San Carlos Park

Homeseekers in Fort Myers invariably want to know where the community name “Fiddlesticks” came from. Yes, the word’s 15th-century British meaning was “the bow to play the violin.” But, over time, it became a common Scottish golfing expletive, albeit one mild enough to say in front of ladies. In 1980, when founders of a new Fort Myers country club searched for a name, they stumbled across “Fiddlesticks,” and the rest is history. In honor of the word’s Scottish roots, the club named its two golf courses the Long Mean and the Wee Friendly. It’s fitting that Realtor Ernie Horvath, with RE/MAX Realty Group and a member for 35 years says that what sets Fiddlesticks apart from nearby neighborhoods is its friendliness. “This is a welcoming community, and you can see that in the way we focus on kids here. Kids love to come to Fiddlesticks. They rave about the outdoor dining spaces and the kid-friendly pool area. Kids also are big fans of our camps and clinics and have a lot of input into the design of these programs.” Horvath continues, “I brag a lot about living here, but it’s all true. Fiddlesticks is a club, it’s a resort, it’s a community, but it’s also home to about 800 people too.” Fiddlesticks is located 13 miles southwest of downtown Fort Myers, one of the fastest-growing cities in America. Realtor Horvath says, “Fort Myers is growing, and real estate is understandably hot. But, if buyers are willing to put some work into older homes, they can get some good deals here.” One-story villas feature Mediterranean architecture. Palm trees and Loblolly Pines are common, as are large yards with swimming pools. Grassy front lawns lead to sidewalks and wide, flat streets. Every home in the neighborhood is required to have a membership to Fiddlesticks Country Club. Buyers can find condos, townhouses and homes with an average size of 5,000 square feet. Recent sales of single-family homes have ranged from $750,000 to $1,800,000. Fairway-facing homes have recently sold for $900,000 to $1,400,000. Fiddlesticks Country Club is the anchor of the local golf and tennis community, with two golf courses, eight clay tennis courts and eight pickleball courts. Lakes Park features 259 acres of trails and lakeside scenery. A wooden bridge that spans the lake draws hikers and photographers, while children will enjoy a kid-sized train that takes them through the park. Rutenberg Park hosts Little League games and regional tournaments. Baseball fans have a unique advantage living in Fiddlesticks. Lee County Sports Complex has hosted spring training for the Minnesota Twins since 1991. The Boston Red Sox have held spring training at City of Palms Park in nearby Fort Myers since 1993. ArtFest Fort Myers is an annual event featuring local, and national artists. From July through January, the Wednesday Night Market offers pop-up vendors selling art, housewares, fresh food and live music. Bahama Breeze Island Grille welcomes residents with indoor and outdoor seating and Caribbean-inspired steaks and seafood. Nino’s Pizzeria has been a local favorite for 44 years. Burma Kava Company offers a unique environment and an enticing mix of coffees, teas and cocktails. Residents can pick up groceries at nearby Walmart. Kids in Fiddlesticks can attend Lee County Public Schools with an overall Niche grade of B-plus. Rayma C. Page Elementary has an overall grade of A-minus from Niche and offers pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts has a B grade from Niche. With an overall Niche grade of A-plus, Fort Myers High is ranked the second-best public high school in Lee County, with AP classes and programs for gifted students. According to Realtor Horvath, Charter and private schools are also popular with local families. Southwest Florida International Airport is about 10 miles from home, while Naples Municipal Airport is about 35 miles south. Residents can drive south to Naples along Interstate 75. Both Miami and West Palm Beach are about 152 miles from Fort Myers and can be reached by car or by commuter plane.