Many bikes to choose from, plus helmets provided. There is also the bustling Downtown Farmers Market. Fort Myers is certainly a great place to visit, but is Fort Myers a good place to live? Most of them will tell you that these tolls are well worth the price of living in paradise, and there are not many things worth leaving the islands for anyway. Cape Coral living means there is convenient access to water almost everywhere. PRO'S of Living on Camano. The sunset was about 300 yards north around the bend of the island. You're never too far from one, meaning it's super easy to arrange an impromptu trip whenever you feel like it. Even if you dont start off as a big nature enthusiast, youll find yourself googling the types of palm trees, wanting to know what plants are native to the island, and asking your neighbor about the best time to see wildlife at Ding Darling The island has a funny way of drawing you in like that! No one is zooming past you or honking their horn. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. But the foodie favorite is the Mad hatter, where a sign announces the nightly sunset right down to the minute. While year-long warm weather may sound pleasant, it also comes with thick humidity and scorching temperatures, especially in the summer months. The bartenders where not the friendliest and could have smiled a little more. Visit our blog, Sanibel Kids Living The Good Life, to learn more about raising kids on Sanibel. Here is our terms & conditions that stipulates how you can use this site. So with a panorama like this, you will surely feel like swimming in its . Next, a few points on getting around town. Once you move there, you'll be able to spend some time finding the lesser-known gems. Only 4 floors (elevator only at far end), and each condo unit had its own pool and shared space plus path to beach. Since it is located right on the western coast of Florida, residents of Fort Myers can choose to visit an almost unlimited number of beaches in the area. I hope you enjoyed reading this insider info about the pros and cons of living on Sanibel Island from a locals perspective. The people who live on Sanibel and Captiva Islands are used to a certain way of life, and wouldn't choose to have it any other way. In contrast, most cities evolved more randomly than Cape Coral. It is a great place for families with children who love beaches and pools :).The whole property is pretty nice, but if you can swing it, stay in one of the oceanfront condos in buildings K or E (they are actually like one building with a small corridor dividing them). But you may not be able to afford waterfront living. The warm climate means that you never have to worry about shoveling snow, as the average low temperature in January is still a mild 55 degrees. The spring is a pleasant affair with warm days and cool nights. Pros and Cons of living in Sanibel Island, Florida according to Data Do you live in Sanibel Island, Florida? That's right, there is no state income tax living in Florida. In fact, the cost of living in Fort Myers is 4% lower than the national average. Thus, nearly 90% of the development is housing. The carpet seemed stained but overall it was clean. Which ultimately, feeds and pollutes the canals of Cape Coral. Major violent crimes such as murder and armed robbery are few. Living in Sedona, AZ Pros and Cons, 8 Best Small Towns in Texas to Raise a Family in 2023 Safe & Great Schools, The 9 Cheapest and Safest Places to Live in California in 2023, The 8 Best Areas to Stay in San Francisco Without a Car. Towels easy to get and return. The west end, away from tourist activity, offers the highest-priced homes. June through September can be the opposite extreme. If youd like to learn more about gorgeous Captiva and Sanibel Island real estate, contact Dave and Brenda of Sage Realtor Group today by calling (239) 896-8549. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. There was so much we had to figure out on our own, such as easy access paths from our building to main pool, our smaller pool was not managed by the resort but rather a condo association and had different rules, chairs, bikes and other recreational items must be returned by 6 bc the shop closes, the fully renovated spa area they boasted of on the web? A little odd for such a large place. Ran movies and made very good popcorn the day it poured. And honestly, it should be on the top of your mind when considering how to insure, protect and prepare for a potential hurricane or tropical storm. They arent usually aggressive to humans. If you choose the private school option. There are plenty of other year-round outdoor adventures available through the numerous hiking and biking trails around the beaches and the mainland. The shared-use path is an "unsung hero" on the pros list in my opinion. Click here to see how we prepare for hurricane season. High population density. Theres lunch with friends, golf tournaments and cocktail parties.. Parking was plentiful and each unit had a spot assigned. Fort Myers is the fastest growing large city in Florida, 6. The fact that we are in sanibel means 99% of all service people are going to be super nice but his food was probably the worst I've had on sanibel in 10 years. Towels easy to get and return. Staff was very nice. Furthermore, some cities in Florida have neighborhoods that are governed by Home Owners Associations (HOAs). The active downtown, endless number of beaches, and affordable cost of living make it an excellent choice. Relatively few businesses have located within the city limits. Its popularity can become both pros and cons of living in Fort Myers. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Residents are able to build new relationships with fellow residents, staff, and volunteers. Gorgeous nearly wrapped around views. First, there are the public schools. Written by: Susan McCallion We ate at the onsite restaurant twice and we thought it was very good. Its what attracted Jim and me to the island and kept us here for over a decade now. Because this Florida location has a lot of features that todays retirees are searching for. Ping pong, touch tank,We stayed in a 2 bedroom grand beach front. There are no high schools on Sanibel Island, therefore, it makes the con list. Many bikes to choose from, plus helmets provided. The beds in our unit were awful! Next, adding to serenity, the town does not have a major tourist attraction. It does, however, require some coordination if your kids have afterschool activities off-island. However, My favorite is fresh-caught grouper. A lighter blanket would have helped keep is cool. The tax savings can easily add up to thousands of dollars per year. When you want a little more from the finer side of life, Next, one of my favorite benefits of living in Cape Coral. Therefore, commuting won't be an issue. Husband and I had to share our room with the kids. The furnishings were outdated but adequate. Next, its time to discuss the cons of living in Cape Coral. Ive lived on Sanibel for more than a decade now, so Im pretty biased. I admit, there are times when coming back from the busy Fort Myers Costco that I wish it were closer. If you are expecting the same level of arts and cultural entertainment that you are used to in a major city like New York or Los Angeles, then you may want to look for another city. Cost of Living in Sanibel, Florida. Here are the pros of living in Cape Coral: And to examine the flip side of this discussion. And place rules and restrictions on residents. Home States & Countries Living In Rhode Island: 25 Pros and Cons (You Must Know). The state has some of the strangest laws that you might ever come across. Cape Coral is a planned and well-designed community. Two restaurants I recommend on the island: Matzaluna's for Italian, and Timbers for great seafoodwe enjoyed both of them.For kids, playing in the pools and exploring/playing/shell collecting on the beach will keep them entertained. But there are alligators! Prices, says Weaver, have held steady. Having more freedom to design specific programs to meet the needs of their students. Resort is undergoing renovation and what is done is beautiful! Further, because of rising lake waters, and to relieve pressure on dikes and damns. We brought them to the pool, as did many other guests, it's nice they allow you to do that. This sites only purpose is for general information & entertainment. Click here to learn more about our Sanibel boating communities. On one side of the K/E building is the main resort building with offices, etc this is where you check in, and the main pool is directly in front of it on the ocean. For air travelers, there is Southwest Florida International Airport that is located just 30 minutes away from downtown Fort Myers. So, if you have your heart set on living near the water in South Florida. Albert and Serena discuss the pros and cons of living in Rhode Island: from the delicious food, and the great arts and cultural scenes, to pot holes and high. The beach here is amazing. Since you can live anywhere in the state of Florida income tax-free. Residents find themselves traveling out for shopping, dining, and working. These visitors help stimulate the local economy, but they also bring extra traffic and rowdiness. Ping pong, touch tank, We stayed in a 2 bedroom grand beach front. The carpet seemed stained but overall it was clean. Below, we've listed the lakefront property for sale on Sanibel Island. Still, if you have a specialized doctor or require treatment at a large medical facility, you will likely need to travel over the bridge to Fort Myers to receive that care. As we know, Cape Coral is comprised of mostly peaceful residential neighborhoods. Pleasant in the mornings and back in the evenings. Besides that we did enjoy the resort facilities and the front desk was very helpful when we where checking in. You can learn more about Personal Capital here. Just be sure to include the additional cost in your budget. Also, what state you are moving from. Here are just a few of the pros and cons of living on Camano Island. Only 4 floors (elevator only at far end), and each condo unit had its own pool and shared space plus path to beach. Making matters worse, this isnt an easy area to drive around. Preservation efforts took root on Sanibel back in the 1940s when political cartoonist Jay Norwood Ding Darling led an initiative to protect 6,300 acres as a wildlife refuge that now bears his name. Florida Travel + Life may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Lets find out with the full analysis of the pros and cons of living in Fort Myers, Florida. Despite being a popular destination for tourists from all around the world, Sanibel and Captiva maintain their small town charm among residents. To give you the best insights, we tracked down a wide range of residents as well. The porch was screened all the way around, which was great because the bugs on the island were nasty. On A Mission to Help Small Businesses to Be a Brand. Beach winds kept them away so that is the best option for night. A cost of living index above 100 means Sanibel, Florida is more expensive. And it was planned to be residential. I know this sounds really, really corny, but if you live on Camano island, you know, just what I mean. Welcome back to another episode of \"Talk About It Tuesday\" with The Niesman Team at Keller Williams Realty. Almost half of the year is spent in the 80s with very few swings in the 100s or below 70. Many bikes to choose from, plus helmets provided. We describe what lakefront living on Sanibel Island is like in the video below (also linked on Youtube here). Staff at the front desk was EXCELLENT, always helpful and very knowledgeable about the island. Cities Near Sanibel Island: Sanibel, Captiva, Punta Rassa, Pine Island (Lee County), Boca Grande Keep in mind the beaches are literally covered in shells so if you have sensitive feet, bring beachy shoes like flip flops or water shoes for kids. who makes carquest ignition coils; caribbean wedding traditions; williamson college of the trades staff directory Not that there is anything wrong with this. Wondering what's the good what's the bad? Otherwise, everything was very neat and clean, and they give you as many towels as you request. We spoke with Rachel and her husband Jeff, who relocated to Fort Myers 2 years ago from New Jersey, and they could not be happier with the weather. Plenty of beaches Perhaps the most obvious advantage of living on an island is the sheer number of beaches. Both pools were fantastic the pool and pool areas were very clean and well maintained. Fort Myers vs Naples An Unbiased Comparison, 16 Best Places to Live in Florida Newest 2022 Rankings, Regret Moving to Florida? Why I love living and raising my family on Sanibel Island When Life Gives You Hurricanes - Grow Tomatoes It sounds like a strange proverb, but it's what we have experienced after Hurricane Ian, literally. The carpet seemed stained but overall it was clean. Possibly the worst I have ever slept on and everyone thought the same. ), and of course the accommodation itself. We find ourselves going outside more, too, and it really lifts our mood., I still cant believe how we can just hit the beach almost any time of the year. Lets not forget the natural shell-lined beaches that you will comb through on your beach walks, just in case you stumble upon a rare shell. Cannot beat that. Its this unique environment Gulf of Mexico beaches and untamed Florida wilderness coupled with the small-town ambience that lure homeowners like Today Show weatherman Willard Scott. The food was good, we ordered lunch a few times, basic things like pizza, burgers.