Naples if located South of Fort Myers/Bonita Springs and just on the outskirts of the Everglades and fronting the Gulf of Mexico, the well-manicured city is filled with and surrounded by natural beauty.
Known as the crown jewel of Southwest Florida, Naples is on the Gulf of Mexico, and is famous for world class shopping, dining, and challenging golf courses.
Naples is a city of some 22,000 people living in a tree-lined mix of residential and commercial streets hugging the Gulf of Mexico. This is the original City of Naples, as it was duly incorporated on June 14, 1949.
Fifty-odd years later, "Naples" now also refers to the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) comprising all of Collier County and its 276,000 residents.
In terms of land size, Collier is the largest of the 67 counties in Florida, with the Cypress Swamp state preserve and Everglades National Park accounting for much of its 2,000-plus square miles. The sprawling metropolitan Naples area has three other incorporated cities.
To the South of central Naples, Marco Island, the largest and most developed of the Gulf Coast's 10,000 islands, is a bustling tourist destination known for its beaches and sport fishing.
To the Southeast, Everglades City is the gateway to the Everglades National Park. Once the county seat, Everglades City was dominated for many years by commercial and sport fishing and still has something of a fishing-village feel. To the Northeast, Immokalee, which means "my home" in the language of the Seminole Indians who first settled it, is the center of Collier County's $200-plus million agricultural industry.
For most of the past 20 years, Collier County has hovered near the top of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. From 1990 to 2000, it ranked second on that list (after Las Vegas), with 65% population increase over the previous decade.
Neapolitans of today are a happily prosperous and vital group. Their median age is 44.1 -- more than two years younger than even a year ago, reflecting the ongoing migration of working-age men and women.
While people of retirement age account for 25% of the population, Naples is increasingly a family town: the number of children under 18 increased 65% during the past decade.
Bonita Springs, known as the Gateway to the Gulf, is strategically located between two metropolitan areas, Naples and Ft. Myers. Additionally, Bonita Springs is ideally located equidistant from Tampa to the North and Miami to the East.
It was just a short time ago in 1999 when it became an incorporated city and since then has exploded. With a population of over 40,000 residents, Bonita Springs is becoming the hotbed of both annual and seasonal residents.
Bonita Springs continues to attract both seasonal and full time residents as well as visitors and new businesses. Recently, the city received recognition in Homeroute's publication of its Annual "Top 100 Places to Live", ranking Bonita Springs as # 4 in the United States!
This once small farming and fishing town it is known for its sand dunes, beautiful beaches, shelling, championship golf courses trendy restaurants and shops, lush parks and pristine preserves.
Estero is ideally located just North of Naples/Bonita Springs and South of Fort Myers, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico, Estero River and Estero Bay, a protected aquatic preserve.
The area is the site of the Florida’s newest university, Florida Gulf Coast University. Along with numerous golf courses, miles of bike paths, canoe and nature trails, the renowned beaches of the Gulf of Mexico are just minutes away.
Estero is one of the fastest developing areas in Southwest Florida as it provides the most land mass for major developers to continue the path for growth. A local group of residents are now pursuing the possibility of making Estero a city similar to Bonita Springs.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGSU), Germain Arena, the Miromar Outlet Mall, along with being the official designated area of the largest regional mall in Southwest Florida, are all considered major influences in Estero’s booming Business development and population growth. In addition, Southwest International Airport (RSW) is just 10 minutes North of Estero which allows for easy access to and from the community.
Once know for its citrus groves and cattle herds, Estero is forging its way into the 21st Centrury with a influx of retirees, young families, professionals and seasonal residents.
We would like to introduce you to a new information resource for potential and current residents of Estero and the surrounding communities. The site provides Estero community information such as public services, parks and public lands, arts & entertainment, education, traffic and road improvement projects, and commercial development information in the Estero Life section Click here to visit the site.
Fort Myers is located on the Gulf Coast of Florida between Punta Gorda and Naples. It is nestled along the scenic shoreline of the Caloosahatchee River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico and offers many recreational opportunities for all to enjoy. Lee County offers easy access to I-75 and Southwest Florida international Airport and is a short 2.5 hours drive to either Tampa or Fort Lauderdale.
Dubbed “The City of Palms”, the incorporated city of Fort Myers established in 1886 is home to the historic residences of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and has a population of over 48,000 while unincorporated Lee County boasts a population of over 245,000 residents.
Ft. Myers also offers plenty of activities for the sports fan enthusiasts. It is the winter home for spring training for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Also, sports fans can catch a Semi-Pro Hockey game at the nearby Germain Area in Estero, over 30 golf courses, and numerous outdoor activities year round.
The downtown Fort Myers area is experiencing vast redevelopment. World class Performing Arts are enjoyed such as a symphony orchestra and chorus, art festivals, concerts and much more. This entertainment can be enjoyed by all year round. Downtown Fort Myers also offers a venue of exciting Nightlife.
Fort Myers Beach and San Carlos Island located along the sandy beaches and protected mangrove habitats of the Gulf of Mexico provide for laid-back fun for all to enjoy year round. These two islands boost fine hotels, restaurants, and plenty of seasonal rental opportunities.
Greetings from Ft. Myers Beach
Hundreds of years ago, before the arrival of the Spanish missionaries, the two islands were home of the Calusa Indians. The Calusa Indians thrived and the abundance of hunting and fishing available in that region.
Today, San Carlos Island is home of one of the largest fishing industries in Southwest Florida and offers some of the finest fresh seafood at the Gulf or bayfront restaurants. Fresh seafood is shipped locally and throughout the county.
Watersports can be enjoyed by all along the coast of the islands. Such activites include juetskiing, kayaking, canoeing, parasailing, as well as cruise, rental boats and charting fishing.
