Get to Know the Real Estero, FL

Aerial view of Estero Florida with large lake, housing, and high-rises in the distance

Most people find out about Estero in one of three ways: They know someone who lives here, they saw the sign while driving from the airport to Naples, or they’re checking out real estate in Naples and just got a reality check.

Naples, is great. Both my parents and my in-laws live there. But prices are outrageous — and inventory tends to be low.

With Naples out of reach for so many people, realtors have begun eyeing Estero. Google caught the hint, and now you can find information on this once unknown city with a simple “Southwest Florida” search.

Google Southwest Florida in search bar

They say you never really a know a city until you live there. There’s truth to that. But it also comes down to information. When I first started planning my move down south, I couldn’t find any information on Estero that wasn’t a dry government white paper, a compilation Youtube video, or a plug from a real estate agent.

So consider this your official Estero guide from a real resident who loves the city. But no object of love is 100% perfect. I’ll give you the down and dirty, too. If you’re going to move here, you deserve to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Luckily, I’ve never met a person who moved down here and hated it. It’s hard not to fall in love with the Estero lifestyle once you get to know it.

Let’s get to know the real Estero. Grab a margarita. I’ll wait…

So where is Estero, exactly?

For a long time, realtors overlooked Estero. But that’s not because Estero isn’t on the water. In fact, Estero gets its name for the Spanish word for “estuary.” The Estero river flows through our booming city and runs out to Estero Bay.

Instead of sandy beaches, you’ll find beds of seagrass and towering mangrove trees. A chain of lush barrier islands border the dark blue waters, and the Gulf of Mexico lies just on the other side.

Map of Estero Florida

Due to it’s protected coastline, there was zero chance of anyone throwing up a condo right on the beach. That saved Estero from overzealous developers for a long time. In fact, most people thought of Estero as a pitstop between Naples and Fort Myers.

Of course, that’s no longer the case. Realtors have taken note of the open land, and Northerners have taken note of the natural beauty and affordable prices. And now, Estero is officially on the map. For better or worse.

Estero’s location in relation to the other cities

  • 20 miles north of downtown Naples
  • 8 miles north of Bonita Springs
  • 16 miles south of downtown Fort Myers

Access to major thorough fares

  • US 41 (Tamiami Trail)
  • I-75

The history of Estero

The real history of Estero begins long before my story does. If you want go back to the very beginning, you can visit Mound Key Archeological State Park and learn about the native Calusa tribe. But for the sake of time, let’s jump forward to 1882 when a man named Gustave Damkoehler arrived on the shore of what would one day be Estero.

Interestingly enough, Damkoehler’s claim to fame has little to do with being the first homesteader in Estero. Today, he’s marked in history as the man who transferred his land to Dr. Cyrus R. Teed. Now this is where the story really gets interesting. Grab your popcorn.

Dr. Cyrus R. Teed wasn’t just a charismatic homesteader looking to raise cattle or grow oranges. He was convinced that he was a prophet sent to redeem humanity. He also thought the earth was a hollow shell and humans existed at very the center of it. Yeah, he was a bit of a nut. But he’s our nut.

Gustave Damkohler and Cyrus Reed Teed of The Koreshan Unity

After being driven from Chicago by some very angry husbands, he came to Estero with nothing but a charming personality, some wacky ideas, and a whole bunch of women. From there, he set out to found The Koreshan Unity.

The Estero Historical Society describes the community as “a utopian society which offered complex religious, social and economic solutions for problems of the time.” Most people I know call them a cult. Tomayto, tomahto.

The Koreshan Unity believed that celibacy led to immortality (hence the angry husbands). So you can imagine everyone’s deep distress when Teed eventually bit the dust. His followers kept his body above ground for five days, waiting for him to resurrect. I probably don’t have to tell you how that turned out.

Let’s just say enthusiasm for the cult died down — no pun intended. By 1956, there were only five members left, and they decided to dedicate their land to the State of Florida as a historical site. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for this generous act. You can visit the land today as Koreshan State Park.

The history of the land continued, as history always does. But for the sake of time, let’s wrap it up with the obvious: Estero got off to a strange start. But hey, at least we now have a beautiful state park that will never be developed. Now that’s a novel idea that I can get behind.

The perks of living in Estero

Lake with bridge and Coconut Point Mall in the background.

For anyone who’s lived up North, the answer is pretty obvious. Um…hello beautiful weather. But since you can find great weather anywhere in Southwest Florida, here’s what’s so special about Estero in particular.

1. Natural beauty

Estero Bay Preserve water and foliage.

Remember when I mentioned that protected coastline? Thanks to dedicated locals who weren’t afraid to take on the powers that be, Estero Bay Preserve was established in 1966. Because of its protected coastline, Estero has developed much more slowly than its sister cities to the north and south.

This time delay has worked in Estero’s favor. Instead of a city getting developed at random, Estero’s growth has been determined by the Village of Estero’s land development code. Now days, if developers want to build east of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, they have to commit to restoring wetlands and natural water flowways.

My home in Verdana Village on East Corkscrew Road has benefited from such a compromise. In addition to the 2,400 residential units being built, 1,200 acres have been dedicated to natural preserves. If I were to stop typing and look outside my window, I’d see towering pond cypress and acres and acres of sand cordgrass.

Preserve at sunset in Verdana Village

Make sure to check out the round up of my favorite things to do in Estero. You’ll find more information on the best places to enjoy Estero’s natural beauty. In the meantime, here’s a list of some of the best spots:

2. Shopping

I confess, I’m a nature girl at heart. I’d choose a hike through the swamps over a trip to the mall any day. But luckily, residents of Estero don’t have to choose.

In addition to beautiful preserves and state parks, you’ll find some of the best shopping spots in all of Southwest Florida. Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind boutiques or the most sought-after brands, you’ll find everything you need at the following Estero shopping destinations.

These malls are by no means just local hot spots. Coconut Point and Miromar Outlets regularly attract residents from Naples, so don’t be surprised if you see a Bentley in the parking lot. Even the most fashionable ladies on 5th Avenue make the trip to Estero for their favorite shops.

3. Real estate prices

The days of listing a $500,000 dollar home for a million dollars may be over, but that doesn’t mean prices aren’t steep. Buying a home in general is like setting your wallet on fire — especially if you’re not paying in cash. Can you tell I hate my mortgage rate?

Here’s the thing, though. It’s all relative. Here are some things to note according to BestPlaces:

  • Estero is 7.8% less expensive than Naples
  • Estero housing costs are 8.1% less expensive than Naples
  • The median house price in Estero is $536,100.00 less than Naples

You might be thinking, “Hey, what about Fort Myers?” Well, my answer is simple. Fort Myers if fun, but it’s also a completely different vibe. You’re more likely to find crime, poverty, and other negative elements found in standard cities.

So if you’re looking to cash in on the luxury Southwest Florida lifestyle without paying the Naples prices, Estero is your best bet.

4. Market value

Estero is booming. Plain and simple. What started as nothing but citrus groves is now a populated city that just keeps growing. In fact, Engage Estero predicts that the city could grow by 50% in the next 10 – 15 years. That’s a LOT of growth.

As more people move to Estero, more businesses will move here too. Before you know it, you’ll find more and more fancy restaurants. Suddenly, the location becomes more and more desirable to outsiders. The average home value starts to climb. It’s a feedback loop.

For those of us living on East Corkscrew, it might feel like we’ll always exist on a quiet corner of the globe. Truth be told, I hope we always do. But I remember the day my friend’s parents moved to Immokalee Road in North Naples back when it was still the middle of nowhere. Go there now, and you’ll find a major east-west thoroughfare.

Just check out the graph from Redfin above to see how prices have continued to climb over the years. Even accounting for the post-Covid exodus to Florida and the recent market correction, prices continue to hold well above the national average.

So get in while there’s still inventory available. Think of all those people who made the brave journey to Immokalee back in the day. Now you can bet they’re having a cocktail on the golf course and laughing at all of us.

5. Laidback lifestyle and suburban living

Because Estero is made up of mostly gated communities, it has that laidback suburban vibe — but with a subtropical twist. Replace the minivan with a golf cart and the white picket fence with a pool cage. While I’m not retired, I joke that I might as well be. It’s impossible to live in a gated community in Estero and not feel completely, utterly relaxed.

Friends sit around a large table outdoors in Estero, Florida.

In Verdana Village, I can play pickleball or bocce, swim in the resort-style pool, and go to wine club without ever leaving my community. Soon, I’ll be able to head to the beer lounge and enjoy one of 50 craft beers available. I call it living in vacation land for 365 days of the year.

6. A population with a more diverse age range

Working from home has changed the game for so many people, myself included. Back in the day, my husband and I had to commute to our jobs — and that meant we had to live in Chicago. Now, we can live anywhere in the country. As you can see, we decided to make Florida home.

My friends up north often ask if I’m bored living down here. I mean sure, I’m middle-aged, but that’s a long cry from being 90 years old. But Estero isn’t like Naples. Where I live, you’re more likely to find people in their 40s than in their 80s.

On Monday night, I played pickleball with some women in their 20s and 30s. Tonight, I’ll be playing with women in their 50s and 60s. I have friends of all ages, and I love that. I suspect that you will too.

7. Proximity to the airport

Anyone who’s made the drive from Naples to Southwest Florida International Airport knows what a pain it is. One of the perks of living in Estero is its close proximity to the airport. The short 20-minute drive comes with some attractive benefits:

  • It’s affordable to take an Uber
  • Your friends won’t mind dropping you off or picking you up from the airport

On Saturday, my husband has to pick up his parents at the airport as they make their grand return for the season. But guess what? He doesn’t mind! It’s such a short drive, it hardly puts a dent in his day.

The downside to living in Estero

Thumbs down

As you can see, there’s a lot of positives to living in Estero. But that does’t mean it’s perfect. As I said before, no place is 100% perfect. Even paradise.

Some realtors are great about giving the real scoop on Estero, but at the end of the day, they need to make a living. They have an interest in getting you to move here. My interest lies solely in the pleasure of getting to write a blog post. So here’s the down and dirty about Estero. Only you can decide if the negatives are deal breakers.

1. The lack of thoroughfares

It doesn’t matter where you choose to live in Southwest Florida. Come season, the traffic is going to drive you up the wall. What was a 20 minute drive in summer can easily skyrocket to an hour-long commute.

But Naples does have some advantages over Estero. Simply put, there are more shortcuts you can take in Naples. The only three east-to-west thoroughfares in Estero are:

  • Corkscrew Road
  • Estero Parkway
  • Coconut Road
Map of Estero traffic routes

Although truth be told, I seldom leave my community. The newer developments on East Corkscrew come with everything you need. I don’t even have to leave my community in Verdana Village to hit the Publix.

But, if you do have to commute, you might want to consider how much you can stand sitting in traffic. My advice? Find a good podcast.

2. No direct beach access

Map of beach access in Estero Florida

Instead of sandy beaches, Estero has mangroves and seagrass beds. If you want the beach, you have to head to either Bonita Springs or Fort Myers. For those making the drive to Bonita Beach, you’ll want to leave before 10 a.m. to make sure you can find a parking space. For some people, that’s a deal breaker. But here’s some things to keep in mind:

  • Unless you live on the beach, you probably won’t go there all the time — even if you live in Naples (novelties eventually wear off)
  • The beaches can close due to red tide or hurricane aftermath
  • Resort-style swimming pools abound in Estero — and guess what, no sharks

3. Not as many nice restaurants

Sure, there are some great restaurants in Estero, but it’s nothing compared to what you’ll find in Naples. The same goes with nightlife and bars. I love to eat out at fancy restaurants, so I’ll sometimes make the schlep to Naples for a night out on the town. It’s not ideal. I look forward to the day when Estero has more to offer.

Downtown Naples Florida with pier and Mediterranean condo buildings.
Downtown Naples, FL

Still, if you’re looking for that suburban lifestyle or hoping to get in before Estero becomes the next big thing, you’ll find that it’s not so bad living outside of the hubbub. Consider it a challenge to become a great cook.

4. No downtown (yet)

One of the best parts of going to Naples is walking down 5th Avenue or meandering down the gorgeous streets of Old Naples.

But unlike Naples, Estero does not have a downtown (yet). Right now, you’ll find quiet subdivisions that are self-contained villages. However, all of that is about to change. Plans for “Downtown Estero” have been approved by the Village of Estero. The overall project will include:

  • 596 dwelling units
  • 82,000 square feet of retail and dining use
  • 6,000 square feet of civic spaces
  • 42,000 square feet of general and medical office use
  • a hotel
Downtown Estero rendering

So long story short, just be patient. Estero will be a more happening place as it continues to grow. And in the meantime, I’ll be enjoying my coffee on my lanai and typing away as I listen to the bird chatter.

What’s next for Estero

People gather while someone plays virtual golf at High 5 in Estero, FL

Downtown Estero isn’t the only thing in the works. As Estero continues to grow, there will be more attractions, retail and dining spaces, and new communities. Check out a couple of the big things heading to Estero in the next few years:

  • Woodfield Development — 40-acre mixed-use project (see above)
  • High 5 — two floors of indoor/outdoor entertainment space with pickleball courts, bowling lanes, duckpin bowling, bocce, miniaturized golf, axe throwing, immersive laser tag, an arcade, patio, dining, and bar

Make sure to bookmark “Estero Everything” so you can find out the latest developments. I promise you, exciting stuff is coming down the road. And in the meantime, check out everything you need to know about buying a home in Estero. Another promise: You do want to live here.