17 Pros and Cons of Living in Estero, FL

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Estero, Florida is nestled along the southwest coast between Naples and Fort Myers.

The growing area has a lot to offer for families and retirees alike.

You will find a significant number of outdoor activities, including golf courses.

There are both good and bad things about Estero, so it is a good idea to know what the city has to offer so that you can decide if it is the kind of place that you want to call home.

Pros of Living in Estero, FL

Estero is a popular place to live due to its location as well as its weather.

By being aware of all that attracts people to the area, you can understand more about the appeal.

1. Beautiful Homes are Abundant

There are a lot of beautiful homes throughout Estero.

There are single-family homes as well as condos – and many are found within gated communities.

Due to the location of Estero, it is not uncommon to find some homes on waterfront property, adding to the overall beauty that you can see within your own backyard.

Most homes are Florida classic with split floor plans, spacious living areas, and stucco exteriors.

2. There are Great Schools

When you have a family with school-aged children or you have dreams of having kids, it is important to know about the schools within the area.

Depending on the zoning, your kids may attend Pinewoods Elementary School, Three Oaks Middle School, and Estero High School – all of which are highly rated.

There are also quite a few private schools throughout the area that can offer academic challenges.

3. Shopping is Close By

You will never have to drive too far in order to go shopping.

Coconut Point is found in the heart of Estero with over 100 stores, including many name-brand ones.

You can shop for clothing, electronics, books, and more.

The Miromar Outlets are also found in Estero, offering you a significant amount of outlet shopping so that you can get your favorite brands for less.

There are also several grocery stores, all within 5 minutes from any home you’re likely to buy.

4. Lots of Restaurants are in the Area

The Estero/Bonita Springs area has grown dramatically, offering restaurants of every kind.

Thanks to the proximity to the water, you are going to find many seafood restaurants – many with a  particular emphasis on Floribbean cuisine.

There are also many high-end restaurants for steak and chops.

Whether you are looking for fast casual or fine dining, you will find it all without ever having to drive out of Estero.

In fact, many people from nearby communities visit Estero because of the restaurant scene.

5. It is Easy to Travel

When you want to take a vacation from Estero or you’re looking to make your daily commute, there are plenty of ways to get around.

You will not find many toll roads unless you’re headed to Cape Coral.

Instead, you can take 41 or I-75 with ease.

There is also the Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) situated just north of Fort Myers.

And should you want to go anywhere by cruise ship, you can easily take Alligator Alley to quickly get to Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

6. Golf Courses are Numerous

If you enjoy playing golf, you will find that there are dozens of private and municipal golf courses in and around Estero.

If you join one of the private clubs, you’re often given reciprocal privileges with one of the other private clubs, giving you more courses to choose from.

Many of the clubs have golf instructors, restaurants, and more, allowing you to truly embrace the sport throughout the year.

7. Beaches are Nearby

There are quite a few beaches, allowing you to indulge in an outdoor lifestyle.

Whether you enjoy watersports like jet skis and stand-up paddleboards or just soaking up the sun on the sand, you will have your pick of beaches.

Consider exploring Fort Myers Beach, Little Hickory Island Beach Park, Bonita Beach Dog Park, and more.

Each one has unique offerings to ensure you have some fun.

8. No State Taxes

When it comes to the cost of living, Florida is extremely attractive because it does not have any state taxes.

This is particularly important for seniors, though anyone who is bringing in an income will love this fact.

It means that you get to hold onto more of your own money.

Plus, you do not have to deal with the burden of having to file state taxes every year.

The only taxes you will incur include sales tax and property tax.

9. Crime is Low

The crime is low throughout all of Estero, especially when you compare it to Florida as a whole or even some of the neighboring cities like Naples or Fort Myers.

There will be a little more property crimes – though that is because of the high-end homes throughout the area.

Many homeowners have learned that a security system is a wise investment.

Additionally, if you are in a gated community, you have an extra layer of protection around you.

Cons of Living in Estero, FL

While Florida has a number of attractive features, Estero is not for everyone.

By taking the time to understand some of the cons, you can decide whether you can overcome some of the negative aspects of this area.

1. Home Values are High

The home values are high throughout Estero, FL.

Much of this has to do with the large, gated communities that are found abundantly within the area.

Homes that are on the water can cost a significant amount of money.

Additionally, with the Florida Gulf Coast University nearby, homes have risen dramatically over the past few years.

It can be difficult to find an affordable home if you are just moving into the area.

2. Industries to Work in are Limited

Estero is growing, but the number of industries to work in is limited to food and beverage, tourism, and golf courses.

If you want to work in healthcare, you may have to travel to Naples or Fort Myers.

Manufacturing and industrial companies are few and far between, which can limit your possibilities.

Depending on the industry you want to find work within, you may end up with a commute of an hour or more to get to a company based in Fort Myers or even Sarasota.

3. Indoor Recreation is Limited

Southwest Florida always has something to do as long as you enjoy spending time outdoors.

If you do not want to deal with the Florida heat, your options are limited.

Beaches, golf courses, and tennis courts are everywhere.

As for indoor options, there is not a lot to keep you busy unless you want to go shopping or visit a restaurant.

It can leave many people feeling bored or frustrated.

4. The Weather is HOT

While you will never have to deal with snow, you will have to deal with the heat.

Estero is known to experience temperatures above 80 degrees all year long.

While December, January, and February are the cooler months, it likely will not get below 50 degrees on any given day.

This allows you to enjoy all there is to do outside, but there is no change of season.

It can also lead to being so hot that you will not want to go outside, especially when you factor in the high humidity levels.

5. Snowbirds Can Be Overwhelming

Thanks to the beautiful weather of Florida, it is a popular destination for snowbirds – the people who leave their cold-weather homes in search of Florida’s warm weather.

Seasonal visitors often have a second home and live in Florida from October through April.

With the large, retired population of Estero, you will see an influx of snowbirds for six months out of the year, where there will be more people on the roads and a lot more people in the restaurants and stores of the area.

6. Risk of Hurricanes

With Estero being a coastal town in Florida, you have to remember that there is a risk of hurricanes.

Any time you are near the water, there is a bigger risk – especially with the high winds and flooding.

Hurricane season goes from June 1 to November 30, though most of the storms are likely to hit after July 1.

You will want to make sure that you are prepared for the storms every year with storm windows, preparedness kits, and even a generator.

7. Walkability is Low

There’s not a lot of walkability throughout Estero because of how spread out everything is.

If you’re in a gated golf community, you can use a golf cart to get to certain areas, including shopping that may be found within your community.

Otherwise, you will need to drive – your drive likely will not be more than 10 or 15 minutes to reach most things.

8. There Is a Significant Amount of Growth

While some growth is a good thing, Estero has been seeing more growth than many other areas.

Communities are being built, getting rid of the beautiful open areas of land that you have grown accustomed to seeing. With more communities comes more people and more traffic.

It is causing home values to escalate and commutes to become longer because of the packed highways.

Pros and Cons of Living in Estero, FL – Summary Table

Florida Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Florida Safety Review

Safety Index:

70

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW