Spring days in Naples have been beautiful indeed this year. Our beaches are warm and breezy, weather is great for walking and biking, and it’s easy to land a table at a favorite restaurant for dinner. Flowers bloom everywhere, and life is good!
In the past few weeks, Naples has caught the eye of statewide and national media once again. High rankings in many areas point out our community assets - just a few of the things that make Naples a wonderful place to live and work.
Let’s look at a few….
Collier County ranks as the second healthiest in Florida for the third year in a row, according to 2016 rankings by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.The Foundation looks at a number of health factors, such as longevity, overall mental and physical health, and lifestyle habits such as adult smoking and obesity. In Collier County, wellness is more than just health care - it’s a community commitment to good lifestyle choices that make a big impact on overall health and well being. Dr. Allen Weiss, president and chief executive officer of the NCH Healthcare System, said the ranking validates a recent finding by Gallup-Healthways that Collier is the healthiest and happiest community in the nation, and another recent report that said it is the best place to retire.
And yes, Naples is ranked the best place in the Sunshine State to retire, a new report says. Moreover, nationally, Naples ranked third, according to SmartAsset, a New York financial services company. Using government data, the second annual study rated 4,700 U.S. cities by their tax friendliness, recreational and social opportunities for seniors, and availability of medical care, which it defined as "factors that affect quality of life for retirees.” Naples is a tremendous place for retirees, with a wonderful support system. SmartAsset gave Naples its highest ranking based on several factors. First was its low 10.2 percent tax rate. Second was access to medical services, and number of recreation centers per 1,000 people. (And if you’re wondering which communities placed #1 and #2 in that national survey, they were Wasilla and Palmer Alaska - far outside the Sunshine State!)
Finally, good news on our economic scene! Collier County saw more tourists come to town than ever in the past year. More than 1.8 million visitors stayed in hotels or other vacation rentals, a 3.1 percent increase over last year. Visitors’ spending grew even more.The total economic boon from tourists in the county reached more than $1.95 billion in 2015, increasing 8 percent over the year before. Where are visitors from? Florida remains the top market, with 628,178 of the county's visitors coming from other parts of the state. The county's second largest feeder market was the Northeastern U.S., which sent 350,339 visitors this way. That was followed by Europe, which brought in another 298,636 visitors. Without a doubt, the influx of seasonal visitors supports a vibrant local economy and rich cultural and community offerings.
Great health care, a solid local economy, and a community that attracts tourists, retirees, and families alike make Naples a great place to be…a place where life is good!
