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Matlacha, Florida
On Florida's Southwestern Coast, Cute Little Matlacha Sits on an Island and is Home to Colorful Shops, Tasty Eateries and Funky Galleries
On Florida's southwestern coast, mellow Matlacha (Mat-la-shay) sits on and completely covers a little island that is situated between Pine Island, which is Florida's largest island, and the mainland where Fort Myers is located. Cute, colorful and artsy, it is an old fishing village that still boasts ramshackle, seaside charm.
Pine Island Road, which connects the mainland with Pine sland, runs straight through Matlacha and has roads radiating from it. Along these roads, homes, which include funky pastel colored cottages, manufactured homes, concrete block ranch ramblers and little bohemian bungalows, are tightly packed together. Each one backs to a canal. There is no true downtown, but there are funky boutiques, quirky art galleries, fish houses and delicious seafood restaurants. Sandy Hook Fish and Rib House is a favorite with locals and tourists alike, and Bert's Bar and Grill is the place for great live music and a cold brew after a long day of not doing much of anything. Matlacha also has a lot of Hookers (women who wear hooks in their shirt pockets and are members of a civic group that sponsors fundraising events).
Recreational fishermen love this area, particularly with sea trout in such good supply. Professional fishermen tend their vessels at the marinas along Pine Island Road and each day set out in search of shrimp, clams and crabs. The Gulf is about a 30 minute boat ride away.
Matlacha has a about 850 people, with 72% of residents age 45 or better. Nearly 30% of residents have a four-year college degree. The population goes up and down but has remained fairly steady since 2020.
The cost of living is 30% above the national average, and the median home price is around $500,000. Real estate prices have dropped 2% in the past year.
Locals enjoy a humid subtropical climate with two main seasons: hot, humid summers and cooler, less humid late falls and winters.
While Matlacha itself does not have a hospital, Cape Coral Hospital is just eight miles away. Public transit and a public library are not here. The crime rate is below the national average, and the community leans to the right politically.
Residents often travel to Pine Island Center, three miles west, or Fort Myers, five miles east, for shopping and services.
Hurricanes are always a risk, and Hurricane Ian in 2022 causing significant damage. Some homeowners are still in recovery mode. Florida’s Gulf Coast is known for its warm climate, sugar-sand beaches, and relaxed lifestyle that draws both vacationers and retirees. Stretching from the Panhandle down to Naples, the region offers everything from lively resort towns to quiet fishing villages, with turquoise waters ideal for boating, fishing, and kayaking. Cities like Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Myers combine cultural attractions, healthcare access, and shopping with easy access to the shore, while smaller communities provide a slower pace of life. The area’s subtropical climate brings hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters, making it a year-round outdoor destination. While hurricanes are a concern, many people are drawn to the Gulf Coast for its affordability compared to Florida’s Atlantic side, its natural beauty, and its reputation as one of the most desirable coastal retirement destinations in the country. Florida is considered tax-friendly for retirees.
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