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Mackenzie James housing

Housing in Fort Myers Beach compared to Kansas City

Random thought, I work in energy and Crime rate is something to consider -Fort Myers Beach sits at 71.2 per 100K. Median household income is $90,833, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
12 upvotes

13 Replies

declan_mama
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The healthcare is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
39 upvotes
Sofia Bailey
accurate
38 upvotes
Charlotte R.
good to know, thanks
35 upvotes
Luke Reed
I've lived in Eastside for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The cultural scene scene is underrated

The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Dating scene is rough

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Hope this helps!.
32 upvotes
Rylee Murphy
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Dallas it's improving.
24 upvotes
Amelia Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely challenging and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
22 upvotes
Elena
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
19 upvotes
Jack Kim
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a data analyst, 37, moved here 10 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Eastside and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The healthcare situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
15 upvotes
Katherine Thomas
Hot take but I genuinely enjoy living here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 3 years here, that's my honest assessment.
12 upvotes
Leo Nguyen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 53, moved here 7 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Downtown and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The housing market situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for families. hit or miss vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
brooklyn_chef
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.

I've been here 8 years and it's improved dramatically in recent years. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is improving.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Lakewood side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
8 upvotes
Wesley Bailey
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
4 upvotes
Parker Green
Used to live on the West side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
3 upvotes
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