Moving to Fort Myers? This Florida city is a great place for families to call home, thanks to its safe, affordable suburbs, excellent schools, fun things to do, and more. If you want to live near the City of Palms, here are the five best suburbs in Fort Myers for families!
Located about 25 minutes northeast of the Fort Myers metro is the quiet, peaceful Florida suburb of Buckingham. Those looking to spend time outside in this suburb can find lush parks and walking trails at Harns Marsh. Great education isn’t far away, either—families can send their kids to quality Fort Myers schools like Harns Marsh Elementary School and Harns Marsh Middle School, while older college students can attend Florida Gulf Coast University‘s Buckingham campus. As for housing, Buckingham is full of new construction and renovated homes that will suit most families.
Play with your furry friends in the dog park, watch the kids romp around on the playground, or hit some baseballs at Buckingham Park. See manatees from mid-December to March or go kayaking at Manatee Park. Go bird-watching and hike the trails at Six Mile Cypress Preserve North. Play with the kids on the playground, grill out, and have a family picnic at Buckingham Community Center. See grazing cattle, birds, and more when walking the trails at Hickory Swamp Preserve. Golf on one of two 18-hole courses, swim in the pool, or challenge your opponents to a game of doubles at the Verandah Golf Club. Visit Buckingham Farms for the Farmhouse Benedict, Country Boy Breakfast, or The Farmer’s Market Omelet—and don’t forget to pick up some fresh produce! Try the Gator Bites, Surf and Turf, and Shrimp Po Boy paired with the Island Mule while listening to local bands at The Rum Bucket Bar & Grill. Or try classic Italian favorites like Bruschetta, Chicken Piccata, or Steak Gorgonzola from Casa D’ Italia.
As one of the largest residential communities in Lee County, the suburb of Lehigh Acres offers residents a mix of suburban and rural feels with lower housing costs than nearby areas. Those looking to buy a home in Fort Myers will find new builds and modern ranches with large yards for kids to run around in. Families can send their young ones to quality public schools in The School District of Lee County like Lehigh Elementary School and Lehigh Middle School, while parents considering private schools in Fort Myers can enroll their kids in Lehigh Acres Christian School. For anyone working in healthcare in Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres is also home to the Lehigh Regional Medical Center.
Play a game of sand volleyball, watch the kiddos run through the splash pad, or grill out with family at Veterans Park and Recreation Center. Sign up for golf lessons or book a tee time at Ibis Landing Golf & Country Club. Check out a new book or attend one of the many family-friendly events like Toddler Tales or Read to the Dogs at the East County Regional Library. Get your heart pumping with bodyweight exercises, cardio, weight-lifting, and more at Bloodline CrossFit. Feast on Mexican favorites like Tacos a la Diabla, Chiles Poblano, and Quesadilla Verde from El Tarasco Mexican Restaurant. Enjoy classic Puerto Rican dishes like Pollo en Salsa Alfredo & Bacon, Bistec Encebollado, or Chicharron de Pollo from El Rincon Boricua. Try the Egg Drop Soup, Beef Chop Suey, or Singapore Mei Fun at Canton House. Or stop by for dishes like Kan Kan Pork Chop, Caja de Muertos, or Shrimp & Chicken Cracklings at Gandules Grill.
Looking for a family-friendly suburb close to the River District? Check out McGregor! Nestled along the Caloosahatchee River, this area is great for those who can’t get enough views of the Florida Coastline. McGregor is a quiet, safe suburb with an urban-suburban feel, full of ranches and two-story homes. Parents can send their kids to nearby schools in Fort Myers, like Cypress Lake Middle School and Cypress Lake High School. Need to commute to Fort Myers or Cape Coral for work or more fun things to do? It’s just a quick drive from McGregor via FL-867 (McGregor Blvd) or the Cape Coral Bridge!
Sign the kids up for Youth Arts Camps, see art exhibits from world-class artists and student artists, or shop for local artwork during the Night Market at the Alliance for the Arts. Spend the day fishing the Florida waters with Indigenous Fishing Charters, or tee off at the 18-hole Whisky Creek Country Club. Spend the day soaking in the Florida sun by taking your furry friend for a walk or playing a game of racquetball or tennis at Rutenberg Park. Order the Clancey’s Fish and Chips, Mushroom Swiss Burger, or Beach Lovers Flatbread at Whisky Creek Station—and save room for a piece of locally-made Key Lime Pie! Enjoy dinner in Fort Myers like the Baked Lasagna, Penne Ala Vodka, Stromboli, and more from Citrola’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria. Devour a Pulled Pork Sandwich, St. Louis Ribs, or Deep Fried Catfish paired with Collard Greens and American Potato Salad from Mitchell’s Bar-B-Q. Looking for Seafood in Fort Myers? Stop by the Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House for Conch Fritters, Tropical Mahi, or an Oyster Sandwich.
Located about 30 minutes from the Fort Myers city center, you’ll find the quiet suburb of San Carlos Park. This suburb in Lee County offers families a variety of housing choices, ranging from renovated cottages to ranches. Parents can send their young children to San Carlos Park Elementary School and Garden House Academy. Looking to spend the day with the family at Florida State Parks? Visit the nearby Estero Bay Preserve State Park or Koreshan State Park for kid-friendly activities! And with convenient access to Hwy 41, it’s easy for parents to commute to Downtown Fort Myers for work.
Sign the whole family up for swim lessons in Fort Myers at Discovery Swim School. Watch the kids go down the water slide or swim laps at the San Carlos Community Pool. Sign your kiddos up for Club Rec and watch them run around on the playground at Karl Drews Park and Community Center. Play a game of golf at San Carlos Golf Club—one of the oldest golf clubs in Southwest Florida! Satisfy your hunger with a Breakfast Quesadilla, Chicken N Biscuits, or Corned Beef Hash from Haney’s Cafe. Savor Mexican dishes like Torta de Asada, Tamales de Cerdo, or Chilaquiles Rojos o Verdes from El Mercado De San Carlos. Try Italian favorites like Chicken Florentina, Tortellini Alla Romano, and Eggplant Parm Pizza from Nino’s Pizzeria & Restaurant. Or try the Shahi Paneer, Masala Papad, or Kerala Chicken Curry from the Spice Club Indian Grill.
Tucked between San Carlos Park and Miromar Lakes is Three Oaks—one of the best places to raise a family in Fort Myers! This Southwestern Florida suburb offers a quieter lifestyle with a huge selection of single-family homes and nearby green spaces—all without having to give up city amenities. Families looking for a charter school in Florida can send their kids to Athenian Academy Charter School tuition-free! Alternatively, enroll your children at schools like Three Oaks Elementary School or Three Oaks Middle School. College students wanting to stay close to home can attend the nearby Florida Gulf Coast University. Need to commute to Fort Myers proper or other nearby Florida cities for work? Easily travel along I-75, which borders Three Oaks.
Combine soccer and tennis for a game of futnet, take your dog on a walk, or plan a picnic with the kids at Three Oaks Park. Sign your budding musicians up for violin, viola, and cello lessons at Gulf Coast Music School—or if they’re into sports, they can try out for the San Carlos Youth Baseball and Softball leagues. Go shopping at stores like At Home, Bath & Body Works, or St. John Outlet, and grab a bite to eat at Gulf Coast Town Center. Stop by for a Sweet Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew, Caramel Macchiato, or Vanilla Latte from the Brew Box Coffee Company‘s Mobile Espresso Bar. Find authentic Mexican dishes like Menudo, Torta De Milanesa, or Fajita De Pollo at Dos Sabores Restaurant. Dig in to Cantonese dim sum favorites like Beef with Baby Bok Choy, Steamed Shrimp Dumpling, or Wonton Noodle Soup from the nearby Dim Sum King. And treat yourself to a scoop of Butter Pecan or Cherry Oblivion ice cream, or try a Chocolate/Peanut Butter Milkshake from San Carlos Scoops.
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Moving to the City of Palms? Extra Space Storage has convenient self storage facilities located throughout the Fort Myers area. Find a storage unit near you!
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes.
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