Downtown Fort Myers
First Street is the vibrant hub for shopping and dining
Downtown Fort Myers is both walkable and buzzing with activity day and night. Eclectic shops and upscale restaurants line First Street, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare. From fresh seafood at Izzy’s Fish and Oyster to classic Italian cuisine at Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza, there are many dining choices and some offer scenic views. “You can walk downtown five or six days a week, and you’ll still have somewhere new to eat every night,” Christiano says. “There’s live music and street performers every night of the week. Downtown is right on the river, so many of these restaurants have beautiful views.” Another popular spot is Ford’s Garage, a lively burger and brew joint with vintage 1920s décor and Ford memorabilia, playing upon the area’s history as the winter home of Henry Ford. There are numerous bars and breweries, including the World Famous Cigar Bar. “It’s developed a following from everywhere, including Naples down south,” Christiano says. “It may be tiny, but it's always packed.” Visitors to The Franklin Shops will find a little of everything as the retail emporium offers everything from jewelry and art to fashion and furnishings. Publix is a mile away and more extensive shopping and name-brand retailers can be found at the Edison Mall, under 4 miles away.
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ArtFest and music walks are some of the year-round events
Something is always happening in downtown Fort Myers, and the party kicks off on the first Friday of each month with an art walk. Local and regional artists line the streets, displaying striking visual and performing arts exhibits. On the third Friday of the month, musicians follow in similar footsteps with a monthly music walk full of live blues, jazz and rock and roll. ArtFest is the year's largest gathering, attracting more than 90,000 visitors across two days. The annual event takes place in February and displays the works of 200 international artists. Other popular celebrations include the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and the Fall Festival. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center hosts numerous concerts and special exhibitions.
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High-rise condos overlooking the river
Downtown Fort Myers has multiple housing options at every level, from high-rise condos that overlook the river to quaint bungalows on tree-lined streets. High Point Place is one of the numerous waterfront condo complexes and offers amenities like heated pools and cable packages. Unit prices vary greatly depending on the complex and floor level. Two-bedroom units generally range between $200,000 and $600,000, though newer waterfront builds can reach as high as $1.5 million. Single-family houses are available on the neighborhood's southern end, and many of the builds date back to the early 20th century. While some may require some upkeep, many homeowners enjoy the historic nature of their residences. Ranch-style homes and cozy cottages sell between $200,000 and $450,000. Empty plots are also available and range from $60,000 to $175,000.Live shows at the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater
The Caloosa Sound Amphitheater was completed in 2022 and has played a large part in the area's redevelopment. The open-air venue sits along the banks of The Caloosahatchee River and welcomes visitors with nights full of live music and entertainment. Across the street, Centennial Park is a smaller-city-maintained green space that offers picnic tables and waterfront views. Families flock to IMAG History & Science Center’s animal exhibits and aquariums, which highlight the native wildlife of Southwest Florida. Shady Oaks Park is 2 miles away and features multiple softball fields that host youth and rec leagues. And Fort Myers Beach is 17 miles away.
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Walkability and public transportation
Unlike many downtown areas with heavy traffic, downtown Fort Myers is very pedestrian-friendly, with residents strolling sidewalks. “Literally, you can walk just about everywhere,” says Irene Moser, a one-stop shop Realtor with Century 21 Selling Paradise. “You go out at 1 a.m. and see people out and about walking their dogs because pedestrians just feel safe.” Those looking for public transportation have two options available: The LeeTran bus system, which runs throughout Fort Myers and Cape Coral, and the Trolley line, which operates mainly in the downtown area. Interstate 75 is nearby and connects to downtown Naples, 44 miles south. Downtown Miami is 158 miles away. Southwest Florida International Airport is 17 miles away and offers multiple domestic and international flights. Lee Memorial Hospital is under a mile away. According to the CAP index, the neighborhood has a crime score of 6, slightly higher than the national average.
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Explore the arts at Edison Park Creative & Expressive Arts School
The School District of Lee County serves the neighborhood and offers an open enrollment system. Students can begin their education at Franklin Park Elementary and Fort Myers Middle Academy, both of which receive a C rating on Niche. Creative students looking to immerse themselves in drama, music education and dance may consider the B-plus-rated Edison Park Creative & Expressive Arts School. Fort Myers High School receives an A-plus rating and offers career academies in various fields, including finance, law and teaching. St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is a highly rated private education option for parents to consider. Graduates pursuing higher education while staying close to home can head to Florida Southwestern State College, 7 miles away.
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Hurricane Risks
Southwest Florida is prone to hurricanes, and downtown Fort Myers is particularly susceptible due to its proximity to the coast. The neighborhood lies in a FEMA-designated flood zone and received a direct hit in 2022 from Hurricane Ian, a Category 5 storm. “We were hit pretty hard,” Christiano says, “But the good thing about this community is that we rally very quickly, we bounce back.” Property owners are encouraged to review available flood insurance policies and other resources from Lee County’s website.
Written By
Beck Connelley
Photography Contributed By
Bre Gillian
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Billee Silva
Billee Silva
Responds QuicklyJones & Co Realty
(239) 946-4955
186 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Fort Myers
$450K - $547K Price Range
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Todd Tooley
Todd Tooley
John R. Wood Properties
(239) 236-9694
156 Total Sales
3 in Downtown Fort Myers
$209K - $500K Price Range
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Jeff Burns
Jeff Burns
Responds QuicklyPremier Sotheby's Int'l Realty
(239) 217-1713
400 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Fort Myers
$550,000 Price
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Maureen Gobbi
Maureen Gobbi
RE/MAX Trend
(239) 291-4359
86 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Fort Myers
$512,500 Price
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Heather Hitz PA Realtor
Heather Hitz PA Realtor
RE/MAX Realty Group
(239) 788-0735
61 Total Sales
1 in Downtown Fort Myers
$330,000 Price
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Katie Smith Sylvia
Katie Smith Sylvia
KW PEACE RIVER PARTNERS
(239) 360-4902
194 Total Sales
2 in Downtown Fort Myers
$1,200,000 Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Bennett-Hart Park
Lions Park
- Baseball/Softball
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
Centennial Park
Riverside Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
Vivas Palm Park
Manuels Branch Neighborhood Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
McCutcheon Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Downtown Fort Myers | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 6 | 4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 4 |
| Burglary | 7 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Fort Myers Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Fort Myers, Fort Myers sell after 260 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Fort Myers, Fort Myers over the last 12 months is $396,990, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$428,485
Median Sale Price
$396,990
Median Single Family Sale Price
$290,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
7%
Last 12 months Home Sales
344
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-7%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$219
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
801
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
1951
Months of Supply
0.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,291
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,835
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,371
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
642
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Condo Buildings
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
5,430
Median Age
59
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
41.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,327
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$66,767
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.9%
College Graduates
29.5%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13%
% Population in Labor Force
39.4%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
57''
Average Winter Low Temperature
55°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
60
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
79
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Edison Park
Historic Fort Myers neighborhood close to downtown and Lee Memorial Hospital
Edgewood
A quiet community on the edge of the Caloosahatchee River
East Fort Myers
Quiet residential living and historic homes next to downtown Fort Myers
Dunbar
A historically black community revitalizing in the heart of Fort Myers
Reviews
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