A growing coastal city with more canals than Venice
Spurred by a postwar boom, Cape Coral developed as a master-planned community before incorporating as a city in 1970. When it first incorporated, the Gulf Coast city had just over 10,000 residents; now, roughly 200,000 people call it home, a number that increases considerably during the peak tourist season of mid-January to April, when snowbirds flock South for warmer weather. In addition to its parks, nature preserves and growing developments, Cape Coral boasts more than 400 miles of canals — more than any city in the world, including Venice. “One of the reasons we moved here is because we wanted to be outdoors more. We’ve always been boaters, and I like to scuba dive and do underwater photography,” says Penny Lehmann, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Realty and a resident of nearly 40 years. “I like Cape Coral because I still feel like it’s got a small-town feel to it. And even though the population is growing, it feels like home. I don't find too many people that want to leave.”
Buyers choose Cape Coral for its gulf access, waterfront views and relative affordability compared to other Florida cities like Fort Myers. “If you're a boater and a canal-front property is important to you, then this is where you want to be,” Lehmann says. “If you go over to Fort Myers, they have very limited gulf access properties. You definitely don’t have the selection.” Cape Coral also has fewer private communities than its neighbor. As Lehmann says, “You can’t put gates on canals.”
Bimini Basin enjoys the amenity of Gulf access via its patchwork canals.
South Cape, located in Caloosahatchee is lively and vibrant with many new businesses.
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Canal homes and brand-new builds
Mediterranean and Spanish Mission-inspired ranch-style homes are common throughout Cape Coral. Many homes feature attached carports or garages, backyard patios, swimming pools and boat docks for canal access. Some also have lanais — enclosed outdoor spaces attached to the house — including some big enough to cover a saltwater pool. The median price for a home is just shy of $390,000, while the median townhouse price is about $324,000. The market cooled after a boom in 2022, and homes now stay on the market an average of 119 days, much higher than the national average of 44 days.
Cape Coral still has room to grow, and local officials say the city is only halfway developed. With an annual growth rate of 2%, the city has rezoned residential land for commercial use, leading to new commercial districts and mixed-use developments. Several are in the works, such as the South Cape Redevelopment, a mixed-use urban village with shopping and public art. Bimini Square, a multiuse development set to open in fall 2025 on the shore of Bimini Basin , will feature apartments, medical facilities, shops, a boat dock and waterfront dining. The city was also awarded a $4 million state infrastructure grant for the development of Victory Park, a veteran-focused development with homes, shops, a hotel and a medical facility, with construction slated for April 2025. New builds must meet Florida’s building code to withstand severe weather. Structural integrity and resiliency are major draws for buyers who want waterfront homes, and buyers are advised to check the city’s FEMA flood zones, which can influence home and insurance costs. Many waterside homes are found in the Pelican , San Carlos Island and Caloosahatchee neighborhoods.
Nearly every waterfront option features a dock and screened-in swimming pool in Bimini Basin.
An array of architectural styles can be found in Bimini Basin such as new traditional.
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Boating and fishing on the Caloosahatchee River
The Caloosahatchee River has numerous full-service marinas, many offering kayak or paddleboard rentals and fishing charters. Mangroves line the river and draw wildlife like eagles, herons, gopher turtles and burrowing owls. Trails meander through wetlands and woods in nature preserves throughout the area. The islands of Sanibel and Captiva are a boat ride away and have some of the best shelling in the world. Public golf courses dot the community, and even more golfing can be found in the city of Fort Myers, while the expansive coastline of Fort Myers Beach is roughly 15 miles away. Cape Coral's strategic plan also calls for the construction of nine new parks plus improvements to 19 parks by 2030.
Boat owners of Bimini Basin enjoy easy access to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Life in Burnt Store revolves around outdoor activities, such as kayaking.
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Cardboard Boat Regatta is a Cape Coral classic
Proximity to water also influences the local arts scene, which features several waterfront galleries. The Cape Coral Festival of the Arts draws thousands to Cape Coral Parkway each January to browse works by over 300 artists and craftspeople. Unique local traditions include the annual Cape Coral Cardboard Boat Regatta, where schools, businesses, youth groups and friends put their ingenuity to the test. The Cape Coral Museum of History hosts classic car shows in Cultural Park, and events like the Burrowing Owl Festival celebrate local wildlife.
Plenty of shopping and seafood in Cape Coral
Pine Island Road is a hub for shopping and services with several grocery stores and shopping centers. "Pine Island Road is one of many shopping districts growing like crazy with new restaurants and businesses," says Christopher Lynch, a Realtor with Gulf Coast Living Real Estate Inc. The corridor, which connects most of the city to Interstate 75, features home improvement stores, department stores and supermarkets. Del Prado Boulevard has become a shopping corridor similar to Pine Island Road. Many residents head to Coral Wood Shopping Center in Hancock or Edison Mall for retail shopping. Locals will also head out of town for retail shopping at The Forum or Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers. There are also Coconut Pointe and Miromar Outlets in Estero, about 20 miles away. “Everything's within maybe 30 minutes,” Lehmann says. Seafood is a way of life in Cape Coral, and the area specialty — pink Gulf Coast shrimp — is on the menu in many local restaurants and markets. There’s also a growing nightlife scene in Cape Coral with spots like Dixie Roadhouse, a staple for line dancing and drinks.
Keg & Cow located in The Shops at Surfside is the perfect spot for a burger and a brew.
There are many large retail chains to shop in the Hancock neighborhood of Cape Coral.
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Lee County Public Schools has CTE pathways
Lee County Public Schools serves the community and receives a B from Niche. The ninth-largest school district in the state has an enrollment of more than 100,000 students. Florida offers open enrollment, which means middle school and high school students rank which schools they’d like to attend based on their attendance zone, then a lottery system determines admittance. The district offers 14 career and technical education career clusters, and many high schools offer specialized programs like the International Baccalaureate program or an AP Capstone program. Students can also choose from several private schools in Cape Coral or Fort Myers. Nearby universities include Cape Coral Technical College and Florida Gulf Coast University, about 20 miles southeast of the city.
Gulf Middle School in Cape Coral is pursuing IB status education programs for its students.
Cape Coral High School is an A rated School by Niche.
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A bridge away from Fort Myers
Cape Coral Parkway is the major east-west road that connects to Fort Myers through the Cape Coral Toll Bridge. Those who want to avoid the toll bridge can also take the Midpoint Point Bridge. Del Prado Boulevard is another main thoroughfare. Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers offers nonstop service to major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago and New York as well as a handful of international destinations. Nearby U.S. Route 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail, runs from Tampa to Miami, and Interstate 75 comes within 10 miles of the city. Residents who prefer not to drive can rely on LeeTran, Lee County's bus line that serves most of eastern Cape Coral. While the original developer built most of Cape Coral without sidewalks outside of downtown, the city has steadily increased its infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists, including 90 miles of bike routes.
Hurricane risk and life on the coast
When Cape Coral was developed as a subdivision in the 1950s, developers didn’t consider the ramifications of removing thousands of acres of wetlands, which led to water filtration and drainage issues. Today, Cape Coral residents balance the forces of nature with what the original marketing material called a “waterfront wonderland.” Findings from the Geological Survey of Norway — a group that studies sinking patterns around the world — indicate that nearly 40 square miles of northern Cape Coral are sinking by an inch or more each year. Hurricanes are also a reality from June through November, and residents can expect rain showers almost every afternoon during the summer months. Crime statistics for Cape Coral are not immediately available.
Caloosahatchee is a residential and business community with waterways between developments.
Caloosahatchee features a series of canals that interconnect throughout the neighborhood.
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