East Naples - Naples, FL

Founded in the 1880s, the area's name derived from Naples, Italy, due to its tropical climate and abundant fish. Major development in the area began in 1927 after the railroad was built to run through East Naples. In 1996, an incorporated plan extended the area to reach the Gulf of Mexico and the Bay of Naples.

Once home to the Caloosa Indians, Naples was purchased by Walter N. Haldeman, the owner of the Louisville Courier-Journal. The area became known as a popular winter resort, due to its extremely mild year-round temperatures. Locals frequent the Gallery on Fifth, an international art museum with a focus on Russian fine art. With changing exhibits that showcase the finest European artists, the museum is an educational and artistic gem. The museum sells a number of educational books and remains open seven days a week.

Locals adore Goldies Restaurant located on Taylor Road. Known for the flavorful biscuits and gravy, Goldies also makes a peanut butter and marshmallow sauce that visitors deem irresistible. The waffles, another popular breakfast meal here, come highly recommended. Hash browns and toast complement all breakfasts well. If you prefer to come for lunch, try the cheeseburger with a side of fries. With plentiful portions and a small price tag, Goldies is a local favorite.

Serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch, Skillet's Sunrise Cafe sits on Airport Pulling Road as a neighborhood staple. Known for the potato egger skillet consisting of eggs, potatoes, and bacon, the establishment also gets praise for the pecan French toast. Wash down your meal with the renowned Guatemalan coffee. Skillet's even provides gluten-free choices. With a friendly staff and pristine cleanliness, Skillet's offers a unique dining experience. For a social scene with live music, locals love visiting Pelican Larry's Raw Bar and Grill. With high-ranking seafood, the fish sandwich and raw oysters come highly recommended. Sports bar during the day and dance club at night, this venue accommodates a variety of crowds. Every Wednesday is Ladies Night, which includes DJ entertainment. Locals also frequent Locomotion, a traveling local company that plays popular dance music all night long. With top-shelf liquors and a hype crowd, this proves to be the perfect spot for a night out on the town.

Though many residents choose to commute via their own vehicles, Collier Area Transit (CAT), the area's public transportation system, gets utilized quite often. With a superior bus service, CAT operates daily with the exception of some holidays. A single ticket costs $1.50. With a number of convenient routes, a bus transfer only costs $0.75. The bus transports people to locations such as the library, Chamber of Commerce, or other local businesses. Weekly and monthly passes are available.

Many residents do walk to their destination, as East Naples ranks as one of the safest neighborhoods in the state. Cab services, such as Uber and Lyft, accommodate locals as needed, though costs for these services tend to be a bit pricier than using the public transit option. Biker friendly, the neighborhood provides over 30 miles of biking trails as well as cycle-friendly roadways.

A number of parking structures can be found in East Naples along 8th Street, Hickory Boulevard, and South Collier Boulevard. Parking meters sit along Enterprise Avenue, Progress Avenue, and Appleby Drive. Meters cost $0.25 per 10 minutes or $1.50 per hour. City Hall provides residents with free annual beach parking permits.

Major highways including I-75, 41, and 29 remain easily accessible from this area.

Perhaps the most popular park in the area, East Naples Community Park houses skateboarding, pickleball courts, and athletic fields. Located on Thomasson Drive, the park also has eight lit tennis courts, a roller hockey rink, two basketball courts, picnic areas, a senior center, and a lit playground. With camps and after school programs, East Naples Park brings about a sense of community. Both kid- and dog-friendly, admission remains free, but programs require a fee.

Sugden Regional Park has a 60-acre lake, making this an ideal spot for water sports. With a lakeside beach, the park provides paddle boating, water skiing and sailing options. The park has pavilions and picnic areas as well as a playground and walking path around the lake.

Every March, Sugden Park hosts SUG Shenanigans on the Lake Special Needs Regatta, which consists of sailing and racing for those with special needs. All participants receive a T-shirt, prize and dinner. Tickets sell for $35 per person.

The cost of living in East Naples runs 58 percent higher than the Miami average and 68.6 percent greater than the national average. For an individual traveling to the city center via public transportation, it costs about $1.50. Gas prices run 4.1 percent higher than the national average. Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment runs approximately $1,100 per month.

A beer at a local pub costs between $3 and $6 depending on whether you order a domestic, imported, or hand-crafted beer. Most local bars and restaurants host daily happy hour specials. Known for having one of the best happy hours in the area, Larry's Raw Bar & Grill serves beer specials daily.

Locals frequent Bealls Department Store, which carries items for men, women, children, and babies. The merchandise includes clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. The store even has a juniors and plus-size department. Open seven days a week, Bealls Department store often runs excellent sales for both in-store and online customers.

A beloved shop in the area, Lux Boutique carries contemporary clothing for women. Lux Boutique encompasses comfort and superior customer service beautifully, always staying in top of the latest trends. Ladies can find their ideal outfit here, everything from dresses to shoes. Also a big hit with the locals, Julie's of Naples serves as a high-end clothing boutique. The shop carries an array of designer brands, including Dunes and Suzy Toronto.

For basic grocery needs, locals shop at Bravo Supermarket. Whether you need basic home supplies, fresh produce, or meats, you can find it here for a great price. Locals also love Asian Depot. The establishment carries authentic, hard-to-find products. Every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the area's farmers market takes place at the Collier County Government Complex.