Southwest Florida’s “foreclosure ground zero” is turning the corner
In the shadow of Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres has struggled to fully suburbanize. The unincorporated, pre-plotted community sprawls across 96 square miles east of the city, with more than 100,000 half- and quarter-acre lots – thousands of which are vacant. Despite being one of Lee County’s largest residential areas with a population of more than 130,000, the community has struggled since its establishment in 1954. The 2008 Housing Crisis only expedited the issue – articles at the time dubbed Lehigh Acres “foreclosure ground zero.” Regardless, the population has grown over 30% since 2010, with affordability and sizeable lots as the leading draws. Recently, the growing demand for infrastructure improvements has been met with action, from Lee County breaking ground on the new Lehigh Acres Park & Ride Transfer Facility to the new franchise locations being built along Lee Boulevard. “Once COVID hit, people just started flocking to Florida,” says Realtor Candi Hilton on The Hilton Team with Jones & Co. Realty. “People are purchasing all up and down the coast, but there’s a lot less land in Fort Myers now, and developers are pushing north and east into Lehigh Acres.”
The communities of Lehigh Acres offer spacious properties.
Golfing and an outdoor recreation are part of the life in Lehigh Acres.
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Midcentury ranch and new construction in Lehigh Acres
The skinny two-way streets in Lehigh Acres are quiet and home to midcentury ranch-style properties as well as a growing number of new construction contemporary houses. Still, a surplus of vacant lots remain and many have been reclaimed by nature, now featuring decades-old pine trees, dwarf palmettos and coffee bushes. Neighborhoods closer to the highway, like Sunshine , have fewer empty lots and a more suburban feel. Various new construction subdivisions, such as the luxurious Ibis Landing Golf & Country Club in the Alabama community, are under development throughout the area. Leafy northeast neighborhoods, like Joel , are nothing short of rural. According to Hilton, scattered lots out that way will need a well and septic tank. “I call it the last frontier,” she says with a laugh. “It’s a peaceful and tranquil area where you can go get a half-acre or acre for a reasonable price.” The median home price in Lehigh Acres is around $345,000, less than the national average of roughly $420,000. A smattering of multifamily properties, such as duplexes and low-rise condos, are also on the market.
Lehigh Acres features nicely maintained homes on quiet residential streets.
Lehigh Acres is home to several subdivisions with HOAs.
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Lee County parks and preserves
County-operated parks and preserves are scattered throughout Lehigh Acres. Veterans Park offers a splash park, skate park and playgrounds, as well as tennis, pickleball and basketball courts. The park also hosts the local youth soccer league, family movie nights and holiday events like the annual Egg Hunt. Frank Mann Preserve is popular for kayaking and fishing, while local hikers head to Wild Turkey Strand Preserve. Golf clubs Ibis Landing and Majestic boast scenic 18-hole courses. Residents can also get their hands dirty riding ATVs at Lazy Springs Recreation Park, near the southeastern edge of Eisenhower .
The Lehigh Acres Community Pool is the perfect place to swim laps in the sun.
Basketball courts can be found at Veteran's Park in Lehigh Acres.
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Running errands on Lee Boulevard and Homestead Road
Lee Boulevard and Homestead Road are the main commercial corridors, lined by chain eateries like Culver’s and grocery stores like Publix. As their community grows, residents eagerly await the opening of new franchises, such as the in-progress Chipotle. That said, Lehigh Acres has a couple of staples. Mugs N’ Jugs Family Grille is a regular Friday night hangout, and the homestyle food at Alva Country Diner has kept folks coming back for 30 years.
Lehigh Acres residents have several grocery stores serving the area, including Publix.
Alva Country Diner is a long-standing comfort food restaurant in Lehigh Acres.
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Transportation and jobs in Lehigh Acres
Florida State Road 82 runs along the community’s south side, and Palm Beach Boulevard is about 3 miles north of the area. These two thoroughfares, connected by Sunshine Boulevard, are the main ways in and out of Lehigh Acres. As the community awaits the new park-and-ride transport station, public transportation is limited to two LeeTran bus routes. From the heart of the community, both Downtown Fort Myers and Southwest Florida International Airport are roughly 20 miles away. Lehigh Regional Medical Center is the community’s only hospital. It’s also a major employer. Other major employers in Lehigh Acres include Walmart, UPS and Amazon. The leading industries in Fort Myers are retail trade, healthcare, construction and food service.
The School District of Lee County
Lehigh Acres is served by the School District of Lee County, graded B on Niche. The district allows parents to choose which school their child attends each year by submitting a school choice form. Lehigh Senior High is a local standout, earning a B-plus. Located in the Centennial neighborhood, the school offers several programs, from the Center for the Arts to JROTC.
Lehigh Acres Middle School has a mission to create a positive environment for students.
Lehigh Senior High School features multiple classroom buildings with a central atrium.
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Hurricane season in Southwest Florida
Hurricane season in Southwest Florida starts in early June and ends right before December. While off the coast, Lehigh Acres is still at moderate risk for flooding. Homebuyers should keep hurricane-proofing in mind when looking at properties. Wind and debris damage, flooded roads, and downed powerlines are also potential hazards to consider.
Several communities in Lehigh Acres sit along the shores of the Caloosahatchee River.
Fort Myers is no stranger to hurricanes, and is a short drive from Lehigh Acres.
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Local crime rates reported by Lee County Sheriff's Department
In 2022, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department reported a property crime rate slightly higher than the statewide rate. Reported violent crime rates were also higher than state figures.
Welcome to Mora Homes, your bilingual real estate team with Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty. After years of living and enjoying this beautiful paradise, we are passionate about helping you find your perfect home or investment opportunity. Whether you're a first-time buyer, searching for your dream home, or exploring investment properties, we're here to guide you every step of the way. With in-depth knowledge of the local market and a CIPS certification, we specialize in assisting both domestic and international buyers and sellers. Southwest Florida remains one of the last gems in the U.S. where affordable waterfront properties are still available—a fantastic opportunity to live or invest. If you're envisioning building your dream home, we have strong relationships with top local builders who can bring your vision to life. At Mora Homes, we are committed to providing personalized service, expert guidance, and a seamless real estate experience. Your dreams deserve nothing less. Let’s work together to turn them into reality!
Bienvenidos a Mora Homes, su equipo bilingüe de bienes raíces con Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty. Despues de varios años viviendo y disfrutando de este hermoso paraíso, estamos comprometidas a ayudarte a encontrar tu hogar perfecto o la mejor oportunidad de inversión. Ya sea que estés comprando tu primera casa, buscando el hogar de tus sueños o explorando propiedades para invertir, estamos aquí para guiarte en cada paso del camino. Con un profundo conocimiento del mercado local y una certificación CIPS, nos especializamos en asesorar a compradores y vendedores nacionales e internacionales. El suroeste de Florida sigue siendo uno de los últimos rincones en los EE. UU. donde puedes encontrar propiedades frente al mar a precios accesibles, una oportunidad ideal para vivir o invertir. ¿Estás pensando en construir la casa de tus sueños? Contamos con sólidas conexiones con constructores locales que pueden hacer tu visión una realidad. En Mora Homes, nuestro compromiso es brindarte un servicio personalizado, orientación experta y una experiencia de bienes raíces sin complicaciones. Tus sueños merecen lo mejor. ¡Trabajemos juntos para hacerlos realidad!
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.
