Tice offers affordability near the river with the risk of flooding
The Fort Myers neighborhood of Tice, on the Caloosahatchee River near Interstate 75, offers attractively priced housing options in a diverse Old Florida setting. Though long established, this area is still adjusting to the impact of several storms in recent years. Fort Myers was hit hard by Hurricane Ian in 2022 and damaged by back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. “It’s kind of a mixed profile,” says Kynse Leigh Agles of Epique Realty, Inc. “It depends on the area and the flood zone. There’s redevelopment, new construction, homes being torn down and homes being rebuilt on stilts.”
Non-HOA homes appeal to investors and first-time homebuyers
Non-HOA homes built from the 1920s through the 1980s are found throughout the neighborhood. New construction can be found on the south side. Prices range from around $200,000 to about $500,000. The high end of that range includes some of the most affordable waterfront properties in Lee County. “There’s investors, first-time homebuyers and those who want to live on the river without paying the prices of, say, Cape Coral,” Agles says. Midcentury homes, including traditional ranch-style designs, offer the most spacious lots. Several homes feature in-ground pools. Manufactured homes here range from $30,000 to $130,00. The risk of flooding ranges from minimal to severe, depending on proximity to the river. Wind damage is another concern during hurricane season, which runs June through November.
B-rated and C-rated schools nearby
Younger students can attend Tice Elementary and Oak Hammock Middle schools, rated C and C-plus, respectively, by Niche. Older students can attend Dunbar High, an International Baccalaureate school that earns a B from Niche and offers academy programs in technology, engineering and biomedicine.
Neighborhood includes a community park and riverfront boat launch
The neighborhood’s Schandler Hall Community Park features covered basketball courts and courts for tennis, pickleball and sand volleyball. Russell Park offers a riverfront boat launch. The Caloosahatchee River is a haven for boaters and anglers. It also leads to the beaches and other attractions of the Gulf Coast. Because the river is connected to the Gulf of Mexico, it’s not uncommon to see dolphins and manatees swim upriver past the neighborhood in search of warmer waters during the winter months. The river faces environmental challenges from blue-green algae outbreaks. Billy Creek Preserve just outside the neighborhood features paved multi-use trails around the marsh ponds used to filter water that runs into the river. The adjacent Billy Bowlegs Park is a well-worn green space where a young NFL- and MLB-great Deion Sanders first played organized baseball.
Shopping and dining options along Palm Beach Boulevard
Palm Beach Boulevard is a centrally located commercial corridor. Latin grocer Maxx Foods is in the neighborhood, while the larger Bravo Supermarkets is just minutes away. Several Latin restaurants are located in and around the neighborhood. Nearby downtown Fort Myers is a contemporary dining and entertainment district that features popular stops such as Downtown House of Pizza and City Tavern.
Buses and I-75 offer convenient transportation
Residents in need of public transportation can catch the bus at any of several neighborhood stops along Palm Beach Boulevard. The bus stops just minutes from Lee Memorial Hospital near downtown. Interstate 75 is less than 2 miles from the neighborhood. It provides convenient access south to greater Fort Myers and across the river into North Fort Myers. Southwest Florida International Airport is about a 15-mile drive via the interstate.
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Pete Barrett
