Mariela Lovo OlREALTOR® Español
(214) 952-7518Smart Realty of Florida

Lee County · FL

Moving to Fort Myers, Florida

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

Fort Myers, Florida is Lee County's historic river city. It has a walkable downtown River District, older neighborhoods along McGregor Boulevard and newer suburbs spreading south and east. Many homes with a Fort Myers mailing address sit outside the city limits. So the first step is to know which side of that line you are on.

At a glance

County
Lee County
City population (2020 Census)
86,395[1]
City population estimate (July 1, 2025)
101,581[1]
City land area
39.8 square miles[1]
Mean travel time to work (city)
25.2 minutes[1]
San Carlos Park CDP population (2020)
18,563[2]
Gateway CDP population (2020)
10,376[2]
School district
School District of Lee County[21]
Airport
Southwest Florida International (RSW)[36]
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30[27]

What is it like to live in Fort Myers?

Fort Myers is the county seat. It is the older, more urban side of the Caloosahatchee River. The City of Fort Myers had 86,395 residents in the 2020 Census and an estimated 101,581 in 2025. It covers about 40 square miles of land. It calls itself the City of Palms, and a city program keeps royal palms growing along its major roads.

Thomas Edison bought land here in 1885. His winter estate on McGregor Boulevard sits next to Henry Ford's, and both are now a museum and garden. Beyond the old core, most growth has spread south toward Estero and east toward the airport. Those newer places share the Fort Myers name.

Which parts of Fort Myers should I look at?

Start by choosing between city and county. The downtown River District and the McGregor corridor are older and mostly inside city limits. San Carlos Park, Three Oaks and Gateway are unincorporated Lee County communities with Fort Myers addresses. There, utilities, trash service and permits come from different agencies.

Downtown suits people who want a walkable core. The southern and eastern suburbs suit people who want newer homes near I-75, Alico Road and the airport. Read the area notes below, then browse homes for sale in Fort Myers.

How do people get around and commute from Fort Myers?

Most traffic uses US 41 (Cleveland Avenue and Tamiami Trail), McGregor Boulevard, Colonial Boulevard, Daniels Parkway and I-75. The Census Bureau's average commute for city workers is 25.2 minutes. The drive to Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel takes longer than most newcomers expect. Winter is the slowest time.

LeeTran's buses and its on-demand ULTRA service cover the city. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) sits southeast of downtown. It has nonstop flights to more than 75 places. The river district downtown is walkable, but check any other address on Walk Score.

How do schools work in Fort Myers?

The School District of Lee County runs the public schools in Fort Myers. Your school is not set by a simple boundary line. Elementary and middle schools use a Proximity Plan. Parents rank the schools in their proximity zone. Then a lottery fills seats, using factors such as siblings and distance.

High school uses three large choice zones (West, East and South), and each one has smaller sub-zones. Magnet and advanced programs have their own applications. These include International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, FGCU Collegiate and the arts. For school ratings, see the Florida Department of Education's School Grades. Check the school for any address directly with the district.

What do people do for fun in Fort Myers?

The River District downtown has the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and Florida Repertory Theatre. Broadway tours play at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on the FSW campus. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates include 20 acres of historic gardens.

For nature, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has a 1.2-mile boardwalk. Lakes Park has a 158-acre lake and a miniature train. Manatee Park is busiest from late December through February. The county's Lee Health Sports Complex and JetBlue Park host baseball.

What costs should I plan for in Fort Myers besides the mortgage?

Price insurance before you make an offer. Flood coverage is a separate policy, and it often has a 30-day wait. A lender will require it in high-risk zones. Look hard at riverfront and low-lying streets. During Hurricane Ian, the surge pushed up the Caloosahatchee and flooded streets downtown.

Is the home your main residence on January 1? Then file for the homestead exemption with the Lee County Property Appraiser by March 1. It takes the first $25,000 of assessed value off all property taxes. It also takes up to $26,411 more off non-school taxes on value above $50,000. After that, the Save Our Homes cap limits yearly rises in assessed value to 3%.

Inside the city, water, sewer and trash service come from the City of Fort Myers. In unincorporated areas, they come from other providers and county-franchised haulers. Some master-planned communities add HOA or Community Development District fees.

What are my next steps if I am moving to Fort Myers?

Download the full Fort Myers guide for a first-30-days checklist, storm prep and buying questions. Compare nearby guides for Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Estero. Note that Fort Myers Beach is a separate town.

Check a monthly payment with the mortgage calculator. Or schedule a call with Mariela in English or Spanish.

Parts of town to know: Fort Myers

  • Downtown River DistrictThe historic downtown on the Caloosahatchee. It has galleries, theater, the main library and the city's most walkable blocks.
  • McGregor Boulevard and the historic neighborhoodsOlder, tree-lined streets along the river south of downtown, near the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
  • South Fort Myers and Cypress LakeSettled suburbs between McGregor Boulevard and US 41, near Lakes Park, Lakes Regional Library and the FSW campus.
  • San Carlos Park and Three OaksUnincorporated communities south of Alico Road, near I-75, FGCU and the airport. They mix older lots and newer subdivisions.
  • Gateway and the airport corridorA master-planned community east of I-75 near RSW. It has newer homes and quick access to Daniels Parkway and SR 82.
  • East Fort Myers, Palm Beach Boulevard and BuckinghamRiver and rural areas east of downtown along SR 80, from older neighborhoods to acreage near Buckingham.

School assignment can change and differs by address. Verify with the school district, and see official ratings at FLDOE School Grades. School District of Lee County.

Homes for sale now — Fort Myers

Search all homes in Fort Myers

Common questions

Is Fort Myers the same as Fort Myers Beach?

No. Fort Myers is the city on the Caloosahatchee River. Fort Myers Beach is a separate town on Estero Island in the Gulf. The drive between them often takes longer than the distance suggests, mostly in winter. See the separate Fort Myers Beach guide if you want to live near the sand.

Which part of Fort Myers is walkable?

The downtown River District is the most walkable part of Fort Myers. The arts center, theater, library and restaurants are within a few blocks. Most other areas need a car. Check any address on Walk Score before you sign a lease.

Is San Carlos Park or Gateway part of the City of Fort Myers?

No. San Carlos Park, Three Oaks and Gateway are unincorporated communities in Lee County. They use Fort Myers mailing addresses. That changes who provides water, trash service, permits and law enforcement. Confirm who governs any address before you compare costs.

Should I live in Fort Myers or Cape Coral?

It depends on your commute and the kind of home you want. Fort Myers has the historic downtown, the airport and most major venues. Its city workers average a 25.2-minute commute. Cape Coral is mostly single-family canal homes across toll bridges, with a 29.9-minute average. Many people rent for a year first to decide.

Did downtown Fort Myers flood during Hurricane Ian?

Yes. The National Hurricane Center said the surge reversed the river's flow and flooded city streets. Water rose 5 to 8 feet above ground up the Caloosahatchee in Fort Myers. Flood risk varies by street and elevation. For any riverfront or low-lying home, ask for an elevation certificate and a flood insurance quote.

Is there public transportation in Fort Myers?

Yes. LeeTran runs fixed bus routes, an on-demand service called ULTRA and Passport paratransit. You can pay fares in the LeeFare app. The buses help for some trips, but most residents still rely on a car.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Cape Coral city; Fort Myers city; Lehigh Acres CDP; North Fort Myers CDP; Lee County, Florida, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. QuickFacts: Fort Myers Shores CDP; San Carlos Park CDP; Three Oaks CDP; Gateway CDP, Florida, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  3. 2024 Gazetteer Files: Places, Florida, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Utilities, City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Solid Waste, City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Parks (Royal Palm Preservation Program), City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Site Map (Parks & Recreation facilities), City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Edison and Ford Winter Estates (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Florida Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Florida Gulf Coast University, FGCU (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Florida SouthWestern State College, FSW (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Sports Development (Lee Health Sports Complex, JetBlue Park), Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Lakes Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  17. Manatee Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Wild Turkey Strand Preserve, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  19. Buckingham Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  20. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Student Enrollment Plan 2026-2027 (Board approved December 1, 2025), The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  22. School Zones, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  23. School Grades, Florida Department of Education (read 2026-09-24)
  24. New Florida Resident, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  25. How Do I Register to Vote?, Lee County Supervisor of Elections (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Emergency Management (Know Your Zone, LeePrepares, AlertLee), Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Hurricane Season, City of Fort Myers (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (AL092022), NOAA National Hurricane Center (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Milton (AL142024), NOAA National Hurricane Center (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Helene (AL092024), NOAA National Hurricane Center (read 2026-09-24)
  31. Flood Insurance, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage, Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Wind Mitigation Resources, Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Florida Statutes 689.302 (flood disclosure in sale of real property), The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Florida Case Study, International Code Council (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Southwest Florida International Airport, Lee County Port Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  37. LeeTran, Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Lee County Tolls - LeeWay, Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  39. Lee Health Fast Facts, Lee Health (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Branch Locations and Hours, Lee County Library System (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Solid Waste (Find My Waste Pickup Days), Lee County Government (read 2026-09-24)
  42. Walk Score, Walk Score (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.

More community guides

Cape Coral · Lehigh Acres · Bonita Springs · Estero · Fort Myers Beach · Sanibel · North Fort Myers · Captiva · Pine Island · Alva