Guide to Best Places to Retire in Florida



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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 climatepopulationhome valuescost 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

FEATURED

Plantation Bay

Ormond Beach, FL
Townhomes and Villas from $400K, Single-Family Homes from $500K, Estate Homes from $800K

Plantation Bay

Few communities offer the kind of abundance that has come to be expected at Plantation Bay. You won’t need your imagination to know what life will be like here in the charming seaside town of Ormond Beach, Florida, where an unhurried pace, year-round warm weather, no state income tax, and a lower cost of living offer superb value and a lifestyle second to none.

Plantation Bay is a distinguished community that stands out for its harmonious blend of thriving wildlife and state-of-the-art facilities. With the Founders Club, an impressive 40,500 square-foot full-service Golf and Lifestyle Center influenced by the charm of the West Indies, a second full-service clubhouse, the Prestwick Clubhouse, a grand 7,000 square-foot Spa and Fitness Center, well-lit Har-Tru tennis courts, pickleball courts, walking and biking paths, and two and a half championship golf courses, it is the perfect place for both living and leisure.

Plantation Bay offers dozens of award-winning one- or two-story homes starting at just under 2,000 sq ft. Choose the plan that best speaks to your taste, needs, and personality. Choose from spacious, low- maintenance one- and two-story townhomes, single-family custom homes, and custom estate homes by one of the country’s largest homebuilders celebrating over 40 years of building excellence. Request information about Plantation Bay below.

  • Acreage– 3,600 acres (1,450 hectares) Gatehouse – Plantation Bay Golf & Country Club is a gated development with around-the-clock security.
  • Club Structure – Homeowners may choose from a range of optional membership packages including clubhouse, fitness, sports, and full golf memberships. All memberships in Plantation Bay are optional, allowing you to indulge in only the activities you love.
  • Golf – An established trio of well-maintained golf courses adds up to a unique private golfing experience, with a total of 45 holes set among gentle hammocks of moss-draped indigenous oaks, extensive practice facilities, a brand-new Pro Shop, and quality instruction by a PGA Professional staff.
  • Clubhouse –Two full-service clubhouses, The Founders Club and the Prestwick Clubhouse provide a range of indoor and outdoor dining options, along with versatile event spaces suitable for business meetings, weddings, and private parties. The Founders Club is our newly completed 40,500 sq ft Golf and Lifestyle Center that brings a refreshing West Indies-styled flair to the community with an abundance of elevated amenities.
  • Tennis – Plantation Bay’s robust tennis program features 10 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts with an active schedule of lessons, clinics, and league play, including special lessons and camps for youth players.
  • Pickleball – Plantation Bay is proud to offer 10 dedicated Pickleball courts to play on, making it the go-to destination for everything Pickleball. From tailored lessons to friendly matches, and organized round-robins to holiday-themed tournaments, Plantation Bay is the ultimate setting to master the art of Pickleball.
  • Recreation – Additional recreational amenities include basketball, and bocce ball courts, nature parks, and miles of private walking trails.
  • Swimming – Members have access to a private swim pavilion with a heated lap pool, a zero-entry free-form pool, ample deck space including a tiki cabana bar, and regularly scheduled water aerobics classes.
  • Spa & Fitness – Plantation Bay’s 7,000-square-foot spa and fitness center combines quality strength training and cardio machines with free weights, steam rooms, exercise classes, personal trainers, and a full menu of massage and beauty treatments.
  • Shopping & Dining – From casual fare to haute cuisine, residents can experience a variety of dining options without leaving the development. The property is convenient to an extensive selection of shops, restaurants, and commercial services within easy driving distance.
  • Area Attractions – Plantation Bay residents have easy access to nearby coastal communities and miles of wide Atlantic beaches. The property is about 30 minutes from Daytona Beach and Port Orange, 25 minutes from St. Augustine, 45 minutes from Jacksonville, and just over an hour from Orlando.
  • Healthcare – Advent Health located about 15 minutes away provides 24-hour emergency care and a full range of inpatient and outpatient services. Additional healthcare options are available throughout the Daytona Beach-Port Orange area.
  • Leases – Long-term leasing options are available.

Single-Family Custom Homes For Sale – Priced from the $500,000s
Custom Estate Homes For Sale – Priced from the $700,000s
Townhome Villas For Sale – Priced from the $400,000s

Disclaimer: Prices subject to change. Void where prohibited.

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Top Florida Golf Communities | Amelia National Golf and Country Club
FEATURED

Amelia National Golf and Country Club

Fernandina Beach, FL
Single-Family from $600K, Estate Homes from $700K

A Place to Call Home. Amelia National Golf & Country Club, a new home community in Fernandina Beach, FL, provides residents with some of the most sought after amenities. Manned, gated security, 18 holes of immaculate golf from master designer, Tom Fazio, practice facilities, brand new lighted tennis courts, fitness center with spa, and a charming French provincial county club featuring a resort-style pool are just a few of the amenities we offer.

  • Manned, Gated Security
  • Private Tom Fazio Golf Course
  • Low Initiation Fee
  • Practice Facilities & Pro Shop
  • On Staff Golf Pro
  • Use Your Own Golf Cart
  • Brand New Lighted Tennis Facility
  • On Staff Tennis Pro
  • Clubhouse with Full Bar and Dining
  • Community Pool with Hot Tub
  • State-of-the-Art Fitness Center & Spa
  • Homes with Golf & Preserve Views

Location, Location, Location

Amelia National’s close proximity to Amelia Island, the Jacksonville International Airport and the beach make it a highly desirable location for those looking for new homes in Fernandina Beach. Some of the finest restaurants, shopping and attractions are just a short drive from your front door. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, the heart of Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Georgia are easily accessible because of Amelia National’s convenient location just a few miles from interstate 95.

Homes that Meet Your Exact Needs

Luxury homes of grace, beauty and magnificent golf course views. ICI Homes has earned its reputation as Florida’s Custom Home Builder by offering in-house architectural services so you can design your new custom home from scratch or from a favorite plan you’ve found. Or if you’d prefer, you can select from our extensive portfolio of award-winning floors plans, all of which can be totally customized to suit.

Because ICI Homes has built thousands of homes, from affordable villas to breathtaking mansions, ICI Homes benefits from a volume purchasing advantage that ensures your home is built with the best quality materials at the greatest value for your money. Building a brand-new, one-of-a-kind home easy and surprisingly affordable, with home/lot packages starting from the $300’s.

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FEATURED

Villages of Citrus Hills

Hernando, FL
Homes from mid $400K - $1.5M

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.

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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.

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  • ideal-LIVING Relocation Guide
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  • ideal-LIVING Magazine
    Quarterly print magazine features the best places to retire and/or purchase your ideal second home.
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    Receive our digital newsletter, two to three times a month, highlighting communities around the country and abroad.
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