Cape Coral , Florida

They call Cape Coral the “Venice of America”. In addition to being on the Gulf of Mexico, the city has canals running throughout the neighborhoods. That means many of the homes are either on the Gulf or on the canals, making it a city where most live on the water – one way or the other, and if that’s your thing, you’re going to like it here just fine.

Many locals complain that the city is quiet—too quiet. While plenty of locals, particularly retirees and families, are happy to chill and enjoy the outdoors, for many, the lack of a significant commercial district and no culture to speak of drives them a bit stir-crazy.

As noted, Cape Coral is a quiet city. Filled primarily with Retirees and Families who enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, primarily on the water, you get to enjoy here. Whether swimming in the Gulf, boating, paddle boarding, or fishing on the canals, if you dislike water, you won’t like the Lifestyle in Cape Coral. It should be noted that during the tourist season, roughly Thanksgiving through April, Florida fills with northerners, who fill the roads, beaches, and restaurants. If that extra energy bums you out, stay clear.

If you want to check out what locals do for fun, check out the Cape Coral calendar of events.

We highly recommend visiting Cape Coral and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well.

Most people who live in Cape Coral work in Fort Meyers. The city is primarily a residential border town of the much bigger and faster-growing Fort Meyers, and if you live here but still work, then you’re probably heading to one of the big businesses in Fort Meyers. Retail, Healthcare, Tech, and Electronics all have a big presence in the area, which is why Fort Meyers has been, at times, the fastest-growing city in the U.S.