Lifestyle | David Critzer, REALTOR®

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?

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

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

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

A diverging diamond interchange is coming to Collier County. Reaction? Constructive, comical

Mark H. Bickel | Naples Daily News

In case you missed it, Naples Daily News business reporter Laura Layden had the news about the Florida Department of Transportation scheduled public workshops on the diverging diamond interchange project coming to Collier County. The workshops are to share information and get information for the project, which is scheduled to start in 2025.

The Interstate 75 interchange will be at Pine Ridge Road.

Needless to say, once the story was published and hit our multiple social media platforms, it touched a nerve with our audience. Comments range from constructive − what we are calling “Sounds Good!” − to comedic − “What the Heck!

Here are the highlights from Facebook and Instagram: Read the full article on naplesnews.com.

No talking? No texting? Naples’ new Alamo Drafthouse, a movie lover’s paradise

Charles Runnells | Naples Daily News

Alamo Drafthouse might be the coolest movie-theater chain in America. And they’ve just opened their first Florida spot ― right here in Naples.

So, of course, I had to drop everything and go.

Immediately.

I’m a huge fan of movies ― whether it’s arthouse cinema or the latest Marvel/Star Wars blockbuster. And film nuts like me know and revere the name Alamo Drafthouse.

Dinner at your theater seat? A beautiful picture and sound you feel in your bones? A zero-tolerance policy for people who talk or text during the movie?

That sounds like paradise to me.

Two tickets, please.

Silverspot left last summer, Alamo Drafthouse filled Mercato space

I’ve been wanting to go to an Alamo Drafthouse ever since seeing a CBS Sunday Morning segment on the theater chain in 2016. But I thought I’d never get the chance.

Then we got the news last year: Alamo was taking over the former Silverspot Cinema at North Naples’ shopping center Mercato.

Why Naples? General manager Brock Cowgill says they’d been wanting to expand into Florida, and it was easier to move into a preexisting theater than to build an all-new one.

“But it’s also a great market,” Cowgill says. “The southwest part of Florida is growing rapidly.”

Whatever their reasons, I’m glad they’re here. So just six days after the Alamo opened April 29, my girlfriend Silvia and I climbed into my car and made the 45-minute drive south from Cape Coral to North Naples.

And that long drive was totally worth it. Especially for Silvia, who stopped going to movie theaters years ago because of annoying people.

Read more of Charles and Sylvia’s experience at Alamo Drafthouse on naplesnews.com.