All About Living in Naples, Florida

Living in Naples, Florida, is an enviable lifestyle. This sunny retirement haven on the southwest Florida Gulf Coast lures the soul with its beautiful beaches, top-rated golf courses, abundant arts and culture scene, and luxury shopping. Its reputation as a retreat for the rich and powerful is backed by palatial real estate with dreamy waterfront views and a higher cost of living. But you don’t need old money or be a wealthy entrepreneur to buy into the “Paradise Coast.” Many find a lifestyle well within their budget. Know what to expect before you move to Naples, FL. 

Naples, FL Profile

Quirks of living in Naples

Snowbird season: About 20,000 people live in Naples year-round, but it doesn’t feel like that from January to April. Snowbird season is real and dramatic here. “Snowbirds” are retirees who flock to warmer climates in winter. In Naples, this season is from October to April, but it really kicks in after the holidays when traffic will suddenly seem slower and restaurant wait times longer.

In addition to full-time residents and our “friends from the north,” Naples is a top tourism destination. Around 260,000 people visited in January 2023 alone!

The combination of tourists, locals, and part-timers significantly increases local traffic and crowds at top attractions like the beaches and golf courses.

Early bird specials: Due to the large retiree population, many restaurants offer early bird specials for dinner starting at 4 pm. Conversely, everything feels shut down by 10 pm.

Beach parking: Parking can be challenging during peak season, especially near the popular beaches. Many residents opt to bike or walk instead.

Insect invasion: The warm, humid climate is a haven for insects such as mosquitoes and no-see-ums (tiny flying bugs that leave itchy bites). Stock up on bug spray when you go outside and invest in good window screens. Keep your home tidy to deter cockroaches, known in Florida as “palmetto bugs.”

Golf courses in Naples

One of Naples’ most appealing aspects for retirees is how much there is to do–especially if you love golf. With over 90 golf courses in greater Naples, it’s no wonder the city takes pride in calling itself the “Golf Capital of the World.”  

There’s a course for every level and budget, but experienced players will relish the diverse and challenging choices. The facilities range from luxurious golfing resorts with additional amenities like a relaxing spa to equally excellently designed public courses. The residential players here have high standards, after all. The only kind of course you won’t find are municipal courses, but there are golf course developments where you can live with fairway views. 

Some stand-out Naples golf courses:

• Tiburon Golf Club: With two 18-hole championship courses designed by Greg Norman, this oft-nationally top-rated facility hosts LPGA and PGA events.
• TPC Treviso Bay: Arthur Hills designed this course was renovated in 2020 with a more demanding layout.
• Forest Glen Golf & Country Club: Another private club, it appears on Golf Advisor’s top 25 lists and carries a near-perfect 4.8-star rating.
• Calusa Pines Golf Club: The developer wanted the private course to be “the most unique in south Florida,” and it delivers sweeping views and elevation changes in a naturally flat landscape.
• Cedar Hammock Golf & Country Club: Gordon Lewis and Jay Azinge designed an environmentally friendly course that is as serene as it is fun to play.

But with dozens more courses, you’ll always have options for golf course play in greater Naples. The hardest thing will be deciding which course is your favorite. 

And with Florida’s year-round warm weather, golfers can enjoy their favorite sport whenever possible.

Naples beaches

Golfing is not the only outdoor activity Naples residents indulge in. Find some of the most beautiful and top nationally-ranked beaches in the country. The gleaming white sands sparkle under the sunlight and await with seashell treasures. While away the hours participating in water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. Imagine a lifestyle where days end watching a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.

Naples is directly on the Gulf of Mexico, with nine miles of unobstructed oceanfront. Two passes–Doctors and Gordons–create more water access through Intracoastal waterways and the Gordon River. Even if you can’t live on the beachfront, you might find the perfect waterfront place on a sheltered harbor or canal. 

Beach access is available at 40 sites, although Hurricane Ian damaged some of these points in 2022. It takes time to reconstruct and repair the beachfront; as of 2024, about 5 access points were still under repair. So was the beloved Naples Pier, a historic fishing and sunset-watching spot. 

The city further advises all beachgoers to wear footwear on the beach and while swimming, as debris may still be present in the water and just under the sand’s surface. 

Some prized Naples area beaches:

• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: Tidal creeks create a 166-acre barrier island equipped with picnic areas, an observation tower, and equipment rentals.
• Naples Municipal Beach: Find the pier at the west end of 12th Avenue South, plus concessions, volleyball courts, and public parking.
• Vanderbilt Beach: Situated in North Naples, it’s close to shopping, with concessions and showers at its access points.
• Lowdermilk Park: Walk to downtown from this 1,000-ft stretch of sands prized for gentle waves and shallow water.
• Keewaydin Island: The only way to this isolated and pristine beachfront preserve is by boat. 

To plan your day at the beach, see the beach parking information, including permits and handicap access points. 

Naples outdoors

Naples’ doorstop awaits the endless Florida Everglades–or that’s how it feels the first time you see this massive wetland wilderness. It’s hard to believe you’re only a few miles from urbanized Naples when out in the Everglades when the only sounds are of birds and wind rushing through the sawgrasses. You can’t do much better for peace and quiet. 

Naples residents take advantage of this natural playground in the winter. The “dry” season is one of the best times to visit, as there are fewer bugs and less water on the trails. While exploring, keep your eyes peeled for the endangered Florida panther. 

Several outfitters offer swamp buggy rides and airboat tours through the Everglades. Try the Pine Island Trails, Bird Rookery Swamp Trail, or Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed for hiking. Trail length and conditions vary. The Everglades also has two canoe trails where you can camp out on a chickee hut above the water.

Locals have a considerable fishing scene with that in their backyard and Naples’ sizeable waterfront access. Cast a line from a pier, boat, or beach. Common local catches include grouper and snapper for saltwater and bass in the inland waterways. 

Arts and culture

Its robust arts and culture scene highlights Naples’s fishing village roots and today’s residents’ fine art tastes. As such, locals have a wide selection of cultural attractions, entertainment, and festivals.

At the center is the Naples Art District, a half-mile block of independent creatives with workshops and studios highlighting their skills. The district hosts Art After Dark on Wednesdays during peak season (January-April). Even more clusters of art galleries and studios are on Third Street South, Fifth Street South, and Crayton Cove. 

For theater and live music aficionados, Artis-Naples is the home of the city’s Philharmonic Orchestra. The venue also hosts touring Broadway shows and music acts. The Gulfhouse Players and Naples Players put on hundreds of live performances each season and often sell out shows. 

As for festivals, Naples does throw events all year, but the busy season is the winter and early spring months when the part-timers are in town. Among them, you have three huge seafood festivals, a wine and food fest, PGA golf events, art fairs, holiday parades, car shows, heritage days, and the only Swamp Buggy Races in the nation.

Hurricane threats

As with any coastal location, hurricanes do threaten Naples occasionally. Hurricane Ian roared ashore in 2022 as a category 4 storm, causing widespread damage in southwest Florida. Even in 2024, Naples is still repairing damage along its waterfront caused by the high storm surge and high winds.

While this may be a concern for some, know that Naples is well aware it’s at risk of these storms. The city has implemented strict building codes and evacuation plans to ensure the safety of its residents.

When buying a home in Naples, pay attention to its storm-resistant features. New Naples homes commonly come with hurricane shutters, impact-resistant doors, and possibly other safety features to mitigate storm damage. Waterfront homes may be elevated to reduce flood risk. Look at local flood maps and the property’s estimated risk.

Naples cost of living

Despite being a retirement destination, living in Naples, FL, is not considered affordable. Except for transportation, residents paid more for every expense category, from dining out at restaurants to paying utilities. The housing prices were 36% more than the national median for 2022, which can deter some prospective buyers. 

However, with careful research, housing options exist for people of all budgets. Only some Naples neighborhoods have homes starting at $1 million; a local real estate agent can point you toward single-family homes and condos within your budget. Also, weigh the quality of life you gain with the higher cost of living. For some, it’s worth it.

Buying a home in Naples

The first decision to find a Naples home is if you want to live “west of 75” or “east of 75.” Since the main drag of Tamiami Trail runs north and south, it’s easy to navigate this way. Most beach communities and luxury developments will be west of 75. The east side has more space for homes on larger lots, golf course communities, and master-planned communities. It’s closer to big stores and name-brand shopping.

The next decision is harder: do you want to live on or off the water? Naples has both options in spades. 

Beachfront homes and condo units are more limited, but if you can secure one, expect to pay over $1 million. Many people opt for a second-row unit or inland, near the beach. You can find more affordable homes just a block or two’s golf cart ride or walk away.

Another quirk you’ll notice as you start to look at where to move in Naples is the abundance of gated communities, which often come with homeowner’s associations and fees for their upkeep. The upside is the city has a very low crime rate. And these communities frequently have a clubhouse and pool, golfing, and other perks.

Getting around Naples

Transportation costs are the lowest expense in Naples, and that’s because many communities either allow golf carts or are highly walkable to dining, shops, and attractions. When you need to go farther, many choose to use a car. 

Those who do use public transportation in Naples jump on the Collier Area Transport (CAT). CAT operates several routes throughout the city and the greater Collier County area, making it a convenient and economical choice.

For those who prefer a more scenic and relaxed mode of transportation, Naples provides a trolley service. The trolley stops at the city’s major attractions and beaches, providing an ideal way to explore Naples without the hassle of driving.

Regarding highways, Florida’s Interstate 75 (I-75) runs through Naples, connecting the city to Miami in the east and Tampa to the north. The iconic US Route 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail, is another significant highway that traverses the city. It’s a historic and scenic drive along the southwest Florida coast. 

These main highways allow for easy commute and travel to and from Naples, enhancing the city’s connectivity and accessibility.

Living in Naples, FL

What you gain in a move to Naples is a lifestyle rich in outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and warm weather. While hurricanes and high housing prices may concern some, the benefits of living in this fun retirement haven might outweigh any potential drawbacks for you. So why not start planning your move to Naples today? Work with a local real estate you can help you find the right Naples neighborhood.