Charlotte County Press Releases 
MONEY Magazine Names Port Charlotte, Florida,Top Place to Retire
Quality of Life in Southwest Florida is Attractive for Visitors of All AgesCHARLOTTE HARBOR & THE GULF ISLANDS, Fla. (September 16, 2009) – Affordable housing, miles of cruising waters and protected shoreline, quality medical facilities, and abundance of activities for all ages make Port Charlotte in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Florida, an attractive place to live and visit. MONEY magazine further validated the town’s high quality of life by naming Port Charlotte the “Best Place to Retire” in the country. The Cultural Center of Charlotte County for its variety of learning opportunities and Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park with its bird watching, hiking and kayaking opportunities were specific attractions mentioned in the article.
This is the first time Port Charlotte has received the designation and other towns in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands have received similar accolades from national media which attest to the attractiveness of the Southwest Florida region as a vibrant and vital vacation destination and place to live. Englewood was named as having the “Best Affordable Neighborhood to Retire” by NeighborhoodScout.com in July and one of the top 10 destinations to visit in 2009 by TripAdvisor.com. Punta Gorda was named as one of the “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report in September 2008, and one of the “Best Places to Live in the South” by MONEY magazine. Other recognitions the destination has collectively garnered over the years include SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States and “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” by Golf Digest.
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in September. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
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Contact:
Jennifer Huber
Tourism Public Relations Manager
Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau
Tel: (941) 743-1900
jennifer.huber@charlottefl.com
Charlotte Harbor Visitor
& Convention Bureau
18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-743-1900, FAX: 941-743-2245
www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com
Release Date: 9/15/2009
