The charming city of Naples, Florida is home to just over 20,000 permanent residents and is a natural and cultural gem tucked away in sunny Southwest Florida. The Paradise Coast, as it is known, is where the Gulf of Mexico's turquoise waters meet white sugar sand beaches, and downtown districts are filled with artful treasures, culinary delights, and countless other discoveries. Rich in history, Naples is home to a myriad of cultural events and attractions making it a destination haven for visitors from around the world.
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Below are just a few reasons why people continue to flock here year after year:
While Collier County, which is the home of Naples, was not founded until 1923, its roots go back much further. Centuries before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, Florida’s gulf coast was home to the Calusa Indians, the burial grounds for which have been discovered on Marco Island. The state itself was discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513. The explorer was met with great resistance by the Calusa’s who were eventually wiped out by wars and disease over the ensuing 40 years. By the early 1700s, small bands of Greek Indians from Georgia and Alabama made their way to the area. Descendants of these early Seminole tribes still call the Naples area home.
Outdoor enthusiasts are attracted to Naples for its unending estuaries, mangroves, cypress swamps, forests and beaches that are home to dolphins, birds, black bears, manatees, and other wildlife. Nature preserves, including Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, as well as state, local and private nature parks offer up perfect places for bird watching, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, photography, fishing, and boating.
Naples has developed a reputation as the Golf Capital of the World. And a well-deserved one at that as the area boasts the highest number of golf holes per capita throughout the United States. Home to over 80 championship golf courses, Naples offers challenging play for pros and novices alike. Some notable local courses include:
Countless top travel magazines and blogs have cited the more than 30 miles of beaches in Naples as some of the most desirable beach destinations in the country.
According to SmartAsset, Naples garnered the top spot for retirement living in the Sunshine State. Over 4,700 cities were ranked nationwide with Naples scoring especially high for its low tax rate, access to medical services and the overall percentage of seniors as part of the total population.
If you're interested in learning more about how life in Naples can help you live a longer, healthier, happier life, contact us today. At Moorings Park, each of our 3 campuses is dedicated to the art of successful aging. Visit us at MooringsPark.org today.