Naples: the Gem of the Paradise Coast

Located on the Gulf of Mexico in the heart of Southwest Florida’s Paradise Coast, the City of Naples is famous for spectacular sun-drenched beaches, proximity to the unspoiled, lush Everglades and everything in between. Home to some of the most challenging golf courses in the world, Naples also is known for chic and trendy shopping, outstanding dining, a vibrant arts scene, unique family attractions and for an abundance of water sports and other activities guaranteed to please the most rigorous recreationalists.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the full gamut in Naples, including sailing, jet skiing, windsurfing and fishing. City Dock at Crayton Cove is home to the Naples’ largest fishing fleet where residents and visitors can charter a boat or for deep-sea fishing, shelling or excursions to one of the outer islands. Residents also can fish from the Naples Pier or stroll along the 1,000-foot boardwalk. Here, anglers cast lines year-round for grouper, pompano, cobia and sea trout, while during the spring and summer tarpon is the catch of the day.

Naples has hosted nine major, professional national and state golf tournaments for several decades. The LG Championship Seniors Tour has been held at different area courses for years, drawing golf enthusiasts from all over. There are more than 90 golf courses in Naples and even some of the private courses allow non-members to play between May and December. Many of the area developments were designed specifically as golf course communities and residents like to tell an important golf history story to anyone who will listen. Apparently, soon after the Naples Beach Hotel golf course was built in 1929, the pilot of a small-engine plane would land on the course, play nine holes and depart. When a new course superintendent came on board, he chased the pilot from the fairways and thus Mr. Lindbergh never landed on the golf course again.

Just as its Italian namesake, Naples offers some of the finest Italian cuisine in Southwest Florida. Not limited to Italian, diners can choose from Caribbean, Floribbean, Thai, Irish, French, American and fusion styles. Seafood restaurants optimize the plentiful ocean fresh catches, including stone crab, and there are a wealth of sidewalk cafés, bistros and other casual dining establishments lining Naples’ fashionable Fifth Avenue South, Third Street South and the Bayfront.

Also along Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are Naples’ ultra chic and pedestrian-friendly shopping districts. Charming historic architecture adds to the full array of boutiques and restaurants and both streets are lined with art galleries. The Baker Museum is home to 15 galleries and rounding out the arts in Naples, residents enjoy the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Naples Playhouse and Collier Museum, to name a few.

Family attractions include the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, Everglades National Park, Big Cypress Preserve, the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, which features the only remaining old-growth bald cypress forest in the U.S. A magnet for a myriad of wildlife and birds, the Sanctuary’s 2.25-mile boardwalk winds through a variety of the most beautiful natural habitats in the country.

Naples is home to some of the most luxurious waterfront estates and condominiums in the world and residents also enjoy picturesque communities that offer a complete lifestyle for families, singles and homeowners of all ages. GL Homes has created several of the most-popular communities in Naples, including Riverstone, which features two collections of elegant single-family residences, priced from the $420,000s. Located just west of the popular Livingston Corridor, Marbella Isles is GL Homes’ newest community and offers stunning villas and one - and two-story residences priced from the $390,000s.

Come enjoy the good life on Florida’s southwest coast where residents are steps away from the bustling scene or the call of the wilderness and where balmy weather and exquisite sunsets are the norm.

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StoneCreek in Naples Florida | Homes for Sale in Naples Florida

Ten Reasons To Live In Wesley Chapel Florida

If you are thinking about moving to the Sunshine State, there are many fine cities and areas to consider. It is a huge state with a variety of communities. Wesley Chapel Florida is located in South Central Pasco County, in the Tampa Bay area, and is one of the most livable areas in the state. In fact, here are ten good reasons to consider living here.

Climate - perhaps the biggest reason people choose Pasco County is the climate. There is no need to worry about snowy or icy weather. Winters are very mild and this is good for people and pets that cannot tolerate very cold weather. You will not have to worry about water pipes freezing or shoveling or plowing snow in the winter. Even though summers are warm and humid, the temperature in Tampa has never officially reached 100 degrees F. The average January high temperature is 70 F and the normal low is 52 F. For many residents in this region it is an ideal climate. Some people choose to live here only in the winter, and in summer they return back north. However, the climate is agreeable for living here all year round.

Few Hurricanes - when you think of Florida, you may become concerned about hurricanes. However, Tampa is one of the few areas that experience very few hurricanes, and the odds of a hurricane here are quite slim. In fact the last major hurricane that made a direct hit on Tampa was in 1921. During the hurricane season, the Tampa area may receive a lot of rain. In fact, most of Florida experiences a rainy season during the warmest months. Rain usually occurs mornings or early afternoon and by the evening, it is gone on most days. It is a rare occasion when it rains all day long or for more than one day at a time without stopping.

Near the water - if you enjoy water activities, you will like this part of the state. In fact, it is only a 40 minute drive to the ocean from southern central Pasco County. This means that you can visit the warm Gulf waters any time that you like, and go fishing in the Gulf or just enjoy the water. Not only that, you will find a large variety of lakes in the Tampa Bay area. A lot of people visit this area just for the excellent fishing opportunities. Many lakes are excellent for water skiing, boating, and because of the warm climate, you can enjoy your boat or jet skis throughout the year.

Close to the University of South Florida - Perhaps someone in your family wishes to attend college. This is the perfect area, if you want to be near USF. USF is an excellent school with many options for studies. Plus, you can drive to the campus in about 20 minutes time. This makes it very convenient and if you are attending a full-time schedule, you won't have to go through all the hassles of living on campus. This can result in substantial savings.

Amusement parks - If you love to spend time at amusement parks, you are in luck. The city of Wesley Chapel is just 15 miles from the famous Busch Gardens. There you will find all kinds of fun and exciting things to do. Plus, you'll only be 88 miles from Orlando, and you can visit all the amazing Disney attractions like Universal Studios, EPCOT Center, Disney World, and many other entertaining and fun places to visit. This includes some of the most popular roller coasters in the state. In between Tampa and Orlando, you can stop at Winter Haven, and enjoy Legoland, with all of its fun things for kids to do.

Low cost of living - even though there is a lot of tourism in Florida, you will enjoy a fairly low cost of living. In fact, some of the latest figures from movers.com show that the cost of living in this area is more than eight percent lower than the US average and over six percent less than the state of Florida. This means that you will not have to spend all of your money at the grocery store. Plus, there is no sales tax on many food items in the state.

Travel - maybe you and your family like to travel. Many times, people will avoid flying because of the long distance to a major or international airport. This can make it very difficult, inconvenient, and expensive. If you live here, you will be less than thirty miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA). This makes it very convenient to call a taxi, shuttle, or limousine to the airport, and you'll not have to endure a great deal of traffic.

Employment - there are plenty of job opportunities in Pasco County, especially for health care professionals and many other careers. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment was 5.8 percent in this area in November of 2014. That is equal to the national and statewide average, and significant job growth is expected within the coming years.

Schools - If you have children, they will be attending the Pasco County School District, unless you choose to send them to one of the many fine private schools in the Tampa Bay region. The schools in Wesley Chapel have a student to teacher ratio that is equal to the national average, and there are plenty of schools and many receive an excellent rating.

Affordable housing - perhaps you are thinking about buying a home or condo. Pasco County has some very affordable housing. In fact, in 2012, the median house or condo price was $132,736. This is actually less than it was in 2000, (when the median price was $133,000). If you compare housing prices with the entire state at that time ($148,200), you can see a big difference. In this area, you'll find some of the finest waterfront properties in the country, and at affordable prices. Once you find affordable housing in Wesley Chapel, you get much more house for your money, and your local real estate professional can help you find exactly what you need.

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The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch | New Homes for Sale in Florida

Living in Delray Beach, A New Coastal City Experience

Delray Beach has done an amazing job with reinventing itself over the past couple of years.  Once upon a time, this city was a ghost town. But with the recent additions of local business expansions, new art galleries, refurbished Mediterranean styled buildings and quaint local restaurants - Delray Beach has become a redesigned urban hotspot.

This charming destination is located alongside the Atlantic Ocean between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.  Known for its remarkable 2 mile calm beach waters, with the ocean blue as sapphire.  You might wonder how they keep the beaches so clean and pristine. Fear not! Delray Beach has a contract with a beach cleaning company to ensure that all visitors enjoy the perfect ambiance all year round.  Love to snorkel? Look no further as Delray Beach offers a 100 year old ship wreck known as the S.S. Inchulva Wreck.  It's actually now a reef habitat located close to shore for easy access. And, if you’re done with snorkeling with some sun left in your day, you can easily rent a sailboat from Rent a Hobiecat.

Which brings us to the main attraction, besides the beach. Food, of course!  Delray Beach has a medley of restaurants to choose from.  Some high end restaurants yes, but more mainstream is the popular Boston's On the Beach.  Here you can find local seafood and New England dishes like their signature Maine Lobster Roll Sandwiches.  Another favorite eatery, is Deck 84.  Popular for overlooking the gorgeous Intracoastal Waterway, this restaurant is a local favorite because it’s located in the heart of the dining district and offers the comfort of local seafood dishes like Fish and Chips and Smoked Fish Dip.

And after you've had your tanning and beach fix, there's still more to do!  One of South Florida's attractions is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.  Known for its natural and cultural highlights, this center offers 16 acres of Japanese Art and Culture Exhibits. It features the early 20th century settlers of the Yamato Colony of Japanese farmers, including over 7,000 pieces of artifacts and works of art.  And after the museum, you can enjoy a tranquil breeze in any one of the 6 Zen Gardens.  Here you'll find bamboo groves, bonsai trees, serenity ponds and even a rock garden.

Lastly for all who loves the outdoors, get ready to visit the Wakodahatchee Wetlands. While being a 50 acre man made ecosystem, the Wetlands is one of the regions gems.  It offers a 3/4 mile boardwalk, where visitors can appreciate all that nature provides.  The Wetlands is also home to various species of birds, frogs, turtles, and alligators.  Definitely a great and unique attraction for families and kids!

It's simple! If you're searching for a shopping, dining, beach and attraction destination?  Delray Beach is your next move.

To learn more about Delray Beach Homes or New Homes in Delray Beach, check out the Ultimate in Luxury Communities.   Visit GLHOMES.com for the latest updates on New Homes for Sale in Florida.