Best Places to Retire in in Florida
Best Places to Retire in Florida
Florida, the Sunshine State, is a top retirement destination for many reasons. With its warm climate, diverse communities, and abundance of recreational opportunities, it's easy to see why so many retirees choose to call Florida home. Explore the best places to retire in Florida and find the perfect community for your retirement.
Why Retire in Florida?
Retiring in Florida offers numerous advantages that make it an appealing choice for many retirees.
Warm Weather
Florida's year-round warm climate allows you to enjoy outdoor activities any time of the year, making it perfect for those who love the sun.
No State Income Tax
Florida's tax-friendly environment is a significant draw for retirees. With no state income tax, you can make the most of your retirement income.
Beautiful Beaches
With over 1,300 miles of coastline, Florida is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and water sports in stunning locations.
Vibrant Cultural Scene
From Miami's Art Deco district to Orlando's world-famous theme parks, Florida offers a rich cultural scene with something for everyone.
Top Cities to Retire in Florida
Sarasota
Sarasota, located on Florida's Gulf Coast, is known for its cultural amenities and beautiful beaches. With a vibrant arts scene and numerous outdoor activities, Sarasota is a popular choice for retirees.
Highlights:
- Stunning beaches and waterfront parks
- Rich cultural scene with theaters and museums
- Excellent healthcare facilities
Naples
Naples, situated in Southwest Florida, is renowned for its upscale living and beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. The city offers a high quality of life with plenty of recreational opportunities.
Highlights:
- Pristine beaches and world-class golf courses
- Upscale dining and shopping
- Abundance of outdoor activities
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, known for its pleasant weather and vibrant arts community, is a fantastic place to retire. The city offers a mix of urban living and beach relaxation.
Highlights:
- Beautiful waterfront parks
- Thriving arts and culture scene
- Numerous recreational activities
Orlando
Orlando is famous for its theme parks, but it also offers excellent amenities for retirees. With a lower cost of living and a variety of entertainment options, it's a great place to settle down.
Highlights:
- World-class theme parks and attractions
- Diverse dining and entertainment options
- Affordable living
Best Small Towns to Retire in Florida
Venice
Venice, located on Florida's Gulf Coast, is a charming town known for its beautiful beaches and friendly community. It's a great place for retirees who want a relaxed lifestyle.
Highlights:
- Gorgeous beaches and scenic downtown
- Vibrant arts and culture scene
- Friendly and welcoming community
The Villages
The Villages is one of the largest retirement communities in the world, offering a wide range of amenities and activities for retirees. It's a self-contained town designed for senior living.
Highlights:
- Numerous recreational activities and clubs
- State-of-the-art amenities and facilities
- Active and engaging community
Safest Places to Retire in Florida
Safety is a top priority for many retirees. These Florida towns are known for their low crime rates and secure environments.
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, located on the Gulf Coast, is a safe and serene town known for its waterfront living and beautiful parks. It's a great place for retirees seeking peace of mind.
Highlights:
- Low crime rates
- Scenic waterfront areas
- Active community with numerous events
Palm Coast
Palm Coast, situated on Florida's Atlantic Coast, offers a safe and peaceful environment with plenty of amenities for retirees. The town is known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities.
Highlights:
- Safe and secure community
- Abundance of parks and nature trails
- Friendly and welcoming residents
Safest Places to Retire in Florida
Find Your Ideal Retirement Community in Florida
Wildlight
A new kind of Lowcountry Living
You might say that Wildlight is where the beachy vibe of Amelia Island and the culture of Jacksonville meet in the middle—with each destination a mere 20 minutes in either direction. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a community that focuses on both walkability and wellness—where a short stroll or bike ride can lead you to your favorite ice cream shop, hair salon, burger spot, or Publix supermarket. And a UF Health and YMCA are right in the neighborhood.
We’re now selling at Del Webb Wildlight, a special place within this unique community for residents 55+. This gated neighborhood features luxury single-story, low-maintenance homes starting in the $300s, along with a dedicated clubhouse, private resort-style pool, and more.
Don’t miss our remaining houses, from townhomes to single-family options, in Forest Park and Founder’s Park neighborhoods. Be sure to check out our latest neighborhood, Hawthorn Park, where Pulte Homes is about to begin selling bungalows and village homes.
A town, in nature
You’ll find that what has been preserved at Wildlight is every bit as important to the community as what has been developed. Over 10 miles of scenic nature trails wind through neighborhoods and take you into the town center. And hundreds of acres of the community have been set aside for permanent conservation—with wetlands, parks, and trails putting the great outdoors steps from your front door.
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
Telaro at Tradition
If you’re an active adult looking for an age-55+ community in Florida, Telaro at Tradition in Port St. Lucie might be the perfect place for you.
Industry leader Mattamy Homes is building Telaro at Tradition, which will eventually include more than 400 luxury single-level residences. All are being constructed to the highest energy-efficient standards and offer a variety of customizable options. Comfortable villa designs in the Serenity Collection offer nearly 1,900 square feet of living space. Suppose you need a larger single-family home for visiting family and friends. In that case, the Tranquility Collection features four distinctive floor plans, while the Oasis Collection homes offer three large bedrooms with three full baths.
While part of the growing Tradition master-planned community, Telaro residents have their own private clubhouse, poolside cafe and market, fitness center, and courts for tennis and pickleball. In addition, Telaro homeowners have direct access to the Tradition community’s unique T Trail, a 20-mile multimodal network with dedicated paths for walking and biking, plus South Florida’s first autonomous shuttle service. Tradition also features a variety of on-site dining, entertainment, and lifestyle amenities, including top-rated healthcare services at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital. The lively Port St. Lucie area offers retail shopping, championship golf courses, and waterways just outside the gates for scenic sunset cruises.
Find out if Telaro at Tradition is the destination you’ve always dreamed of by requesting more information below.
Shell Point Retirement Community
THE BEST PLACE TO BE
Shell Point® is an award-winning lifecare retirement resort located along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida just minutes from Sanibel Island and the Gulf of Mexico. When you retire at Shell Point, you have the comfort of knowing that your needs will be taken care of – both now and in the years to come.
RECREATION FOR EVERYONE
Shell Point offers an unparalleled lifestyle in an unparalleled waterfront setting. For those who enjoy exploring Florida’s waterways, there’s boating, fishing, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing. For sport and fitness fans there is Shell Point’s championship golf course, four Har-Tru tennis courts, five pickleball courts, a bocce court, fitness centers with trained professionals and four heated swimming pools. Nature lovers will enjoy the boardwalks, bridges, bike paths and miles of walking trails. Residents who are interested in gardening enjoy individual garden plots, a lovely rose garden, and a fully-equipped orchid greenhouse and a butterfly garden.
ARTFUL LIVING
No other community offers the variety of outlets for creativity and personal expression that are available at Shell Point. Shell Point provides extensive craft and hobby facilities, including a complete woodworking shop, lapidary room, train room for miniature train enthusiasts, digital photography lab, modern pottery and ceramics studio, and an art studio with classes for beginners as well as advanced artists in a variety of media. Performing arts are enjoyed through choral ensembles, a jazz band, and multiple musical groups for participants at all levels.
DISCOVER SHELL POINT
Discover for yourself what residents of Shell Point already know – that Shell Point is the perfect place for retirement living – all in a resort-style setting. Shell Point offers private appointments with a tour of the community. Schedule your visit by calling (239) 466-1131, press 1 for Sales.
WaterSong at RiverTown
WaterSong offers a truly unique take on active 55+ living. As a charmingly styled and self-contained neighborhood, WaterSong is designed in harmony with the rest of master-planned RiverTown. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind setting on the banks of the St. Johns River, with gently lapping waves and ancient oaks beckoning you for a kayak ride, pier fishing session or amphitheater concert.
Two separate amenity complexes — RiverHouse and RiverClub — offer fitness, dining, social and recreational options, with pools, playgrounds, parks and trails galore. WaterSong also has its own exclusive, resort-style amenity center featuring a fitness center, social room, pool, hot tub, fire put, pickleball court, events lawn and more — plus a full-time activities director to lead the fun.
Within this gated, low-maintenance community, you can choose from thoughtfully designed villas or single-family homes. Our splendid variety of exterior styles and convenient features make everyday living more spacious, stylish and fun.
Latitude Margaritaville Watersound
Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is located on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast between Pensacola and Panama City. It is just off of the Scenic Highway 30A corridor that runs along 20 miles of coastline with views of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound offers a unique living environment with access to the Intracoastal Waterway. This area, with its many small coastal towns, is the embodiment of the relaxed, beachy vibe that is at the heart of the Latitude Margaritaville lifestyle. There also are many outdoor recreational activities, ranging from boating and deep-sea fishing to hiking, biking, golfing and more. A full range of lifestyle components is nearby, including an enticing array of dining, shopping, entertainment, cultural and recreational opportunities as well as service businesses, medical offices, hospitals and more. The community’s initial phase is anticipated to include approximately 3,500 homes. The master-planned community, inspired by the legendary music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, features four distinct home collections – the Conch Cottage Collection, Caribbean Villas Collection, and the Beach and Island Collections of single-family homes. Floor plans range from 1,210 to 2,568 square feet under air.The casual-luxe Vista Collection was recently added to the single family collection. These homes feature two floors and are exclusively situated on the Intracoastal Waterway. Floor plans range from 3,095 to 4,048 square feet under air.
K. Hovnanians Four Seasons at Orlando
K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Orlando is a 55+ community in Kissimmee, Florida. This active adult community is situated within the 600-acre Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club, offering a championship golf course, recreation, and an array of amenities and activities.
Residents of K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Orlando enjoy exclusive amenities and resort-style living year-round. Planned amenities include a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse with a swimming pool, fitness center, a card room, arts & crafts room, and more. There are plenty of ways to stay active outdoors, with an abundance of sidewalks for walking, tennis, and pickleball courts.
This ideal location offers easy access to major roadways, shopping, dining, theme parks, and the entertainment attractions of Orlando. Everyday conveniences such as grocery stores, cafes, and healthcare facilities are just down the street in the prestigious town of Celebration. Homebuyers may choose from 5 low-maintenance home designs with up to 2,445 square feet.
Wellen Park
Imagine more fun times at Wellen Park. From boutique shops to live music, all-day eateries to stunning sunsets, there are hundreds of ways to brighten your days. With beautiful residences and awesome amenities – not to mention amazing residents – each neighborhood is crafted so that the well life reigns supreme. Wellen Park is a vibrant community where everyday fun flourishes and the spirit of wellness thrives. That’s why living at Wellen Park truly feels like your best day ever, every day.
We invite you to stop by the Wellen Park Welcome Center to learn more about the community. One of our brand ambassadors will meet with you to answer questions and guide you through interactive touchscreen kiosks that display neighborhood amenities, home plans, Downtown Wellen shopping and dining, and regional attractions.
Babcock Ranch
All towns aren’t created equal. In fact, most towns aren’t created at all. They just happen. The decade of careful planning that preceded the first turn of a shovel at Babcock Ranch is just one of the countless ways Babcock Ranch sets itself apart. With a seamless melding of modern technology and timeless hometown charm – all nestled within expansive natural spaces – America’s first solar-powered town provides a whole new way of life.
Lakewood Ranch
Live the Florida lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of—with 20+ villages, each featuring distinctive homes, amenities, and features, Lakewood Ranch is designed to support every aspect of your life. New homes include townhomes, condos, attached villas, single-family homes and estates, with prices from the $300s to over $1 million.
We set out to build a community that is more than just the homes it’s made up of. Here you’ll find all the shopping, dining, entertainment, education, healthcare, nature, and recreational options you could want to make the most out of every day. And the best part is that it’s all already here. You don’t have to envision it—you can simply start living it.
Our 48% open space plan and mixed-use component work together to provide each village on The Ranch with easy access to parks, trails, and recreational opportunities like three town centers, a sports campus featuring pickleball, Sarasota Polo Club and The Farmers’ Market.
Just beyond our backyard you can enjoy Sarasota’s white sand beaches and arts scene, Tampa’s sports teams, and quick access to four airports.
ideal-LIVING has named Lakewood Ranch Best Health and Fitness Community and Best Golf Community. Lakewood Ranch has also earned the spot as the #1 best-selling community in the U.S. for all ages for six years running.
Come explore Florida’s favorite place to call home. LakewoodRanch.com
What to expect at The Ranch:
• 20+ villages, 1 is 55+
• 3 town centers & 8 neighborhood shopping plazas with Publix Grocery stores
• 150 miles of multi-surface trails
• 10,000+ acres of lakes, parks, and preserves
• 60+ clubs and groups
• Over 200 shops and eateries
• 13 community parks
• 162 holes of golf
• 32 courts for racquet sports
• A-rated schools & higher education campuses
• Sarasota Polo Club
• Farmers’ Market voted #1 in Florida
• Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club
• 22 fields at Premier Sports Campus
• Sights and Sounds Performing and Fine Arts Series
Ready to discover it? Great. Request more information below to receive discovery tour packages
and specials. You won’t know until you go!
Latitude Margaritaville Daytona
With 23 miles of sun-soaked shoreline and endless entertainment, Daytona Beach is a place where every day feels like an escape. Now you can claim a piece of paradise at Latitude Margaritaville-Daytona Beach, the 55-and-better community where fun and relaxation meet.
Just seven miles from the shore, Latitude Margaritaville-Daytona Beach is a master planned community that allows you to make the most of your time. Enjoy the cabanas at the expansive Paradise Pool, with a poolside bar and grill, or take the free shuttle to the private beach club, with front row seats to the Atlantic Ocean. At Latitude Town Center, you’ll find the fully outfitted fitness center, a relaxed restaurant and bar, a theater, and a bandshell in the middle of the town square, where live music and dancing is a fixture of the night life. And just outside the community gates is a 200,000-square-foot retail space for all your shopping needs.
There are three different home collections at Latitude Margaritaville-Daytona Beach; the new construction, single-level cottages, villas, and single-family homes each come in a variety of floor plans to give you the space you’re looking for. Villas and single-family homes come with a large lanai, where you have the option of installing a pool, whereas cottages have porches that can be screened in.
Life in Daytona Beach is as vibrant and fun as the residents at Latitude Margaritaville. The Daytona International Speedway keeps your adrenaline pumping, while the myriad of festivals, celebrating everything from art and music to motorcycles and Jeeps, create a real sense of community. At Latitude Margaritaville-Daytona Beach, life is easy, neighbors are friends, and the party never ends.
The Isles of Collier Preserve
Final Phase Now Selling! Limited opportunities remain to buy a new home at The Isles.
Nestled within a pristine natural setting just minutes from Downtown Naples, Florida's preeminent new home builder is creating a colorful update of classic coastal living. Inspired by the timeless architecture and traditions of Old Naples, elegant new Minto homes overlook miles of scenic kayak and hiking trails. With over half of the 2,400 acres dedicated to lakes, nature preserves, and natural habitat, combined with outdoor-inspired amenities, The Isles of Collier Preserve is an extraordinary new active adult gated community where the magic of Old Naples and unspoiled nature still coexist.
Enjoy all aspects of an active lifestyle influenced by wellness at The Isles Club, featuring resort-style amenities such as a resort-style pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts, and a yoga lawn. After a scenic day exploring this beautiful community, sip on cocktails and savor coastal Florida flavors with family and neighbors at the resident-exclusive Overlook Bar & Grill, overlooking the Cypress Waterway.
The Isles is a master-planned community boasting 1,600 unique coastal-themed new construction residences for sale from the $500s, many with stunning water and nature views.
On Top of the World Communities
Renowned for beautiful homes and unrivaled active and social amenities, On Top of the World in Ocala, FL, is truly a leader in creating quality lifestyles.
A world of opportunities to relax and enjoy life-while staying active with both body and mind-is waiting for you at On Top of the World.
Repeatedly named one of the best places in the country to live by Where to Retire magazine, this 13,000 acre master-planned community appeals to active adults looking for a fabulous lifestyle and well-designed, beautifully appointed homes. Surrounded by central Florida’s celebrated horse country and crystal clear springs, On Top of the World is close to everything, yet far from the ordinary.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll find at On Top of the World:
• Concrete-block, energy-efficient home designs
• Several different communities and neighborhoods available featuring single family, maintenance-free and luxury estate homes, many with golf or preserve homesites
• Three, par-72 golf courses with PGA and LPGA professionals on staff
• Over 250,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities
• Community Town Square with indoor entertainment venue, fitness center and lifelong learning programming at Master the Possibilities Education Center.
• And much more!
Villages of Citrus Hills
Terra Vista is Florida’s premier master-planned community featuring incredible resort-style retirement living just minutes from the spectacular Gulf Coast. This amenity-rich community is set in unique surroundings characterized by rolling hills, towering oaks, and moderating Gulf breezes.
The Villages of Citrus Hills stands as a truly unique departure from the traditional Florida lifestyle experience. Citrus Hills is amenity-rich, resort- style living, at its finest. The community is set in unique surroundings characterized by rolling hills, with an elevation up to 260 feet, towering oaks, and incredible landscaping. While one of the highest elevations in Florida the community is just miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Terra Vista at Citrus Hills offers a beautiful selection of customizable, single-family homes with a wide variety of world-class amenities just minutes from your door including: championship golf, first-class tennis, private dining and a spectacular spa and fitness complex.
At Citrus Hills you’ll discover Skyview, the region’s most elaborate country club, along with two other challenging 18-hole golf courses, two tennis centers, private restaurants and a 50,000-square- foot Spa and Fitness Center. Best of all Citrus Hills blends suburban charm with easy access to cosmopolitan Tampa Bay, Orlando and Ocala, so you are close to everything you want, yet far enough away from what you don’t want.
The Villages of Citrus Hills offers customizable single-family homes and detached villas from $400,000 – $1.5 million in a choice of beautiful neighborhoods designed to accommodate a wide variety of tastes and needs.
The Villages of Citrus Hills unquestionably is one of the Southeast’s most exciting resort-lifestyle opportunities. You must see it to believe it.
Oakland Park
Wellington Bay
Start Your Ideal Retirement in Florida
Florida is a wonderful state for retirees, offering a mix of vibrant cities, charming small towns, and beautiful landscapes. Whether you're looking for affordable living, safety, or a rich cultural scene, Florida has it all. Explore the best places to retire in Florida and find your perfect retirement community today.