FGCU student on night owl schedule (Jacksonville, Miami: low crime, movies, top school)

[Obamanation]

I have been to SWFL/Naples several times and love it. FGCU is a top school choice for me. My one concern is that Naples and the rest of the area seems to shut down at 10 PM. I know all about 5th Ave. South, Gulf Coast Town Center, DT Fort Myers, etc. Beyond that, what else is there to do in the area after 10?? Restaurants, Coffee Shops, ANYTHING? I'm DEFINITELY a night owl by sleep schedule and that will never change so having stuff to do at night (not only bars/clubs) is important to me. Anyone have districts or individual places open late, are changing demographics bringing new late-night options? Thanks people.

[AliciaMaria]

I grew up in naples... we entertained ourselves by going to the beach late at night, and then enjoying a lovely meal at Dennys or The Clock. Really, not much else to do unless you have other friends who also stay up late.. We would have bonfires and just hang out.

Fort Myers Beach is also an alright place to check out once in a while.. All in all, if you think youre going to be bored when you're there, you are ABSOLUTELY correct.. I was bored out of my mind as a teenager, and it was hard to stay out of trouble. You're going to be bored if you rely on outside sources to keep you entertained, anyway.

Aside from all that, good luck! It's a really nice area to live.. the summers are incredibly hot though, and dont let anyone else tell you otherwise.. Have you checked out other areas/schools? FSU? UF? Orlando? (UCF) Jacksonville? (UNF)

When I finished high school, I moved to the east coast (Boca Raton) and went to FAU. I loved being in South Florida and enjoyed my 10 years there. Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach are fun places to be, and are much more lively at night.

[BigMunch]

i agree 110% , wrong place for you if you are planning to continue to be a night owl. My advice is to find a Companion and that should cure your urges to meet strangers late at night.

[Obamanation]

Well that's not good. I find SWFL and the campus of FGCU very beautiful and enjoyed my trips down that way; I come from Tampa. I appreciate the upscale yet down-to-earth ambiance, beautiful beach, low crime, and overall calm of Naples etc. I know it will never be South Beach, nor would I want that. But if my suspicions are true that the area shuts down at 10 PM, it may not be a good fit for me sadly. BTW I'm a (slightly immature) 25 so not a teen, but close enough for this context.

[Chicken Wing]

Yeah, keep in mind that usually when there's more to do at night, the crime increases. There are a lot of cool things to do over on the East coast (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, etc.) but I wouldn't want to do it at night. It's a trade off.

[kf1sh]

I go to FGCU and personally I LOVE it. But, you are correct, most places close 10-11. The latest places that are open are the 24 hour mickey d's, ale house, ihop, denny's, walmart, occasionally the movies and usually places down near Bonita Beach/Fort Myers Beach. There is also a bowling alley in Naples that is sometimes open pretty late. You know for a college town you would def expect there to be more open, but unfortunately that's not the case. You usually make your own fun by late night beach runs, or house/dorm parties. :P No school is lively in FL except either those in South FL or in Orlando! You could always go away on weekends to Orlando and stuff, that makes it a little more interesting! Good luck!