NewsCommunity Newspapers (Miami)October 27, 2026Miami-Dade County
First Responder Families Relocate to Ave Maria for Affordability and Community Pace
Photo: Community Newspapers (Miami)
Law enforcement families from Broward and Miami-Dade counties have relocated to the master-planned community of Ave Maria in Collier County to find affordable housing, new construction, and a family-oriented environment despite long commutes. The town offers various residential options, local schools, and extensive recreational amenities with home prices ranging from the low $200s to the $800s.
Read the full story at Community Newspapers (Miami)Why It Matters
The migration highlights how public safety employees on fixed salaries are finding attainable housing in Southwest Florida by accepting extended daily commutes ranging up to an hour and a half each way.
Key Facts
- First responder families from Broward and Miami-Dade counties have relocated to the community of Ave Maria in Collier County.
- Jeffery Foote commutes under 1.5 hours each way to Broward County, and George Trujillo commutes four days a week to Miami.
- Ave Maria features residential prices ranging from the low $200s to the $800s with builders including CC Homes, Del Webb Naples, Lennar, and Pulte Homes.
- The town features commercial centers with over 75 businesses, including a Publix Supermarket and a Mobil gas station.
- Local educational institutions serving residents include Palmetto Ridge High School, Ave Maria Elementary School, and Ave Maria Catholic Academy.
- On-site amenities include a water park, pickleball courts, soccer and baseball fields, fitness center, amphitheater, dog park, and walking paths.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationCC Homes“Residential builder in the Maple Ridge neighborhood”OrganizationAve Maria Elementary School“School in Collier County”locationSunrise“Former residence of the Foote family”OrganizationAve Maria Catholic Academy“School in Ave Maria”OrganizationMiami-Dade Sheriff's Office“Employer of George Trujillo”locationMaple Ridge“Neighborhood within Ave Maria”PersonAlaina Foote“Student at Ave Maria Catholic Academy”PersonGeorge Trujillo, Jr.“Student at Ave Maria Elementary School”locationHialeah“Former residence of the Trujillo family”OrganizationDel Webb Naples“Active adult community in Ave Maria”PersonAlexander Foote“Child attending local day care”otherBroward Sheriff's Office“Employer of Jeffery Foote”OrganizationMobil“Gas station located in Ave Maria”PersonGeorge Trujillo“Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office sergeant who moved to Ave Maria”OrganizationPulte Homes“Residential builder in Ave Maria”OrganizationLennar“Residential builder in Ave Maria”PersonDelilah Trujillo“Student at Palmetto Ridge High School”OrganizationPalmetto Ridge High School“School in Collier County”PersonKristin Foote“Resident of Ave Maria and wife of Jeffery Foote”OrganizationPublix Supermarket“Business located in Ave Maria”locationCollier County“County where Ave Maria is located”locationKendall“Former residence of the Trujillo family”locationAve Maria“Master-planned community in Southwest Florida”PersonJessica Trujillo“Resident of Ave Maria and wife of George Trujillo”PersonJeffery Foote“Broward Sheriff's Office road patrol sergeant who moved to Ave Maria”