I've been hearing more often that mowing the lawn has become the biggest challenge after retirement. One client who has lived in a single-family home in Fort Myers for over 20 years felt the same way.

In the summer, weeds can grow knee-high in just a week, and hiring a maintenance company can be quite costly.

19.6 percent. This is the proportion of maintenance costs compared to monthly mortgage payments for homes with HOA fees in the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area. What this number means is that moving to a condo or townhome doesn't eliminate the burden of lawn maintenance; rather, those costs are transferred in another form. The median HOA fee in this area is around $475 per month, while condos range from $400 to $800 per month, and condos near the beach have seen insurance premiums rise post-Hurricane Ian, with some exceeding $600 to over $2,500 per month.

If the term is unfamiliar, think of it this way: HOA stands for homeowners association fees. In a single-family home, you either manage the lawn and roof yourself or hire a company, but in a condo or townhome, landscaping, exterior maintenance, and common area management are included in that fee. However, single-family home communities generally have the lowest management fees.

Cooling costs should also be considered. The average electric bill in the Fort Myers area is about $165 per month, and for 1,000 kilowatt-hours of usage, about $145 is charged according to FPL. FPL has relatively low rates in Florida, but during the summer, demand for cooling can increase usage, leading to significantly higher bills than usual.

• Single-family home - Low HOA fees but direct responsibility for lawn care and cooling costs
• Condo - Higher management fees but freedom from external maintenance
• Townhome - A middle ground in terms of management fees between single-family homes and condos

Property taxes cannot be overlooked either. The median effective tax rate in Lee County is reported to be 1.10 percent. Florida has a Homestead Exemption program that allows for a deduction from the assessed value if registered as a primary residence, with a maximum of $50,722 as of 2025.

Additionally, seniors who have lived in the same home for over 25 years while maintaining their homestead status can apply for a senior exemption, which provides additional reductions within a $250,000 assessed value limit.

In areas like Fort Myers that are frequently in hurricane paths, homeowners insurance is also a significant factor. Insurance premiums for single-family homes can vary greatly depending on the roof condition and year built, while condos include a master insurance policy that covers the entire building within the HOA fee, but any increases in that cost are directly passed on as higher management fees. Many active senior communities handle insurance management at the community level, reducing the hassle of finding individual insurance providers.

The important thing to note is that even if you move to a condo to avoid the burden of lawn maintenance, the HOA fees effectively replace that burden. In fact, when calculated, there are often cases where monthly management fees exceed the costs of hiring a lawn care service. It's essential to consider whether you can manage the upkeep yourself or prefer to pay a fixed monthly fee for peace of mind.

Especially if you consider the possibility of becoming less mobile within a few years after retirement, the future management burden and who will handle it may become a more critical factor than the immediate cost difference. If you are moving to Fort Myers from another state, it may also be helpful to budget for both cooling and dehumidifying to accommodate the humid and hot climate.