Meet Bonita Springs.

Water is the deciding factor

Bonita's appeal — the Imperial River, canals, and Gulf access — is also the main risk variable. Flood zone, elevation, past flooding, and boat access with fixed bridge clearance should be verified per property, not per neighborhood.

Old Bonita vs. east of I-75

Older west-side neighborhoods sit closer to the beach and river with more varied housing stock and ages; newer east-side communities offer newer construction and amenities with longer drives to the Gulf.

Electricity

Lee County is split between Florida Power & Light (FPL) and LCEC, an electric cooperative serving much of Estero, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, and North Fort Myers. Ask which one covers the exact address.

Water & sewer

Bonita Springs Utilities serves much of Bonita Springs and parts of Estero, Lee County Utilities serves other unincorporated areas, and the City of Fort Myers runs its own system. Some outlying homes are on wells and septic.

Trash, recycling & yard waste

Lee County solid waste sets collection days and bulk/yard-waste rules by address, and hurricane debris follows a separate schedule after a storm.

Internet & TV

Cable and fiber cover most built-up corridors, but newer developments east of I-75 can lag. Confirm the service address rather than the community name.

Tax collector — license, tags, tax bills

Driver license, vehicle registration and titles, and property tax payments for Lee County.

Property appraiser — homestead & tax estimate

File homestead, review a parcel's assessed value and exemptions, and estimate taxes for an address.

Public schools

The School District of Lee County uses a zone and school-choice process rather than a single guaranteed neighborhood school, so check the current assignment rules and application windows for your address before you count on a specific school.

Permits & building

Roofs, pools, docks, seawalls, fences, and generators generally require permits. Verify past work was permitted and closed out, especially on post-storm repairs.

Emergency management & evacuation zone

Find your storm surge evacuation zone, shelters, and county alert signup.

There's no single assigned school per address

Lee County is one of the largest school-choice districts in the country. Instead of one guaranteed neighborhood school, your address falls within a zone, and you submit an application ranking schools you're willing to attend within (and sometimes outside) that zone. Assignment comes from your ranked choices, program capacity, and a lottery-style process — buying a house next to a popular school does not reserve a seat.

The application window matters

Applications are submitted during open enrollment windows for the following school year, and applying in the first window improves your chances at in-demand schools. Missing the window usually means late placement at schools with remaining seats. If you're moving mid-year, enrollment runs through the district office and options are limited to what has openings.

What you can apply to

Choices include traditional zoned schools, charter schools, magnet programs, and special programs such as IB, arts, STEM, and dual-language options, depending on grade level and availability. Charters are run separately with their own lotteries and waitlists, so applying to the district and to a charter are two different processes.

Transportation & proximity points

Some schools give preference to families living closer (proximity preference), which is the closest thing to a neighborhood advantage. Busing is generally tied to your zone and school, and schools outside your zone may not provide bus service — factor the daily drive into your ranking, not just the school's reputation.

Plan your house hunt around the process

Before you buy or rent, look up which zone the address sits in, which schools historically fill fast, and what the waitlist odds realistically are. Many families shortlist communities after understanding their school options, not before.

Homestead exemption

If the home is your permanent residence as of January 1, you can apply for Florida's homestead exemption. The filing deadline is March 1 for that tax year, and homestead also brings the Save Our Homes assessment cap that limits yearly increases in assessed value. Portability may let you carry a benefit over from a prior Florida homestead.

Property taxes

Florida has no state income tax, so property taxes carry more weight. Your bill depends on assessed value and the combined millage of county, school, city, and special districts — never on the prior owner's tax amount, which may reflect a capped homestead they had and you won't inherit. Run the county's tax estimator on a specific address before you commit.

Home insurance, wind & flood

Get quotes early and treat wind/hurricane coverage, the hurricane deductible, roof age, and flood coverage as separate questions. Flood is usually a separate policy (NFIP or private) and is not part of a standard homeowners policy. Ask for the property's flood zone and elevation certificate; a 4-point inspection and wind mitigation report can affect price.

Driver license & vehicle registration

New Florida residents are generally expected to get a Florida driver license and register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of Florida address, plus proof of Florida auto insurance for the registration.

Homestead exemption

If the home is your permanent residence as of January 1, you can apply for Florida's homestead exemption. The filing deadline is March 1 for that tax year, and homestead also brings the Save Our Homes assessment cap that limits yearly increases in assessed value. Portability may let you carry a benefit over from a prior Florida homestead.

Voter registration & pets

Register to vote through the county supervisor of elections after you move. For pets, line up a local vet early — heartworm and flea prevention are year-round here, and county rules cover licensing and leashing.

Home insurance, wind & flood

Get quotes early and treat wind/hurricane coverage, the hurricane deductible, roof age, and flood coverage as separate questions. Flood is usually a separate policy (NFIP or private) and is not part of a standard homeowners policy. Ask for the property's flood zone and elevation certificate; a 4-point inspection and wind mitigation report can affect price.

Hurricane season & evacuation

Season runs June 1 to November 30. Look up the evacuation zone (which is about storm surge) and the flood zone separately — they are not the same thing. Know your zone letter, your nearest shelter route, and whether the community has shutters or impact glass.

Preschool & VPK

Florida's free Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program is available for four-year-olds who meet the age and residency rules, offered through participating public and private providers. Popular centers keep waitlists, so ask about openings before the move date.