Guide to Best Places to Retire in Florida
Best Places to Live & Retire in Florida
Our free Digital Retirement Guide and Ideal-Living Magazine offer an abundance of information on which states, towns and cities are the best for retirees, vacationers and second-home buyers. This includes retirement communities in Central Florida, as well as the panhandle and Southern Florida.
In Florida, we have many communities for which you can get all the information you need. You can compare locations within Florida as well as vacation and retirement communities all across the U.S. Our Ideal-Living Digital Magazine includes numerous articles such as the top travel destinations, tips on selling your home, and how to make the most of your retirement. Our Guide allows you to compare cities and communities on variables such as climate, population, home values, cost of living and the proximity of schools, hospitals and airports.
Besides its natural beauty and incredible coastline, Florida is one of the most tax friendly states for retirees and seniors. The tax benefits of living in Florida include:
- No state income tax
- No tax on social security benefits
- Permanent residents qualify for Homestead Exemption
- Seniors may qualify for additional property tax exemptions
Idyllic Communities in Ideal Locations
Prospective residents should choose a community that best fits their lifestyle. Some neighborhoods are only a short walk or ride away from bustling city centers. Others are closer to quieter, small-town shops.
We can help you find your ideal location to live and retire in the beautiful state of Florida. Our resources put all the information at your fingertips to make the best decision for you, including putting you in contact with representatives from the top retirement and resort communities in Florida, this includes FL Del Webb communities and Minto communities.
Sample Communities to Discover
Ave Maria
Ave Maria is an award-winning master-planned community that combines an active lifestyle with the charm and friendliness of a small town in the Gulf Coast region of southwestern Florida. The Collier County community encompasses multiple residential neighborhoods, schools, 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.
One of the best-selling communities in the nation, Ave Maria features a resort-style water park and two expansive community parks with picnic areas, sports fields, playgrounds, tennis, bocce and pickleball courts. Residents also have access to quality K-12 education, 100 miles of nature, hiking and biking paths, a dog park, a fitness center, 2 championship 18-hole golf courses, and much more.
Real estate options within Ave Maria include several family-friendly neighborhoods of homes in a variety of styles- from single-family homes to condominiums, plus the Del Webb Naples 55+ active adult community
On Top of the World Communities
Renowned for its beautifully crafted homes and vibrant, amenity-rich lifestyle, On Top of the World in Ocala, Florida, continues to set the standard for active adult living.
At On Top of the World, every day offers new ways to relax, connect, and stay engaged—whether that means prioritizing wellness, exploring lifelong learning, or enjoying a full calendar of social and recreational opportunities designed to keep both body and mind active.
Spanning more than 13,000 acres, this award-winning, master-planned community has been consistently recognized as one of the best places in the country to live. It appeals to active adults seeking thoughtfully designed homes, resort-style amenities, and a true sense of community. Nestled in the heart of Central Florida’s renowned horse country and near crystal-clear natural springs, On Top of the World offers the perfect balance of convenience and escape—close to everything, yet refreshingly different.
A glimpse of life at On Top of the World includes:
• Energy-efficient, concrete-block homes built for comfort, durability, and peace of mind
• Multiple neighborhoods offering single-family, maintenance-free, and luxury estate homes, including golf-front and preserve homesites
• Three championship, par-72 golf courses with professional instruction available
• More than 250,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities dedicated to wellness, recreation, and social connection
• A lively community town square featuring entertainment, fitness, dining, and lifelong learning opportunities
• And so much more to explore, experience, and enjoy
On Top of the World isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place to thrive.
Wildlight
Welcome to Wildlight
A town in nature
How do you describe a community that has so much to do, it’s become a destination in its own right? Wildlight calls it “a town in nature.” Where walkability and wellness make everyday life feel healthier, easier and more connected — whether you’re strolling to the supermarket or salon, taking a class at the Wildlight YMCA or scheduling appointments at UF Health, all right in the community. As for the nature part? You’ll find it in the 12+ miles of trailways weaving through the neighborhoods. The acres of preserved wetlands. And soon, access to the bluffs along the St. Marys River.
A place to call home
Wildlight offers multiple neighborhoods, each with a variety of single-family homes and townhomes. Of these, one is exclusive to 55+ active adults. Del Webb Wildlight is a gated 55+ enclave of thoughtfully designed single-story homes — all featuring luxurious details like chef-inspired kitchens, upgraded finishes and covered lanais. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to live close to Wildlight’s Village Center (or near family in the community’s other neighborhoods), while enjoying exclusive resident-only amenities. The hub of it all is the Horizon Club, where every day feels like a staycation, thanks to a resort-style pool (including lap lanes), pickleball courts, craft room, fitness and movement studio, dog park and more — there’s even an onsite restaurant. (“This is the life” might be a phrase you find yourself using frequently.)
An ideal location
Located in northeast Florida, Wildlight sits halfway between Amelia Island and Jacksonville — both under 30 minutes in either direction. Which means a day at the beach, a sporting event or the golf course is an easy drive. Making your schedule a question of “where to go” instead of “how to get there.”
A “try it first” opportunity
Relocating — or just moving in general — is a big decision. That’s why the Experience Del Webb program lets you try life in the neighborhood before making the leap. Spend three days and two nights in a beautifully furnished Del Webb Wildlight home. Get a guided tour of the homes and community. Then spend the rest of your time at Horizon Club, in the parks, on the trailways and pickleball courts, or at the Village Center.
Del Webb Wildlight features 16 floorplans priced from the $350s, with many homes available for move-in now.
Get Started
Finding and choosing the right active adult community can be a daunting task. This is where ideal-LIVING can help. Sign up below to receive our complimentary relocation package, which offers tips on how to find a community that suits your needs. In this guide, you’ll discover the top communities in Florida, as well as what you can do to get started. Sign up for this free package to take the first step in your exciting journey.
Free Package includes:
- ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide
The ultimate guide to find your ideal destination, life and home. This annual guide contains more than 15 state maps, a location-based cost of living and climate comparison chart and discovery travel packages.
- ideal-LIVING Magazine
Quarterly print magazine features the best places to retire and/or purchase your ideal second home.
- ideal-LIVING E-Newsletter
Receive our digital newsletter, two to three times a month, highlighting communities around the country and abroad.
- Tickets to ideal-LIVING Live Events
The ideal-LIVING Resort & Retirement Show has helped retirees and second-home buyers find their ideal community and home for more than 30 years.