Fort Myers is a laid back and laid out community in SW Florida that attracts a lot of snowbirds like us. There is something for everybody here: golf, tennis, beaches, shopping, swimming, walking, biking and eating. Founded in 1886 on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River which drains Lake Okeechobee, it existed first as a fort to protect settlers from conflicts with the Seminole Indians. With a population of 65,000, it is far enough south to escape the worst of winters wrath, even this year with those polar vortexes. Metropolitan area pop which includes Cape Coral is 620,000.
The city is really stretched out. It is about 50 km from North Fort Myers to the tip of Fort Myers Beach and the city has an area of 127 sq. km, about 1/4 the size of Ottawa, with only 8% of Ottawa's population. The average annual mean temperature is 23.9 deg C vs Ottawa's 6.3 deg C. Abundant sunshine is the norm with frequent thunder storms in summer. Check out this image from space (Fort Myers proper is along the lower shore of the Caloosahatchee River in the centre of the image):
Where we are is in south Fort Myers, in a 1 bedroom modest but well maintained condo that is not gaited:
It has 2 heated outdoor swimming pools but they are kept closed unless the forecast temp is about 23 deg or more. Hence the pools have been closed more than half the time we have been here.
Fortunately, across the street is one of the nicest gated condo communities we have seen, called The Landings. In there they have several unlocked pools, golf course, tennis and restaurants that we can walk into whenever desired. They have open houses every weekend so we were allowed to drive in and look around and there are no posted restrictions on walking in. Here are a few pics so you get the picture.
We may try to rent there next year...
Finally here is a picture from our "go to" beach near the bridge to Sanibel Island.
We are finding it very relaxing, quiet and peaceful to be here. The time passes quickly and we look forward to continued sunny days, good health and long walks together.
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