Nature and new homes combine in Port LaBelle
Port Labelle is a fast-growing suburb with around 8,000 residents on the east side of Labelle proper. New-build homes make up most of the community, some of which is still undeveloped. “About 10 years ago, this was all farmland, and nature is still a big part of life here because of that,” says Denise Walker, a Realtor with Southern Heritage Real Estate & Investments who also lives in LaBelle. Palm, live oak and cypress trees also dot the area’s winding roads and cul-de-sacs. It sits south of the Okeechobee Waterway, stretching 154 miles from Fort Myers to Stuart. Though locals have to drive to LaBelle for most shopping and dining, Port LaBelle’s quiet location makes it family friendly. “Kids can play in the street because there’s really nothing else besides homes and land,” Walker says.
Houses in Port LaBelle tend to be new
Most homes in Port LaBelle have been built within the past decade, with ranch-style, contemporary and New Traditional designs commonly found throughout the area. The community also has similar styles constructed between the ‘70s and early 2000s. Older homes typically cost between $150,000 and $240,000, while newer builds can start at $250,000 and reach $450,000. Larger homes on big plots may fall between $550,000 and $850,000. Port Labelle is still developing, with empty lots ranging from about $15,000 to around $2 million, depending on acreage. Hurricanes can impact the area, and some homes are at risk of flooding.
Okeechobee Waterway reaches Fort Myers and a fishing lake
Sailboats and motorboats are tied to wooden docks at the Port LaBelle Marina on the Okeechobee Waterway. Boaters heading west will eventually hit Fort Myers, home to tourist beaches and waterfront restaurants. “It usually only takes an hour or two to get there by boat, so people take day trips there pretty frequently,” Walker says. Fort Myers is about 33 miles away by car. To the east, boaters can go to Lake Okeechobee, known for bass fishing. “Everybody comes back after fishing there, bragging about how their bass were,” Walker says. Public boat launches also surround the lake, about 30 miles east. Acres of ranchland and everglade forests surround the canal on the way to both destinations. Labelle is home to a few recreation spaces, including Hendry LaBelle Sports Park, which has courts for pickleball, basketball and tennis.
LaBelle High has career pathways
Hendry County School District serves Port LaBelle. Kids can attend LaBelle Elementary, which Niche grades a C, and LaBelle Middle, earning a C-plus. They may continue to B-minus-rated LaBelle High, where the Career & Technical Education Program includes pathways in agriculture, health science and criminal justice. Florida SouthWestern State College’s Hendry/Glades Center is a corporate training facility on the west side of town.
Growth has made nearby stores and restaurants busy
Besides a few convenience stores, Port LaBelle has almost no shopping and dining options. Downtown Labelle, less than 3 miles away, has chain restaurants, like Taco Bell, and locally owned spots, including Big V Restaurant, a cozy diner for breakfast and lunch. Winn-Dixie, Save A Lot and Walmart Supercenter are in town for groceries. Even with all these nearby places, some locals want more places to shop and eat. “We don’t have enough for how big the area has gotten,” Walker says. “You go anywhere, and it feels way too busy.” More big-box stores and restaurants are in Clewiston, about 32 miles east.
State Route 80 is easily accessible
Port Isabelle is a car-dependent community with state Route 80 on its northern edge. The highway leads to Labelle and Fort Myers, home to the Southwest Florida International Airport and several medical centers, like the HCA Florida Lehigh Hospital. People driving along Port Labelle’s roads may encounter some animals. “I’ve seen deer, turkey and even panthers when I go over there to sell houses,” Walker says.
