[JMadison]

Hi Everyone,
So what is the "Good, Bad and Ugly" of Naples as a place to live and work? Places to be? Places to avoid? Crime? anything else someone might want to know before relocating?

[FLBob]

I lived in Naples for 7 years. I wish I could say I loved every minute of it, but then I did move away. The city of Naples is a small town and many will refer to much of the unincorporated area of Collier County as Naples.
I left Naples mainly because the surrounding area grew to a point of grid lock.
I miss Naples. With street festivals, beach side concerts, great restaurants, shopping all with in walking distance from my house. I wish that Naples wasn't so special, maybe it would not have grown as fast.
There is plenty of beach access. Most of the properties are well maintained and superbly landscaped.
I found my neighbors friendly and knew everyone on my street and many within blocks of my house, so there was definitely a sense of community. I hope this hasn't changed.

[Lulu101]

You will love it. Here in Naples, it is beautiful. Lots of people with refined and elegant tastes, who enjoy the best life has to offer.

It may take you a few weeks to get used to the warm weather, but after that it never really strikes one as too uncomfortable.

Originally Posted by JMadison

Hi Everyone,
So what is the "Good, Bad and Ugly" of Naples as a place to live and work? Places to be? Places to avoid? Crime? anything else someone might want to know before relocating?

[RMD3819]

Good:
-Plenty of shopping and restaurants
-Plenty of decent areas to live
-Easy commute in the summer

Bad:
-Hellish commute in the winter. Roads extremely crowded.
-Perpetual road construction, although this has slowed recently.
-Poor public school system. HUGE amount of turmoil right now.
-Some ghetto areas, especially duplexes and apartment complexes.
-Service and tourism economy; not many high paying jobs.
-Hot in summer, although this is subjective.

Naples is a town of wealthy retirees, run by wealthy retirees and the political machine reflects this.

If you can narrow your question or provide your situation we can give better advice.

[SoFLGal]

Looks like you'll live longer if you live in Naples. http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate...or-a-Long-Life

[JMadison]

Hi Everyone,

RMD3819 - Well, I grew up across the state in the Jupiter/Tequesta area. So I know the snowbird thing and the "Wealthy People" aspect.

Guess what I'm wondering are two things.

1) Can a middle income worker type afford to live in a decent place

2) Just how much "ghetto" is there and how likely is a middle income person likely to have to live in or near it.

I mean, it's all fine and dandy if you can afford gated, wealthy communities or to be in an Island. But taking Jupiter/Tequesta as an example, at least back in my day (Roughly the 70's, 80's and 90's) the working class areas were nice too. The houses were just smaller and older. And if you looked around you might actually have been able to build a decent new home in places. Or gone out to Jupiter Farms Acreage.

The bad parts of the county were all at least 15+ miles south. So even the poor spots in Jupiter/Tequesta had decent schools, low crime, etc.

As time went on, the problem became, there were no middle residences. The working class areas of J/T became run down as the 90's and 00's wore on (and major employers left) and the remaining nice areas became untouchable by a single earner like myself.

So, hoping to avoid a repeat of that, or if things pop, to negotiate a salary that would allow me to avoid the prattfalls.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Looks like you'll live longer if you live in Naples. http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate...or-a-Long-Life

Another good post!
Being from MD, I have built a lot of affordable housing in many of the areas noted in #1 Montgomery County Maryland, where I lived for a long time. I have also built a lot in #6 (on the list) Fairfax County Virginia. Both counties are pretty wealthy, and offer a lot of public services and great things to do for the residences. There is steady population growth in both of these areas, which are thought of by many as "bedroom communities" to Washington D.C. I'm a bit surprised they are listed, because there are a lot of dangerous road / traffic issues in these heavily populated areas. SWFL is where I'd rather be though - I'm sure traffic is no where near as bad.

[TANaples]

I would rather be dead than live longer in Naples.

[Lulu101]

That's no surprise to me whatsoever. With it's balmy weather, fantastic beaches, fine cuisine and wealthy, educated residents, Naples is just what the doctor ordered for longevity.

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Looks like you'll live longer if you live in Naples. http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate...or-a-Long-Life

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by TANaples

I would rather be dead than live longer in Naples.

Ok, that was funny I will rep you for that.