Naples offers so much more than beautiful weather. It’s a haven for active retirees looking to fulfill a lifestyle that combines health and wellness and cultural experiences all with a touch of luxury.

Staying Active

The balmy year-round weather provides residents the opportunity to stay fit in many ways.

Also known as the pickleball capital of the world, the buzzing pickleball community in Naples is popular with the young and old alike. If picking up a pickleball paddle isn’t your style, there are over 90 golf courses within 15 miles of Naples to take advantage of.

Other ways to keep moving in Naples include walking or doing yoga on the beach, taking a hike at one of the many nature preserves, hitting the gym, or joining a cycling club. Whether you’re exploring a new fitness routine or perfecting your current game, the opportunities to stay fit and active in Naples are plentiful.

Indulging Your Inner Artist

Naples is home to a bustling arts scene. With the recent groundbreaking of the brand new Gulfshore Playhouse, the theater and arts scene in Naples is about to get a rapid expansion. The new state-of-the-art Baker Theatre and Education Center will be home to two performance venues, an education wing and space for other programming.

In addition to the brand-new facility, Naples hosts a flourishing art district, the Naples Art Institute, Artis – Naples and the Baker Museum. There is no shortage of options to indulge in your creative side while residing in Naples.

Culinary Delights

After spending a morning on the pickleball court or hitting the links, the locals refuel at one of the many gourmet restaurants in town. The Naples restaurant scene offers every cuisine imaginable. From high end options on 5^th Avenue South to a hidden gem off the beaten path, foodies can find a meal that will satisfy their cravings. The Naples waterfront offers several opportunities to dine with a water view where you can take in the sunset while enjoying your meal. From fresh catches of the day to a perfectly grilled filet, you are guaranteed to leave feeling refueled and relaxed.

Finding a Home in Paradise

There are many options when it comes to putting down your roots in Naples. Whether you prefer the privacy of a single-family home, or the convenience of a maintenance-free condo, there are multiple home styles to suit your taste and budget. Gulfstream Homes has been building custom, single-family homes for 25 years in Naples. Our experts can help guide you in the process of building a new home that meets your needs or renovating and remodeling an existing home to make it the perfect abode.

The Naples Promise

With the perfect blend of sunshine, activities, cultural experiences and gourmet restaurants, Naples is sure to deliver an unparalleled experience during retirement. When you are ready to embark on the next journey of your life, contact us at Gulfstream Homes to get started on the next steps!

The post Naples: An Active Lifestyle in Paradise first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Are you wondering what your lifestyle would be like if you moved to a luxury home in Golden Gate Estates? There are so many fun attractions within driving range of the neighborhood.

What Is There to Do in Naples, FL?

No matter how you like to spend your free time, you won’t run out of activities near your Golden Gate Estates home. Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular destinations for the community’s residents.

Plenty of Shopping

From unique boutiques to antique shops and everything in between, you’ll find all kinds of shopping to explore in Naples. From Waterside Shoppes where your designer dreams can come true, to the Village Shops on Venetian Bay and Coastland Center Mall, everyone is sure to find what they need. Each unique destination has a variety of shopping experiences for everything you and your new home may need.

Delicious Dining Options

Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night or a family get-together, there is no shortage of delicious eateries within close driving distance of Golden Gate Estates. Some nearby restaurants include:

• Traditional southern Cracklin’ Jacks
• Late night hotspot South Street City Oven
• Family-owned upscale establishment The Warehouse

These restaurants alone just go to show how eclectic and varied the dining scene is around Naples. The entertainment scene continues to expand with the new Founder’s Square and of course the Seminole Casino in Immokalee has been a community go-to for decades.

Entertainment for All Ages

When it comes to entertainment in Naples, a great place to start is with the many national parks and protected wildlife areas nearby. Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, the Naples Botanical Garden, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park are all great places to enjoy a hike or take in the beauty of the Everglades.

If you want to spend time cityside, get to know Naples through its many museums. The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples features all kinds of interactive exhibits for kids, and the Baker Museum is home to one of the largest art collections in southwest Florida, with 15 distinct galleries inside.

Create a Lifestyle You Love at Golden Gate Estates

Instead of asking, “What is there to do in Naples, FL?” you might as well ask, what isn’t there to do? At Golden Gate Estates, you’ll never run out of ways to explore, enrich, and enjoy. Learn more about what life could look like for you in Golden Gate Estates by contacting our Gulfstream Homes team.

The post Golden Gate Estates Living — What’s Within Driving Range? first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Areas like Golden Gate Estates, Pine Ridge Estates, Livingston Woods, Logan Woods, and others are the hidden gems of our area for those looking for a little elbow room. Gulfstream Homes has built numerous breathtaking homes in all of these areas and is here to share some pointers when considering these areas for your new home. Today we will focus on Golden Gate Estates. 

What Are the Benefits of Building a Home on Acreage?  

A lot of work goes into building a custom home and we want to ensure you get everything you want. Below are the main benefits to building a custom home on acreage in Golden Gate Estates area of Naples.   

Location Flexibility  

Purchasing land and building a custom home unlocks the possibility of living where you want in the home that you want. With a custom build, you can choose your lot size and location. You can decide how far away you want to be from neighbors. You can have easy access to in-town amenities while still having space to spread out when you choose communities like Golden Gate Estates in Naples. When you’re making decisions about your future home, there’s no reason to compromise — find all you’re looking for with a custom home build.  

The Golden Gate Estates area is growing rapidly. Homeowners are attracted not only to the affordable, oversized lots but also the top rated public schools and new retail and restaurant developments currently being built in the area. 

Privacy 

Designing your home on a large lot will allow you to have privacy and space from neighbors. Gulfstream Homes can help you strategically position your custom home on your lot to maximize privacy. 

Customization   

When you work with a professional to design a custom home, you have control over every aspect. You can personalize every detail to suit your lifestyle and preferences. Do you want a large master suite with a walk-in closet? Maybe you’d like a hidden room that adds a little magic to your home. You can begin to realize all your dreams for your floor plan by discussing them with your contractor.   

Potential 

Having extra land means down the road you can expand your homes footprint. Without having the restrictions of an HOA or other established community guidelines and rules you can add a guesthouse, pool, garage and other outbuildings. Having the flexibility to accommodate long term lifestyle plans means you can choose to become a car collector, buy a boat or build an in-law suite down the road without having to move or rent storage space. 

Warranty and Maintenance   

Your custom home will have many warranties that protect you from costly defects and repairs. And because most, if not all, of your appliances will be brand-new, you’ll have very little maintenance for the first few years.    

Living in the Lap of Luxury With a Custom Home from Gulfstream Homes   

Empowered with the knowledge of the potential benefits you stand to gain with a custom home, what’s next? For those wanting to live on spacious land like that found in Golden Gate Estates, turn to Gulfstream Homes. Our experts have chosen this idyllic community to build custom estate lot homes like the one you’ve been dreaming of. Call us today to talk to our experts and get started.  

The post Benefits of Building a Home on Acreage first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

At Gulfstream Homes, we help our clients make their dream homes a reality. While that sometimes means creating a blueprint from scratch, it can also mean using the floor plan of one of our custom estate homes.

Of course, all of our custom homes have unique benefits. However, the Leeward Home is a standout that offers an exceptionally high standard of living.

Key Features of the Leeward Home

The Leeward Home seamlessly combines comfort and luxury, with an expansive floor plan that includes plenty of space to spread out and relax. Some of the primary features included in the Leeward Home are:

• 5 bedrooms
• 5 ½ bathrooms
• Great room
• Dining room
• Study and VIP suite
• 3-car garage
• Outdoor dining and optional pool

As you can see, the Leeward Home has a lot to offer, with plenty of space for recreation, leisure, and enjoyment. In addition to these features, the Leeward Home includes a full kitchen and wet bar, a separate mudroom and laundry room, and a lanai, among other amenities.

As you’re designing your ideal home within the Leeward Home template, you’ll also enjoy comfortable pricing allowances for interior and exterior features:

• $30,000 for flooring and bathroom tile
• $10,000 landscaping and irrigation
• $35,000 for kitchen and bath cabinets
• $6,000 for plumbing

With these ranges, you can customize the Leeward Home and choose each fixture with care and consideration. Also, our team at Gulfstream Homes will be available to answer questions or provide suggestions throughout the planning and building process.

What Makes the Leeward Home Stand Out?

Why exactly does the Leeward Home stand out from other custom estate homes in Naples? At over 4,000 square feet, the Leeward Home is unique for its size alone. Every member of your family will have plenty of space to enjoy their privacy. At the same time, you’ll have a variety of enchanting areas to gather and spend time together.

Customizability is another significant factor that sets the Leeward Home apart. When you review the floor plan, you’ll see that many of the home’s features can be modified based on your preferences, including the pool, sun deck, fire pit, and wet bar.

Also, not only are there plenty of areas indoors to spend time, but the Leeward Home also prioritizes inviting outdoor spaces. This way, you can enjoy the beautiful Naples weather all year round and make the most out of your custom home.

For Next-Level Custom Estate Homes in Naples, Call Gulfstream Homes

Are you ready to create the custom home of your dreams in Naples? To learn more about the Leeward Home and our other custom designs, contact us today at Gulfstream Homes.

The post What Makes the Leeward Home Exceptional first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

More Privacy

Golden Gate Estates offers homes that tend to be more private, compared to other areas of Southwest Florida. This area offers a place to call home that’s a little off the beaten path…but not by much. Homes in Golden Gate Estates typically have a bit more land, as opposed to homes closer to town, making this a hot spot for first time home buyers who wish to have more privacy. Much thought of as country living, Golden Gate Estates offers first time home buyers a more private living experience, instead of being amongst the hustle and bustle of town, which is growing more crowded by the year.

Affordability

Another reason Golden Gate Estates is a perfect spot for many families and first time home buyers is the fact that homes located in this area are more affordable than those homes located closer to the water. Homeowners are more likely to get more for their money here than in other areas of Naples, and this surge in popularity has resulted in an increased growth of:

• Homes & neighborhoods

• Stores

• Schools

• Roads

• Commercial centers

• Offices

• Restaurants

With more residents occupying this area, the need for these various amenities continues to grow and increase yearly.

A Choice of Home Style

The neighborhoods in Golden Gate Estates range from single-family homes on large lots to planned developments, offering first time home buyers a choice of the type of home that they are looking for in Southwest Florida. Homes located in new developments are not only available at affordable prices, they are also new builds, making them highly sought-after with first time buyers. This is due to the fact that these homes are move-in ready and won’t require the expense and amount of work with renovations right away. This appeals to many first time buyers, drawing more and more of them to this area.

Why Golden Gate Estates?

Golden Gate Estates is tucked away, yet close enough to many highly desirable Naples activities. Have more privacy and enjoy a home that you choose, instead of a home that you can simply afford in town. With the continued growth of the area, there are also more employment opportunities emerging, so residents won’t have to travel far for work. Find the right style and location within Golden Gate Estates to call home and enjoy the peace and quiet that this area provides. Start your journey in Golden Gate Estates and discover the abundance of possibilities in this increasingly popular slice of paradise in Southwest Florida.

Gulfstream Homes is excited to announce its new entity, GH Builders, which aims to provide first time home buyers with a chance to find their perfect home in Golden Gate Estates! Get in touch with GH Builders today. Call (239) 451-6157 or visit www.ghbuildersnaples.com to learn more.

Get Started

The post Why First Time Home Buyers are Flocking to Golden Gate Estates first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Here’s your guide to Golden Gate Estates living.

About Golden Gate Estates

Located south of Immokalee Road and east of Collier Boulevard, the 172-square mile stretch, known as Golden Gate Estates, began welcoming residents over 50 years ago. Mixing the great outdoors with suburban living, Golden Gate Estates quickly stole of the hearts of many Southwest Florida residents, looking for a piece of Naples to call their own. Located close to Picayune Strand State Forest and other beautiful Florida favorites, Golden Gate Estates has its many perks that draw more and more residents to the area each year.

The Perks of Golden Gate Estates Living

For those looking to have a bit more freedom from the many rules of homeowner associations, Golden Gate Estates may be the place for you. There are many amenities, not found in other areas of Southwest Florida, including the ability to own two large animals per acre of property, like horses, llamas and alpacas. If you’re interested in the great outdoors, the hiking trails are plentiful. Picayune Strand State Forest offers two distinct trails, while Belle Meade Horse Trail provides over 65,000 acres of exploring. But perhaps the most coveted perk of living in Golden Gate Estates is the abundance of privacy not found in many other Naples neighborhoods.

Golden Gate Estates Homes & Lots

There are a variety of lot sizes and home types in Golden Gate Estates, ranging from small, single-family homes to larger, more ornate mansions. Many lots range from one to five acres, but some can go up to ten acres, and many homeowners choose to incorporate various upgrades to their properties, including:

• Pools
• Spas
• Guest houses
• Garages

ATVs and RVs are found on many properties as well. And many of the streets in Golden Gate Estates are dead end streets that end at a canal, perfect for those wanting that extra level of privacy.

Living in Golden Gate Estates

If you’re looking for a place that offers flexibility and privacy, Golden Gate Estates may be for you. Many homeowners gravitate toward this area for the sheer opportunity to customize their lot and build the perfect home for their needs. Golden Gate Estates is also in close proximity to some of the newest schools in Collier County, a library, fire station and shopping, which adds convenience to everyday life. Golden Gate Estates truly is a hidden Southwest Florida gem and we invite you to see it for yourself. It may just be the slice of paradise you’ve been looking for!

Our experts are ready to start building your Golden Gate Estates home. Call (239) 254-1664 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com for more information.

Contact Us

The post Your Guide to Golden Gate Estates Living first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.