Fort Myers was founded in 1850 as a military outpost during the Seminole Wars. In the mid-1880s, it became the county seat of the newly formed Lee County and tourism boomed as offshore tarpon fishing enticed sport fishermen and adventurers from around the world. In this regard, nothing has changed. Today, Fort Myers is not only a great place to live - but also it's a thriving place to do business.

Although people have been living in the Cape Coral area for many years, the city was not incorporated until 1970. Today, Cape Coral is booming and is a vibrant and friendly community with all the beauty that you expect from the Gulf coast in Southwest Florida. For complete information on life in the Fort Myers and Lee County, visit our visit our Area Information section or Contact Fort Myers Life.

Communities

Lee County, Florida consists of several cities, towns and villages including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel Island and many others. Known as the "City of Palms" for its palm-lined streets, Fort Myers was the winter home of both Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. Today Fort Myers offers wonderful opportunities for those searching for that perfect place to live as well as those looking for business opportunities.

Cape Coral's proximity to both Fort Myers and Naples has made it a very popular place to live. While still considered a "new" community, it is one of the most affordable communities in Southwest Florida. If a slow pace and friendly people are what you are looking for, Cape Coral is a place to consider.

The beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands are some of the most beautiful in Southwest Florida. These islands offer over 12 miles of unspoiled beaches, and offer opportunities for shelling and viewing native wildlife and vegetation. The sunsets, balmy breezes and friendly people make these areas wonderful places to live. For complete information on our communities and what they offer, visit our Area Information section or Contact Fort Myers Life.

Education

Lee County Public Schools is the ninth-largest district in Florida and one of the 50 largest school districts in the United States. We proudly educate approximately 80,000 students in grades K-12. Our District is a model for others in the state and nation - from our Microsoft Certified High School (Dunbar High) to our National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (The Sanibel School.) Schools in Lee County play a key role in community life. With approximately 12,000 full- and part-time employees, the School District is the county's largest employer and with the District's construction program, building new schools and renovating and expanding existing facilities, the District has been the area's largest developer.

Institutions of higher learning in Lee County include Florida Gulf Coast University. FGCU is a member of the State University System of Florida, and is one of the most exciting educational environments in America. Southwest Florida College offers training toward an Associate of Science degree, diploma or certificate in numerous in-demand career fields, as well as several Bachelor's Degrees. Concentrations include Allied Health, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Digital Design, Information Technology and Education.

In addition, there are several fine private elementary, middle, high and K-12 schools from which to choose. For more info on all Fort Myers area schools & colleges, visit our Area Information section or Contact Fort Myers Life.

Health

Lee Memorial Health System is an award-winning healthcare system serving thousands of Lee County and surrounding area patients each year. Known for the compassionate and dedicated care they provide to their patients, their medical staff totals nearly 1,000 Lee County physicians.

Services provided by the Lee Memorial Health System include heart, cancer, kidney, pulmonary, neuroscience, mental health and many, many more. Over a dozen locations make healthcare convenient for all Lee County residents. For more information on healthcare in the Fort Myers area, visit our Area Information section or Contact Fort Myers Life.

Arts & Culture

Arts and cultural activities thrive in the Fort Myers / Lee County area. Alliance for the Arts features local, regional and nationally known artists and craftspersons; The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall offers Broadway touring theatre, dance and musical performances; The Southwest Florida Symphony is a professional symphony orchestra, offering classical and pops series.

Over a dozen museums and science center can be found in Lee County, including the Fort Myers Historical Museum, Cape Coral Historical Museum, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, and the Children's Science Center.

Historical sites include the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, one of the area's most popular attractions where you can tour the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Features include Edison's botanical gardens, his laboratory and the museum with the world's largest collection of Edison's inventions and memorabilia. Cabbage Key, at Channel Marker #60 on the Intracoastal Waterway is a unique 100 acre Island reminiscent of days gone by, including the original Inn and restaurant. For more information, visit our Area Information section or Contact Fort Myers Life.

Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel & Lee County Real Estate

Fort Myers, Cape Coral and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva offer a full array of housing options, including condos, townhouses, patio homes and single family residences. Based on available information,in Fort Myers, sales prices in the second quarter of 2009 decreased approximately 35%, however unit sales increased by over 40% compared to the previous year. Cape Coral home prices declined by approximately 40%, with unit sales increasing over 90% during the same period. This indicates that there are excellent values to be had throughout Lee County. Average listing prices during the second quarter in Fort Myers were approximately $370,000 and $290,000 in Cape Coral.

Homes sales on the islands of Sanibel and Captiva, relative to value, have fared better than the rest of Lee County. Average listing prices for condos are approximately $700,000, with single-family residences topping $1,200,000. The highest priced home currently on the market exceeds $12,000,000.

Contact Fort Myers Life to learn more about real estate and properties available in Raleigh, Cary and surrounding communities. You may also visit our Property Search section to view all of the properties currently available through our multiple list service.