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Why you should move to Naples, Florida

By
Real Estate Agent with MVP Realty

When i first found out that I was moving to Naples 13 years ago,  I went kicking and screaming.  I didn't want to go!  I heard about how snooty the people were and how expensive it is to live there.  Heck, the place we had in Port Charlotte was TWICE as big for HALF the price!!  I didn't get it - why is this place so expensive?  My first day on my new job, I had someone call me, yelling at me, saying, "Do you know who I am?? I am calling you from 5th Ave!?  Well, I didn't know what that meant, but I knew I was already ready to go back to Illinois.

It didn't take long, though, to realize what an exceptional place Naples, Florida is.  And I've met the most amazing people here.  People who have changed my life.  People who have made me the person I am today.  I've had the privilege of working and socializing with millionaires, billionaires, famous authors, actors, athletes, CEO's - some of the most intelligent and accomplished people in the world.  I've learned more from these people than anything I could of ever learned in school!

I must admit, when I first moved to Naples, I was pretty overwhelmed by the prestige of it all.  Where I grew up in Illinois, we said a prayer every time we tried to start our beat up old car.  In Naples, the high schools are filled with Mercedes, Lexus, Porches, Hummers and BMWs.  When our school went to State, we took the pep bus.  When a Naples school goes to State - they take private jets.  People pay cash for a $10 million dollar house in Port Royal - then tear it down and build a new one.

As it turns out, the people in Naples are not snooty, as I had heard.  They are some of the most generous people on the planet.  Last year's Naples Wine Festival charity event raised over $14 million dollars - in one weekend!!!  During the holidays, if you try to volunteer at a homeless shelter to serve dinner, chances are they may not need you because they already have to many volunteers.  Naples has a real sense of community, and when needed, the residents step up and help one another.

Even after almost 9 years of selling real estate, and selling properties over $7.5 million, I am still in awe of the beautiful luxury homes in Olde Naples, Aqualane Shores, Grey Oaks and Estuary at Grey Oaks, just to name a few.  I don't care how many luxury properties you show, it's still fun and exciting and I still act like I'm on MTV Cribs when I'm bored at my open houses!! 

Now, I can't imagine a time when I didn't want to be in Naples.  It truly is paradise.  People save for months to be able to spend a week here on vacation - and here I am, just a minute from one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, having dinner at a restaurant next to one of the most successful CEO's in the country!  Lucky me!!

 

 

 

Comments (5)

Ginny Lee
Americas Best Agents, Inc/Premiere Plus Realty, Inc - Naples, FL
CRS, Realtor, CDPE & ASP,Americas Best Agent,Naple

Hi Mindy...we should work as a team in Naples and help each other...I have been here since 1984 and Naples has been so good to me! I have sold so many homes and everyone I sell to becomes my friend for life!

I love Naples!

Nov 12, 2008 12:27 AM
Kevin McGourty
Realty ONE Group - Phoenix, AZ

You look like you can handle yourself --whether it is a formal dining affair or jeans and t-shirt.

Nov 12, 2008 09:16 AM
Anonymous
Mindy sylvester

Ginny - I would LOVE that.  We need to sell one another's listing soon!  Or maybe get together for lunch!?

Nov 13, 2008 01:00 AM
#3
Anonymous
Mindy Sylvester

Thanks Kevin - A girl's gotta be able to go from a hockey game to charity gala -voila!  Diversity is key!!

Nov 13, 2008 01:01 AM
#4
Anonymous
Ioana

You are absolutely right, Naples is beautiful! My mom lives there, and me and my husband want to move there also, asap! But it's not that easy. We have a business here that took years to build and we would have to start all over again (if we can start at all). Plus, real estate is so expensive there! We live in Michigan and have a beautiful home on Lake St Clair, but the winters are really long and cold and I can't stand it anymore. We go to Naples every chance we get and I get really depressed when we came back to Michigan.

Mar 31, 2009 09:06 AM
#5