Maybe you've read our Parrish to Venice: The Great Florida Retirement Trail article, but you had to know we couldn't stop there.
While the Sarasota area covered in that article is the most requested area by our readers, Southwest Florida which we are defining here as the roughly 100-mile stretch from Venice to Naples is not far behind.
If you ever decide to explore this part of Florida, here are some great places you will find along the way.
Venice
We of course covered Venice in our Parrish to Venice article, but just to recap here, Venice sits in a sweet spot along Florida's Gulf Coast which makes it the perfect destination for anyone looking to make the most of 14 miles of stunning white sand beaches.
In addition to those beautiful beaches, Venice is also known for all kinds of exciting ways to enjoy the great outdoors. It is a fabulous destination for boomers interested in exploring arts and culture, boutique shopping, or a wide range of outstanding restaurant choices.
Some communities to explore in this area include:
Located just south of Venice in Sarasota County, Boca Royale Golf & Country Club offers a rare lifestyle that feels more like a vacation than the everyday. Residents of the gated 1,000-acre community enjoy a full line of fun and fitness amenities, including an 18-hole par 72 golf course. A beautiful amenity center and clubhouse round out the community. The community offers both single-family homes and attached villas.
Grand Palm is truly a one-of-a-kind community! This beautiful, amenity-rich, nature-focused community in Venice, Florida is exactly what resort living should be like. Residents enjoy easy access to downtown Venice and beaches (20 minutes away) and a multitude of activities right in their own backyard with an on-site activities coordinator, state-of-the-art fitness facility, and large, resort-style pool with water slide. Attached villas and single-family homes are available.
Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda
These two popular Florida cities sit right next to each other, separated by the Peace River.
One popular community you should check out when passing through this area is Kings Gate:
Located in the popular Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda area of Florida, Kings Gate offers easy access to beaches, marinas, wildlife sanctuaries, airports, and more, many within a 15-minute drive or less. A friendly, gated neighborhood community for residents age 55 and up, Kings Gate homeowners enjoy access to a recreation center, Olympic-sized swimming pool and spa, tennis courts, on-site activities director, and a variety of resident clubs and social events. Membership to the two 18-hole golf courses and facilities are additionally available. Prices start in the $200k’s.
Babcock Ranch
The next stop along the way is Babcock Ranch, a solar-powered community situated on approximately 18,000 acres, adjacent to an extensive wilderness preserve.
The community is powered by and 870-acre solar farm. The neighborhoods within Babcock Ranch feature clubhouses, pools, golf courses, hiking and biking paths, greenways, and lakes perfect for outdoor adventures. Babcock Ranch was featured on 60 Minutes and in other news shows after it held up remarkably well despite a near-direct hit from Hurricane Ian a few years ago.
Located in Southwest Florida, Babcock Ranch has been designed to help residents live their happiest, healthiest life. Situated on 18,000 acres, adjacent to an extensive wilderness preserve, Babcock Ranch features hiking and biking paths, greenways, and lakes perfect for outdoor adventures.
America’s first solar-powered town, Babcock Ranch houses an 870-acre solar farm operated by Florida Power & Light, and the entire town is outfitted with fiber optic internet for a fully connected lifestyle.
Babcock Ranch features a variety of neighborhoods and home builders, and prices range from the $300's to over $2M.
Fort Myers
Known for offering the perfect combination of recreation and relaxation, Fort Myers contains an endless amount of options including white sand beaches, first-class golf courses, exciting deep-sea fishing, and outstanding shopping.
A few communities to check out here include:
Discover Valencia Harbor, a premier 55+ community in Fort Myers, Florida, where exceptional value meets an elevated active-adult lifestyle. This vibrant new community features beautifully designed single-family homes priced from the mid $300s to the $600s, with stylish standard features, resort-style amenities, and countless opportunities to connect, stay active, and enjoy the best of Southwest Florida.
The Valencia Harbor lifestyle is already taking shape, with the Community Center now open and offering a fitness center, card room, sports lounge, arts and crafts room, covered outdoor patio, and more. Residents will also enjoy the 33,000-square-foot Harbor Club, complete with resort-style pools, a lap pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, full-service restaurant and poolside bar, grand social hall, sports lounge, card salon, and arts and crafts room. The Sports & Racquet Club adds even more opportunities for recreation, featuring tennis and pickleball courts, a pro shop, and additional amenities designed for an active lifestyle. With a full-time Lifestyle Director curating a dynamic calendar of clubs, activities, fitness programs, and social events, there’s always something new to experience and a welcoming community to be part of.
Explore Valencia Harbor today and discover beautiful new homes, exceptional amenities, and an unparalleled 55+ lifestyle in the heart of Fort Myers.
Verandah is a beautiful, private, guard-gated golf course community in Fort Myers. Enjoy life among mature oak trees, meandering bike paths and walking trails, and breathtaking views of the Orange River. Verandah offers residents full-service dining options, social events and activities, fitness and recreation options, and 2 spectacular 18-hole championship golf courses: Old Orange, designed by Bob Cupp and Whispering Oak, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Naples
As one of the most popular retirement locations in all of Florida, you can definitely count on plenty of options to choose from if Naples is the ultimate destination for you.
Here are a few recent additions:
Introducing Valencia Sky, Naples, Florida's leading luxury 55+ community, where the world-famous Valencia lifestyle meets the world-famous Naples lifestyle. Located just five miles from iconic 5th Avenue, Valencia Sky offers an unbeatable location with easy access to Naples’ renowned shopping, dining, beaches, and entertainment. Experience the best of Southwest Florida while enjoying an exceptional active adult lifestyle right at home.
Valencia Sky is bringing an incredible collection of resort-style amenities to life. The Community Center is now open, providing residents with a fitness center, social hub, daily activities, and events curated by a full-time Lifestyle Director. The Racquet Club and Pro Shop are also now open, featuring nine pickleball courts and three tennis courts. The impressive 35,000-square-foot Clubhouse features resort-style pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and exercise studio, spa with treatment rooms, steam rooms and a salt therapy lounge, a grand social hall, full-service restaurant, sports lounge, cooking studio, arts and crafts center, and so much more.
With contemporary home designs and impressive models like the new Stellar, Valencia Sky offers beautifully designed homes from the $700s to $1m+. Discover Naples’ premier 55+ lifestyle and learn more about Valencia Sky today to explore the homes, amenities, and exceptional location that make this community unlike anywhere else in Naples.
Set sail for the exciting adventures awaiting you and your family in one of Collier County’s newest communities. Neal Communities is pleased to announce SkySail, a serene home neighborhood located among 246 acres of crystal-clear lakes. This beautiful lakeside community offers a variety of beautiful amenities perfect for connecting with neighbors through outdoor relaxation or exciting activities.
Leave a Reply