Who Should / Shouldn’t Move to Fort Myers
Fort Myers fits retirees and near-retirees prioritizing Gulf Coast Florida living at a lower price point than Naples or Sarasota, buyers who specifically want Lee Health's regional hospital infrastructure nearby, and remote workers with location-independent income who value broad broadband coverage over a deep local job market.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreRetirees Seeking Southwest Florida at a Lower Price Point
Lee County's 65-and-over population share ran about 28.8% in 2024 (roughly 248,200 residents) -- well above Florida's 21.8% statewide share and the U.S.'s 18% national share -- and a 2026 StorageCafe analysis named the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro the No. 1 U.S. metro for retirees, citing 29% senior population share, 80.6-year average life expectancy, and average retirement income around $42,000 versus a $31,000 national benchmark. Combined with Fort Myers' $339,000 citywide median sale price -- well below Sarasota's $499,000 and Naples' $1.3 million -- retirees prioritizing genuine Gulf Coast access without those cities' price premium have a strong, well-documented fit here (see the retiring page for the full picture, including a genuine ranking divergence with WalletHub).
Buyers Prioritizing Regional Healthcare Access
Lee Health's four-hospital system (Lee Memorial Hospital and HealthPark Medical Center both ranked No. 13 in Florida per U.S. News 2026-2027; Gulf Coast Medical Center ranked No. 21) plus Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida's national pediatric recognition give Fort Myers a genuinely substantial regional healthcare anchor -- a real draw for buyers of any age prioritizing care access, not just retirees (see the healthcare page).
Remote Workers With Location-Independent Income
Fort Myers has real broadband infrastructure: Xfinity covers about 93% of the city with plans up to 2,000 Mbps (citywide average max speed around 1,368 Mbps), and CenturyLink offers service to a meaningful share of addresses as well, though sources disagreed on the city's overall fiber-coverage percentage (see the remote-workers page for that disclosure). For a remote worker who doesn't need to lean on the local job market, Fort Myers' infrastructure and lower cost of living relative to Naples or Sarasota are a genuine fit.
Key takeaways
- Retirees: Lee County's 65+ population share (~28.8%, 2024) is well above Florida's (21.8%) and the U.S.'s (18%) shares; a 2026 StorageCafe analysis named Cape Coral-Fort Myers the No. 1 U.S. metro for retirees, and Fort Myers' $339K city median runs well below Sarasota's $499K and Naples' $1.3M.
- Healthcare-focused buyers: Lee Health's four-hospital system (two hospitals ranked No. 13 in Florida, U.S. News 2026-2027) plus a nationally recognized children's hospital (Golisano) provide substantial regional care access.
- Remote workers with location-independent income: broad Xfinity cable coverage (~93%, up to 2,000 Mbps) and CenturyLink availability suit workers who don't need to lean on the local job market.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Fort Myers overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert