While those of us who live here are not shocked by this, it always feels good when someone else (or a bunch of someone elses) back you up! Naples, Florida, is now the best place to live in the country, according to a new ranking.
With its pristine nine-mile coastline dotted with white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, fine dining restaurants, and countless world-class golf courses, Naples is the ultimate Florida beach getaway, frequented by visitors and Florida locals. And while the beautiful city nestled on the Gulf of Mexico continues to draw a record number of travelers, Naples is also now the best place to live in the country, according to U.S. News’s latest ranking.
The website ranked Naples fourth for desirability and third for its strong job market and high household income.
“Naples’ residents enjoy a high quality of life–the city ranks No. 4 for college readiness and No. 12 for crime – which could explain why so many Americans are eager to relocate to Southwest Florida,” U.S. News pointed out.
The town has a population of about 20,000 and a median home value of $577,796. The real estate market has slowed after a few years of rapid growth, during which prices surged by over 30 percent at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. And that’s good news for buyers. Home sales are steady, and inventory levels are higher than during the pandemic frenzy, which allows buyers to have more choices and some negotiating room.
A Florida state-specific exemption called the “homestead exemption”, also lowers a property’s taxable value for full-time Florida residents — another incentive for out-of-state residents to relocate to the Sunshine State and Naples.
During the fall and winter months, the town attracts many retirees and “snowbirds” — the median age in Naples is almost 67. However, as local residents know, summer brings sweltering heat and hurricane season, which runs through the end of November. Storms, floods, and hurricanes have also caused insurance costs for homeowners to skyrocket, especially since Hurricane Ian in 2022. The annual cost of insuring a home in Florida is considerably higher than the national average.
However, this isn’t slowing down real estate development. The city’s beachfront is acquiring stunning resort communities and residences from Four Seasons and The Ritz Residences just to name a few. Golf and resort lifestyle communities continue to be extremely popular, with many golf courses currently experiencing wait lists. Waterfront properties, which allow you to have your boat in your backyard, are also highly desirable. Although you don’t have to live on the water to enjoy it as Naples is home to a number of Yacht Clubs and Boating Clubs . Members can enjoy the Gulf of Mexico, or the Ten Thousand Islands for any number of water sports and enjoyment or just boat over to a waterfront restaurant or a uninhabited beach for some shelling.
U.S. News also crowned Naples the best place to live in Florida. The city is followed by Sarasota and Pensacola, while in the general list of the best cities in America, Naples is ahead of Boise, Idaho, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
For its annual rankings, U.S. News considers the 150 largest metro areas in the country and analyzes data on cost of living, crime rates, well-being, job market, and overall value.