Summer in Naples is a not-so-secret delight. Consider:

The weather.  I know, it does get a tad warm, and there is an increase in humidity, and there are almost daily afternoon showers. But those are all the things I love.  The air is sensuous, and the Gulf is tropically warm and crystal clear. And those gigantic clouds that bring the afternoon showers push off into the Gulf, creating a dramatic backdrop for sunsets that will make your heart weep they are so stunning.

The beach. Everyone knows how perfect the Naples area beaches are.  In the summer they are even better. And during the summer months we are expecting an influx of beach visitors: the nesting loggerhead turtle eggs will soon hatch, bringing thousands of tiny sea turtles scrambling down the beach seeking the water. Godspeed little guys!

The driving. Zipping around town is actually possible – the zipping part – the traffic is e.a.s.y., and if you’ve ever driven down US 41, a.k.a. Tamiami Trail, a.k.a. “The Trail”, in mid-March you know what I’m sayin'….

The restaurants. You can pretty much walk into any of the many fine dining establishments in Naples, on any given evening and be seated right away – without a reservation.  Dining outside on a balmy summer evening is delightful, the air feels like satin.

The shopping. Whether exploring the Waterside Shops, Third Street South, or 5th Avenue South, the store owners and clerks are thrilled to see you and enjoy taking care of their summer customers. Oh, and the sales are fabulous!

The flowers.  The Royal Poinciana tree’s huge red blooms remind me of 4^th of July rockets exploding. Cruising around neighborhoods like Old Naples, The Moorings, Park Shore and Port Royal is a visual treat. There are flowers everywhere – the shrubs, the trees, the lawns – such a bunch of show-offs. Gauguin would be inspired.

There is not a day that passes that I don’t feel lucky to live in such an extraordinarily beautiful place.

By: Jackie Perrett

NASA researchers fear boredom. The risks and challenges of distant space travel go beyond technology. The journey to Mars would take more than 8 months each way. Which means the astronauts would get bored -- and boredom is one of the biggest threats to a manned Mars mission.

Boredom, it turns out, is a form of stress. It’s the mirror image of having too much to do. Scientists understand that chronic boredom correlates with depression. My anecdotal observation is that many people considering retirement are terrified of becoming bored. I get it. There are only so many hours I can play golf and bridge. Which is why I have found Naples to be the perfect place to live during my “next chapter.”

I’ve traveled around the globe, and can’t think of another place that offers the diversity of opportunities in which to be engaged – in almost any pursuit. Intellectual, artistic, culinary, athletic, natural, spiritual, philanthropic, educational opportunities abound in Naples. There simply isn’t a day that there isn’t something enticing to do.

There is also every opportunity to simply do nothing. Which has its own wonderful appeal. Knowing there is so much available to do – even if you chose to do nothing – is in its own way, blissful.

BY: Jackie Perrett

Naples has once again ranked at the top of the annual Gallup-Healthways survey for being the top U.S. metro city for overall health and well-being. The survey found that Naples, Florida area beat out all other cities for its residents having the most positive outlook and healthiest lifestyle in the entire country.  It seems our folks enjoy healthy diets, low rates of depression, less stress and more financial security. The survey also indicated that Naples residents are happy with their social lives, like where they live and feel secure and supported in their community.

This news came as no surprise to me, and helps explain why helping people find their perfect place in Naples is a joy.

www.well-beingindex.com

BY: Jackie Perrett

10. Naples enjoys an average high temperature of 85 degrees, and an overall average low of 64 degrees...we LOVED last winter...how about you?

9. The Revs Institute has one of the ten best automobile collections in the world (Hemmings Daily)…Varoom!

8. The largest U.S. subtropical wilderness is our backyard…hiking, birding, kayaking…heaven!

7. 1,000+ arts and cultural events each year…all are fun, and many are free.

6. Second most golf holes per capita in the country with about 90 (!!) courses in Collier County…Fore!

5. Naples is literally “A Breath of Fresh Air,” receiving an A+ for fresh, clean air according to the American Lung Institute.

4. Ranking second in the “Best Beach Town Housing Market” special report by Realty Trac, and Naples beach parking is free for county residents.

3. Naples is a foodie haven…Conde Nast Traveler Magazine reader poll ranked Naples in the Top 20 for all U.S. cities with best dining options…yum!

2. Live Long & Prosper! Longevity for men ranks in the Top Ten nationally for Collier County (Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation).

1. We are personally thrilled that Collier County’s women enjoy the “Highest Female Life Expectancy Nationally,” (Institute for Health Metrics & Evaluation, National Geographic).

By:  Jackie Perrett

A screenshot of my phone today...need we say more?

When I drive clients around town they often comment on how surprised they are to see such a young and vital looking population -- walking on the beaches, dining in the restaurants, biking along the streets. The idea of Naples being an “old retirement” community is outdated. Sure there are plenty of people who are retired (whatever that means) and there’s no shortage of gray hair (including mine), but what we have here is a vibrant and healthy group of people – regardless of their chronological age.

And we’re not resting on our laurels. Naples is becoming a Blue Zones Community. The Blue Zones Project began as a New York Times bestseller by National Geographic Fellow, Dan Buettner, and has evolved into a global movement that is inspiring people to live longer, more active lives with lower rates of chronic disease.

From Sardina, Italy to Okinawa, Japan to Loma Linda California, people are living vibrant active lives well into their hundreds. Buettner calls these areas Blue Zones and they’re the inspiration behind his book:  The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest. The evidence based research among the places with the highest life expectancy includes the following nine common denominators – called the Power 9:

1. Move Naturally. This is easy to do in Naples, the climate encourages regular outdoor activity.

2. Purpose. Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to 7 years of extra life expectancy.

3. Down Shift. Reduce your stress. Watching a glorious Naples sunset is just the ticket.

4. 80% Rule. Stop eating when your stomach is 80% full -- challenging with so many great restaurants in Naples!

5. Plant Slant. Eat more fruits and veggies - most of Naples fine eateries have healthy menu options that make this a piece of cake…er, carrot cake.

6. Wine @ 5. Enjoy a glass of wine with good friends each day.

7. Belong. Research shows that most centenarians participate in a faith-based community.

8. Loved Ones First. Making your family a priority is easier when you live in Naples – they want to come visit!

9. Right Tribe. The world’s longest living people live in circles that support healthy behaviors. Welcome to Naples!

By: Jackie Perrett