Best beach in Florida? One’s in Naples, No. 1 ‘Best Place to Live’ by U.S. News

Best beach in Florida? One’s in Naples, No. 1 ‘Best Place to Live’ by U.S. News

Dave Osborn | Naples Daily News

It’s been quite a week for Naples.

U.S. News & World Report on Tuesday ranked Naples at No. 1 on its annual “Best Places to Live” list. And now the town has received another distinction: It’s home to a Top 10 beach in the U.S.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park was rated at No. 8, one of two state beaches named in Top 10 by “Dr. Beach,” or coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, professor in the Department of Earth & Environment at Florida International University in Miami.

What did Dr. Beach say about the popular Delnor-Wiggins Pass?

Leatherman released his list Thursday. Here’s what he said about Delnor-Wiggins, 11135 Gulf Shore Drive.

“This barrier island beach boasts of beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters,” Leatherman wrote in the news release.

“Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing. Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys, and manatees. Pine trees provide welcome shade. The park is still recovering from Hurricane Ian in 2022 so some areas are still closed.”

What other beaches made the list? Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Looking for a beach close home in Naples – Bonita Springs areas? Contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com

U.S. News ‘Best Places to Live’ list revealed: Is Naples No. 1?

U.S. News ‘Best Places to Live’ list revealed: Is Naples No. 1?

Dave Osborn | Naples Daily News

Neapolitans believe Naples is an awesome place to live, and U.S. News & World Report agrees.

Naples ranks No. 1 in its annual Best Places to Live in the U.S., the only Florida city to make the top 10. The Southwest Florida city often rank high on various “best” lists by the national magazine and others, usually noted for its weather and quality of life.

“I love seeing sunshine almost every day,” said Mark Danni, founder and artistic director of TheatreZone, who’s lived in Naples for 22 years. “I love that Naples has a wide variety of live performing arts groups where Neapolitans can see so many different performing arts productions throughout the year.”

Naples in the past decade also has become more familiar as the Pickleball Capital of the World. The region in April again hosted the another U.S. Open Pickleball Championships. The very first championships were played in Naples in 2016.

What other Florida cities made the list? Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

Looking for a home in the Naples – Bonita Springs – Marco Island area? Contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com

Naples Players shares inside access to $21M theater renovations

Naples Players shares inside access to $21M theater renovations

Dave Osborn and Jonah Hinebaugh | Naples Daily News

Downtown Naples continues to experience a theater renaissance.

As Gulfshore Playhouse plans to open its new $72 million, 400-seat theater later this year, The Naples Players in June will unveil its new Kizzie Theater in downtown Naples.

The $21 million renovation of The Naples Players’ Sugden Community Theatre caps a three-year project that will culminate June 26, when the theater company will offer “42nd Street,” to run through July 21.

The newly renovated Kizzie Theater features state-of-the-art technology, a balcony and additional accessibility accommodations, The Naples Players said in a recent news release.

The 44,500-square-foot facility also boasts a 450-seat Broadway-style theater, a 105-seat Black Box theater and a 105-seat Educational Theater. It will house new costume shops, rehearsal studios and more.

For those who can’t wait until late June to see the theater, a grand reopening is planned for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2. It’s free but patrons are encouraged to call the Box Office to reserve their seats, at (239) 263-7990.

See the photos on naplesnews.com.

Do you want to find a home in the vibrant Naples area? Contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com

Naples Airport move study identifies 4 potential sites. Here’s where they are.

Naples Airport move study identifies 4 potential sites. Here’s where they are.

J. Kyle Foster | Naples Daily News

The exploratory study looking at the feasibility of moving the Naples Airport got to one of the main points Thursday with the presentation of potential sites for an airport in east Collier County.

Consultant Environmental Science Associates – ESA – met with some of the landowners and came up with a list of four sites that could serve a general airport or possibly one with commercial flights. These landowners were open to the idea of selling land for an airport, ESA’s Doug DiCarlo told the board. They haven’t met with Collier County Commissioners as of yet.

A general aviation airport would require 1,800 to 2,000 acres; a commercial services airport would need 2,000 to 2,400 acres, ESA determined. ESA was hired in June 2023 to conduct the study. The company won’t compare the sites or make a recommendation on a site or on moving the airport at all.

Site A: Property East of County Landfill (±9 miles from existing airport)
Site B: Lipman Farms area (±11 miles)
Site C: Sunripe Land South of Oil Well Road (±23 miles)
Site D: Immokalee Regional Airport (±30 miles)

View the maps and more information on naplesnews.com.

Of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in America, Naples is home to two of them

Of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in America, Naples is home to two of them

Kendall Little | Naples Daily News

More and more people are flocking to Florida, but it’s not because of low cost of living.

In fact, the cost to live in Florida is 13% higher than the national average. When you zoom into Naples, the cost of living is 9.6% higher than the state average according to BestPlaces.

According to a recent study, Florida is home to seven of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the country ― and two of them are in Naples.

Here’s what you need to know about the most expensive neighborhoods locally, statewide, and nationwide.

Ranked at number two: Port Royal, Naples
Yes, you heard us right. Port Royal is the second-most expensive neighborhood in America, only falling behind Gables Estates in Coral Gables.

The average cost of a home in Port Royal is $16,233,953, according to Zillow data.

The luxury neighborhood offers its members multi-million dollar homes, pristine beach access, gourmet dining, and top-notch tennis facilities.

Aqualane Shores ranked at number seven
With an average home cost of $8,507,397, Aqualane Shores came in at number seven out of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the country.

Located between Port Royal and Old Naples, Aqualane Shores offers homeowners perfect access to the Gulf of Mexico along with proximity to Third Street and Fifth Avenue shopping districts.

The community is considered one of the most desirable waterfront locations in the city.

What other neighborhoods were ranked?
Of the 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the country, seven call Florida home. Read more on naplesnews.com for the full list.

To view luxury homes currently for sale in Port Royal, Aqualane Shores, and other Naples areas contact David at 239-285-1086 or David@DavidFlorida.com