Your Guide to the Top Towns in Southwest Florida

The southwest Florida area is full of transplants. Every year without fail, people flock to our area to start new chapters of their lives. At Beattie Development we might be a little biased, but we get it! There are a number of great reasons why people continue to move to Southwest Florida.

• The weather — Florida is a haven for those sick of brutal winter weather. The average annual high temperature is 82.4 degrees. The average annual low temperature is just under 65 degrees. Floridians enjoy sunny weather most days. Sunshine boosts your levels of serotonin, meaning you might find yourself a little happier as a Florida resident!
• The beaches — The southwest area of Florida is well known for its beaches. In fact, this part of Florida regularly tops major lists of the world’s best beaches.
• The natural beauty — Our beaches aren’t the only thing we’re known for. The entire state of Florida offers lakes, blue skies, and wildlife. Residents can also enjoy regular fishing and birdwatching in Southwest Florida.
• Easy access to major cities — Our location is in a convenient spot — just a short drive to Tampa, Orlando, or Miami. This opens the doors to a myriad of professional sports games to attend, designer stores to frequent, or major airports to fly from.
• The housing market — Despite the fact that Florida offers a number of benefits to residents, the housing market is affordable. That means you’ll be able to build the house of your dreams at a reasonable price.

If you’re fully committed to or considering a move to Southwest Florida, there are a lot of great towns to choose from. In this article, we’ll scratch the surface and share five of our favorite places. We’ll let you know what to expect as a resident of the area, so you can determine if it’s the right place for you and your family.

Cape Coral

If you’re considering moving to Florida for the proximity to water, look no further than Cape Coral, The town is also known as “The Venice of Florida” or “Waterfront Wonderland.” Cape Coral, founded by Jack and Leonard Rosen in 1957, was developed as a large subdivision of homes through Gulf American Land Corporation. Cape Coral has over 400 miles of navigable waterways, which is more than any other city in the world — even Venice. It’s also the second largest city in the state.

Cape Coral is a great town in which to raise a family. From aquatic activities to museums to various parks, there will always be fun for the entire family. Cape Coral has a very low unemployment rate as well. As of 2022, the unemployment rate sat just above 3 percent. The Cape Coral job market doubled between 2009-2019, making it the fastest-growing in the entire nation.
Jobs are expected to grow more than 40 percent over the next decade. The majority of those jobs are in the fields of education, healthcare, and construction. Some of the area’s largest employers include Lee County Public Schools, Lee Memorial Health Systems, the City of Cape Coral, Publix Supermarkets, and Sam’s Club/Walmart. Other popular industries include technology, biotech, light manufacturing, and ecology.

Once the workday is done, you’ll be able to enjoy a thriving nightlife scene in Cape Coral. The area is home to a myriad of different cuisines, such as seafood, Italian, Indian, Mexican, and Japanese, to name a few. The nightlife in the area is just as diverse. You can stop for a quick drink at Back Streets Sports Bar or Cork Soakers wine bar. If you’d like some locally-produced spirits, head over to the Wicked Dolphin for rum and other spirits, or Eight Foot Brewing for local beer. Whatever your preferences are, you’ll never be bored in Cape Coral!

Fort Myers

Fort Myers, also known as the City of Palms, is another great place to relocate to in Southwest Florida. The town continues to attract new residents year after year because it’s an ideal place to raise a family. For one, it was ranked the #3 safest city to live in by US News & World Report’s 2023-2024 study.
It’s also the third-fastest growing city in America — maybe for that same reason. The town boasts great opportunities for those looking to pursue higher education as well. The Lee Campus of Florida SouthWestern State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, The Water School, Hodges University, and Fort Myers Technical College are all near Fort Myers.

Fort Myers offers a number of ways to enjoy yourself. The local beaches are among the best in the state. With an average temperature of 74 degrees and 271 sunny days each year, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to frequent those beaches! The consistently nice weather also allows you to enjoy boating to observe wildlife at Estero Bay Preserve Park, hiking the Black Island Trail, and geo-caching at Lovers Key State Park.
You’ll find plenty of fun after-hours as well. Residents enjoy an eclectic dining scene, along with plenty of options for live music, after-dinner drinks, and more. Plus, if you ever need a quick getaway, Southwest Florida International Airport is conveniently located in Fort Myers.

If sports are your thing, don’t miss out on spring training. Every March, two major baseball Major League Baseball teams make their way down to Fort Myers for spring training. Fans are welcome to buy tickets and watch the teams play. The Boston Red Sox play at JetBlue Park at Fenway South and the Minnesota Twins train at Hammond Stadium. Get the full summertime experience by watching local teams the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, the Gulf Coast League Twins, and the Gulf Coast League Red Sox play too.

Bonita Springs

We like to think of Bonita Springs as one of Southwest Florida’s best-kept secrets. It’s a quaint community with plenty of exciting amenities, making it an especially great fit for retirees. In Bonita Springs, you’ll find a thriving arts, leisure, shopping, and dining scene. The town boasts centers for both visual and performing arts, meaning that art lovers of any kind will get their fill. You can also enjoy shopping at major stores at the Coconut Point Mall or search for a bargain at the Flamingo Island Flea Market every weekend. Top your day off with a delicious meal out.
If you love the outdoors, you’ll find plenty of options in Bonita Springs. Thanks to the white sandy shores and blue waters, these beaches are referred to as “The Gateway to the Gulf.” You can enjoy a beach day at Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park or Lovers Key State Park. If you’re a dog owner, you can even bring your furry pal to Dog Beach Park.

If you prefer hiking, Estero Bay Preserve State Park is easily accessible. There, you’ll find miles of trails weaving through the 11,000 acres of natural ecosystems. You may encounter wildlife from gopher tortoises, snakes, birds, and lizards. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the outdoors, you can rent a kayak or canoe at a nearby park to peruse the rivers and bays.

Bonita Springs is a haven for local golfers with 23 golf courses right in town. Golfers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy time on the greens at Bonita Fairways. If you’re a bit more advanced and looking to level up your game, take on the lakes, sand, and bunkers at Bonita National Golf and Country Club. If your kids are looking to get into the game, swing by Raptor Bay Golf Club for some private or group instruction

Estero

Whether you like fine dining, beach going, or golfing, Estero is a great town to move to! It’s a mid-sized city with plenty of amenities for residents of every age. Estero boasts a livability score of 82/100, making it one of the best places to live in the state for young families and retirees alike.
The town has a low crime rate, high employment, and a highly-rated school system. There may not be colleges right in town, but you’ll find options in Naples and Fort Myers. One of the great perks of living in Estero is the ability to walk around and soak up nature all around you.

There are multiple beaches for residents to frequent. Hunt for geckos and watch out for manatees at Bonita Beach or Lovers Key State Park. Visit Little Hickory Island Beach for a low-key beach with still, waist-high waters. Bike racks, showers, and picnic tables make it easy for you to spend the day on your beach trip.
Estero is also home to the Mound Key Archaeological Site. The site, nestled in the mangrove forests, was once inhabited by a prehistoric tribe known as the Calusa. The site, which is only accessible by boat, has shell mounds and ridges that stand as much as 30 feet above the water and contain fish bones, seashells, and pottery of the ancient Calusa people. You can also see dolphins and manatees near this area.

Estero offers plenty of opportunities for staying active, too. Tee off with some friends at Stoneybrook or Old Corkscrew Golf Clubs. Explore the historical trails and abundant wildlife at Koreshan State Park. If you’re looking for shopping options, check out Miromar Outlets, Coconut Point, or Corkscrew Village. End your day with a meal at Restorative’s Cafe, First Watch, or Angelina’s Ristorante.
Hertz Arena in Estero is home to the Florida Everblades of the ECHL hockey league, a minor league affiliate of the NHL Florida Panthers. The Hertz Arena also offers concerts, children’s shows and touring comedians all year-round.

Naples

Naples is a very popular area in Southwest Florida, so we’re not surprised that Schoolaroo named it the number 1 place to live in the US! Naples scored top ratings in healthcare, with two hospitals and six clinics right in town.
Naples also scored top marks in leisure and entertainment. For example, the town is known as the “Golf Capital of the World.” Naples boasts more than 80 champion golf courses within driving distance, and each course is different from the previous one. Local courses are designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Arthur Hills, and Robert Trent Jones. With Naples’ constantly sunny environment, golf enthusiasts can enjoy time on the greens year-round. Naples is also host to events such as the QBE Shootout and the Chubbs Classic PGA tournament as well as a major Pickleball Tournament.

The town also ranked highly for the number of public schools, low crime rates, strong public safety, and a solid economy. There are three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in town. While there are not any colleges in Naples, there are many within a 35-mile radius.
Naples also offers beautiful scenery and activities for residents of any age. Here are some of the gorgeous beaches you can visit right in town:

• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Clam Pass Beach Park
• Naples Municipal Beach and Fishing Pier, better known as Naples Pier
• Vanderbilt Beach
• North Gulf Shore Boulevard Beach
• Seagate Beach
• Lowdermilk Beach Park

These beaches are all peaceful havens with white sand and crystal blue water. Beachgoers can relax, sunbathe, or get out on the water with a boat. The Naples City Dock offers 84 slips to accommodate boats up to 60 feet long. If you need to fuel up, you can use the high-speed diesel and ethanol-free gasoline pumps right at the pier. But keep in mind that the dock is popular and often has a waitlist.

TL;DR — Build Your Dream Home in Southwest Florida with Beattie Development

Here at Beattie Development, we love living in Southwest Florida. The weather, exquisite nature, beaches, golf, and the strong job market are just some of the reasons that people flock to the area. Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Naples are some of our favorite towns in the area.
If you’re ready to start a new chapter in this area, you can count on Beattie Development to help you call the area home. We offer remodeling services to turn an existing house into your forever home. Or, if you’re ready for a new house, we’ll guide you through the concept creation, designing, planning, and delivery stages of building your dream home.

Contact us today to learn how we can create your perfect home together.