A Cuban real estate agent residing in Cape Coral posted a video on TikTok in which she provides an unfiltered analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of living in that city in southwest Florida, with a bold conclusion: "It's not for everyone."
Tiffany Santi Esteban (@lesbiasantiesteban) warned from the outset that her content "may generate some controversy" because she aims to say "what no one tells you," something that, according to her, other real estate agents avoid for commercial interests.
Among the negative aspects, the realtor notes that Cape Coral is essentially a retirement city: older individuals migrating from the cold northern states of the United States in search of warm weather, using it as a destination for retirement or a vacation spot during peak season.
"If you are someone who enjoys nightlife, who loves the endless night, this is not your city. Here, the nightlife, the average time to end the night is two in the morning, folks. This is not Miami," he warns in the video.
The job market is another weak point. "There are no big companies here, no large factories; work is limited for the labor of workers... it's difficult to find work in the city of Cape Coral, very difficult," Tiffany states.
This is compounded by the language barrier: "It’s a city where the language spoken is English, despite being two and a half or two hours forty from Miami, where the language spoken is Spanish."
One of the most technical points —and one that the realtor considers critical to know before buying— is the water system. The city is divided into four zones, and the northern part, which is the fastest-growing area, operates on well water. Those who purchase there may incur a mandatory fee of between 30,000 and 40,000 dollars to connect to the municipal water supply. "You'll receive an assessment on your mortgage of 30 thousand or 40 thousand dollars for city water. You need to be aware of this before buying here in Cape Coral," she emphasizes.
However, Tiffany also lists compelling reasons to consider the city. The main one is the housing price. She herself purchased a 2,000 square foot house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage for three cars in 2025 for $361,990, with a monthly mortgage of $2,400 at a rate of 4.99%, well below the 6-7% that the market currently operates at.
"A house in Miami of the same size as mine, two thousand square feet, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a garage for three cars, is priced over 600 thousand dollars," he compares.
The rural surroundings of the city, which create greater distance and privacy between homes, is another advantage that stands out. It also highlights opportunities for entrepreneurs, as Cape Coral is a growing city with less saturation than established markets. There is indeed employment, it clarifies, but it is geared towards skilled professionals: doctors, nurses, dentists, and federal workers, in addition to services such as landscaping.
The real estate inventory is extensive: there are properties starting at $300,000 with a pool and luxury finishes below $400,000.
This type of analysis regarding Cape Coral is common among Cubans on social media. The debate over whether the city is a good option for the Latin community intensified this month when another Cuban referred to it as "the worst city in all of Florida" due to its restrictive ordinances on commercial vehicles and boats in front of homes.
Tiffany concludes her analysis with a stance that summarizes her approach: “If you ask me whether this is a city to live in and if everyone can live here, I would say no, it’s not for everyone. If you asked me whether it’s a city that no one can live in, I would also say no. The point is that you need to know where you’re going, what you want, and where you’re going to live.”
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