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Lee County · FL

Pros and cons of moving to Fort Myers Beach

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The pros and cons of moving to Fort Myers Beach come from island life: the Gulf at your door, and the flood rules, insurance and storm recovery that come with a barrier island. Here is a balanced list.

Pro: about seven miles of Gulf beach

Estero Island has about seven miles of beach, with fishing, paddling and shelling. Estero Bay on the back side of the island is popular for kayaking and fishing.

The Mound House, Bay Oaks Park and Newton Beach Park are Town properties, though some are still under Ian repairs.

Pro: state parks and history nearby

Lovers Key State Park, just south, has more than two miles of beach and kayak trails. The Mound House is a Calusa shell mound site with nearly 2,000 years of occupation.

Pro: a second bridge off the island

The new fixed-span Big Carlos Pass Bridge opened with a ribbon-cutting on June 30, 2026, with one lane each way, bike lanes and walkways. It gives a second route toward Bonita Beach.

LeeTran trolleys also run between the Beach Park and Ride, Times Square, Bowditch Point and Lovers Key.

Pro: newer homes built to current flood maps

Many lots now hold new homes elevated to the flood maps that took effect November 17, 2022, which can help with flood insurance and future repairs.

Ask for the elevation certificate of any home you consider, new or old.

Pro: no state income tax

Florida does not impose a personal income tax, and full-time residents can file for homestead and benefit from the 3% Save Our Homes cap.

Con: direct storm exposure

Hurricane Ian made a direct hit on September 28, 2022, and Helene and Milton added damage in 2024. Barrier islands face the earliest evacuation orders, and the Town requires a new re-entry pass each season.

Con: flood rules and insurance costs

Nearly all of the island is in VE or AE zones. The FEMA 50% rule limits repairs to older homes, and federal flood coverage caps at $250,000 for a residential building.

A July 2025 FEMA letter allowed the Town to enter the Community Rating System, so ask your agent which flood discount applies.

Con: rebuilding and closed parks

Construction will continue for years. As of September 2026, parking at Bowditch Point, Lynn Hall Memorial Park and Matanzas Pass Preserve was closed for repairs.

In 2026 the Town began a Recovery and Resilience Plan to guide the next phase of rebuilding.

Con: one through road

Estero Boulevard is the island's only through road, and it backs up in peak season. See the Fort Myers Beach cost of living and browse Fort Myers Beach homes for sale when you are ready.

Common questions

What is the main advantage of living on Fort Myers Beach?

Living on the Gulf, with about seven miles of beach, Lovers Key State Park next door and Estero Bay behind the island. Newer elevated homes also meet the current flood maps.

What is the main drawback of living on Fort Myers Beach?

Storm exposure and the flood rules and insurance costs that follow. Ian made a direct hit in 2022, and rebuilding is ongoing. Price insurance before you commit.

Do I need a hurricane pass on Fort Myers Beach?

Yes. The Town requires a new re-entry pass each hurricane season, available at Town Hall. Older passes are no longer valid.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Fort Myers Beach town, Florida, U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. About Fort Myers Beach, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Short Term Rentals, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Utilities, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Flood Information, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Frequently Asked Questions about FEMA's 50% Rule (Building Services, Feb. 2023), Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Building Services & Permitting Services, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  8. FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (CRS timeline and letters), Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  9. PSA: New Hurricane Season Passes Required (April 2, 2026), Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Town of Fort Myers Beach Recovery and Resilience Plan, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Mound House, Town of Fort Myers Beach / Mound House (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Lynn Hall Memorial Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Bowditch Point Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Matanzas Pass Preserve, Lee County Parks & Recreation (read 2026-09-24)
  15. Lovers Key State Park, Florida State Parks (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Big Carlos Pass Bridge Replacement Project, Lee County DOT project site (read 2026-09-24)
  17. LeeTran Maps & Schedules, Lee County (LeeTran) (read 2026-09-24)
  18. Evacuation, Lee County Public Safety (read 2026-09-24)
  19. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Student Enrollment Plan 2026-2027, School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Florida Statutes 509.032 (vacation rentals), Florida Legislature (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Disaster and Flood Related Frequently Asked Questions (NFIP waiting period and limits), Village of Estero (read 2026-09-24)
  23. About LCEC (service area), LCEC (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Times Square, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Bay Oaks Park, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Newton Beach Park, Town of Fort Myers Beach (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Sales and Use Tax, Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for Calendar Year 2026 (DR-15DSS), Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  29. Do I have to file a personal income tax return in Florida?, Florida Department of Revenue (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Real Estate Property Taxes, Lee County Tax Collector (read 2026-09-24)
  31. General Exemption Information, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  32. Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference (Portability), Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  33. 10% Assessment Limitation Frequently Asked Questions, Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  34. TRIM Information (six factors that increase taxes; ownership change resets caps), Lee County Property Appraiser (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Senate Passes Historic $250,000 Property Tax Cut for Florida Homeowners (HJR 1-F), June 2, 2026, The Florida Senate (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Inspections (milestone inspections and structural integrity reserve studies), Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Condominiums (read 2026-09-24)
  37. 2025-2026 School Grades Report (district grade issued by FLDOE July 1, 2026), The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Charter School Frequently Asked Questions, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)
  39. School Grades, Florida Department of Education (read 2026-09-24)
  40. External Affairs Service Area Map (counties served, including Lee), Florida Power & Light (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (AL092022), NOAA National Hurricane Center (read 2026-09-24)
  42. Flood Insurance, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  43. School Zones, The School District of Lee County (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.