Reasons to Buy a Home in Southwest Florida

GL Homes presents Valencia Trails in southwest Florida, which includes Estero, Cape Coral, Captiva Island, Everglades City, Fort Myers, Marco Island, Naples, Pine Island, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Sanibel Island. Officially, the region stretches along the gulf coast from south of the Tampa Bay area west of Lake Okeechobee to north of the Everglades. Southwest Florida covers the coastal counties of Manatee, Collier, Sarasota, Lee, Monroe, and Charlotte as well as three lesser island counties.

Why are so many looking for Naples homes for sale?

Naples has many sporting connections. It is a world-class golfing capital with more than 70 courses, plus stellar nature-oriented attractions. The Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and other major league baseball teams hold their spring training in areas around Southwest Florida

A Brief History of Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida was inhabited almost exclusively by the Seminole Indians until after the Civil War when settlers arrived to fish, hunt, ranch, and trap alligators. Trading posts in locations on Chokoloskee Island and in Everglades City served as their social and financial centers. Around the late 1880's, thanks to their natural beauty, fabulous weather, and bright sense of fun, Naples and Marco Island were the favored winter resort destinations for wealthy Northerners. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were both among the snow birds who wintered here. WWII introduced servicemen to Southwest Florida when the U.S. Army opened training facilities. Many veterans, loving the weather and lifestyle, later returned. In 1962, the county seat moved from Everglades City to Naples. This ushered in a new era of sustained growth in agriculture, tourism, and real estate that have made parts of Southwest Florida a robust area for continued development.