Sanibel-Captiva : Florida


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Living a Beach Lifestyle in Sanibel-Captiva, Florida

If you like beaches, Sanibel and Captiva is the answer to your dream. The 15 miles of white coral beaches are famous for shelling, beautiful homes and apartments, and perfect weather from October through May . Located off the southwest coast of Florida, they offer a warm and scenic tropical paradise. Sanibel-Captiva is a very desirable place for folks who have the time and inclination to live a slower lifestyle. Sanibel-Captiva is located in Lee County. Ft. Myers is 11 miles away. The average age on the islands is one of the highest in the country - 60+.

The down-side of paradise in America is that it generally comes with both a high price tag and big crowds. Real estate is very expensive and mid-winter traffic to and from the mainland (Ft. Myers) is often at a standstill. However for those willing to tough it out in their beautiful beachside homes, this can be a great way to pass the time.

Sanibel is the larger island and is closer to the mainland. It has a few golf courses, much tennis, great beaches, and fabulous shopping. The Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge is vast and worth a visit. Captiva, a much smaller island at the end of Sanibel, was devastated in the 2004-5 hurricane seasons.

Where to Retire in Sanibel-Captiva and Home Prices

There are many small apartment, condo, and townhome complexes here.
As homes get further from the water they become a bit more affordable. Prices can swing tremendously depending on where and how far away from the water they are. Median prices were $1,099,880 in Sanibel in early 2022, according to Zillow.

What Is Special about Sanibel-Captiva

Beautiful white coral beaches. Living on an island. Warm weather all winter. average Jan temperature is in the mid-60s. Many upscale housing opportunities for retirees, including many condos and apartments. Great shops. Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge

What Is Not Special about Sanibel-Captiva

Sanibel-Captiva is so desirable that is has become extremely expensive; Crowds; Island fever; Hurricane season

Climate and Physical Environment

Sanibel-Captiva is just off the coast of Ft. Myers, FL. The Gulf of Mexico is on one side and bays and small mangrove islands on the other. Captiva is at the end. Find Sanibel on Google Maps. The average January temp is in the 60's and the average July temp in the low 80's. It is very flat and susceptible to hurricanes.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Sanibel-Captiva has many galleries and artists in residence. The Sanibel Public Library is well funded and has more than 60,000 volumes. Nearby Ft. Myers has a number of theatres and performing arts facilities. As a popular tourist destination there is no shortage of good restaurants, either here of just off the island in Fort Myers Beach.

Crime

Crime here is very low.

Medical Facilities

There are at least 4 hospitals nearby: - Healthpark Hospital (10 miles) Cape Coral Hospital (14 miles) - Lee Memorial Hospital (19 miles) - Gulf Coast Hospital (18 miles)