The Best Communities in Estero, FL

When my husband and I began looking at gated communities in Estero, we were completely clueless. We didn’t have a real estate agent (yet). All we wanted was to do a quick Google search and get an idea of what was what. After all, we were just getting started. Our commitment was only lukewarm.

Let’s just say, it wasn’t easy to find quick information. To be honest, we didn’t even know what we should be looking for. As Northeners, we knew nothing about flood zones or why natural gas was more precious than gold. The list goes on.

Eventually I did hire a real estate agent. Interestingly enough, we found The Guillette Group by watching Youtube videos — our one source of real information.

In fact, my realtor Angie offered invaluable feedback when creating this list. Which goes to show you, your realtor will be a valuable asset long after you purchase your home.

But in the meantime, let this guide be the answer to your all of your questions — even the ones that you haven’t thought of yet. I’ll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly, so you can get to know the real Estero.

Just remember, no community is 100% perfect. It’s all about knowing your deal breakers.

To make it easier to check out each community at a glance, I’ve organized them by attributes. Click on the links below to jump to a category or scroll to get an in-depth understanding of everything you should consider.

If you don’t see your favorite community in a category, double check on its actual status with a quick Google search. Later, ask your Estero realtor.

Location & traffic
Water access
Flood zones
Community Size
Demographics
Housing Types
Age of development
Lot Size
Amenities
Pricing
Security
Natural Gas

*Pelican Landing and The Brooks communities are not included in these listings, athough they are fabulous luxury communities that border Estero.

1. Location, location, location

Before you do anything, look at a map. I’m not the first person to move to Estero without a real clear idea of its location. Had I done my research, I would have realized the following:

1. Estero is mostly landlocked
   
2. There are 3 main north-to-south thoroughfares
   
3. There are 3 main east-to-west thoroughfares
   
4. A good portion of Estero has yet be incorporated
   
5. Each of the districts comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages

Take it from someone who lives on the up-and-coming Corkscrew Corridor: getting to the highway is a bit of a hassle. If you’re a commuter or someone who wants to drop down to Naples or Bonita Beach on the daily, you might want to consider neighborhoods that are close to major north-to-south thoroughfares.

Communities in Estero close to I-75

✔ Stoneybrook
✔ Grandézza
✔ Corkscrew Woodlands
✔ Estero Place
✔ Wildcat Run

Communities in Estero close to US 41

✔ Breckenridge
✔ Meadows of Estero
✔ Fountain Lakes
✔ Rapallo
✔ Marsh Landing
✔ The Vines
✔ Fountain Lakes
✔ Osprey Cove
✔ Mirasol at Coconut Point
✔ The Residences at Coconut Point
✔ Coconut Landing
✔ Terra Vista

2. Communities with water access or boating

There’s no direct beach access in Estero, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be on the water. Discover communities that offer pristine water views as well as boating or kayaking opportunities — be it on Estero Bay, the Estero River, or a vast freshwater lake.

Communities with access to Estero Bay

✔The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay
✔ Pelican Sound
✔ West Bay Club

Communities on the Estero River or canal with gulf access

✔ Estero River Heights
✔ Quarterdeck Cove
✔ Estero Bay Village
✔ Mariners Cove
✔ Sunny Grove Park
✔ Rookery Pointe
✔ Estates at Estero River
✔ Riverwoods Plantation

Communities on a very, very large lake

✔ Corkscrew Woodlands
✔ Corkscrew Shores
✔ Wildblue (technically Fort Myers, but who’s checking)

3. Communities that requires flood insurance

To give you a list of communities that require flood insurance would be a feat of strength beyond a little lady like me. What I can tell you is that reading flood maps are no joke. Your best bet is to check out a FEMA flood map, learn what the key means, and type in a specific address. Watch out for anything in blue or with stripes.

What I can tell you for sure is that when it comes to hurricanes and storm surge, it’s good to be on the west side of I-75. Even during Ian, my community in Verdana Village experienced zero flooding. That, in itself, is priceless.

4. The size of the community

People often overlook the size of a community when searching for their forever home. That’s a big mistake. The size of the community will determine the following:

• The level of intimacy between neighbors
  
• How easy it is to make friends
  
• The potential for avoiding drama
  
• Safety and security
  
• Your HOA and CDD fees
  
• Your special assessment fees
  
• Diversity of HOA board

Communities with 100 or less homesites

✔ Coconut Landing
✔ Quarterdeck Cove
✔ Colonial Oaks
✔ Estero Palms
✔ Estero Place
✔ The Groves
✔ Lakes of Estero
✔ Milan Villas
✔ Oaks of Estero
✔ Spring Ridge
✔ Corkscrew Estates

Communities with over 1,000 homesites

✔ Verdana Village
✔ West Bay Club
✔ The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay
✔ Pelican Sound
✔ Grandezza
✔ Stoneybrook
✔ Bella Terra
✔ Preserve at Corkscrew
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ Wildblue

5. Age group demographics in Estero

You’ll want to make friends wherever you move to, so it’s important to choose a community that fits your demographic and lifestyle. Some communities lean older or younger. Some communities, like Verdana Village, cater to all age groups.

Here’s something important to note. A community doesn’t have to be 55+ to lean toward a retired demographic. I know a lady who moved into WildBlue then promptly left after it became glaringly apparent that her kid’s existence was an affront to the entire neighborhood.

So just to be safe, check in with your realtor before you make your final decision.

Kid-friendly communities

✔ Bella Terra
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ Lakes at Estero
✔ Oaks of Estero
✔ Verdana Village
✔ Rivercreek
✔ Stoneybrook
✔ The Preserve at Corkscrew

55+ communities

✔ Cypress Bend RV Resort
✔ Estero Bay Village
✔ Mariners Cove
✔ Riverwoods Plantation
✔ Sunny Grove
✔ Cascades at Estero
✔ Corkscrew Woodlands
✔ Tidewater

6. Housing types in Estero

Maybe you’re looking to downsize and find the perfect condo. Maybe you want to start a family in a two-story home that you’ll live in for decades to come.

You might even prefer the low-maintenance vibe of a manufactured home. Whichever your preference, you’ll want to find a community that offers what you’re looking for.

Remember, just because a community has condos doesn’t mean you can’t find single-family homes there as well.

Still, some permanent residents may prefer to live in communities that only feature single-family housing. There’s a good reason for this. Villas and condos can lead to increased rental properties, which can lead to more crowded amenities and less investment in the community from its current residents.

You’ll also want to make a note that some communities with mixed housing, like Verdana Village, have neighborhoods solely devoted to single-family homes.

Communities with single-family homes (exclusively)

✔ Meadowbrook
✔ Estero River Heights
✔ Quarterdeck Cove
✔ Belle Lago
✔ Cascades at Estero
✔ Reserve at Estero
✔ Colonial Oaks
✔ The Groves
✔ Lakes at Estero
✔ Oaks of Estero
✔ Riverranch Estates
✔ Spring Ridge
✔ Island Club at Corkscrew
✔ Preserve at Corkscrew
✔ Rivercreek
✔ Corkscrew Estates
✔ Corkscrew Shores
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ Wildblue
✔ Coconut Landing

Mixed housing communities (including single-family homes)

✔ Breckenridge
✔ Copper Oaks
✔ Fountain Lakes
✔ Marsh Landing
✔ West Bay Club
✔ Pelican Sound
✔ The Vines
✔ Rookery Pointe
✔ Villages of Country Creek
✔ Grandezza
✔ Stoneybrook
✔ Tidewater
✔ Bella Terra
✔ Wildcat Run
✔ Verdana Village

Mobile home & manufactured home communities

✔ Cypress Bend RV Resort
✔ Estero Bay Village
✔ Mariners Cove
✔ Riverwoods Plantation
✔ Sunny Grove Park
✔ Corkscrew Woodlands
✔ Broadway Mobile Home
✔ Cypress Park
✔ Sheltering Pines

7. Older versus new communities in Estero

Dealing with new construction is enough to drive a person batty. Then again, older homes come with their own set of headaches. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Newest Communities in Estero

✔ The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay
✔ Verdana Village
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ Milan Villas
✔ Rivercreek
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ Wildblue
✔ Corkscrew Estates
✔ Coconut Landing
✔ Genova
✔ New tower at West Bay Club

Oldest communities in Estero

✔ Estero River Heights
✔ Fountain Lakes in Estero
✔ Quarterdeck Cove
✔ Corkscrew Woodlands
✔ Villages of Country Creek
✔ Wildcat Run
✔ Breckenridge
✔ Cranbrook Harbor
✔ Sunny Grove
✔ Cypress Bend RV Resort
✔ Mariners Cove
✔ Riverwoods Plantation
✔ The Vines

8. Lot Size in your community

People who come down from the north are always surprised at how small the lot sizes are. At first, it’s really annoying. And then you sort of get used to it. Land is precious here. There’s just not a lot to go around. So if you want a larger lot size, expect to pay a premium.

The Village of Estero comprises about 16,250 acres, or 25.4 square miles. But only 170 acres remain open for development. – Gwendolyn Salata, WGCU

And just remember, no matter how big your lot is, you’re sharing it with the wildlife. Put up all the “no trespassing” signs that you want, but you’ll still find a gator sunbathing near your lanai.

Communities with the largest lot sizes

✔ Corkscrew Shores
✔ Lakes of Estero
✔ Wildcat Run
✔ Corkscrew Estates
✔ Fountain Lakes
✔ Wildblue
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ Verdana Village
✔ West Bay club
✔ The Vines

9. Communities with amenities

Living in a community with amenities is one the great joys of the Southwest Florida lifestyle. If you’ve read some of my other posts, you know that I used to be a die-hard knitter. Well, I haven’t picked up a pair of knitting needles since I moved to Florida.

Simply put, there’s just to much to do. There are day when I hit the pickleball courts, swim in the resort-style pool, and grab a margarita at the cafe — all in the same day.

Not all amenities are created equal. Case in point: If you chose an older community, you’re less likely to find a resort-style pool with a waterslide. If an on-site restaurant is high on your list, you may need to look for a bundled golf community — unless you head east on Corkscrew to the newer developments.

If you are pickleball-obsessed (like I am), for the love of all things holy, don’t buy at a place without a pickleball court. You’ll end up regretting it.

Just remember, state-of-the-art amenities often come with higher HOA fees (and a potential CDD fee to boot). If you’re looking to lower your monthly cost of living, it might not be the worst idea to find an older community with a mediocre pool. I mean, as long as it’s wet, life is great.

Golfing communities in Estero

✔ Fountain Lakes
✔ West Bay Club
✔ The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay
✔ Breckenridge
✔ Pelican Sound
✔ The Vines
✔ Villages at Country Creek
✔ Grandezza
✔ Stoneybrook
✔ Wildcat Run

Communities with an on-site restaurant

✔ West Bay Club
✔ The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay
✔ Pelican Sound
✔ The Vines
✔ Villages at Country Creek
✔ Villagio
✔ Grandezza
✔ Rapallo
✔ Wildcat Run
✔ Corkscrew Shores
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ Verdana Village
✔ Wildblue

Communities with the most pickleball courts on-site

✔ Verdana Village (indoor courts also available)
✔ Pelican Sound
✔ Bella Terra
✔ The Place at Corkscrew
✔ WildBlue

Communities without amenities

✔ Coconut Landing
✔ Meadowbrook
✔ Estero Palms
✔ Estero Place
✔ The Groves
✔ Oaks of Estero
✔ Spring Ridge
✔ Corkscrew Estates

10. Home pricing in Estero

Ahhhh pricing. Pricing is a tricky thing. What I write today could change tomorrow. As of November 2024, it’s a buyer’s market. Prices are lower across the board, and if you hit up one of the new-build communities like Verdana Village, you’re likely to get a deal on your mortgage rate.

Also keep in mind that different housing types will lean toward higher or lower price points. Generally speaking, a villa will be more affordable than a single-family home. Communities with only single-family homes tend to feature higher price points, as well.

Of course, if you choose to purchase at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay, you’ll pay a premium regardless of whether it’s a condo. Fancy is fancy, as I like to say.

Before you start shelling out the cash, consider your monthly payments. HOAs and CDDs go beyond that one-time purchase price. The age of your community will also determine how much you need to set aside for updates and costly repairs. How’s old that roof, for example?

Lastly, remember that affordable is relative. A house might cost you a fortune up front, but zero HOA fees will save you money over the long run.

Communities with no HOA fees

✔ Estero River Heights
✔ Estero Bay Village
✔ Corkscrew Shores
✔ Cranbrook Harbor

Communities with lower HOA fees

✔ Coconut Shores
✔ Meadowbrook in Estero
✔ Quarterdeck Cove
✔ Osprey Cove
✔ Lakes at Estero
✔ Corkscrew Estates
✔ Copper Oaks
✔ Fountain Lakes
✔ Island Club at Corkscrew
✔ Mariner’s Cove
✔ Marsh Landing
✔ Milan Villas
✔ Preserve at Corkscrew
✔ Riverwoods Plantation
✔ Stoneybrook
✔ The Groves

Ultra luxury communities with higher price points

✔ Coconut Landing
✔ West Bay Club
✔ The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Estero Bay
✔ Genova
✔ Grandezza
✔ Rapallo
✔ Wildcat Run
✔ Corkscrew Estates (no amenities, but higher-priced homes)
✔ Wildblue
✔ Pelican Sound

11. Gated versus not gated communities

As someone who came from Chicago where I was held up twice at work (not even joking), I love living in a gated community. Some people might find it pretentious, but security is one of those things that’s truly priceless.

Chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Estero = 1 in 1,572 (Neighborhood Scout)

That being said, you can still find really nice communities that aren’t gated. There’s a good chance you’ll have a lower HOA too. It takes money to man those gates. But really, it all comes down to preference. Crime in Estero is relatively low compared to Fort Myers in the north, and you can always get a security system for your home.

Non-gated communities in Estero

✔ Estero River Heights
✔ Meadowbrook
✔ Quarterdeck Cove
✔ The Groves
✔ Lakes at Estero
✔ Spring Ridge
✔ Country Creek
✔ Cranbrook harbor
✔ Cypress Bend RV
✔ Sunny Grove
✔ Cypress Park
✔ Mariners Cove
✔ Riverwoods Plantation

12. Natural gas or no natural gas

My first real taste of Estero began with watching realtor Youtube videos — particularly ones from The Guillette Group. My husband and I kept wondering why they’d mention whether a community had a gas hookup or not. “Who cares if you have to cook your dinner on an electric stove,” we kept saying to each other. After all, electric stoves are easier to clean.

During a storm, natural gas is the one utility homeowners and small-business owners alike can count on to withstand high winds and torrential downpours. (Melissa Karns for Okaloosa Gas District)

Oh how naive we were. It turns out, gas is king. A gas hookup will determine whether you can get a permanent generator installed. A permanent generator will determine whether you have full power after a hurricane. Until you make the move to Florida, you can’t really fathom how miserable it is to live without air conditioning.

Now that I live in a gas community with a standby generator attached to my home, I could never give it up. Having just gone through my first hurricane, I know how stressful it can be. Having that generator easily reduced my stress by half.

Natural gas communities in Estero

✔ Verdana Village
✔ Belle Lago
✔ Coconut Landing
✔ Corkscrew Estates
✔ Estero Place
✔ Rivercreek
✔ Rookery Pointe
✔ The Reserve at Estero
✔ Tidewater
✔ West Bay Club
✔ Wildblue

Next Steps for finding a home in Estero

Finding your dream home takes more effort than just scanning a blog post (if you read the whole thing, leave a comment and say hi). Make sure to do your due diligence, so you hit the Estero real estate market like a pro. Check out some additional resources to get you started.

Psst…disagree with my roundup? Make sure to comment below and share your inside scoop with our soon-to-be Estero residents. I love a good tip.