10 Amazing Things About Living in Naples, Florida

Naples is the crown jewel of the Sunshine State. Recently named the best place to live in the U.S. by US News & World Reports, it’s seen a steady influx of new residents over the past fourteen years ‒ mostly retirees and snowbirds (northerners who move south for the winter), but also a growing number of families as well. For anyone curious about moving to the Gulf Coast, here are 10 key highlights of living in Naples, Florida.

Sunny Weather

In Naples, the sun shines over 260 days a year. The weather is good during summer and even better in winter. Though humidity can be a problem, the sea breeze helps dispel it, leaving residents feeling warm, happy, and refreshed practically every day, from the moment they wake up until they go to bed.

Breathtaking Beaches

Known for its white sand, clear water, and stunning waves, the beaches in Naples are some of the best in Florida ‒ possibly the world. With ten miles of unbroken coastline, residents have endless options for exploration and fun at prime seaside locations, including:

• Vanderbilt Beach. In addition to its crystal blue water, the convenient parking, showers, and restaurants have made this a popular spot for locals and tourists. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, there are more adventurous activities, such as parasailing. What’s more, according to local sources, the sand is particularly good for building castles. Beachside concession stands rent out chairs and cabanas, for an even more relaxing experience.
• Clam Pass Park. Visitors approach along a boardwalk through a lush mangrove forest surrounding the beach. In addition to the surf and sand, beachgoers can also marvel at the birds, butterflies, and sea life that inhabit the inlets and canals nearby.
• Lowdermilk Beach Park. Besides its pristine waves, this beach also features picnic tables, sand volleyball courts, a children’s playground, and two gazebos for rent, making it a favorite with families looking for a fun day at the beach.
• Barefoot Beach Preserve. One of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida’s Southwest Coast, with over 342 acres of natural land for visitors to explore. A great place for anyone looking for a peaceful afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Damaged in Hurricane Ian, the preserve is once again open to the public, though officials estimate the park infrastructure won’t be fully restored until 2025.

Enchanting Everglades

Living in Naples gives residents access to the Florida Everglades ‒ a subtropical oasis intersected by a maze of canals and waterways. Beneath a tangled shroud of mangroves and cypress trees is an astounding abundance of wildlife, including river otters, softshell turtles, pink spoonbills, and giant, lumbering manatees. Adventure lovers can even catch a glimpse of bears, panthers, water snakes, and fearsome American alligators.

Hikers can weave their way through the brush on trails and elevated boardwalks, or grab a kayak and cruise through the swamps. Airboat tours and rentals offer heart-stopping thrills as you blast over the water. Fishermen will find trout, flounder, redfish, ladyfish, and pompano swimming through the shallow waters around the Ten Thousand Islands south of the city, perhaps even some sharks and dolphins as well.

World-Class Golf

People living in Naples love golf almost as much as they love the beach. Known to many as the “Golf Capital of the World,” the city is home to over ninety 18-hole golf courses. Though its public courses are notable for their quality and variety, the city’s private clubs are even more famous for their challenging terrain and scenic beauty. While these institutions are closed to non-members during tourist season, many are open to the public the rest of the year ‒ giving everyone a chance to navigate the links, bunkers, and greens at these astounding fairways.

Upscale Shops and Restaurants

Downtown Naples features some of the best shopping and dining in Florida. Known for its historic charm, lush greenery, and locally owned boutiques, downtown Naples is where discerning residents go to purchase trendy shoes, fine jewelry, designer clothing, premium sunglasses, quality sportswear, and elegant cosmetics. After shopping, visitors can head off searching for talented artists and hidden treasure at one of the city’s antique shops or art galleries, or stop by a spa for a manicure or massage.

If you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat at a sidewalk café or coffee shop along 5th Avenue or head into one of the area’s award-winning restaurants for mouth-watering seafood and steak. There’s also plenty of pubs, pizzarias, and sandwich shops, not to mention craft cocktail bars to relax and have a drink with friends.

Active Art Scene

Besides shopping, swimming, and golf, Naples is also a major center for the performing arts. From large Broadway productions to pop concerts and independent plays, there’s a captivating show practically every weekend. Residents looking for a great night generally head to:

• Naples Philharmonic. Performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts a year, with music from some of history’s most celebrated composers, including Straus, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky.
• Gulfshore Playhouse. Stages contemporary, classical, and Tony Award-winning plays in a world-class, state-of-the-art theater.
• Naples Theater. The place to go for top-quality musicals and comedy, featuring thrilling, laugh-out-loud performances by touring actors, singers, and comedians.
• Naples Players. A troupe of local actors and actresses dedicated to raising the bar through daring, madcap performances.
• TheaterZone. An intimate venue designed to give visitors an inspiring thrill, up close with some of the country’s best actors, singers, dancers, and musicians.
• Baker Museum Exhibitions. One of the most prestigious arts institutions in the state, the Baker Museum showcases works by major artists regularly throughout the year, including some of the most esteemed painters, photographers, and visionaries from America and overseas.

Amusing Festivals

People living in Naples know how to throw a party. The town stages major events throughout the year, piling fun upon fun at a series of wild gatherings. A few of the biggest and most unique celebrations you can look forward to:

• Naples International Film Festival. Experience over 60 short, narrative, and documentary films from a diverse range of emerging and imaginative filmmakers.
• Stone Crab Festival. Where hungry residents go to eat their fill of delicious seafood from some of the finest chefs and fishermen in town.
• Swamp Buggy Races. For 75 years, these intrepid vehicles have torn through the Florida swamps, throwing up mud, water, and excitement as they compete to see who can be the first to roar across the finish line.
• Naples Winter Wine Festival. Hosted by talented sommeliers from around the country, where guests can taste some of the finest vintages from some of America’s best wineries, accompanied by food from over a dozen all-star celebrity chefs. Proceeds are donated to the Naples Children & Education Foundation.

Growing Economy

Naples' economy has expanded significantly in recent years. Though still largely dependent on tourism and hospitality, the city’s rising population has helped boost several other industries, including:

• Construction. Demand for housing has increased substantially, leading to more opportunities for home builders.
• Healthcare. Naples remains one of the best places to retire, which has increased the need for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to help care for the town’s seniors.
• Financial Services. Naples is one of the richest cities in Florida, generating more business for wealth managers to help residents look after their investments and retirement funds.
• Education. Though a large share of people moving into Naples are seniors, families have begun moving into the area as well, which has led to the hiring of more teachers and school staff.

Naples has even seen the emergence of a small but powerful technology sector, providing valuable support to the city’s healthcare, financial, and real estate companies. The industry is expected to develop significantly over the next few years, thanks to tax breaks and other incentives put in place by the state government.

Great Schools

Though children may not love going to school, parents certainly love the educational opportunities in Naples. The Collier County School District operates some of the top-rated schools in the state and is a national leader in student enrollment. Test scores are way above average and half the teachers hold an advanced degree. The district is also a technology champion. Its facilities are equipped with 54,000 computers, one for every student.

In addition to its regular classes, the district offers advanced placement courses and dual enrollment classes taught by university professors, which allow students to earn college credit before they graduate from high school. Finally, in addition to its well funded athletic teams, art and music are offered at all levels, with band and orchestra programs open to students in middle school and high school.

Moving to Naples, Florida

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