Rent is about $1,442/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Is this normal for Fort Myers? The weather takes some getting used to. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
15 upvotes
11 Replies
Paul C.
honestly same experience here
36 upvotes
Brooklyn
I work in manufacturing here and it exceeded my expectations. The job market for my field is excellent. Feel free to reach out with questions..
35 upvotes
Aurora G.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cultural scene. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
34 upvotes
Emilia Campbell
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
34 upvotes
Christian W.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
24 upvotes
Dylan Nguyen
seconding this
16 upvotes
Roman Perez
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
15 upvotes
Vivian W.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
13 upvotes
Nathan Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from Atlanta for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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