plan to visit naples area in september. want to buy a second home in the area, but looking for a small, quiet town that is clean and pretty. any suggestions?

I have read your question about ten times and it is still just as confusing. Have you ever been here (to Naples?). There are no small towns near here that fit your description. Naples is the small, clean, and pretty town. Other areas around it are either not clean and pretty (Immokalee or Everglades City), or not really towns but rather developments (Bonita or Marco), or else larger cities (Ft. Myers). What exactly are you looking for? A Naples ambiance without the high price tag?

I suggest when you visit in September you look around then. Otherwise, I can't imagine what to tell you. Are you sure you want to buy a second home here and why? If so, what is it you are looking for?

patrick,
we have never been to naples, but lived in the panhandle of florida for several years. plan to retire in southern florida. as i understand, naples is not a "small" town, as i know it. (my current small town is 14,000). we are visiting in september to see what the area has to offer, we visit different areas of florida a couple of times a year - we have "narrowed" our search to the south western part of florida. looking for a small, clean, quiet town. with low crime, minimal tourism, not sure what the "naples ambiance" is you're referring to. price tag??? so what is the average price for a 2-3 bedroom home or condo?

Let's start w/ the fact that Naples is probably one of the most expensive places to buy a 2BR or 3BR condo in all of Florida! Why don't you take a peek at www.realtor.com. You can search for specific areas. Or, contact a real estate agent & ask them to email you some current listings.
Patrick sums up the situation accurately.

There are 2 bedroom 2 bath condos available in the Naples "area" within 10 minutes of the center for $80,000. There are others available for $4,000,000. Take your pick. I still say there are no "small towns" in the Naples area. Old fashioned towns just don't exist in this area. The closest I can think of to what you mention is the remote and mosquito-infested Everglades City (which despite its name is definitely not a city). Even the little town of Bonita Springs no longer exists as a town. It is now miles and miles of golf course and condominium developments. Maybe in the center of the state -- Sebring area -- you'll find more of a small town atmosphere, but even that area is rapidly developing.