Florida Travel Lifestyles - Lee & Collier Counties
Southwest Florida residents experience day-to-day lifestyles unlike anyone else. Many have traded in cars for beach cruisers. Daytrips consist of nearby beaches, and shelling has become a high priority. Nightlife has taken on a completely new level that involves watching a breathtaking sunset and waterfront dining.

Although interests vary from shopping at one-of-a-kind boutiques, to admiring the art and culture, to getting to know neighbors better on the golf course, what Southwest Florida residents have in common is an understanding and appreciation - that they're living in paradise!

Did you know?
Florida was named a Top 5 Region for Biotech in 2008 by the industry's daily monitor, Fierce Biotech. This is Florida's second consecutive year at the top of this ranking of regions supportive of biotech development.
For a third consecutive year, Florida metropolitan areas dominated the Milken Institute / Greenstreet Partners 2007 Best Performing Cities Index. Ocala, Orlando-Kissimmee, and Naples-Marco Island, (ranked at #1, #5, and #6, respectively,) were three of the top six cities where America's jobs are being created and sustained. Ten other Florida metro areas rounded up the top 50. (Milken Institute, September 2007)
Florida leads the nation in fastest growing job markets. With a five-year growth rate of 32.2 percent, Cape Coral-Fort Myers ranked No. 1 in the U.S.
Orlando, Lakeland, and Sarasota-Bradenton were also in the Top 10 and five additional Florida markets ranked in the Top 30. (Bizjournals, September 2007)
Florida's low taxes and smart growth policies have placed it among the top Five Best States for Starting a Business, according to Fortune Small Business. (Fortune Small Business, November 2007).
Florida metros dominated the Forbes list of America's Fastest-Growing Large and Small Metros, winning nearly one-third of the top spots. The Cape Coral-Ft. Myers, Palm Coast, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, and Naples-Marco Island metro areas were all included on this list of thriving cities. (Forbes, January 2008)

Lee County- The County consists of cities that include Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, and Bonita Springs.

Famous Residents... have included Deion Sanders (Football); Thomas Edison (Inventor); Henry Ford (Founder of Ford Motor)

Community Overview... Just north of Cape Coral, North Fort Myers is the home to approximately 45,000 residents who enjoy a variety of lifestyles from waterfront living to golf course communities, and everything in between. The city is home to the historic shell factory, children's science center, and the Lee County Civic Center where residents can take in concerts, festivals, and a variety of trade shows throughout the year.
The historical and governmental hub of Lee County is Fort Myers. Established in 1886, the community recently revamped its historic, waterfront downtown, which today is highlighted with new restaurants, nightclubs, apartments, and artistic venues.

In addition, Fort Myer's sports the youngest population in Lee County with a median age of 32.
South Fort Myers is a unique community composed of older homes nestled along the Caloosahatchee River; planned communities designed with families, golfers, or retirees in mind; and extensive environmental preserves. For those who choose sports as their activity of choice, South Fort Myers is the home to the Lee County Sports Complex and the spring training home of the Minnesota twins.
One of Lee County's fastest growing communities is Lehigh Acres, with approximately 50,000 residents. Poised for explosive growth in the future, the community boasts convenient access to the Interstate and Southwest Florida International Airport.
With the largest population in Lee County, and as Florida's third largest city in land mass at 114 square miles, Cape Coral is one of this destination's best-kept secrets. Developed around some 400 miles of canals (more than Venice), the city offers abundant waterfront living for its residents. An active community, Cape Coral has something for everyone including golf, tennis, fishing, community parks, and a family water park. The past few years have seen tremendous growth in the business community with the development of a number of commercial and manufacturing sites.

Home to pristine white beaches, balmy gulf waters, and an unsurpassed lifestyle for both visitors and the island's some 6,300 residents, Sanibel is recognized worldwide as a getaway destination. Art galleries, theatres, upscale resorts, and restaurants dot this island. For nature lovers, the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a protected estuarial ecosystem of mangroves, where exotic birds, alligators, and fish can be enjoyed.
Located between Naples and Fort Myers, Bonita Springs offers a lifestyle for just about everyone. From award-winning planned golf communities to serene waterfront living, Bonita Springs exudes an urban setting highlighted by its small town charm.

Industry Overview... An area long known for attracting tourists and retirees to its beaches and natural beauty, Lee County has recently garnered acclaim as a national leader in job growth and business hospitality. In fact, in 2006, Inc. Magazine named the Cape Coral/Fort Myers communities the Best Midsize city for Doing Business.
Designated an enterprise zone by the State of Florida, the program consists of six tax credits against corporate income taxes and state sales taxes. If the business is located within the City of Fort Myers the following applies: sales tax exemption for electrical energy used; 50 percent fee rebate for occupational license; and water and sewer impact fee waiver for new construction.

"In the past year the Economic Development office made considerable strides towards building diverse industries in Lee County. Despite the downturn in the national and local economy, target industries created an estimated 795 new jobs in Lee County. This includes 404 direct jobs and 391 indirect jobs with an estimated economic impact of almost $84 million", said Regina Smith, Director of the Lee County Development Office.
"The Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council remain dedicated to building a dynamic and diverse business environment in Lee County and I believe that we are poised to accomplish this mission. Our area continues to be an attractive location with a pro business climate. We also have available land in addition to our expanding infrastructure to offer businesses," Smith added.

Collier County - The County consists of cities that include Naples, Marco Island, Immokalee.

Supplanted by extraordinary wealth, and maintained by an ever-growing working population, Collier County is poised to become the ideal market to introduce new goods and services and expand product offerings.

Famous Residents... have included actress Jane Seymour, director Steven Spielberg, Tennis star Jennifer Capriati, and Football greats Mike Ditka, and Don Shula.

Community Overview... Growing in popularity with families, the charming community of Naples is the home to row after row of palatial homes surrounded by tropical landscaping. Residents of Naples can enjoy the area's one-of-a-kind shopping boutiques, art galleries, and gourmet restaurants. Long known as a hideaway for retirees, Naples has evolved to appeal to a wider audience with its vibrant downtown cafe scene and exhilarating outdoor adventures.
At the Southern tip of Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast in Collier County is Marco Island, a beachfront paradise surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico on one side and pristine wilderness on the other.

The largest of Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island is the last populated shore on the southern tip of Florida's sunny Gulf coast.
With nearly six miles of beaches, more than 100 miles of waterways within 14 square miles, the area is best suited for those seeking a peaceful lifestyle.
Quiet, unhurried, off the beaten track, Marco opens east to the mystical Everglades, and west to the magical Gulf of Mexico. The resort crowd vacations here year after year, drawn by the island's luxurious laid-back comfort. Seafaring menus echo island pastimes of sea and backwater fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling and beach combing. Tables near tidewater afford sweeping views of gleaming yachts, and rainbowed sailboats gliding past color-touched clouds.

Those looking to buy real estate within the Greater Marco Island area can expect to pay $650,000 to upwards of $5 million for condos and single-family homes.
Immokalee is largely an agricultural area, 50 miles northeast of Naples, and home of the Seminole Indian Casino. Immokalee has begun to grow as the community became a Foreign Trade Zone, Federal and Florida Enterprise Zone, and Entrepreneurial Zone. With a runway expansion, enabling the community is able to accept cargo carriers from South America, Europe, and countries around the world.For further information on relocating to Lee or Collier Counties, visit www.floridatravelusa.com and click the Real Estate Link, for a list of professionals able to assist you.