Fort Myers, FL Properties | Stephanie LeFew

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Fort Myers is a city of roughly 100,000 residents in southwest Florida and the seat of Lee County, situated on the Caloosahatchee River a few miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. It anchors the Cape Coral–Fort Myers metropolitan area, one of Florida's fastest-growing coastal regions, and serves as its governmental, commercial, and cultural center. The city's defining heritage is its association with Thomas Edison, who first visited in 1885 and built a winter home, Seminole Lodge, along the river. Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone later wintered nearby, and the adjacent Edison and Ford Winter Estates now operate as a museum and botanical garden along McGregor Boulevard — the city's most famous landmark and a window into the era when Fort Myers emerged as a winter retreat. Fort Myers' modern economy centers on health care, tourism, and services, with Lee Health and the county school district among the area's largest employers. Florida Gulf Coast University, just south of the city, adds a higher-education presence and a youthful population. The city's River District downtown offers a walkable core of restaurants, shops, and nightlife along the waterfront. The city's appeal rests heavily on its coastal setting. The barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, celebrated for shelling and beaches, lie across the Sanibel Causeway, while Fort Myers Beach, Estero Bay, and the Gulf waters define the region's recreation. Southwest Florida International Airport links the area to national and international destinations. For homebuyers, Fort Myers offers a blend of historic neighborhoods, waterfront communities, golf-and-country-club enclaves, and new master-planned development, all within minutes of Gulf beaches.

Population 101,581

County Lee County

Active Listings 13358

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Fort Myers in?

Fort Myers is a city in southwest Florida that serves as the county seat of Lee County, located on the Caloosahatchee River within the Cape Coral–Fort Myers metropolitan area near the Gulf of Mexico.

What is Fort Myers known for?

Fort Myers is best known for the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, the adjacent winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford along McGregor Boulevard, and as the gateway to the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva.

What school district serves Fort Myers?

Fort Myers is served by the School District of Lee County, the eighth-largest district in Florida, with about 120 schools and roughly 100,000 students, including Fort Myers High School and numerous magnet options.

How far is Fort Myers from the beach?

Fort Myers sits just inland from the Gulf, with Sanibel and Captiva islands reached by the Sanibel Causeway and Fort Myers Beach a short drive away, all offering swimming, shelling, and boating.

What airport serves Fort Myers?

Southwest Florida International Airport, known by the code RSW, is located just southeast of downtown Fort Myers and provides domestic and international flights as the region's primary commercial airport for the area.

City Guide

About Fort Myers

Real Estate & Housing

Fort Myers' housing market spans a wide range: historic homes and bungalows in the city's older neighborhoods near downtown, mid-century homes along McGregor Boulevard, waterfront properties on canals and the river, and extensive new master-planned and golf-course communities across the greater metro area. Communities such as Gateway and the country-club enclaves of Fiddlesticks and Lexington cater to golfers and active adults, while the River District offers condominiums and townhomes for a walkable urban lifestyle. The market's character is shaped by retiree and seasonal demand, coastal recreation, and steady growth, with housing types ranging from modest inland homes to waterfront estates.

Neighborhoods

Fort Myers' neighborhoods run from the historic River District downtown to suburban and golf communities. The downtown River District is the city's most walkable area, with condominiums, restaurants, and the waterfront along the Caloosahatchee. The McGregor Boulevard corridor holds some of the city's most storied homes, near the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. Gateway, near the airport, and the country-club communities of Fiddlesticks and Lexington offer planned, amenity-rich living, while the Florida Gulf Coast University area draws students and young professionals. Surrounding Lee County communities such as Cape Coral, Estero, and Fort Myers Beach extend the housing landscape.

Lifestyle in Fort Myers

Fort Myers offers a sun-soaked, outdoor lifestyle anchored by the river and the Gulf. The downtown River District provides dining, bars, arts venues, and riverfront events, while the city's calendar includes spring-training baseball, arts festivals, and seasonal celebrations. Recreation centers on boating, fishing, kayaking, and the beaches and shelling of Sanibel, Captiva, and Fort Myers Beach. Golf courses and country clubs are abundant, and the warm climate supports year-round outdoor activity. The lifestyle blends a working city center with the relaxed rhythm of a coastal Florida destination.

Schools & Education

Fort Myers is served by the School District of Lee County, the eighth-largest district in Florida and among the largest in the United States, with about 120 schools and roughly 100,000 students. Fort Myers High School is among the city's notable campuses, and the district offers a range of magnet, charter, and career-education options. Florida Gulf Coast University, located just south of the city, provides public higher education, while Florida SouthWestern State College serves the broader region. School choice and the district's scale are key considerations for relocating families.

Getting Around

Fort Myers sits along Interstate 75 in southwest Florida, about 140 miles south of Tampa and roughly 120 miles northwest of Miami, with U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) running through the city. Southwest Florida International Airport, just southeast of downtown, provides extensive domestic and international service and is a major gateway for the region. The Sanibel Causeway connects the mainland to Sanibel Island, while the Midpoint and Cape Coral bridges link the city to Cape Coral. The city is largely car-dependent, with no commuter rail, though local transit and trolley service operate in the downtown and beach areas.

Parks & Recreation

Fort Myers' recreation centers on the water. The barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva, reached by the Sanibel Causeway, are famous for shelling, beaches, and the historic Sanibel Lighthouse, while Fort Myers Beach offers a classic Gulf-shore strand. Boating, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are year-round pursuits on the Caloosahatchee River, Estero Bay, and the Gulf. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates' botanical gardens, spring-training baseball at area ballparks, and numerous golf courses round out the options. Nature preserves and wildlife viewing, including manatees and dolphins, add to the region's appeal.

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