Vero Beach VS Naples | Sunrises or Sunsets
Swaying palms, a laid-back lifestyle, tropical breezes, and sandy shores…Florida is calling! We have buyers relocating to Florida every single day, and many are on the fence about which city to move to, so if you’re reading this article today, we think it’s safe to assume you are in the same situation! In our Sunrises or Sunsets blog, we take Florida’s most popular cities and compare them to our hometown, Vero Beach, to help YOU decide which city you should call home. Here are the Top 5 things to consider when choosing between Vero Beach and Naples.
1. Location! Location! Location!
Where the tropics begin… Vero Beach, Florida! Vero Beach is centrally located on the East Coast, with easy access to I-95 and under a 3-hour drive to all nearby major cities including Miami, Tampa and Orlando. The weather is warm year round with summer highs in the 90s. Vero Beach will get a few lucky cold days in the winter where you’ll experience the nights cooling down to as low as the 30s- giving you a few days of sweater weather!
Where you’ll find fine white “sugar” sand… Naples, Florida! Naples is located on the Southwest Coast of Florida, close to the Everglades. Naples is directly off I-75, which you can take to drive to major cities like Fort Lauderdale and Miami in under 3 hours. Naples also stays warm year round (no surprise there) with summer temperatures like Vero Beach. Winters will average a bit warmer because Naples is farther south, where you rarely see temperatures drop below 45 degrees even on the coldest winter nights.
2. Sky Above, Sand Below, and Peace Within
Vero Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean, which brings in cool breezes to our warm beaches and waves perfect for surfers. Locals tend to steer clear of the beach during the colder months, but you’ll find the beach hustling and bustling for most of the year. While the beaches are a favorite for locals, Vero Beach’s small town atmosphere means the beaches are never crowded and there’s always plenty of easily accessible free parking. So, if you’re looking for a nice open beach to enjoy peaceful sunrise yoga, Vero Beach is for you!
Naples is located on the Gulf of Mexico, which is warmer and calmer than the Atlantic. So don’t expect to take a cool dip in the summer, the water is like a warm bath. Because of the high population, beaches tend to be crowded and therefore harder to access with paid parking. But the beaches are the best place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the vivid sunset.
3. Population & Traffic
Vero Beach is a quiet beachside town with low traffic and population. As locals say, you can get to anything within 15 minutes. If you are looking for a lively, hustle and bustle feel, Vero isn’t the place for you.
Naples is a busy, active city with high traffic and population that increases during the snowbird season. If you are looking for hustle and bustle with a small city feel, Naples is the place for you.
4. Homes
Vero Beach offers a wide variety of housing styles from eclectic and beachy to contemporary to Mediterranean, anything goes. There is a 35 ft building height restriction so there are no skyrises (actually only one, The Spires, was grandfathered in). Homes and condos are located oceanfront, riverfront, on a golf course, acreage and everywhere in between. So whichever your lifestyle, you can find a home to fit your needs. Median home value is $330,000 which makes it still a very affordable place to live, especially for a beach town.
Naples has a luxe, Mediterranean feel blending earth tone stucco, barrel tile roofs and tropical landscape. Median home value is $545,000 with about 58% of housing being high-rise condos and large condo complexes.
5. Lifestyle
Vero Beach is known for its small town, relaxed atmosphere created by the community festivals, farmers markets and art gallery strolls. Locals love to buy farm fresh produce from farm stands, citrus groves and the farmer’s market. There are a variety of shopping options from eclectic boutiques in all price ranges to national retailers. Twice a month, the downtown and beachside streets are shut down for people to enjoy bands, dancing, and street vendors. There is a vibrant arts scene with an artist’s village, gallery strolls, art museum and professional theater.
Naples is infamous for its world-class shopping experience and high-end retailers, five-star dining, beautiful beaches and abundance of golf. Just like Vero, there is a vibrant art scene with numerous art venues, cultural events, theater, symphony, and festivals. This self-proclaimed Golf Capital of the World has over 80 championship golf courses.
We hope these key points about both cities help make your decision easier. If you want to learn more about Vero Beach, contact our Team!