Lisa
Hi folks, if you are reading this, this is my story of how I, a 52 year old (now 57) GenX ended up in a 55+ community in Fort Myers. (If you want to know the community, just email me info@connections41.com) And no, I wasnt near retirement but I was preparing early. I was single, stiill working, and ready for something different. I had been traveling for 10 years or so and working remotely can get you a lot of alone time. After years of doing life mostly on my own, I didn’t just want to move into another house where I would close the door at night and still feel alone. And I really wanted to swim all year round and have a great tan. No better place than SW Florida. I also was ready to “people” more. I wanted neighbors. I wanted community. I wanted people nearby who might say, “Hey, we’re going to the pool,” or “Come sit with us.”
Before you read more, you can join my Facebook group or follow my Facebook Page:
Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/connections41socialclubfortmyers
Page: https://www.facebook.com/connections41
What I Wanted When Moving to Florida Before Retirement
I had a very specific wish list
- A warm climate.
- Swimming pools so I could exercise and help my arthritis.
- A location close to the airport because I wasn’t done traveling.
- Restaurants, shopping, doctors, and everything else nearby.
- And most importantly, a turnkey home—I did not want a fixer-upper or a new career at Home Depot.
I Wanted an Active Florida Community and Not Assisted Living
I wasn’t looking for assisted living, and I wasn’t looking for a place where everyone acted retired. I was looking for an active community where I could still work, build things, meet people, and create my next chapter. What I eventually realized is that plenty of us are looking for the same thing. Not living in a condo where no one talks, no one swims and everyone is on their phones all day. I also wanted my own yard, my own home I could paint, put holes in, decorate, add a deck or patio and have a lanai.
How I Found an Affordable 55+ Community in Fort Myers
My Zillow search was only showing me condos. I didn’t think to search for any other options but my friend did and she found the 55+ community where I live now. These homes are manufactured homes (like double wide trailers but not really) that come with lanais, yards, carports and yep, neighbors who watch each other. I bought my first home online without even seeing it. I had a friend do a tour and I bought it same day and flew down and moved in. I had home in MN but did sell it 3 months later, why have 2 homes!!
Why I didn’t chose Naples FL to move to
I looked in Naples and Cape Coral. I chose Fort Myers because of the airport to be honest. I still travel enough and didn’t want a 40 minute commute to and from. I love living 15 minutes away and usually I can get rides from people in the park so I don’t even need to Uber. Naples well known for being a more expensive city to live in, I need to save for my real retirement, so I chose Fort Myers. Nice medium sized town. Easy to navigate too! Hwy 41 or the freeway 75. And it’s only 2 hours to cross over to Miami.
Affordable Manufactured Homes in a Fort Myers 55+ Community
And let’s talk about the homes, because this is where it gets interesting. Homes here are purchased with cash (I paid $30k for mine), and there is a wide range of choices (from free to $200k). If you want something affordable and don’t mind doing some updating, I’ve seen homes listed for as little as $5,000. You can also spend more and buy something completely updated and move-in ready. That was what I wanted – a turnkey home where I could unpack my boxes and start living, not spend the next year renovating.
55+ Community Living Isn’t Just for Retired People
The community is a great mix of folks. Many of us are in our 50’s and 60’s and the majority are retired or going to retire. Some have 2 homes and some have roommates. Bring a friend and save half the money!
Moving to Florida Using U-Haul Ubox and Car Shipping
Moving here can be surprisingly easy, too. You can ship your belongings in a UBox, ship your car, and have everything delivered right to your new home. Pack up your life, send it south, and meet it in Florida. Not only was it so easy, I moved here twice. I left for a short while after Hurricane Ian and moved back in late 2023. I missed the life down here, easy choice to come back.
Golf Cart Living With Stores and Restaurants Nearby
You may not even need to use your car every day. Walmart, a gas station, Restaurant/Bar, Nail Salon, ATT stores, 2 Banks, Perkins, Panda Express, and other nearby stores and restaurants are accessible by golf cart. Yes, I can hop in my golf cart and run errands.
What Does It Cost to Live in a Fort Myers 55+ Community?
The monthly lot rent is around $1,700 and includes water, sewer, basic cable, lawn care, and garbage service. Your other main household expenses are electricity and any upgraded cable or internet services you choose.
Is Manufactured-Home Community Living Right for You?
It isn’t the right financial setup for everyone, but for someone who wants a lower-cost home, fewer maintenance responsibilities, pools, activities, neighbors, and everyday conveniences close by, it can offer a completely different way to live.
Gen X Is Creating a Different Kind of Florida Retirement
We’re divorced, widowed, single, married, still working, semi-retired, or trying to figure out what “retirement” is even supposed to look like. The kids are grown, our lives have changed, and making new friends isn’t as easy as it was when everyone met at school, work, or the neighborhood bar.
How My Move to Florida Inspired Connections41
That’s part of the story behind Connections41. This site is for future partner activity match ups, but also my own little space to write about living down here in Fort Myers.
It’s for those of us who want real people, real activities, and real connection, not another app to swipe through while sitting home alone. My goal with this site is to build a community of same minded people and offer retired people of all ages to match up with others.