The Reserve at Estero

Pros

• It is a wonderful community to live in, with friendly people from all over the country.
• The community is well managed, well maintained, and in a prime location close to everything, with plenty of elbow room and green space.
• The people here are the best.
• The neighborhood is beautiful and friendly.
• It is well kept, with friendly staff.
• The community is great and very close to dining, shopping, beaches, medical care, entertainment, and only 12 minutes to the RSW Airport.
• Residents love living there; the place is gorgeous.
• The community pool is great, with a busy, clean, and safe environment, a decent gym, and a nice party room.

Cons

• One reviewer has reservations about the community, suggesting concerns about how the HOA operates.
• The HOA has changed hands two to three times in five years and is criticized for prioritizing its own interests over residents' needs.
• The review cites excessive flooding from recent storms (including Irma) and water that takes a long time to drain, making streets unsafe to drive on.
• The reviewer disputes the HOA's claim that nothing is wrong with the drainage, calling the drainage delay absurd.
• The reviewer states they would avoid Toll Brothers communities due to these issues.

Review

This community stands out as a wonderfully welcoming place to live, strikingly not a 55+ enclave and drawing friendly people from across the country who come together to live and play here. Reviewers consistently describe a sense of warmth and inclusivity, anchored by a well-run, well-maintained neighborhood that offers plenty of elbow room and green space. The sentiment is clear: the people make the place, and many residents say the Iive-in experience is defined by the character and friendliness of their neighbors.

The vibe here is punctuated by the people themselves. Many comments celebrate the residents as "the best," paired with notes about a very friendly, well-kept, pretty neighborhood. The sense of community is reinforced by positive remarks about the staff and the general maintenance of the area. A common refrain is simply "It's nice" or "Beautiful with friendly neighborhood," underscoring a consistent appreciation for the atmosphere and the everyday interactions that make living here pleasant.

Location is a strong selling point. The community is described as being prime and close to everything that matters - dining, shopping, beaches, medical care, and entertainment. One reviewer highlights a remarkable commute advantage, noting it's about a 12-minute door-to-door drive to RSW Airport, which many would find incredibly convenient. The combination of proximity to amenities and ease of access helps explain why so many residents feel the location amplifies the overall quality of life here.

Amenities play a central role in the positive impressions. The property is praised for its well-kept amenities and active social life, with particular praise for the community pool, which is described as great, busy, clean, and safe. A decent gym adds to the routine options for residents, and a nicely appointed party room offers space for gatherings. Across multiple reviews, phrases like "beautiful," "pristine," and "very nice" recur, reinforcing the sense that the community invests in facilities that support a healthy, active, and social lifestyle, along with a steady cadence of planned activities.

However, no review would be complete without a candid note about governance and management. Several comments touch on the HOA, describing it as having changed hands two to three times in the last five years and suggesting that leadership sometimes prioritizes the association's interests over individual needs. While this doesn't erase the overall appeal of the community, it introduces a layer of complexity that some residents experience as a source of friction or frustration. The overall tone remains hopeful, with many residents continuing to value the well-kept environment and amenities even as they navigate HOA dynamics.

Environmental and weather-related challenges are a clear caveat in the collective experience. A significant concern is excessive flooding and drainage delays observed after recent storms, including Irma. Some residents report that streets take a long time to drain, a situation that makes it difficult to drive home safely unless a larger vehicle is involved. One resident even notes personal home damage during Irma and expresses a cautious stance about future purchases in similar developments. The HOA's stance that there is nothing wrong with drainage contrasts with firsthand experience of standing water and slow drainage, shaping a nuanced view: the community can be wonderful, but drainage and flood responses are a real consideration for potential buyers and current residents alike.

In sum, the community presents a compelling combination of warmth, beauty, convenience, and strong amenities that make it an appealing place to live. The consensus is one of high praise: fabulous at times, consistently nice, and always well-kept. Residents enjoy close proximity to essential services and entertainment, a vibrant social scene, and a nurturing neighborhood feel. At the same time, the experience includes practical concerns about HOA leadership and, more notably, drainage and flood management in severe weather. For many, these considerations are a manageable trade-off for residing in a place described as gorgeous, friendly, and well located.

Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this area offers a variety of amenities for seniors looking to settle down in a convenient and comfortable neighborhood. With several healthcare options nearby including Tyson Eye, Island Coast Pediatrics, and Riverchase Dermatology, residents can easily access medical care. There are also pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS within a short distance for medication needs. For dining options, Nino's Thick & Thin Pizza, Ford's Garage, and other restaurants are just a few miles away. Transportation services such as Fox Rent A Car and Hertz Rent A Car are available for those who need to get around town. Lee Health facilities provide convenient access to hospitals and rehabilitation services. Additionally, parks like RSW Aircraft Observation Area offer tranquil spaces for relaxation. Overall, this area provides a blend of essential services and recreational opportunities suitable for seniors seeking a vibrant community in Fort Myers.

Physicians

• Tyson Eye (1.2 miles)
• Island Coast Pediatrics (1.7 miles)
• Lane Pediatrics, PA (1.7 miles)
• Riverchase Dermatology (2 miles)
• Orthopaedic Specialists (4.3 miles)
• Bonita Springs Acupuncture & Anti-Aging Clinic (5.1 miles)
• Bonita Vision Center (5.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Pelican Village Pharmacy (5.2 miles)
• Walgreens (5.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Nino's Thick & Thin Pizza (2 miles)
• Ford's Garage (2.1 miles)
• Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.2 miles)
• Perkins Restaurant and Bakery (2.3 miles)
• Pinchers (2.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.3 miles)

Transportation

• Fox Rent A Car Fort Myers (3.8 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (5.6 miles)
• SIXT rent a car (5.7 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (5.8 miles)
• American Airlines Ticket Counter RSW (5.8 miles)
• Delta Air Lines (5.8 miles)
• Security Checkpoint (5.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Lee Health Outpatient Rehabilitation - Coconut Point (4.1 miles)
• Lee Health Outpatient Rehabilitation - Bonita Bay Lifestyle Center (7.2 miles)
• Lee Health Cardiovascular Services - HealthPark Commons (7.7 miles)
• Cardiovascular Services - Medical Plaza 1 (7.8 miles)
• The Children's Rehabilitation Center - Bass Rd (7.8 miles)
• Lee Health (7.8 miles)

Parks

• RSW Aircraft Observation Area (5.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (6.7 miles)
• Blessed Pope John the XXIII Catholic Church (6.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Belltower (7.8 miles)