HOUSING:

Quick Fact:
Swimming pools – Pools are a typical Southwest Florida amenity.  They are popular but increasingly pricey as hurricanes and building material inflation bump up the cost of a pool and tougher state standards make it more expensive to put up the screen enclosure.  Expect to pay about $55,000 for a basic pool.  It should be pointed out that you get a lot more value for your pool if you buy a home that already has one.

Q&A
Can you tell me about homeowners associations?
Many communities have home owners associations that both restrict what you can do with your property and protect you from the excesses of others.  They typically collect fees for neighborhood operations.  Most important, they enforce deed restrictions: legally binding rules, filed with the real estate records, which control how homes look and what can be done in the subdivision.           

Local Knowledge: 
When it comes to buying a house in Southwest Florida, it’s location, location, location.  The median price of an existing home in November 2005 was $295,400 in Lee County and $479,800 in Collier County.  Looking at different geographical regions, this is what you might expect to pay in 2006 for a three-bedroom, two-bath house, not on the water.  Prices for a typical home range from:

• $280,000 in Lehigh Acres
• $300,000 in Cape Coral
• $425,000 in Fort Myers

In pricier Naples, the same hosue will run more than $600,000 between Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 and “over a million bucks” west of US 41, which is closer to the Gulf of Mexico.

Lee County Property Appraiser:
Address: 2480 Thompson St., Fort Myers 33901
Phone:533-6100
Online: leepa.org; e-mail exemptions@leepa.org for questions on exemptions
Homestead Deadline: March 1 is the deadline for the homestead exemptions and all other exemptions.

By the Numbers

• $278,200: median sales price of an existing home in Lee County for 2005, up 44% from 2004.
• $482,400: median sales price of an existing home in Collier County for 2005, up 30% from 2004.
• $216,300: median sales price of an existing home in Charlotte county for 2005, up 29% from 2004.

UTILITIES

Local Knowledge:
The following is a list of helpful numbers and information for those who have just moved to Southwest Florida and need help getting connected to the outside world:

Phone:
In Lee County:

Sprint:
For customer service call (800) 339-1811 or (888) 723-8010.  For repairs call (800) 788-3600 and for directory assistance call 411.
There is a deposit that can be waived if the customer had good credit history with United Telephone or a previous telephone company.

There is an installation fee of $53 or more if labor and materials are needed.  Several other companies also offer telephone service and are listed in the Sprint telephone directory.  People can also go to the Web site at sprint.com.

Water:
For Unincorporated Lee County:

• Lee County Utilities, 7391 College Parkway, Fort Myers
• For customer Service, call 936-0247 or call toll-free at (800) 485-0214

People can also call:

• Cape Coral: 574-7722
• Bonita Springs Utilities: 992-0711
• North Fort Myers Utilities: 543-1005 for those living in Pine Lakes and lake Fairways.
• Lehigh Acres: 368-1615
• Sanibel – Water – Island Water Association: 472-1502
• Sanibel – Wastewater – Sanibel Sewer: 472-1008
• Town of Fort Myers Beach – Water: 463-9914
• Town of Fort Byers Beach Wastewater – Lee County Utilities: 936-0247
• Pine Island – Water – Greater Pine Island Water Association: 283-1071
• Pine Island – Wastewater – Lee County Utilities: 936-0247
• Gateway Services District – Water: 561-1313

Electric:
Florida Power & Light:
            For customer service, call:
            In Lee County: 334-7754
            In Naples: 262-1322
To report a power outage, call (800) 468-8243 or call customer service.  There is no weekend customer service.  People can also go to the Web site at fpl.com

In Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Pine Island, Captiva, Sanibel, Immokalee, Everglades City and part of Lehigh Acres:
Lee County Electric Cooperative Inc.:
For customer service, call 656-2300 or call toll-free at (800) 599-2356.
For more information log onto the Web site address at lcec.net.

Garbage Collection:
Lee County:

• In unincorporated Lee County, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach, Estero, Captiva and south Fort Myers, call Onyx Waste Services of Florida at 334-1224.
• For parts of south Fort Myers, various subdivisions, and Estero, east of US 41, call Waste Services of Florida at 332-8500
• In Fort Myers, call the Fort Myers Utilities Department at 332-6837
• In Alva, Lehigh Acres and east of Interstate 75 east of Fort Myers/Lehigh Acres, call Waste management at 334-4115.
• In North Fort Myers, parts of North Cape Coral, Bokeelia, Pine Island, Burnt Store Road, St. James City, Matlacha, Sanibel call Waste Pro at 337-0800.

Internet/Cable:
Comcast:
In Lee County call 432-9277

Here’s a list of Comcast Cable Payment Centers:

• 24830 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita Springs
• 13300 S. Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers
• 6320 Beau Drive, North Fort Myers
• 45 North Alabama Rd, Suite 6, Lehigh Acres
• 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel
• 4215 N. Tamiami Trail

Wireless Services:

• Alltel: Call (866) 255-8357 or go to  www.alltel.com
• Cingular: Call (866) 246-4852 or go to www.cingular.com
• Verizon: Call (800) 922-0204 or go to www.verizonwireless.com

Natural Gas:
Natural Gas and Natural Gas Companies:
In Lee call TECO Peoples Gas at (877) 832-6747 or log onto www.peoplesgas.com

EDUCATION

Quick Fact:
School Information:
Lee County School District
2055 Central Ave.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
334-1102
leeschools.net

 Q&A
How do you register children for charter schools?
Each charter school employs its own enrollment process and has distinct registration requirements.  Most accept applications year-round, but cap their enrollments because of class size limits and space issues.  Charter schools are free public schools run by agencies other than county school districts, such as private corporations, nonprofit agencies and municipal governments.  For a full listing of charter schools in lee County, visit leeschools.net/schools/charter

How do you register a student in private school?
Like charter schools, all private schools set their own enrollment criteria.  There are notable differences in tuition costs, grade levels, religious affiliation, curriculum, class sizes and other areas.  For a listing of private schools tracked by the Florida Department of Education, log on to floridaschoolchoice.org and click on the button stating “Private School Information for Parents.”

Local Knowledge:
Lee County uses school choice to assign students to schools, not the neighborhood school method prevalent in other parts of the U.S.  The county is split into three attendance zones and parents can pick from several schools,e ven if it isn’t the closest school to their home.
School Choice is complicated:

• Unless your child will attend a private or charter school, you’ll need to register for class at a Parent Information Center.  Families moving into Lehigh Acres, Alva, Fort Myers, San Carlos Park, Estero, Bonita Springs and the eastern half of North Fort Myers must register at 2266 Second St. in downtown Fort Myers.  Those moving to Cape coral or the western side of North Fort Myers can register at 360 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral.
• Parents can register between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.  The district continues processing new arrivals every day.
• For more information, log on to leeschools.net/dept/sta or call 337-8247.
• When you register, you’ll need copies of the following documents:
• Birth certificate
• Proof of health exam in past 12 months (for students new to Florda)
• Social Security card
• Florida Certificate of immunization
• Proof of residence (examples: electric or telephone bill, rental or lease agreement)
• Proof of custody if child doesn’t live with both natural parents
• Name and address of last school attended
• A copy of individual Education Plan if child participates in the exceptional student education program.

Extras:
Florida Prepaid College Plan
The Florida Prepaid College Plan locks in the cost of a future education at today’s tuition and dormitory rates.

Parents, grandparents and other adults can pay for tuition, fees or housing ahead of time, either in monthly installments or one lump sum.  Sponsors can sign up newborns through 11th graders, and they’ll pay a rate corresponding to the number of years that child has before reaching college.

The state of Florida financially guarantees the plan, and sponsors can receive a refund at any time.
Students can use the plan to attend any of Florida’s 11 state universities or 28 community colleges, most private colleges in the Sunshine State and some technical schools.  Additionally, students aren’t bound to Florida schools.  With hundreds of out-of-state colleges also accepting cash through the program.

For complete program details, check out the state’s Web site at florida529plans.com/prepaid or call (800) 552-GRAD.

School Zones

The school district divides Lee County into three attendance zones: east, south and west.  Each of those is split into three subzones.  Depending on where your home is, you can choose from as few as two schools to as many as 14.

Here are the Three Zones:

East zone: Lehigh Acres, Buckingham, Alva, east Fort Myers, eastern North Fort Myers
South zone: Bonita Springs, Estero, San Carlos Park, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel-Captiva, south Fort Myers, central Fort Myers
West zone: Cape Coral, Pine Island, Bokeelia, western North Fort Myers

Local Knowledge:  
Lee County has 480 day care centers, licensed and registered family home care providers, Head Start classes and before-and after-school programs.  Parents new to the county may want to call Child Care of Southwest Florida, which can help parents find a child care provider most suitable for their family’s needs.  Call 239.278.1002.

Quick Fact
Voluntary pre-kindergarten program: Pre-kindergarten was established in August 2005.  Day care centers, faith-based providers, school districts and family child care providers may offer state-subsidized pre-K if they meet standards for things such as curriculum and staff ratios.

Children must be 4 by Sept. 1 in order to participate.  Parents may choose a full-year program or a summer class.  The state pays for 540 hours worth of pre-K during the school year – the equivalent of three hours a day.

Working parents should be prepared to choose a program that allows them to pay for additional child care hours.  Parents who only want the three-hour pre-kindergarten glasses pay nothing.  Some centers have also opted to do hal-year pre-kindergarten hours and run their programs for six hours a day.

The Lee County School District, by law, must offer 300 hours worth of pre-K classes.  The district’s program will likely run 10 hours a day in order to meet the 300-hour requirement, but district officials say parents should limit their child’s school day to five or six hours.

Participation – by both parents and day care providers – is voluntary, so not every child care center offers state pre-K.  For a list of participating centers, contact Child Care of Southwest Florida at 278.1002 or the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida at 267.4105.  Parents can find more information and registration guidelines on the coalition’s Web site: elcofswfl.org.

Q&A
What’s the difference between a licensed vs. registered family home care center?
There are more requirements for the licensed home.  One big difference: The Department of Children and Families inspects the licensed homes, but not the registered ones.

Rates
A child care center in lee charges, on average:
$132 a week for infants
$120 a week for toddlers
$113 a week for 2-year-olds
$105 a week for 3-year-olds
$102 a week for 4- and 5-year-olds
The average rates may differ for in-home programs.  Source: Child Care of Southwest Florida.

Extras
Regarding financial aid, Child Care of Southwest Florida specialists can help parents determine if they qualify for help.  Parents who participate in the stat’s WAGES program can also get money through that welfare-to-work program.  They should call 936-5000 to determine their eligibility.

Regarding problems or citations for local centers, the Department of Children and Families keeps a complete list of family providers and child care centers on its Web site.  Inspection reports are included for licensed homes and day care centers.

TRANSPORTATION

Local Knowledge
If you want to get anywhere on time, it’s a good idea to leave 30 to 45 minutes early.  The traffic, even in the early morning, may stall – especially at Colonial and U.S. 41, U.S. 41 and Bonita Springs Road, and Interstate 75 from State Road 82 to Daniels Parkway.

Insurance
Getting the right Coverage
Florida’s minimum coverage is $10,000 personal injury protection and $10,000 property damage liability as long as you have a valid Florida tag, even if the vehicle is in another stae or inoperative.  PIP is coverage that will compensate a loss due to injury regardless of who is charged with causing the crash.  PIP insurance also protects you if you are injured as a pedestrian or bicyclist as long as the injury is caused by a crash involving a motor vehicle.  If you have been involved in a crash, or been convicted of certain offenses, you may be required to purchase bodily injury liability coverage.  This coverage pays for serious and permanent injury or death to others when you cause a crash involving your automobile.  Your insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits of your policy and provide legal representation for you if you get sued.

Southwest Florida International airport
Southwest Florida International Airport occupies 3,431 acres.  The terminal has three concourses holding 28 gates, and can eventually be expanded to five concourses with 65 gates.  A second runway south of the midfield terminal is scheduled to open in 2010.

Parking: 11,250 spaces for hourly/daily parking; 30-space “cell phone lot” for customers picking up arriving passengers.

Concourses and airlines: Southwest Florida International Airport has one terminal with three concourses, two with nine gates and one with 10 gates.  “Concourse A” and “Concourse E” designations have been reserved for the planned future expansion of the terminal.

LeeTran
LeeTran provides an array of services for Lee County residents and tourists.  In October 2005, LeeTran enhanced its service with an additional route that serves Lehigh Acres.  A second bus is added during peak commuter hours, cutting the time between arrivals in half.  The increase in services comes as LeeTran’s ridership increased by 23 percent from 2004.

Things to remember

• Be at your bus stop five minutes before the scheduled arrival time.
• Have exact fare.  Drivers cannot make change.
• Check the destination sign above the windshield to ensure you are boarding the correct route.
• Transfers are good only on the next available bus and are not valid on the same route.
• Smoking, drinking, eating, gambling, littering, yelling and listening to music without headphones are not allowed.  Shirts and shoes are required.
• Remain seated while the bus is moving.  Keep exits and aisles free from obstruction.  Please request your stop one block before you need to exit the bus.
• Please present your ID if you are riding at a discounted fare.
• LeeTran provides bike racks. 

Contact LeeTran at 533.8726 for questions about routes.

Local Knowledge
As a new resident of Lee County and Florida, you’ll find it rather easy acquiring the privilege to drive.  However, you’ll need more than two forms of identification and a few other required forms.

Q&A
Where do I go to get a Florida driver’s license?

A: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
Fort Myers: 11285 Cleveland Ave., 278-7194, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday
Cape Coral 1: 360 Santa Barbara Blvd, 574.1788, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Cape Coral 2: www.hsmvstate.fl.us/offices/lee.html

Extras
Things to Remember:

1. If you have an out-of-state license and it has not expired beyond 30 days, you may be able to convert your license without taking a written or road test.
2. Obtain insurance from a company licensed to do business in Florida.  Not all online insurance companies do business in Florida.
3. If you already have a license from another state, take it and another form of ID, preferably a Social Security card or Visa, when you apply for your Florida license.  Your current license must be retrieved by the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles.
4. Proof of citizenship: birth certificate, passport, certificate of naturalization or U.S. military identification cards with officer rank.
5. Immigrants apply for an original driving license must submit one of the following: an alien registration receipt card, I-551 stamp in passport, immigration judge’s order, I-797 or another from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigraion Services with the customer’s A-number, stating the customer’s application for refugee status is approved.
6. Nonimmigrant applicants must submit either an employment authorization card issued by the U.S. Department of Justice or provide proof of nonimmigrant classification.
7. If under 18, proof of completion of traffic law and substance abuse education course and parental consent form are required.

Registration
How to register your vehicle:

1. Take your proof of Florida insurance, your original out-of-state title and verification of the motor vehicle’s vehicle identification number, completed on form FDHSMV 82040 or FDHSMV 23042 (available on web site) to your local Florida county tax collector’s office.
2. A motor vehicle is required by law to be registered within 10 days of the owner becoming employed or placing children in public schools or establishing residency.  Registering your motor vehicle must be completed during the titling process.

Why must you register your motor vehicle?
In the state of Florida, a motor vehicles is required by law to be registered within 10 days of the owner either becoming employed, placing children in public school or establishing residency.  Registering your motor vehicle goes hand in hand with the titling process.

Out of state residents must obtain Florida insurance to meet the requirements of Florida statutes.  Only insurance issued or countersigned by a Florida agent is electronically reported to the HSMV for verification purposes.

When registering a vehicle in person submit the original title and proof of Florida insurance to the local county tax collector or license plate agency.

Cost
The 12-month registration period begins the first day of the owner’s birth month.  Company-owned vehicles use the month of June.  Full amount is charged for the registration period regardless of when during the registration period the vehicle is registered.  Initiation registration fee is $100.  The prices are determined by classification and weight:

1. Automobiles, private use through 2,499 pounds, $27.60
2. Automobiles, private use 2,500 – 3,499 pounds, $35.60
3. Automobiles, private use, 3,500 pounds $45.60
4. Trucks, private and commercial through 1,900 pounds, $27.60
5. Trucks, private and commercial 2,000 – 3,000 pounds, $35.60
6. Trucks, private and commercial, 3,001 – 5,000 pounds, $45.60

EMPLOYMENT
 
Local Knowledge:
The jobless rate has held around 3 percent or below across Southwest Florida for much of the past year as new employers move to the area and existing companies expand.

The retail trade, construction and professional an dbusiness services sectors have been among the fastest growing.  The demand for employees has led some employers with openings in hard-to-fill jobs such as health care and skilled trades to offer signing bonuses and other incentives.

Q&A
Where can I learn about job training programs in Southwest Florida?

The Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation has locations in Lee and collier counties.

• Career and Service Center of Lee County, 4150 Ford St. Ext., Fort Myers, 275-3100
• Career and Service Center of Collier County, 215 Airport-Pulling Road N., Suite 1, Naples. (239) 649.1984

Extra
Learning about average annual wages for various jobs and comparing expenses can help when planning a move.  To find out more try these Internet resources:
Lee County occupational wages for comparison:
Leecountybusiness.com/autopage_T3_R27.html

Cost of Living calculators:
Bankrate.com
www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.asp

Homefair.com
www.homefair.com/homefair/calc/salcalc.html

By the Numbers
The average annual wage in lee County was $33,932 in 2004, according to the most recent data available.  In Collier, the average annual wage was $34,856.

Lee and Collier counties ended 2005 with 350,000 non-agricultural jobs, up from 336,000 the previous year.

Retail trade was the largest job sector in both Lee and Collier counties, with a combined 56,000 jobs.

BANKING

Local Knowledge:
Lee County’s deposit growth has been among the fastest in the state and has outpaced similarly sized counties, according to data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The deposits include business and personal accounts carried on the books of each bank.  Deposits at credit unions are not included in the FDIC data. Experts say the rapid growth in the local population and the robust real estate market have fueled the bank growth.

Lee County’s market includes single branch community banks up to the nation’s largest banks.

Bank mergers and acquisitions among the larger players have contributed to a recent surge of new community banks, helmed by executives who have left larger banks.

Extra
Here are some tips for choosing a financial institution that is right for you:

Seek an institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.  Your deposits will be protected up to $100,000.  You will find FDIC stickers displayed on doors and teller windows.

Compare the costs of accounts among banks in your area.  Know what types of transactions you regularly make and evaluate accounts based on your needs.

Check fees for ATM usage, balance inquiries, seeing a live teller, money service, per check, overdraft protection, below minimum balance, etc.

Consider banking at credit unions, member-owned alternatives to commercial banks.  Because credit unions do not have to pay stock dividends, their fees are generally lower.  Credit unions are federally insured, just as bank deposits are.

By the Numbers

• The number of bank branches in Lee County is up 30% in 10 years to 188 branches.
• Statewide, deposits grew to $342.82 billion in 2005, up 93.6% from 1995.  Nationally, deposits grew by 84% in the same time period, to $5.9 trillion.
• Bank of America, with 35 branches locally, had $2 billion in deposit totals as of June 2005, ranking it No. 1 in lee County.

TAXES

Quick Fact
Homestead tax exemption

• Florida’s Homestead tax exemption allows Florida residents to get a $25,000 deduction on the assessed taxable value of their home.  For example, if a home is assessed at $250,000 and has the exemption, the owner would pay taxes on $225,000, not counting other possible discounts such as the Save our Homes provision.
• A homestead exemption is typically owrth $475 - $550 in annual property tax savings for permanent Lee county residents.
• A homesteaded property is one that is the primary residence of the owner as of Jan. 1 of the year of application.
• Becoming homesteaded is not automatic; you must apply to receive it.
• The filing period for the exemption is Jan. 1 through March 1.
• Apply in person or by mail via a downloaded application from the Lee Count property appraiser’s Web site, www.leepa.org.  Refer to the Department of Revenue Web site, www.taxlaw.state.fl.us/taxlawmenu.asp for more information.  Click on the Property Tax Administration section.

Local Knowledge:
Property appraisers

• Lee County Property Appraiser: 2480 Thompson St. 4th Floor, Fort Myers, FL 33901, 533-6100, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday www.leepa.org
• Collier County Property Appraiser: 3285 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, FL 34112-5758, Customer Service: (239)774.8141, Tangible property: (239) 774-8145, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., www.collierappraiser.com

Q&A
What is “Save Our Homes?”

1. “Save Our Homes” limits annual property assessment increases on homestead exempt properties to 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.  Here are a few tips about SOH.
• A residence is assessed at fair market value (“just value”) the first year it’s homesteaded – the base year.
• The SOH cap applies beginning the second year of homestead and thereafter as long as the owner remains a permanent resident.
• SOH does not apply to new additions or construction that previously escaped taxation.
• SOH assessed value will never be greater than market value.
• SOH Example: The owner applies for homestead on Jan. 1, 2007 and the 2007 assessment at fair market value is $200,000.  The home appreciates in value 25% as of Jan. 1, 2008.  The 2008 CPI increase is only 3%.  While the 2001 just value is $225,000, the 2008 SOH assessed value is only $200,000 plus 3% ($6,000) equals $206,000.  SOH shields the owner from 2008 property taxes on the $19,000 difference between the SOH assessed value and market value.

Extras
Insurance
For: Homeowners, Rental, Hurricane, Flood, Mold

• When it comes to homeowners insurance, you need only to insure for the value of the dwelling; do not include the land.
• Flood insurance is not included in a basic homeowners insurance police, it is an option.  This type of policy will cover rising water and storm surge.
• Wind-driven rain is included int eh basic homeowners insurance policy.
• As a hurricane approaches, and its coordinates reach a certain position, all binding authority is suspended.  Your agent cannot write a policy.

CLIMATE

By the Numbers
Average Temperatures:

Q & A
What are the all-time record high and record low temperatures in LeeCounty?
The all-time high temperature is 103 degrees recorded on June 16 and June 17, 1981.  The all-time record low is 26 degrees on December 13, 1962.

Quick Fact
Hurricanes
Hurricane season is June 1 through Nov. 30. Only two times in recorded history have hurricanes made landfall in Lee County – Donna on Sept. 10, 1960 and Charley on Aug. 13, 2004.

Evacuation Routes: maps of primary evacuation routes and Lee Tran evacuation routes are at www.leeeoc.com/evacroutes.cfm

BEACHES

Local Knowledge:
Southwest Florida has a worldwide reputation as having some of the best beaches.  Here is a sampling of five beaches in our region:

Directions: U.S. 41 south to Bonita Beach Road. West to Lely Barefoot Beach guardhouse.

Details: Two parks were merged into one megapark - 356 acres of beaches and trails. About 100 cars can park here, plus six with disability permits. Cost is $3 a day to park. There are soda machines, a restaurant/bar and pay phone. The bathrooms are nice, handicap-accessible with diaper-changing stations. Mix of families, seniors, singles.

BowmansBeach, Sanibel
Directions: Right on Periwinkle Way to Tarpon Bay Road. Turn right, head north to Sanibel-Captiva Road. From this road, turn left to Bowmans Beach Road.

Details: No South Beach or Fort Lauderdale, but this is probably the island's most popular beach. Medium sand quality; great shelling.
It's a hike to the beach from car. Amenities include picnic tables, a pay phone, bathrooms and bike racks. Bring own food/drinks; it's kind of isolated, but that's what's great about it.$3 to park via an automated system.

TurnerBeach, Captiva
Directions: Sanibel-Captiva Road to Blind Pass. It's just after the bridge to Captiva, on the left.

Details: Water gets deep quickly and there can be a strong undertow. Best advice: Move farther down the beach away from strong currents by the bridge. Good fishing fromt he beach and on the rock jetty there. Great place for sunsets, romantics.
Parking is no longer free. Pay 75 cents an hour; about 20 spots. Good sand quality and a nice beach thanks to 1996 renourishment project.

Bars and restaurants are across the street nearby. A really nice spot for shelling is at Blind Pass beach just before this one, other side of the bridge. Parking is 75 cents an hour there as well, or accessible by walking across the bridge.

BowditchPointRegionalPark, Fort MyersBeach
Directions: Take Matanzas Pass Bridge onto fort Myers Beach. Turn right at foot of bridge, follow Estero Boulevard to the end.

Details: If you like an unspoiled, uncrowded, wide sandy beach with lots of native vegetation, check out lee County's passive park at the north end of Estero Island.

The peaceful 17-acre park fronts both the bay and the Gulf. Amenities include restrooms, showers, changing rooms, picnic tables, grills, hiking paths, benches, bike racks, a handicap-accessible boardwalk to the beach and beautiful courtyard pavilion, which can be rented for weddings and private parties. No concessions. Free admission. Six handicapped parking spots available.

Lovers Key
Where: Carl Johnson State Recreation Area; Black Island, Inner Key and Lovers Key

Directions: Follow Estero Boulevard south, cross over to Black Island. Sign is on right.

Details: The price went up to $4 a car with two to eight passengers, $2 for just a driver, and $1 for walk-ins. Fishing is allowed under the boardwalks and at the northern end of the park which borders Big Carlos Pass. There are acres to explore on nature trails. The beach is pristine and the water is clear. It's a family affair, but singles looking for a nice beach and less of a meat-market mentality hang there as well.

For more information visit www.news-press.com/beaches to:

• Check out readers' ratings of 22 different beaches around Lee and Collier counties.
• Get the latest boating and weather forecasts plus advance tide charts.
• Check out restrictions on pets, alcohol, hours, parking.
• Plan for meals by looking up restaurant reviews from eateries near the beaches.
• Prepare for lifeguard availability, tolls, public transit and dangerous plants and critters.
• Search a directory of beach-related businesses in Southwest Florida.