We crossed off Naples a couple years before we retired for many of the same reasons already posted. At the time our grandchildren were visiting the Theme Parks when they came and Naples was not near to the parks. There are better beaches elsewhere too.

Close relatives lived there for many years. We know the area well. One of the reasons we found The Villages so refreshing and different and nice.

If you want to go south and be on the west coast, consider Sarasota.
I lived there for a few years and one of the first things I remember noticing that the city is immaculate.
Siesta Key is known for being one of the finest beaches in the country.
The sand there is so fine -- like baby powder, and you can always walk on it because it never gets hot; it's quartz.
Great restaurants, a performing arts center fondly known as The Purple Cow (!), the Ringling Museum, etc.
Check it out!

We lived on Marco Island and Naples for 10 yrs. If you ever lived there you would know the traffic is not an issue. All the roads are at least 6 lanes wide. As far as cost you get what you pay for. That entire area is clean, cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter and absolutely beautiful. The restaurants are more than plentiful and unless your on 5th Ave. never an issue.
Best place in the world to live in my opinion.

:angel:Also factor in that most Naples condos generally only offer tennis, a pool, golf, and some pickle ball. If you desire a more active lifestyle with many more choices consider the villages over Naples. I rented in Naples for years and finally decided to buy in TV. HOA fees in Naples were close to 3500 a year, taxes almost the same. The beaches are beautiful, but that also means the chance for hurricane damage is higher, hence the high homeowners insurance and flood insurance rates. Definitely rent where you are considering buying....some parts of Naples are a bit less friendly (nice way of saying a little snobbish). Gated is almost a must in Naples, for security, especially if you are going to leave the home/condo vacant for any length of time. Talk to a knowledgeable agent in the Naples area of real estate. There are quiet areas, busy areas, high rental areas, country club areas and they differ greatly. Naples and TV are paradise compared to my NJ winters....just investigate fully and try it before you buy it. Enjoy whatever you decide!

too far south

Lived in Naples for almost 11 years before moving to The Villages and absolutely loved it. If you want to live on or very near the beach, then yes, it's very expensive. We lived in North Naples, west of 1-75, but less than a 10 minute drive to the beach. We were in a lovely gated community of 800 homes and condos, had a 2200 sq. ft. house on a lake, with a pool, and paid more for a similar house here in TV, without a pool. HOA fees were about $3200 a year, BUT they included landscaping, irrigation, cable TV and internet. Taxes were about the same as here, BUT, no bond. Yes, insurance was a bit more, restaurants a bit more expensive, BUT we find the cost of living here higher overall. If you're a golfer, that cost in Naples is high, especially in season. If you live in Naples year round, traffic is definitely heavier December through March, but really isn't an issue, as the roads certainly are well equipped to handle it. And the rest of the year is great ! Beaches, shopping, convenience to airport are real bonuses. Why did we move here ?? Still second guessing ourselves on that one. BUT, the activities here in TV are unending, golf is included, and it's a fun place to live. Some really nice gated communities in North Naples are Island Walk, Carlton Lakes, Cypress Woods, just to name a few. Good luck with your search !

Owned a condo in North Naples, 2 blocks from Vanderbilt Beach/Wiggins State Park. Great area, great beach, lots of traffic and yes $$...moved to Bonita Beach, even better area, awesome beach, less traffic (except from 7am -9pm, Ha!)...sold the beach house and now rent in The Villages. If you are a golfer..be prepared to pay close to or atleast $100 for 18...more on some of the better courses. We miss the area but seriously, The Villages is a much better place for us to rent (not interested in ever owning a seasonal home again...guess that means we're infamous snowbirds). Long story short...Naples/Bonita Springs is a great place to visit and live...but don't expect your $$ to last as long.

Huge difference between Venice and Naples, not just in Florida, but in Italy, too!

As others noted the Naples area golf is much more expensive. Property values in the Naples area really plummeted during the 2007-2008 economic crisis. Not so much in The Villages. Of course, not a problem unless circumstances requires you to sell. We almost purchased there (Naples) in 2005 instead purchased in The Villages in 2006 and very happy we did. Our grandchildren loved the Theme Parks and The Villages is much closer to all the Central Florida attractions. A couple of days at the beach was always enough for a good sunburn and no worry about hurricanes in The Villages.

If you have questions about Naples, Fl. I can help. I lived there for 20 years.
It is expensive but he beauty is so worth it. Yes, there is alot of traffic in season. The beaches are prestine and a real delight.
I moved here to the villages about 3 years ago and I miss Naples constantly. They just have more choices for food and shopping
and entertainment. I rented because Im younger and could not afford the houses there, but here I was able to buy a 3/2 outside of the villages
that is brand new and if I were to try to get the same house in Naples it would be double in price and taxes would be much higher.
Naples is growing as always and the small town feel that it once had is not very prevalent any longer.
Just like here, there are snowbirds which means congestion during season and wait time for restaurants are to be expected anywhere in florida during season.
IS there something specific you want to know?