Today we are looking at the best 55+ and active adult communities in Fort Myers.
19.44% of our reader survey respondents say Fort Myers is the place they are MOST interested in retiring to in Florida, and it's easy to see why.
We like it because it has:
- Great weather
- Reasonable cost of living (below the state average)
- Stunning beaches
- Plenty of golf courses
- great restaurants, shopping, and other things to do
Here are some of our favorite communities in this area right now:
Discover Valencia Harbor by GL Homes in Fort Myers – a new 55+ community featuring a clubhouse, resort pools, fitness centers, sports courts, dining, and social activities. New single-family homes start from the $300s. Join the VIP Interest List to be the first to explore this premium active adult community.
Verandah is a beautiful, private, guard-gated golf course community in Fort Myers. Enjoy life among mature oak trees, meandering bike paths and walking trails, and breathtaking views of the Orange River. Verandah offers residents full-service dining options, social events and activities, fitness and recreation options, and 2 spectacular 18-hole championship golf courses: Old Orange, designed by Bob Cupp and Whispering Oak, designed by Jack Nicklaus. Prices start in the $400k’s.
Pelican Preserve is a 55+ community in Fort Myers with approximately 2,500 homes.
The Plaza Del Sol clubhouse for residents includes a state-of-the-art fitness center and dance studio, card room and art studio, a 100-seat movie theater, and more. Outside there is a resort-style pool, 12 pickleball courts, 8 tennis courts, a juice bar, a softball field, a basketball court, a beach area, a butterfly garden, a fishing pier, and more.
Pelican Preserve is also home to a 27-hole championship golf course and clubhouse. Golf membership is optional for Pelican Preserve residents.
Condos, villas, and single-family homes are available starting in the $300k’s.
Del Webb Oak Creek is a new 55+ community that opened in Fort Myers in 2022. Here you’ll find pretty much the same floorplans and amenities offered in other Del Webb communities, but if Southwest Florida is where you want to retire, this place is definitely worth checking out. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Located in Southwest Florida, Babcock Ranch has been designed to help residents live their happiest, healthiest life. Situated on 18,000 acres, adjacent to an extensive wilderness preserve, Babcock Ranch features hiking and biking paths, greenways, and lakes perfect for outdoor adventures.
America’s first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch houses an 870-acre solar farm operated by Florida Power & Light, and the entire town is outfitted with fiber optic internet for a fully connected lifestyle.
Babcock Ranch features a variety of neighborhoods and home builders, and prices range from the $300's to over $2M.
Known for offering the perfect combination of recreation and relaxation, Fort Myers contains an endless amount of options including white sand beaches, first-class golf courses, exciting deep-sea fishing, and outstanding shopping.
There is an amazing selection of great local restaurants in just about every neighborhood, and baseball fans will be excited to know that both the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins host their spring training activities here.
Where is Fort Myers?
Fort Myers is a hub of activity in Southwest Florida and is located only 10 miles from the Southwest Florida International Airport. If you are looking for the perfect community along the southern Gulf Coast of Florida, Fort Myers is the place where you want to start your search!
The community is located along the Caloosahatchee River. The closest interstate highway is I-75, which runs just east of the city and can take you south towards Naples or north towards Port Charlotte and then up to Sarasota.
Just west of Fort Myers is where you will find the popular destinations of Pine Island, Cayo Costa, Captiva, and of course, Sanibel Island.
History of Fort Myers
Fort Myers was originally settled in 1866 when Manuel A. Gonzalez brought his family here from Key West. It became home to one of the first forts along the Caloosahatchee River and was an important location during the Seminole Wars.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the area gained popularity when both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford built winter homes in Fort Myers. Quite a few local landmarks still bear the names of these two American legends.
Fort Myers Weather
Fort Myers is known for having a great year-round climate. The average temperature throughout the year is 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
Those temperatures generally reach up into the 90s during the summer months and it is common to see highs in the mid-70s during the winter months.
Cost of Living in Fort Myers
According to the website BestPlaces, the cost of living in Fort Myers is below the national average, and well below some of the more expensive places to live in Florida.
Of course, housing costs are going to be the biggest chunk of expenses for most people. Here's a recent snapshot of what the Fort Myers real estate market looks like:
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