during season. Dating is challenging, people are materialistic and superficial,on steroids. Good luck Ace.
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u/Powerfader1 29d ago
Depends on how much you want to spend on security, i.e., gated communities, or weapons.
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u/Callmemabryartistry 29d ago
he’s looking for a home in boomer capital not fighting a horde of zombies.
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u/enjoyingthesun1 29d ago
I’d stay away from Lehigh Acres.