It’s the third year in a row that Naples, Florida and its surrounding metro area has been ranked the highest for well-being by the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index. Perhaps it’s the access to outstanding healthcare or the year-round sunshine; whatever is happening in Naples is good news for its residents.
This is the first time that one region has topped the well-being index for three consecutive years.
How the Index Gathers Data
The Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index has gathered data for more than three million health surveys worldwide. It grades well-being in populations and communities on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 representing low well-being and 100 demonstrating high well-being. There are five specific metrics that are examined in the United States: having a sense of purpose, having opportunities to be social, experiencing low financial stress, enjoying a sense of community, and, having good physical health and high levels of energy.
Naples and Its Well-Being Score
Naples scored a 67.6 for 2016-2017, which is higher than the previous year’s score of 66.3. This high score is remarkable not just because Naples has been at the top for the last three years, but also because there has been a serious decline in well-being in Florida and in the U.S. over the last year, which Naples has avoided.
Naples scored well in all five metrics that are measured by Gallup-Sharecare. One theory for this remarkable state of well-being is that the area attracts people who are physically, emotionally, and financially healthy already. Older active adults are generally higher on the scale of well-being than younger Americans, and the population of older residents in Naples is higher than the national average.
What Makes Naples Great?
According to The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, there’s no reason to be surprised by this. They cite a number of excellent reasons to live in Naples. It’s considered the best U.S. Metro Area for Job Growth by Forbes. With a list of great beaches, plenty of arts and culture, and an average temperature of 75 degrees, well-being is almost a given.
Naples is also part of the Blue Zones Project, a regional initiative to improve quality of life and maintain a high level of well-being. The project encourages healthy change and smart choices for all residents of Southwest Florida. This is a community-wide initiative that includes schools, businesses, places of worship, restaurants, retailers, and individuals. The goals are lower healthcare costs, better-informed residents, more productivity, and a happy, healthy way of living.
Living in Naples
Raise your hand if you want to live in Naples.
There are plenty of communities and neighborhoods that embrace well-being. Fiddler’s Creek is a master-planned community of 6,000 properties ranging in price from the high $100s to mid $2Ms. The residents in these single-family homes and attached condos observe wellness weeks, join fitness clubs, and enjoy social events, classes, and live music.
At Heritage Bay in North Naples there’s an emphasis on golf, tennis, art classes, and day trips. Riviera Golf Estates is designed for active adults, and has 700 condos and single-family homes for residents who enjoy getting to know their neighbors, participating in clubs, and meeting at the clubhouse for social activities and events.
