Naples, Florida
The southwestern Florida city of Naples, Florida is found along the Gulf of Mexico coast. Although not a large city (Naples’ population is only 21,653), it is the county seat of Collier County and the central urban center for a metropolitan area with over 300,000 residents. Those moving to Naples can expect low costs for high value, as named by US News & World Report as one of the country’s “10 Best Undervalued Places to Live” in 2009. Both residents and visitors will be able to take advantage of Naples’ many beaches and natural scenery.
Economy:
The economy of Naples depends largely on the tourist trade, with many city residents working in hotels, restaurants, resorts and related industries. In addition to high employment in the service industry, companies focusing on healthcare and technology are prominent in Naples. The health insurance company Health Management Associates and the medical equipment manufacturer Arthrex both have their headquarters in the Naples area. Other corporate headquarters found in Naples include INgage Networks, Loos & Co. Vitarich, Graybar, Interlocking Pavestones, Herbreau Creations, Gulf Coast American Fabrication, March Aviation and Lawson Aquatics. With such a rich job market, it's no wonder Naples moving companies are so busy bringing in new residents to the area.
History:
Before the arrival of European settlers in the late 1860s, the Naples area was the home of the Caloosa Indian tribe. Settlement increased slowly through the 1870s and 1880s, with the coast advertised as a nearby alternative to the Mediterranean coast of southern Italy. With comparisons made to the Italian city’s fine bay, the name of Naples was soon attached to the town. Naples’ first major boom came in 1887, when a group of wealthy Kentucky investors purchased the town site and built a 600-foot pier for shipping traffic. Although the only roads to Naples consisted of mud and crushed shells, land values quickly rose, especially along the Gulf Coast beaches. Barron G. Collier visited Naples in 1911 and purchased more than a million acres of mostly swampland. Collier proceeded to actively campaign for his town, eventually spending more than $1 million to open the Tamiami Trail through Naples. In 1926, the year it opened, the Tamiami Trail represented the only paved highway between Tampa and Miami.
Tourism:
Tourism is Naples’ primary industry, and the city has the attractions to prove it. In addition to the area’s famous white sand beaches (six of them within the city itself), visitors to Naples can experience culture, nature, shopping and golf. Attractions in the city include the Palm Cottage House historical museum, the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts (with music and theater venues) and many downtown art galleries (clustered primarily along downtown’s Gallery Row). Lying just to the north of the Everglades National Park, nature is a particular draw of the Naples area. Tours departing from the city emphasize unique natural habitats and animals like dolphins and manatees. Naples is considered to be a prime regional destination for upscale shopping, with retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co. present in the shopping areas of 5th Avenue South, the Village on Venetian Bay, the Waterside Shops and 3rd Avenue South. For golfers, the 80-plus golf courses scattered throughout the Naples area are the biggest draw. Although only flights to Fort Lauderdale leave from the Naples Municipal Airport, the Southwest Florida International Airport in nearby Fort Myers offers flights around the country. When traveling around Naples, buses are available from Collier Area Transit.
Colleges/Universities:
• Hodges University
• Ave Maria University
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• Ave Maria School of Law
Interesting Facts
• Charles Lindbergh flew into Naples for vacations during the 1930s and had a vacation home in nearby Sanibel for the visits.
• Many celebrities visited Naples during the city’s early years. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, movie stars Greta Garbo, Gary Cooper and Hedy Lamarr were among the many who vacationed at Naples’ beaches.
• The swampland surrounding Naples was infested with alligators during the city’s early years. The alligators lived so close to the town’s houses that housewives often disposed of food scraps out of windows and directly into the animals’ mouths.
Helpful Links:
• Naples Real Estate
• City of Naples
• City of Naples Citizens Guide
• Naples Chamber of Commerce
• Naples Moving Guide