Should I move to North Fort Myers or stay in Baltimore?
Hey, We're a young couple and Average temperature is around 75--F, so it's warm year-round. You can expect to pay around $1,155 for rent here. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots.
7 upvotes
24 Replies
Lily Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from Miami for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is average - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are tough. 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Property taxes are high. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Madelyn Wood
Came here for retirement and stayed because I love the pace of life here. The walkability is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 15 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is decent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are pretty 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. Not very walkable outside downtown. Bugs and humidity in summer. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Santiago
noted, appreciate it
33 upvotes
Bennett Adams
as a local I can confirm
33 upvotes
Brielle Garcia
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Ariana Ortiz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 34, moved here 10 years ago from LA. I've lived in Highland and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The outdoor recreation situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for couples. improving vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: 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 LA, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
30 upvotes
Isaac R.
hmm interesting perspective
27 upvotes
Olivia Allen
I work in real estate here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Madeline Mitchell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Seattle about 10 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are growing, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Eleanor Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 24, moved here 15 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The housing market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 Portland, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K 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.
25 upvotes
Gary R.
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
24 upvotes
Owen Cook
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely hit or miss and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Westside) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
23 upvotes
Addison Wood
+1
23 upvotes
Peyton Cruz
haha yep pretty much
22 upvotes
Aiden Wood
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 36, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in East and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Good healthcare facilities
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The pet-friendliness situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- East: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: 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 Denver, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
12 upvotes
Benjamin Martinez
+1
11 upvotes
Hailey Flores
thanks for sharing
8 upvotes
Adeline Morgan
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely solid and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.
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.
7 upvotes
Luke Gonzalez
preach
7 upvotes
Hudson Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 4 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's reasonable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Robert Gonzalez
The food scene here is challenging. Tons of great Korean places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
3 upvotes
Everett Rodriguez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from San Diego about 1 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are wild, gas is challenging.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
3 upvotes
Jordan Reed
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great farm-to-table places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
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