What can you tell me about this locale for a retirement respite for a couple of months? Too isolated? Anyone stayed here? thanks

I gather you're from Canada and want to spend a couple of months in a warm climate. However, I don't know what else you want to do. But I can tell you this---Cape Coral isn't isolated, nor is any spot in Florida near the coast. Having said that, I still don't know whether as a retired person you like to take it easy or be on the go. I would personally not have a problem with Cape Coral, but there are lots of other places in Florida just as good. If I knew whether you want isolation, party activity, theme parks, beaches, good places to eat, or something else, I would be able to help more.

Isolated from what?

I am familiar with it, somewhat. It's okay, at best. It has lots of residential areas (pretty average-to-not-very-nice ones for the most part), strip malls, and low-end chain restaurants. I'd rather be just about anywhere else, really.

Why not Fort Myers?

Cape Coral is far from isolated..it's population is over 100,000! And it is becoming one of the more EXPENSIVE areas to live.

I agree...try Ft. Myers or even Lehigh Acres. Lehigh is about 25 miles inland, has lots of condo and house rentals available "in season", has lots of retirees. It's a short drive into Ft. Myers. Check out Realtors/property management in and of the cities you would like to winter in and they'll send more information. Also check out the Ft. Myers News-Press for rental ads. www.news-press.com

I lived there for 2 looonng years, and I could not leave fast enough,,,there are not enough good restaurants, shopping and things to do for me. It could be paradise to someone with differant expectations. MY DH wanted to live there but now he is even happier to be here in Ft Lauderdale! Differant strokes, yes?

My parents retired to Cape Coral in 1972 and I stayed with them for about 3 months in 1974 when I moved down and was looking for a house (I bought one in Ft. Myers Beach). That stay seemed like 3 years not months. In my opinion, since that time Cape Coral has only gotten bigger, not better.

I'm confused by your question though. Are you talking about purchasing a place for an annual "snowbird stay" or just looking to rent a place for a couple months this year? In either case, I think you could do better.

The worst problem with Lehigh is that it is a good hour drive to the beach (in season) if that's important to you.

My parents live there. The area is growing like crazy, so it seems like one big construction site!

There is not a heck of a lot to do around there, unless you are on a canal and have a boat. My Dad loves to go exploring.

Besides that, my parents leave Cape Coral to do more "fun stuff" (restaurants/bars/walking/shopping/etc.)- they go to nearby Sanibel, Naples, and Matlacha.

Patrick, my dearest friend who used to live in very gay section of Midtown Atlanta, always said CC needed lots of Gays to get it looking more upscale. But what would be the draw IMO...a chicken and egg thing to me.

Perhaps we need a queer eye for the straight Cape Coral, like you suggested for the hotels LOL!

still no restaurants nor retail to speak of but the big chains restaurants are starting to build there. I am working on several 2 million dollar plus homes in SW Cape Coral area and two that are substantially more. Canal lots are going for 200% more than just 2 or 3 years ago. A friend of mine just sold his lot for 800k and he only paid 150 3 years ago. Deep water canals with a quick ride to the gulf are the key for Cape Coral's future.

LMF