Looking for the absolute best place to retire in 2018? L ook no further than Naples, Florida, which earned the top spot on our 2018 list. Naples is already a happening hotspot for retirees — in fact, 51 percent of the city’s population is over the age of 65.
And why shouldn’t it be? This city on the southwestern tip of Florida along the Gulf of Mexico has incredible weather, high-end shopping, sandy beaches and so much more to offer seniors enjoying their golden years. Plus, there’s no question your friends and family members will want to come visit you in sunny Florida, which makes it all the more appealing. The city is small, with a little more than 20,000 residents, which makes for a tight-knit community that feels more like a small town.
The temperature in Naples hovers between 75 and 90 degrees all year long, which makes it the perfect environment for golfing (or really any type of outdoor adventure). Whether you choose to join a private club like the Naples Grande Golf Club or hit up impressive public courses like Hibiscus Golf Club, you really can’t go wrong with the more than 60 golf courses in Naples.
If you’d love to immerse yourself in nature, check out the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, which offers visitors a deep dive into the Everglades ecosystem. It’s home to the largest old growth Bald Cypress forest in North America and other exotic plants, as well as dozens of species of wildlife — turtles, deer, otters, alligators and birds are easy to spot here.
Learn a new skill or attend an arts-related event or exhibition through the Naples Art Association, which offers classes in mosaics, watercolor, photography and tons of other subjects. The association also organizes excursions and day trips, if you’ve got the travel itch and want to meet new people.
Livability, excerpt posted on SouthFloridaReporter.com, Nov. 15, 2018
