With more than 25 golf courses and over 38 miles of pristine Gulf beaches, including the barrier island retreats of Sanibel and Captiva, this is truly a haven for the outdoor enthusiast. While summer temperatures can reach the high 90ís, cool breezes from the Gulf provide a comfortable respite. Of course, with mild winters and pleasant spring and fall, residents can spend a great deal of time pursuing such activities as fishing and boating. A favorite pastime for many beachcombers is to stroll the sandy shores of Sanibel in search of seashell and sand dollars. Sanibel is also noted for its brilliant and colorful collection of birdlife.

Although not considered to be a large urban center, the Fort Myers and Cape Coral area has a surprising array of artistic and cultural offerings. The Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, situated on the campus of Edison Community College, boasts an annual schedule of Broadway and other live performances. Fort Myers is also home to the Southwest Florida Symphony, which, for 44 years, has offered musical seasons filled with classical and popular music. In addition, the recently renovated Arcade Theatre and the Lee County Civic Center add to the opportunities for live entertainment. Just a short drive away is Naples, with its Philharmonic Center for the Arts and the Naples Art Gallery, two important cultural venues with far-reaching reputations.

One of the attractive assets of Fort Myers and surrounding Lee County is the variety of housing choices available. Ranging from reasonably priced retirement communities to luxurious waterfront condos and golf course estate homes, there is virtually something suitable for almost any newcomer. Several of the new planned communities include marinas and are designed to accommodate sailboats and motor yachts. Compared to other areas throughout the country, the costs of living here is slightly below the national average

Several national publications, including Money magazine and Retirement Places Rated, have cited the Fort Myers-Cape Coral as being among the best cities in America. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, both of whom had winter homes here, certainly would have agreed with this assessment.

Population: Fort Myers (48,000) Cape Coral (126,000) Metro Area (475,000) Climate: Jan. Avg. Low ñ 54 July Avg. High ñ 92

Rainfall: 54î Snowfall: 0î

Median Home Value: $127,000