by Robert Borges on December 6, 2022
Founded in 2005 around the Ave Maria Oratory Church, Ave Maria is a census-designated place in Collier County, FL. As the fastest growing community in Southwest Florida and “small town” all its own, Ave Maria sits on the edge of the Everglades National Park and is anchored by Ave Maria University—a Catholic liberal arts college.
Home to an abundance of businesses, shops, restaurants, schools, healthcare facilities, and world-class golf courses, it’s easy to see the popularity of Ave Maria homes for sale in one of the country’s fastest-selling communities. Residents are treated to annual events like the Winter Festival, Blues Brews & BBQ Festival, Margarita & Taco Festival, regular trolley tours, arts and craft festivals, and farmers markets.
Near the Gulf Coast, and within proximity of desirable Florida cities like Naples, Fort Meyers, Bonita Springs, and Miromar Lakes, people interested in living near this region of Southwest Florida can enjoy beautiful beaches, boating and fishing, museums, performing arts venues, and cultural events.
Keep reading to learn more about Ave Maria itself, as well as a few of the best communities near Ave Maria.
Ave Maria: A Master-Planned Community
When creating a list of top communities in Ave Maria, Florida, there’s only one place to start: Ave Maria! Comprising the Southwest Florida town itself and providing its namesake, it’s the fastest-growing master-planned community in Collier County. Combining an active lifestyle with the charm and friendliness of a small town in the Gulf Coast region of The Sunshine State, Ave Maria encompasses multiple residential neighborhoods, K-12 schools, a renowned university, a town center with shopping and dining, office space, business parks, and recreational amenities. Located 20 minutes east of Interstate 75 near Naples, Immokalee, and Bonita Springs, Ave Maria includes family-friendly neighborhoods, 55+ exclusive neighborhoods, homes constructed by award-winning builders, a resort-style water park, two championship golf courses, and so much more.
Other Florida Communities Close to Ave Maria
Within just 10 miles of Ave Maria, SkySail is one of Collier County’s newest lifestyle communities in Naples, FL. Featuring low maintenance living among 246 acres of crystal-clear lakes, amenities include a lake house, fitness center, resort pool, tennis and pickleball courts, fishing pier, kayak launch, walking trails, and a dog park. Just a stone’s throw from Ave Maria, SkySail personifies Florida living with nearby championship golf courses, shopping and dining of Fifth Avenue South, and easy access to Gulf beaches.
Another community in Naples, this one is approximately 30 miles from Ave Maria. This country club community is highlighted by two Tom Fazio-designed golf courses, a private beach club at nearby Bonita Beach, an upscale Mediterranean-style clubhouse, and a multifaceted sports club anchor this Florida Gulf Coast community. The nearly 2,000-acre gated community has 950 homesites and more than 1,000 acres of open space, lakes, parks, and nature preserves. Recreational amenities include swimming and fitness facilities, clubhouse dining, tennis courts, and walking and biking trails.
Verandah is a private golf course community located along the Orange River in Fort Myers, 40 miles from Ave Maria. Verandah's River Village social and recreation complex features a full-service golf clubhouse, tennis courts, a day spa and fitness center, a junior Olympic swimming pool and a riverside dining and event facility. The community also includes a canoe and kayak launch on the Orange River with free use of kayaks. Sweetwater Landing and other nearby marinas provide access to boating and fishing on the Caloosahatchee River, which flows west through Fort Myers and Cape Coral into the Gulf of Mexico.
Grandview at Bay Beach in Fort Meyers Beach, FL
Another luxury gated community near Ave Maria, this one named for its panoramic views of Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Grandview at Bay Beach features 58 waterfront condominiums on the southern tip of Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The community’s contemporary, 11-story complex offers two- and three-bedroom residences with private elevator access, along with a club room, fitness center with yoga studio, catering kitchen, and lanai with a bar. Outdoor amenities include a resort-style swimming pool and spa, an entertainment area with barbecues and fire pits, walking and jogging trails, and four lighted tennis courts.
Explore more communities near the Gulf Coast in Southwest Florida here.
