Rural residential living with new construction and large lots
Homeowners in Joel are more likely to see wildlife crossing the street than their neighbors. This rural community 20 miles outside of downtown Fort Myers features ranch-style homes scattered throughout quiet streets. Many houses back up one of the area’s nature preserves or winding canals. New construction is common, with prospective homeowners taking advantage of lots that run up to half an acre. “People really like the size of the vacant lots,” says Yvonne Doll, a local broker associate at Riverside Real Estate. “Here, you can get out of the city, and there are no HOAs.”
Joel is an idyllic place for homes with big lots.
The Joel neighborhood is located 20 miles outside of downtown Fort Myers in Lehigh Acres.
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Kayak or hike at Frank Mann Preserve
Frank Mann was a long-time resident and commissioner of Lee County known for protecting the natural areas of his home county. Today, that defense is represented in Frank Mann Preserve, a 600-plus acre park in the neighborhood. Visitors can launch kayaks and cast fishing lines in ponds scattered throughout the area, or they can explore the hiking trails and keep an eye out for native waterfowl. Lehigh Acres Park is 6 miles away and features various athletic facilities, including baseball diamonds, soccer fields and tennis courts. For golfers, there is the 18-hole course at Ibis Landing Golf & Country Club and for the sunbathers, Fort Myers Beach is 34 miles away.
Frank Mann Preserve in the Joel neighborhood is managed by Lee County Parks.
Frank Mann Preserve is a 600-plus acre park in the Joel neighborhood.
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Florida ranch-style homes with backyard swimming pools
Florida ranch-style homes with Mediterranean flair sit on large, grassy lots. “Significant growth east of Interstate 75 and south of the Caloosahatchee River are driving the construction of well-built single-story homes in the Lehigh area,” says Debra Thomas, Realtor with Express Realty and a lifelong Southwest Florida Resident. “Young families, empty nesters and young retirees that are enamored with a single-story lifestyle enjoy the variety of home styles here.” The single-family builds feature stucco exteriors with roofing that ranges from tiled to sheet metal. Many houses have screened-in backyard swimming pools with multicar garages in the front. Young palm trees and well-manicured lawns are common, and properties back up to Florida’s natural scenic landscape of towering pine trees and silver saw palmettos. Three-bedroom homes range between $200,000 and $400,000, while larger four-bedroom villas can reach $550,000. The East Green Condominium Complex provides a multifamily option. Two-bedroom units sell from $130,000 to $215,000. Empty plots of land are widespread and readily available for those looking to build their dream home. Half-acre lots sell between $15,000 and $40,000. Because of the neighborhood’s rapid development, many properties still rely on septic tanks and well water for utilities.
Single-family builds in Joel have stucco exteriors and roofs ranging from shingle to metal.
Joel has several duplex urbanizations with their amenities.
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Restaurants and grocery stores along Joel Boulevard
Commercial activity within the area is limited, but a few restaurants are located along Joel Boulevard. Havana Bakery is a popular eatery that serves authentic Cuban dishes like ham croquetas and empanadas. Down the street, Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs is a local chain with a loyal following thanks to its original flavored crust pizza. Jack’s Market and Dollar General provide the neighborhood with close weekly groceries. More shopping and dining is available at The Forum, a mixed-use commercial development 16 miles away.
Jack's Market in Joel is open daily from 8am - 9pm.
Havana Cafe in the Joel neighborhood offers sweet treats as well as lunch items.
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STEAM Magnet Program at Lehigh Acres Middle School
The Lee County School District serves the neighborhood and offers an open-choice enrollment system. Lehigh Elementary, Lehigh Acres Middle School and East Lee County High School all receive a C-plus rating on Niche. Lehigh Acres Middle School’s STEAM Magnet Program immerses students in engineering, robotics and coding. East Lee County High School offers numerous career and technical education academies in fields ranging from agriculture and natural resources to digital information technology. Gunnery Road Christian Academy is a highly rated private education option 10 miles away.
Lehigh Acres Middle School in Lehigh Acres is a public school grades 6-8th grade.
East Lee County High School offers extracurricular activities for students.
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Travel to Fort Myers
Joel’s rural seclusion means it is car-dependent and commutes into nearby centers can be lengthy. Fort Myers and Cape Coral are 20 and 30 miles away, respectively. Miami is 142 miles away, down Interstate 75. Southwest Florida International Airport is 25 miles away and offers multiple domestic and international flights. LeeTran is the county’s public transportation system and services numerous stops along Leeland Heights Boulevard. Lehigh Regional Medical Center is the closest hospital, just 7 miles away.
The Joel neighborhood is serviced by Lee County Transit, making most stops along Joel Blvd.
Joel provides locals with public transportation, connecting them to the greater area.
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Monthly events in downtown Fort Myers
Downtown Fort Myers is 20 miles away and hosts year-round events, including the monthly Art Walk, which takes place on the first Friday of each month. This gathering lights up the River District’s streets with creative endeavors from local and regional artists. On the third Friday of every month, The Music Walk follows in similar footsteps and features an evening of free live music ranging from blues and jazz to rock and roll.
Art Walk takes place on the 1st Friday of each month in downtown Fort Myers.
On the 3rd Friday of each month, downtown Fort Myers holds a Music Walk celebration.
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Hurricane Risks
Southwest Florida is prone to hurricanes and has received direct hits from multiple strong storms, including Hurricane Ian in 2022. Most of Joel lies in a FEMA-designated flood zone, with the flooding risk rated as Moderate. Homeowners are encouraged to review available flood insurance policies and resources provided by Lee County.
Joel is located within a flood zone accorded to the FEMA maps.
Water is just a stone's throw away, anywhere in Joel; making it a flood zone.
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
Suzanne Sherer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Veterans Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
Caloosahatchee Regional Park
Frank Mann Preserve
Fishing
Trails
Kayak/Canoe
Charlie R. Mathney Park
Fishing
Picnic Area
Parking Lot
Charleston Park
Alva Scrub Preserve
Transit
Airport
Southwest Florida International
32 min drive
Bus
E 3rd St & David Ave
Bus
Joel Blvd & Leighton Ct
Bus
Joel Blvd & Joel Way-Sb
Bus
Joel Blvd & E 7th St-Sb
Bus
E 12th St & Joel Blvd
Bus
Leelnd E & North Ave
Bus
Leelnd & Greenwd Ave
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Joel
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
2
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Joel, Lehigh Acres sell after 93 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Joel, Lehigh Acres over the last 12 months is $329,439, up 2% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Why wait for a year or two to build a new house, why wait for another year to have a pool installed? This 2 year old home has it all. Its located in a wooded privacy setting in Northeast Lehigh Acres, but yet so close to shopping, schools, parks, churches, farmers markets, etc. Beautiful corner lot features mature landscaping, including various fruit trees, such as coconut, banana, etc, the beds
Welcome to your private Florida retreat perfect for snow birds or an AIRBNB investment. This property has NO HOA so you'll be able to enjoy the freedom to live or rent as you please! This charming single-family home is nestled on a spacious 0.42-acre lot full—offering peace, privacy, and seclusion. Featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, the home boasts a fully fenced yard and a sparkling
This beautifully kept condo offers a spacious layout, in-unit laundry, and a screened lanai with relaxing pool view. Enjoy low HOA fees, no age restrictions, and a quiet, well-maintained community.Perfect for first-time buyers, seasonal residents, or savvy investors.Act fast – this one won’t last!
Welcome to your dream home! This stunning 3-bedroom plus den, 2-bathroom residence is nestled on a quiet, tranquil street, offering the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. The interior features elegant porcelain tiles throughout, enhancing the spacious layout. Enjoy cooking in the modern kitchen, complete with beautiful quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. The den provides
Welcome to your dream home! This stunning 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence is nestled on a quiet, tranquil street, offering the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. The interior features elegant porcelain tiles throughout, enhancing the spacious layout. Enjoy cooking in the modern kitchen, complete with beautiful quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. Step outside to your serene
Discover the perfect canvas for your dream home on this stunning .25-acre lot, ideally located just 20 minutes from I-75. Offering an exceptional opportunity to build in a tranquil setting without sacrificing convenience, this lot presents the best of both worlds. Revel in the serenity of your spacious surroundings, while enjoying easy access to major travel routes, ensuring effortless commutes
Charming Home for Rent or Rent to Own!...Welcome to this beautiful property, perfectly designed for a growing family or individuals seekingspacious livingareas!. Features 4 spacious bedrooms, each with ample natural light and storage, 2 modern bathrooms, fully equipped with sleekfixtures andtile finishes. Open-concept living room and kitchen, perfect for entertaining a cozy dining area with large
Ground floor end unit in popular Fairways. Newer Ceramic Tile in kitchen and dining area with ceiling fans throughout. Range, Refrigerator and built-in Microwave to convey. Enclosed glass porch overlooks the gazebo & heated pool. Over 55+ community with clubhouse & pickle ball court. Ready to move-in
Annual Rental- Welcome to this stunning, newly constructed modern home located in desirable Lehigh Acres, Florida. This 3-bedroom + Den, 2-bathroom property offers a perfect blend of modern design and luxurious comfort, sitting on a spacious HALF-ACRE (.50) lot. The sleek white and black finishes create a modern aesthetic, from the open-concept kitchen, stainless steel appliances, chic pendant
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Suzanne Sherer,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
16,000
Median Age
40
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
24.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$60,316
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,316
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.4%
College Graduates
16.2%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.7%
% Population in Labor Force
54.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
53''
Average Winter Low Temperature
53°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 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.
