Estero, Florida: The Most Underrated Retirement Area in Southwest Florida

Why Nearly 40,000 Retirees Are Choosing Estero Over Naples and Fort Myers

Nearly 40,000 people already call Estero home, and many of them made a deliberate decision not to buy in Naples or Fort Myers.

Surprisingly, it’s not because Estero lacks luxury, beaches, or convenience. In fact, many retirees discover that Estero offers the same lifestyle for up to $180,000 less—with better access to the airport, healthcare, and everyday amenities.

I’m John Garuti, a Southwest Florida real estate advisor, and for over six years I’ve helped retirees evaluate where their money—and lifestyle—go the furthest. In this guide, I’ll break down seven data-backed reasons why Estero is widely considered the most underrated retirement destination in Southwest Florida.

By the end, you’ll understand exactly why so many retirees are quietly choosing Estero—and why the timing matters.

1. Estero’s Location: The Sweet Spot Between Naples and Fort Myers

Location is everything in retirement, and Estero’s positioning is one of its biggest advantages.

Estero sits directly between Naples and Fort Myers, placing you:

• About 20 miles north of Naples
  
  
• Roughly 15 miles south of Fort Myers
  
  
• Just 11 miles (15 minutes) from Southwest Florida International Airport
  
  

This means you can enjoy the dining, shopping, and entertainment of both cities—without dealing with their daily congestion or premium pricing.

Unlike Naples, where airport access can take 45–60 minutes during season, Estero offers fast, stress-free travel. It’s a major quality-of-life upgrade for retirees who travel frequently or host visiting family.

Estero also maintains a population sweet spot at around 38,500 residents—large enough for top-tier amenities, yet small enough to preserve a true community feel.

2. A Massive Cost Advantage Compared to Naples

This is where Estero truly separates itself.

As of late 2025:

• Estero median home prices: approximately $490,000–$555,000
  
  
• Naples median home prices: approximately $580,000–$675,000
  
  

That’s a savings of $95,000 to $186,000 for a comparable lifestyle.

The Lowest Property Taxes in Florida

Estero also has something no other nearby market can claim:

• Property tax rate: 0.73 mills (lowest in the entire state)
  
  

For a $600,000 home, that’s roughly $438 per year—a fraction of what many retirees pay elsewhere in Florida.

Insurance Costs That Make Retirement Easier

Unlike beachfront-heavy markets, Estero offers a mix of inland and waterfront neighborhoods. As a result:

• Homeowners insurance is often far more manageable than Naples beachfront properties
  
  
• Flood risk varies by community, giving buyers options to control long-term costs
  
  

When combined with lower purchase prices and taxes, Estero provides retirees with more financial flexibility and peace of mind.

3. Resort-Style Living Without Resort-Level Prices

Estero delivers a lifestyle that rivals Florida’s most expensive retirement towns—without the country-club price tag.

Golf, Nature, and Outdoor Living

• 11 golf courses within Estero
  
  
• 89 additional courses within 20 miles
  
  
• Estero Bay Preserve State Park: 10,000 acres, Florida’s first aquatic preserve
  
  
• Koreshan State Historic Site: trails, kayaking, and nature access
  
  
• 20–26 minutes to Bonita Beach and Fort Myers Beach
  
  

You get proximity to the Gulf without the daily traffic, noise, or insurance costs that come with beachfront living.

Active, Year-Round Community

Estero benefits from a healthy balance of seasonal and full-time residents. Unlike some Florida towns that slow down in the summer, Estero stays active year-round—keeping restaurants, shops, and amenities consistently open.

With 30+ gated communities, retirees can choose from active-adult neighborhoods, golf communities, and low-maintenance HOA living at multiple price points.

4. World-Class Healthcare Within Minutes

Healthcare access is one of the most critical retirement factors—and Estero excels here.

Estero sits at the center of what locals call the “hospital triangle”, offering exceptional coverage in every direction:

• Lee Health Coconut Point: $140M facility with 24/7 emergency care
  
  
• Gulf Coast Medical Center: Level II trauma center, ~8 miles away
  
  
• HealthPark Medical Center: ~8 miles away
  
  
• NCH North Collier Hospital: ~12–15 miles away
  
  

Most retirees have access to multiple hospital systems within 15 minutes—a level of coverage that many large cities can’t match.

Even better, this network is still expanding, with future medical investments already approved.

5. A Master-Planned Community Built for Retirees

Estero is one of Florida’s newest municipalities, incorporated in 2014. That matters more than most people realize.

Unlike older towns that grew organically, Estero was intentionally planned with modern infrastructure, walkability, and resident needs in mind.

Key investments include:

• $70.9M municipal budget
  
  
• $27.3M for parks
  
  
• $13.4M for utilities
  
  
• $11.9M for roadways
  
  
• 73+ miles of planned bike and pedestrian paths
  
  

There’s also a $60.9M septic-to-sewer conversion project underway, improving water quality and long-term environmental health.

All of this is happening while maintaining the lowest property tax rate in Florida—a rare combination of growth and fiscal responsibility.

6. Strong Future Growth Without Overcrowding

Smart retirees don’t just look at where a market is—they look at where it’s going.

Estero’s growth has been steady and controlled, not explosive:

• Population grew from 36,948 (2020) to 38,507 (2025)
  
  
• Approximately 4.2% growth over five years
  
  

Infrastructure projects like the Corkscrew Road Widening (Phase 2)—scheduled for completion in 2026—are proactively addressing future traffic and mobility.

Meanwhile, high-end developments like the Ritz-Carlton Residences Estero Bay and mixed-use projects such as Woodfield Estero are adding value without overwhelming the community.

7. Why Estero Is Still “Underrated”

The reason is simple: market positioning.

Estero doesn’t rely on brand recognition like Naples. Instead, it delivers:

• The same coastal lifestyle
  
  
• Better airport access
  
  
• Comparable healthcare
  
  
• Lower taxes
  
  
• Lower entry prices
  
  

You’re not paying for a name—you’re paying for real value.

That’s exactly why savvy retirees are choosing Estero before prices fully recalibrate.

Final Takeaway: A Smarter Florida Retirement Choice

Estero offers one of the most balanced retirement lifestyles in Southwest Florida. It combines:

• Strategic location
  
  
• Financial efficiency
  
  
• Resort-style amenities
  
  
• Top-tier healthcare
  
  
• Planned, sustainable growth
  
  

All without the inflated costs found in better-known markets.

Speak With a Local Expert

If you’re considering retiring in Estero—or comparing it to Naples, Fort Myers, or other Southwest Florida communities—timing and location matter.

I help retirees evaluate real options, real numbers, and real neighborhoods so they can make confident decisions without pressure.

Call: (239) 456-3711
Email: hello@swfloridarealestate.com

There’s no obligation and no sales pitch—just clear, local insight to help you decide whether Estero is the right fit for your retirement goals.