Diplomat is a growing neighborhood in northeast Cape Coral that offers a wide variety of homes. It’s about 10 miles from downtown and crosses city limits into North Fort Myers. Despite the growing pains of continued development, including the ongoing construction of city water and sewage, Diplomat has many sought-after features. Miles of Cape Coral’s iconic canals run behind hundreds of properties, many of which have docks for small watercraft and fishing. “The city has a sophisticated waterway system that you can’t find anywhere else in the world,” says Albert Baeza, a longtime Realtor with RE/MAX Gulf Coast Realty. “A lot run all the way to the Gulf [of Mexico], too.” Beautiful local parks are another draw. Yellow Fever Creek Preserve is in the heart of the neighborhood, featuring hiking trails that wind through gorgeous subtropical greenery.
Miles of Cape Coral’s iconic canals run behind hundreds of properties in Diplomat.
Diplomat is located about 10 miles of Downtown Cape Coral & just 3 miles of Downtown Fort Myers.
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Diplomat’s variety of properties
While most of what is on Diplomat’s market are single-family homes and vacant lots, there are a couple of subdivisions with townhouse and condo units ranging from $180,000 to the high $300,000s. There are also several 55-plus communities, such as Windmill Village, with manufactured homes ranging from $50,000 to just under $300,000. The neighborhood’s oldest properties are small cottages built in the 1950s and ‘60s, and the 1980s ushered in ranch-style homes. These residences range from $170,000 to $450,000. In the 1990s and early 2000s, New Traditional houses brought more square footage, and this trend continues with more contemporary new builds. Most New Traditional houses are classic three-bedroom, two-bathroom properties that fall between $300,000 and $650,000; however, those with four or more bedrooms can range from $700,000 to the low $800,000s. Generally, lots are modest, usually under a quarter acre. According to Baeza, Diplomat has always been “the most economical area for Cape Coral lots, but when they do get that water and sewer, there will be assessments, and prices will go up.” Still, for the time being, he says the price range is “relatively affordable and favorable,” especially for first-time homebuyers and investors.
Waterfront homes with private docks go for a premium price in the Diplomat neighborhood.
Homes in Diplomat enjoy sizable lots with ample front and back yards.
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Trails in Yellow Fever Creek Preserve
On the city’s outskirts, Diplomat isn’t far from the countryside, and that’s most apparent in its parks. Yellow Fever Creek Preserve spans more than 300 acres of pine flatwoods. The green space is popular among outdoorsy locals who can fish, bike, hike and spot wildlife between the trees. The city is further developing the park along its titular creek. Additions will include a visitor’s center, campgrounds, a disc golf course and more trails. Just north of Diplomat, Prairie Pines Preserve is another sprawling green space featuring various types of Florida terrain, from marshes to flatwoods to prairie. Evergreens, ferns and giant air plants make way for miles of hiking and equestrian trails. More traditional park amenities, like playgrounds and basketball courts, are less than a mile away from the neighborhood at Gator Trails Park, which officially opened in 2023.
Yellow Fever Creek Park has miles of trails for walking and riding horses in Diplomat.
Yellow Fever Creek Preserve Cape Coral has a small pond as it's centerpiece stocked with fish.
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The Shell Factory
The Shell Factory and Nature Park is a local attraction. It has an open-air bar and a popular seafood grill, but most visitors head there for the gift shop or nature park. The 50,000-square-foot gift shop has the world’s most extensive collection of seashells. It also features unique fossils, beautiful coral jewelry and even shell candles, which is why it’s been a holiday staple for over 80 years. Outside, visitors can interact with rescued animals like armadillos, sloths and – if they dare – alligators.
Pine Island Road and must-have local barbecue
Pine Island Road is on Diplomat’s south side. Target, Walmart and other big-box stores sit on either side of the thoroughfare, along with Mission BBQ, Chick-fil-A, Five Guys and other restaurant chains. Locally owned spots are nearby, too. Smoke’n Pit Barbecue is a family-owned and -operated restaurant that’s been in business for over 25 years. Their hearty barbecue specials come with at least one slice of Texas toast and two or three other Southern sides, from fried okra to black-eyed peas.
Smoke-N-Pit Bar-B-Que is just minutes from Diplomat and is well known for their pulled pork.
PetSmart is located in the Northpoint Shopping Center amongst other big box retailers.
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AVID supports college-bound students
Cape Coral is served by the School District of Lee County, which includes two neighborhood schools, Diplomat Elementary and Diplomat Middle. Both receive B-plus grades from Niche. Island Coast High School earns a C-plus and features Advanced Placement Via Determination, an academic support and college readiness program that assists students with rigorous classes and transitioning from K-12 to higher education.
Diplomat teens can attend the Island Coast High School rated B- on Niche.
Diplomat Elementary School is a B rated school with grades PreK - 5th grade
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Cape Coral is car-dependent
Diplomat is about 10 miles from Cape Coral’s downtown. LeeTrans bus stops are on main roads like Littleton Road, but for the most part, the city is car-dependent. Access to Interstate 75 is about 8 miles from the community, and the closest hospital, Cape Coral Hospital, is 5 miles away. Frequent flyers and potential snowbird residents should know it’s about a 25-mile drive to Southwest Florida International Airport.
While Cape Coral is largely car dependent, LeeTran services Diplomat at Merchant's Crossing.
Various shops, restaurants and stores are located in the plaza in the Diplomat neighborhood.
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Hurricane season on the Gulf Coast
Diplomat may be at minimal risk for flooding, but according to Risk Factor, it has an extreme wind factor. This makes hurricane season, from June 1st to November 30th, something to remember.
Carousel Boat Ramp in Diplomat is open to the public and enjoys Gulf access.
Diplomat has many sought-after features like canals that connect to the Gulf of Mexico.
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On average, homes in Diplomat, Cape Coral sell after 127 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Diplomat, Cape Coral over the last 12 months is $319,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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