Naples, Jupiter Named Among Nation's 'Happiest' Seaside Towns

The Florida towns of Naples and Jupiter named among the 15 happiest seaside towns by Coastal Living magazine.

The rankings were based upon nominations from Facebook along with towns highlighted over the past 15 years and rankings on Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index covering the percentage of sunny and clear days, healthiness of beaches, commute times, walkability, school and crime ratings, education and financial security of the locals, and geographic diversity.Finally, editors were polled for each communitys coastal vibe.

The Southwest Florida community of Naples landed in second place on the magazine's list, trailing only Kiawah Island, S.C.

With rich cultural offerings (including resident orchestral and theater groups), this town of just fewer than 20,000 people offers big-city payoffs minutes from beaches with some of the finest snowy white sand in the region, the magazine stated of Naples.

A strong arts community has kept the downtown scene as beautiful as the shoreline. Shopping mavens love to scout for antiques and artisan finds at Tin City, an open-air marketplace. Always a center for fresh seafood, the town has undergone a recent culinary boom. And with so much within reach of its neighborhoods, it's one of the most walkable cities on our list.

Jupiter in northern Palm Beach County is No. 9.

Life in Jupiter is easygoing and low-key, and yet there's access to plenty of luxury amenities, whether you're a visitor or a resident, the magazine stated.

On the down-home front, baseball devotees love the proximity to spring training -- both the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins train and play at Jupiter's Roger Dean Stadium. And tying it all together are those lovely Florida Atlantic Coast beaches -- long, broad and ranked consistently among the healthiest beaches on our list.