Small neighborhood between Barefoot Beach and Downtown 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.”
Canal-front homes and ranch-style off the water
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.
Raised two-story homes are prevalent in the Arbel neighborhood.
Water front single story home on the imperial river in the Arbel neighborhood.
Large three-story home in the Arbell neighborhood near the Imperial River.
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Barefoot Beach fishing and Imperial River kayaking
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.
In Riverside park, the art sculptures of Jane DeDecker can be found.
Kayaking is a popular past time in the Arbell neighborhood on the Imperial River.
People playing tennis in Bonita Springs Community Park, located close by to Arbel.
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Golf course, garden and historic hotel
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.
Iguana Mia is nearby Arbel for casual Mexican food dining.
Iguana Mia fish tacos and a margarita make a great lunch in the Arbel neighborhood.
Publix is a stones throw away from the Arbel neighborhood in the Center of Bonita Springs plaza
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Lexington Middle School in Ft Myers tests above average for state standards with 6 out of 10.
B rated schools and college prep programs
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.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Drayton Herold,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Island Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Riverside Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Depot Park
Trails
Playground
Parking Lot
Bonita Springs Dog Park
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
River Walk Park Bonita Bay
Bonita Springs Recreation Center
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Transit
Airport
Southwest Florida International
32 min drive
Bus
Bonita Bch Rd SE & Sunshine Plza
Bus
Bonita Bch Rd SE & Hacienda Vlg Dr
Arbel Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Arbel, Bonita Springs sell after 7 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Arbel, Bonita Springs over the last 12 months is $260,000.
This stunning 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home creates the perfect blend of modern design with waterfront living. Completely remodeled inside and out, you’ll love the light and open layout. Featuring custom tray ceilings, oversized tile flooring throughout, and an updated kitchen offering brand new stainless steel appliances - no detail has been overlooked. Both bathrooms have been tastefully upgraded
Welcome to this beautifully updated condo in Spanish Harbor in sunny Bonita Springs FL. just 4 miles to public beaches!! This remodeled 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom condo features a lovely kitchen with granite counter tops, 3 modern bathrooms (2 up and 1 downstairs), dining, living area, spacious primary bedroom, and a second bedroom on the main level. Enjoy your morning coffee, lunch or dinner on a
Discover the best of Southwest Florida living in this exceptional courtyard home with direct Gulf access—nestled in the heart of Bonita Springs and, best of all, NO HOA restrictions or fees! This elevated, hurricane-resilient residence has never experienced flooding, offering peace of mind and enduring value.Step through the private entry into your own sunlit oasis, where a sparkling pool
No Flood Zone! This beautiful Gulf-access home in Bonita Springs offers peace of mind, with no flood insurance required. Enjoy the best of waterfront living with direct canal access to the Gulf of Mexico, perfect for boaters and water enthusiasts alike.This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with a den and 2-car garage offers 1,548 sq ft of thoughtfully designed living space. The spacious canal-view
Single family pool home NOT IN A FLOOD ZONE! NO HOA! Meticulously cared for and updated w/ all newer appliances & kitchen sink, NEW hot water heater(2025), custom murals on privacy walls, & whole home Culligan water filter system & softener. You will love the open floor plan of the home w/ cathedral ceiling, tile flooring throughout, large closet systems, long screened front entry, courtyard area
Experience the ultimate waterfront lifestyle in Spanish Harbor, one of Bonita Springs' best-kept secrets for boaters and nature lovers. This top-floor, updated unit offers breathtaking Eastern sunrise views over a peaceful, kayak-friendly canal, where you can often spot manatees right from your screened-in lanai. The property has been meticulously maintained and thoughtfully updated with new
Beautifully remodeled 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom duplex located just minutes from the beach and the vibrant heart of downtown Bonita Springs! This move-in ready home features a brand-new roof, hurricane-impact windows and sliding glass doors, and a one-car attached garage!
Beautiful, spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath units. Polynesian Villas is located in the heart of Bonita Springs, FL just 3 miles from Bonita Beaches. Washer and dryer hookups, screened lanai and private fenced-in courtyard, central air conditioning, includes dishwasher, range, and refrigerator. Polynesian Villas offers a heated pool. Pet friendly (no aggressive breeds), 2 pets with maximum size of
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Drayton Herold,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,324
Median Age
45
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,750
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$84,921
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.6%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
22.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13%
% Population in Labor Force
66.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
56°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
63/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
37/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
