Many people view moving as an extremely stressful event. While it can be a bit anxiety inducing, especially if you’re moving last minute, it helps when you know you’re moving somewhere beautiful, like Naples, Florida. Naples is considered one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, but you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy everything it has to offer. In fact, the cost of living is quite affordable. In addition to its proximity to the ocean and pristine beaches, there are a lot of benefits of relocating to this bustling coastal city. To help you prepare for the transition, here’s a guide on everything you need to know about moving to Naples.
1. Opportunities for Career Growth
Naples, Florida has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country—even lower than the national average. It has a healthier job market than many similarly sized metropolitan areas and despite the pandemic, the state’s labor force growth represented a 6.1% increase from 2021 to 2022. This growth is expected to continue over the years, making it a great place to relocate if you’re looking for a career change or professional development. There are an increasing number of healthcare and business sector jobs becoming available and several national companies have headquarters nearby. Due to its proximity to Fort Myers, the possibility for employment is even greater.
2. Reasonable Cost of Living
While the cost of living can be high when compared to certain cities in the U.S., Naples actually has the third lowest property tax rate in Florida. This keeps homes affordable and provides you with long-term security for residency. Depending on your lifestyle habits, your budget for food and recreational activities may increase your cost of living slightly, but there are plenty of options to live well within your means. There are also well-connected routes on public transportation and Naples is a very bike friendly city. This means that while it’s nice to have a car, you don’t absolutely need one. Alternatively, if you do own a car, you have options for alternative modes of transportation when gas prices are high.
3. Excellent Education System
The education system in Naples, FL is also outstanding and there are several opportunities for supplemental learning. There are both public and private options, many of which are among the top-rated schools in the state. If you have children and want to make sure they go to a certain school, do your research ahead of time on neighborhoods and borders for each district. Some great options for public schools include Pelican March Elementary School, Sea Gate Elementary School, Pine Ridge Middle School, North Naples Middle School, and Naples High School. There are no colleges or universities within the city limits of Naples, but there are private universities and plenty of nearby options.
4. Health and Wellness is Prioritized
Rather than continuing through the summer-winter cycle of weight gain, residents in Florida tend to prioritize health and wellness year-round. There are several different parks to explore, beaches to swim in, and golf courses to try. This gives residents several reasons to head outside, which tends to result in a more active lifestyle. Naples is also home to two hospitals and six clinics, so you have access to great medical care if you’re feeling under the weather.
5. Access to Beautiful Beaches
One of the best parts about moving to Florida is the abundance of beaches that are in your backyard. Naples has some of the best beaches in the country, with vibrant white sand that meets turquoise blue waters. You can spend your Saturday’s swimming or even head to the beach during the week for a beautiful sunset. With several options in close proximity, you’ll never be far away from relaxation and tranquility. Some of the best beaches in Naples include moving to Florida, Clam Pass Park, Barefoot Beach Preserve, and The Beach at Naples Pier.
6. There’s Always Plenty of Sunshine
Florida is known as The Sunshine State for a reason, but Naples actually has a higher average of sunny days per year when compared to the state average. Florida’s state average is 237 days, while Naples has an average of 264 sunny days each calendar year.
7. Year-Round Events
Another great reason to relocate to Naples, FL is the abundance of events that occur year-round. Since there’s always plenty of sunshine, it’s a perfect location to host popular events and make the most out of great weather. Naples hosts annual beer festivals, crab festivals, wine festivals, arts festivals, and even a Shakespeare festival in May. Peruse the local calendar of events and start planning your schedule well in advance, as tickets to some events may sell out.
8. Golf Capital of the World
If you’re a golfer, Naples is one of the best places you can live. As the self-claimed Golf Capital of the World, there are over 90 different courses with options for public use. If you want a more exclusive experience, you can also purchase a membership at your favorite clubhouse. Thanks to the year-round sunshine, golfers will enjoy nearly 365 days of perfect tee time weather.
9. Gastronomical Diversity
There’s no shortage of delicious menus to sample or creative cocktails to sip on in Naples. With everything from casual cafes to upscale dining, you’ll have access to a diverse selection of restaurants. The culinary industry is ingrained in the culture throughout Naples and the international flavors are great. Some of the top restaurants to try include Salis Restaurant, The French Brasserie Rustique, Osteria Tulia, and more.
10. World-Class Shopping
Naples is also filled with world-class shopping districts. There are designer shops, boutique options, and several independent labels to help you find the perfect style for every season. You can find streets lined with charming shops in Downtown Naples and throughout the town. There’s plenty of options for everyone, so don’t be intimidated by big labels or designer tags. Naples also has several thrift shops and edgy storefronts.
11. Supportive of the Retirement Lifestyle
While there are residents of all ages, Naples is a great place for individuals to retire. In fact, it’s continually ranked the leading place to retire and number one on the list of best places for early retirement. One of the biggest reasons for this is the lack of income tax across the state of Florida. The cost of living is slightly higher, but with the reduction in taxes it’s still a great option for those looking to make the most out of their golden years. Plus, there’s plenty of ways to fill your schedule in Naples and the surrounding towns, so you’ll be able to make the most out of your retirement without much effort.
12. Traffic Increases at Rush Hour
For those planning to commute to work, it’s important to keep in mind that like many other cities across the country, traffic increases at rush hour. Some people begin their commute earlier than usual, but the heaviest traffic tends to occur between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. However, if you’re living within the inner-city, it’s unlikely that you’ll spend more than 15 minutes getting to your job. For those who live in suburbs surrounding downtown, prepare for about 15 to 30 minutes of traffic, depending on proximity.
Although many people view Florida as a destination for vacation, Naples can give you a relaxed, yet lucrative lifestyle. Whether you’re considering the move, or you’ve already started packing your boxes, this city is sure to take your breath away. At the same time, we understand that moving is a process—especially if you’re coming from out of state. To help you make this transition as seamless as possible, The Lock Up Self Storage offers convenient, temperature controlled self-storage in Naples, FL as well as free moving trucks. Our flexible leasing options allow you to store your things in short-term self-storage or keep a long-standing unit at our Naples location to increase your livable space at home. We have a variety of sizes of self-storage units in Naples, FL, all of which are secure and climate controlled. Our facilities are located in North Naples and Downtown Naples, in addition to facilities on Livingston Rd, Pine Ridge, and Tamiami Trial. You can visit the corresponding location pages for local numbers or call us at (866) 327-LOCK to learn more about our Florida locations and inquire about our flexible leasing options.
