Pros and Cons of Retiring to Cape Coral, FL

Pros and Cons of Living in Cape Coral, FL

A lot of people, tired of dealing with the harsh weather of the northern US, look to make their home, or perhaps a place of retirement in more sunny areas in the country. Florida is a frequent destination for people looking to settle into a warmer climate.

Cape Coral is a potential Florida destination. Located on the southwestern end of the state, about 20 minutes outside of Fort Myers, it has certain advantages of location and other positive attributes associated with residing there. Of course, as with anything, there are also some negatives to keep in mind. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of living in Cape Coral.

Pros and Cons of Living in Cape Coral, FL

Positives of Living in Cape Coral, FL

(1)  Well rated school system. The Cape Coral area has four high schools, as well as multiple middle and elementary schools. Based on test scores, these schools rank higher than the average in the nation in performance and educational standards. Moving here with a family with kids could put them in a good school area for a substantial educational investment in their future.

(2)  Boating. Due to proximity to several beaches and a network of beautiful canals, boating is a big attraction to people who live or move to Cape Coral. With many small islands off the coast to be explored, a system of 400 miles of navigable waterways, sports fishing, and bird watching, there is plenty for seasoned or novice boatmen to do.

(3)  Snowbirds A-Plenty. Cpe Coral is a frequent destination for “snowbirds,” a term for people who migrate south to escape colder weather. While they often do not stay for the heat of summer, they do draw to the area a variety of businesses that give residents plenty of options. These include boating excursions, local markets, breweries, and even BMX events.

(4)  Food. A variety of restaurants aimed at serving full time and partial residents, as well as visitors, make Cape Coral a beautiful place for a variety of meal choices.

(5)  Lower cost of living. Florida has certain financial perks afforded to its residents and certain unique benefits for full-time residents of the state.

Negatives of Living in Cape Coral, FL

(1)  Summer Heat: For the rest of the year, the subtropical Florida weather is a significant departure for the colder northern states, but the heat of summer can be overwhelming. It is not for everyone and can cause health issues if one gets a job working outside, or spends an excessive amount of time outdoors. This would make it a bit tough to enjoy summers, though residents claim that their bodies do adjust to the temperatures after some time.

(2)  Higher Real Estate. While Cape Coral and Florida, in general, afford certain financial benefits for its residents, and the cost of owning a residence is not chief among them. The property taxes are high. Living near the water also requires one to own insurance for flooding and hurricanes.

(3)  Hurricane weather. An annual misfortune that befalls this part of the world is the 5-month long risk of hurricanes landing directly at their shores. While there are usually days of warning, and residents are given time to prepare or evacuate, their property is at risk of destruction due to weather. 

(4)  More to do for older people than younger people. Cape Coral does attract more retirees than tourists. While there are certain activities for all ages, as the area has more elderly residents, it tends to cater less to activities wished to be experienced by younger people. To get to those, travel to some of the larger, more metropolitan centers would be required. 

Alan Behrens

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