Naples comes up quite frequently in discussions of the best places to retire in Florida, and for good reason. Like most cities on the west coast of Florida, Naples is a popular vacation spot with people from the midwest, and many of them simply decide that this is where they want to move after they retire.
Whether you are in that boat or are just starting to learn about Naples, here are some of the best 55+ communities and non-age-restricted communities in the Naples area for retirement.
Valencia Sky
Valencia Sky, GL Homes' newest 55+ community, combines luxury living with coastal convenience just 6 miles from downtown Naples. This Valencia community features a state-of-the-art clubhouse with pools, pickleball and tennis courts, gym, restaurant/bar, sports lounge, and event hall. Located minutes from 5th Avenue South shopping and Naples Pier. Request information today to learn more.
SkySail
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.
Del Webb Naples
Located just east of Naples in the master-planned community of Ave Maria, Del Webb Naples is a fairly large community of around 2,000 condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. This community has an (optional to join) 18-hole championship golf course, sports courts, resort and lap pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and 2 large clubhouses with a full-time Lifestyle Director.
Like many southwest Florida communities, Naples brings together the best of shopping, recreation, and beautiful white sand beaches. But residents here would definitely argue that Naples offers the best versions of all three.
Historic downtown Naples is filled with high-end shops and boutiques. The surrounding areas are littered with championship-level golf courses. And this location along the southern Gulf Coast of Florida boasts some of the most stunning beaches you will find anywhere.
It’s actually difficult to find anything about Naples that isn’t absolutely perfect!
Getting to Naples
Naples is located off I-75, a little less than an hour south of Fort Myers, and about half an hour north of Marco Island. This makes Naples the southernmost metropolitan area along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
There is a small municipal airport located right in Naples, but the closest major airport is Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers.
History of Naples
Naples was founded by a US Senator named John Stuart Williams and a newspaper owner from Louisville named Walter Halderman in the 1880s.
Many people referred to the area as Naples because of it’s similarities to the city of Naples in Italy, which is known for its waterfront location and mild climate. The name stuck and after World War II the city really began to grow quickly.
Naples Weather
Being the southernmost Gulf Coast retirement destination, Naples residents enjoy a moderate climate that is a few degrees warmer than its northern counterparts for most of the year.
Here’s a look at the average low and high temperatures in Naples throughout the year:
| Month | Avg. Low | Avg. High |
| January | 53 | 76 |
| February | 55 | 78 |
| March | 58 | 80 |
| April | 62 | 84 |
| May | 68 | 89 |
| June | 73 | 91 |
| July | 74 | 93 |
| August | 74 | 93 |
| September | 74 | 92 |
| October | 69 | 88 |
| November | 62 | 83 |
| December | 56 | 78 |
Naples Healthcare
As with most major cities here in Florida, there are a variety of hospitals and healthcare providers to choose from, so do your research. Here are a few places to start with.
The NCH Healthcare System, comprised of both NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Naples Hospital, is the major healthcare provider in the area, and in 2022 they received the Healthgrades “America’s 100 Best Hospitals Award”.
Bonita Community Health Center and HealthPark Medical Center are also worth a look depending on what your needs are.
Naples Cost of Living
If you are looking for the cheapest place to live in Florida, well, Naples might not be the place for you. It's not the most expensive place, but it's just not the cheapest either. Naples has a cost of living index of 111.9, with an index of 100 being the national average. Florida's overall cost of living index is 102.8.
Things to Do in Naples
Obviously hitting the links and hitting the beach will be high on everyone's priority list, but that's not all Naples has to offer.
The Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre, world-class garden paradise that features plants from around the world. It is also the youngest garden in history to receive the American Public Gardens Association’s prestigious Award for Garden Excellence.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary occupies approximately 13,450 acres in the heart of the Corkscrew Watershed in Southwest Florida, part of the Western Everglades. Located about 30 minutes east of Naples, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is home to hundreds of alligators, otters, white-tailed deer, and red-bellied turtles. A wide variety of wading birds, songbirds, and raptors can be seen throughout the year, while the fabulous Painted Bunting is one of many winter visitors. Photo opportunities are available at every turn of the boardwalk trail.
Plus, there's plenty of great restaurants and shopping in and around town.
Leave a Reply