Bonita Springs

With Downtown Bonita Springs 2 miles to the east and Barefoot Beach just 3 miles west, both the snowbirds and locals that live in Arbel can enjoy beach vibes, a small-town feel and abundant amenities. “It's just so charming around here and they work really hard to keep it that way,” says Maikol Henriquez, executive director of the Bonita Springs Historical Society. “Small Town Charm, Big Bright Future is our motto and we try to capture that by continuing to really emphasize the community aspect of things. We want to keep the old-Florida feeling even as downtown continues to develop.” Between the Gulf of Mexico, the Imperial River and its canals, there are plenty of waterfront possibilities. Fishing is one of the most popular activities, both shoreline and offshore. There are lots of places to rent kayaks or take a boat out on the river as well. The protected waters of Fish Trap Bay are west of the neighborhood and Barefoot Beach is a local favorite. “The beach here is known for having very white, plush sand and calm waters,” Henriquez says. “The Gulf of Mexico typically isn’t very choppy so it’s great for a wide audience of visitors like older folks and families with young kids because they don’t have to worry about riptides and rough water.” The beach is also lined with boutiques and cafes. Other outdoor amenities include the Bonita Springs Community Park which has tennis courts and a baseball field, and Riverside Park, which is decorated by sculptures and has an amphitheater for locals to enjoy live performances. There are plenty of restaurants, entertainment options and other amenities both in and around the neighborhood and growing downtown area. The Shangrilah Springs historic hotel is one of the most popular destinations thanks to its restaurant Harves & Wisdom. “It’s a very unique dining experience. Everything is organic, they grow their own vegetables on the property and have their own bees for pollination,” Henriquez says. “The horticulturist on staff keeps the gardens stunning and filled with exotic plants, and works with the executive chef to prepare everything onsite.” The Everglades Wonder Gardens is known for its exotic plants as well, along with a diverse collection of animals that range from alligators to turtles to flamingos. The Bonita Fairways Golf Club is another opportunity to enjoy the outdoors on a privately owned 18-hole course. Designed by Gordon Lewis, the course is complemented by an onsite restaurant. Another nearby restaurant is Iguana Mia, known for its casual Mexican fare which includes everything from margaritas to fish tacos. Locals can pick up their groceries from Publix. Arbel homes are divided into two sections, an upper grouping of streets that run parallel to canals breaking off from the Imperial River, and a grouping of homes below Pennsylvania Avenue without waterfront access. Most homes away from the water are stucco ranch-style options, with more expensive two- and three-story homes close to the water. The ranch-style homes usually fall between $225,000 and $525,000 while the waterfront homes sell for $500,000 to upward of $3,000,000 depending on their size. These larger waterfront homes typically have private docks as well. There are about 670 total homes in the neighborhood and the average number of days on the market for Arbel is close to three times the national average. Homes can be anywhere from 800 to 3,000 square feet in size and were built anywhere from the early 1980s to 2023. Lush green lots fall between 8,000 square feet and 0.35 acres. Students in Arbel can attend Bonita Springs Elementary, which received a B-minus rating from Niche and serves about 550 students with a student-teacher ratio of 17-to-1. Lexington Middle School is another option with a B-plus rating from Niche that serves about 1,100 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20-to-1. Estero High School received a B rating from Niche and serves about 1,350 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21-to-1. Students are encouraged to participate in a Cambridge AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) program, an international curriculum that better prepares students with the skills to be successful in college and the world.

Just north of Bonita Springs is the southwest Florida enclave of Council. Bordered by Highway 41 to the west and I-75 to the east, this community offers quick access to Downtown Fort Myers to the north and Naples to the south. “Council is a quaint, laid-back area filled with community activities and interest,” says Deborah Bateman, a Realtor with 24 years of experience selling homes in the Bonita Springs area. “People here really love to boat, fish and golf.” This active and connected community is centrally located while providing the benefits of being a little off-the-beaten-path. Council has a diverse layout with a grid to the east and winding roads with waterfront homes surrounding lakes and ponds to the south and west. Within the eastern Bonita Gates subdivision is Bonita Lakes, a small, gated community. Here, residents live in single-family contemporary-style homes with a Spanish Mission influence, while villas and ranches are popular throughout. Houses sit atop quiet, palm tree-lined streets. For homes with 1,500 square feet or less, prices range from $250,000 to $400,000, with the average price falling around $300,000. Homes with more than 2,000 square feet tend to sell from $700,000 to $1,000,000, with the average sale price being $900,000. The Lee County Public School District serves the residents of Council. Students can begin their education at Pinewoods Elementary School, which earned an A-minus on Niche while also ranking No.4 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Lee County. Students can continue their education at Three Oaks Middle School, which scored a B-plus on niche. When finishing their education, students can attend Estero High School, which ranks a score of B on Niche. Estero High offers the Applied Engineering Academy program, which provides students with a foundation of knowledge in the study of applied engineering through additional courses. Residents of the Bonita Lakes gated community enjoy a clubhouse, tennis and bocce courts, a fitness center, a hot tub and a resort-style swimming pool. Outside of the private community, golfers can head to the Bonita Fairways Golf Course off Bonita Fairways Boulevard. For fun indoors, residents can finish the night with a movie at Prado Stadium 12. Old 41, the 16 consecutive year winner of News Press' BONITA'S BEST Award, is a popular brunch mainstay. This breakfast and lunch restaurant serves classic American diner-style food in a casual setting. For seafood, residents head to Shaking Crab at Prado at Spring Creek shopping mall. Groceries can be bought at Publix Super Market at Pelican Landing, while clothing and home goods can be purchased at Target 4 miles north of Council. Riverside Park is the hub for local events, festivals, and outdoor movies. “Everyone goes to the park- they’re always hosting some kind of event,” says Bateman. “There’s Christmas Eve in the park, concerts and big band music night.” Though most residents use a car to get around, public transportation is available through several bus stops along Old 41 Road and South Tamiami Trail. For long-distance travel, the Southwest Florida International Airport is a quick 13-and-a-half miles north of Council.

The aptly named Central Bonita Springs sits at the heart of the action on Florida’s coast. Located just five miles from the beach, this historic neighborhood has the comfortable, predictable feel of a suburb with the amenities of both the beach and the big city. “You’re not far from the beach or dining, and it’s a great area for Airbnb,” says Realtor Amanda Barcenas of MVP Realty, who’s been working in the area for five years. Local artists’ murals populate public spaces alongside a variety of small businesses. The homes in this community rest on a gridded patchwork of streets, with many parks on the residential side and fishing and swimming available at the beach. “It’s a very up-and-coming cultural area with lots of young families moving in,” says Barcenas. Folks making this move have the best of it all in their backyard. Unlike surrounding areas, homes in this neighborhood are not as prone to natural disasters. “It’s not a flood zone, so owners aren’t hit with flood premium costs. It’s a really good area for the money,” says Barcenas. Central Bonita Springs’ Cul de sacs form an oblong grid pattern. Home styles vary from block to block, but the lots they rest on are consistent in size and shape. Bungalow and ranch styles are common, featuring yards fit for flower bushes or a barbecue with friends. Paved driveways and attached garages are typical for the standard three-bedroom builds. Pricing averages between $250,000 and $650,000, with the high end of the range belonging to homes with pools or more contemporary architectural influences. Students in Central Bonita Springs attend Bonita Springs Elementary, rated B-minus by Niche. Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts has plenty of fun clubs for kids to join, like creative writing and Latin dance. Bonita Springs High completes the list, earning a B-minus overall from Niche. Folks in this neighborhood have plenty of parks to explore, each featuring its own amenities. Bonita Nature Place is a snapshot of the area’s vibrant environment. Locals can trek along the park’s pathways, which wind around the Imperial River’s edge. Park staff run a preserve home to several animal species like bats and the endangered Gopher Tortoise. Residents wanting to spend time with their own animals are welcome at the Bonita Springs Dog Park. This area is equipped with a large, fenced-in field where pups can socialize and a washing station in case they get dirty. There’s also a shelter for dog owners to catch their breath in the shade. There are plenty of events for those wanting to meet new people. The Center for the Arts sponsors a festival in Riverside Park for two days in February. This is one of three annual festivals where locals can check out artworks on display, with some for sale. Two recurring music favorites are the Bonita Springs Concert Band and the Stardust Memories Big Band, playing multiple times during the year. The Concert Band offers free admission to their performances of classical, rock or Broadway tunes. To start their morning, locals can grab breakfast at Teri’s Diner. This spot serves classic bacon, egg and hashbrown combos alongside coffee. For something stronger, they can check out The Brass Tap. Craft beers and burgers come with a bright, modern atmosphere. Shopping is less than three miles away at Publix Super Market, where folks can stock up on weekly groceries. The Home Depot is even closer for DIY needs. Transportation can be difficult to come by in Bonita Springs, despite the LeeTran bus having a route along Old 41 Road. Folks are best off driving themselves from point A to point B.

Seated in the heart of Bonita Springs is Highland Woods, a private gated community and country club of 799 homes. “It’s a bundled golf community — homebuyers automatically become members,” says Realtor Lance Martinicchio, who has over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry. “They’ve got a great golf course and excellent amenities.” This lush, tropical enclave of southwestern Florida has recreation in spades. Laid out in a grid-style format, Highland Woods residents enjoy high walkability throughout the neighborhood. Home styles are ranches and single-family contemporary style homes, often with a Spanish Mission influence. Houses here have long winding brick driveways cutting through manicured lawns studded with palm trees. With broad streets and no sidewalks, the residents of Highland Woods get around by car. For homes with less than 2,000 square feet, prices range from $450,000 to $600,000, with the average sale price being $550,000. Houses with over 2,000 square feet range from $700,000 to $1.1 million, with the average price falling around $900,000. Residents can play a round or two at the Highland Woods Golf and Country Club, which features a private 18-hole golf course, a clubhouse and an aqua range. Residents can also play tennis, work out at the fitness center, swim in the pool or dine at both formal and casual restaurants within the clubhouse. Residents can also enjoy the Bonita Springs Skate Park right off Pine Avenue. Highland Woods residents gather at Riverside Park every winter for the Bonita Springs National Arts Festivals. Showcasing three festivals per year between January and March, this event features the work of over 200 local and international artists, all available for purchase. Residents can get groceries at the Publix Super Market right inside Highland Woods at Bonita Bay Plaza. From here, locals can drive south on US Highway 41 and stop by Home Goods for furniture and home decor. For dining, DeRomo’s Restaurant and Market is a Highland Woods Staple. “DeRomo’s is an excellent Italian market and restaurant,” says Martinicchio. “It’s very popular — everybody goes there.” For a more casual dining experience, residents head to Buffalo Chips Restaurant. This ranch-style dive features Southern-inspired happy hour food and live music. The Lee County Public School District serves the residents of Highland Woods. Students can start their education at Pinewoods Elementary School, ranked No. 4 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Lee County, earning itself an A-minus on Niche. Students can continue their education at Three Oaks Middle School, which scored a B-plus on Niche. Students can finish their education at Estero High School, which earned a B on Niche. Estero High offers the Applied Engineering Academy program, which provides students with a foundation of knowledge in the study of applied engineering through additional courses. Though most residents get around by car, public transportation is available through several bus stops along Old 41 Road. For long-distance travel, the Southwest Florida International Airport is just 16 and a half miles north of Highland Woods. The nearest hospital, NCH Bonita Springs Emergency Department, is located on South Tamiami trail, just 3 miles north of Bonita Springs.