Fort Myers - Cape Coral comprises an area that is recognized as one of the Top 25 Best Cities in America for Jobs and Business. Unlike other parts of Florida, this region not as much of a retirement mecca, but is home to working age indidivuals largely 25 - 55 years of age. 

Florida has long been a retirement center for senior citizens, but in the 2000s, seniors began retiring to Tennessee and the Carolinas instead of Florida. The reasons for this change in Retirement Migration the devastation resulting from hurricanes in the region from 1991 - 2008. Hurricane Andrew in 1991, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Ike in 2008... further, summer weather in Florida is very hot and humid and the state is not far from Cuba from which refugees migrate into the US. However, Fort Myers-Cape Coral floods much less than the remainder of the state and is further away from Cuba. The crime rate is low.

Walt Disney World and Busch Gardens, as well as a Universal Studios park dominate the entertainment sector in the state and lead into the growth of Tourism and related Retail, Accommodations, Hospitality, Sports, and Entertainment business growth. All of this brings vistors to most of the Florida regions. Becuase of all of this, some retirees wish to move to a quieter locale and some even migrate back home to New England.

These events support the fact that service industries are growing in Florida - in growing in Fort Myers & Cape Coral, with labor statistics forecasts showing that the services will continue to grow through 2016.

However, Healthcare is presenting a growing demand for Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses long-term, including travel nurses. In addition, many visitors combine travel enjoyment with health care services in the 21st century, drawing more trouist and healthcare dollars to Florida.

The larger Metro Area of Fort Myers & Cape Coral, located at opposite ends of three causeways and the Midpoint Bridge across the Caloosahatchee River, also includes unincorporated North Fort Myer Beach. Together, the three entities are home to 500,000 people. This all combines to create the median age in Cape Coral just about 30 and in Fort Myers, 39. Thus, this is not retirement age, except for the wealthy that wish to retire.

According to the US Census, the bulk of the combined population of the three towns is between 25 - 55 years of age, which is all still workforce range. Of the three towns, Fort Myers Beach is home to a larger proportion of seniors ages 56+, but is the smallest-populated of the three places.

Early Spanish explorers may have ventured into the area of Cape Coral and Fort Myers in the earliest 1500s, finding Native American Nations established there since several thousand years previously. However, in the 1700s, British maps first began to clealy illustrate the Lee Island coastline which is now in the Greater Fort Myers Area.

Pirates based themselves in this southwestern part of Florida at the time, gunning for cargo ships sailing to New Orleans.

The actual military Fort Myers was built on the Caloosahatchee River after 1821 as a protection point during the Seminole Indian Wars and was maintained until 1858, but was re-manned during the Civil War.

It was in the Cape Coral area across the river that the most southerly located battle of the war took place. After that, Fort Myers became a town supported by cattle shipped to Cuba and by pineapples, logging, and agriculture.

Thomas Edison constructed a house and laboratory on the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers and Henry Ford bought the house next door.

Edison and Ford promoted the community toward greater economic growth, edison taking the greater part in this movement.

The largest employers in Lee County/Greater Fort Myers Area include:

• Lee Memorial Health - Hospitals, huge employee base and many openings.
• The Lee County School District
• Lee County Health System - Hosoitals
• Publix Grocery Stores
• Lee County Government

Hospital-employers in Fort Myers - Cape Coral

• Cape Coral Hospital
• Gulf Coast Hospital
• Lee Memorial Hospital
• SW Florida Regional Medical Center

Job Search Links for Greater Fort Meyers

• Healthcare & Nursing Jobs in & around Fort Myers, from Oodle.com
• Jobs in the Greater Fort Myers Area @ SimplyHired.com
• Jobs in Fort Myers from Jobster
• http://www.indeed.com/l-Fort-Myers-Florida-jobs.html

1. Retail Sales Staff & Professional Sales Reps (Retail and Wholesale) - This signals the economic growth of the region.
2. Landscaping & Groundskeeping - eco-friendly and sustainable methods.
3. Waitstaff or Waiters & Waitresses - tourism, other.
4. Registered Nurses (RNs) - very important.
5. Customer Service Reps
6. Food Preparation & Service - At all levels and types of establishments.
7. Cashiers - tourism, retail sales, and amusement.
8. Janitors & Cleaners
9. Office Clerks
10. Receptionists & Information Clerks

An additional group of fast-growing occupations includes:

• Court Reporters
• Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts
• Medical Assistants & Physician's Assistants
• Computer Software Apps Engineers
• Environmental Engineers - revitalization of urban areas and in new green construction.
• Amusement & Recreation Attendants - mentioned in the text above in regard to Florida as a recreation/amisement state.
• Management Analysts
• Fitness Trainers & Aerobics Instructors

Top Education and Training Programs

• Cape Coral Beauty School
• Edison State Community College
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• International College
• Lee County High Tech Center
• Mantee Community College - about a one hour's drive.
• Rasmussen College
• Southwest Florida College

Local Sports Teams

• Fort Myers Miracle Baseball Club (FSL)
• Fort Myers Stingrays (AIFA) - indoor football.
• Gulf Coast Pro Wrestling Championships
• Gulf Coast Swim Team