Housing costs in Vero Beach are 14 percent lower than the national average, so you'll be able to find your dream retirement abode for less. PCR showcases seven master-planned retirement communities in Naples, with a wide-range of home prices, amenities, and activities to suit the needs of every active adult retiree. The low housing prices in many Florida cities make the Sunshine State an affordable place to relocate. Daytona Beach is a popular destination for many Florida residents, but its popularity has been overlooked by those who are searching for a retirement home. The city of Port St. Lucie is just 60 miles away from Walt Disney World Resort and 20 minutes by car or boat across Indian River Bay. 7. Florida's sunny beaches and pleasant winters have long drawn retirees who spent their working years in colder climes. Sarasota. Naples is considerably more expensive than other parts of Florida, but locals often find the quality of life to be worth the cost. Daytona Beach is not a quiet beach retreat. Daytona Beach is relatively affordable if compared to other places on this list. Median Home Price: $420K. Manatee Park is the place to see Florida's beloved water creatures, especially during the cooler months. Retirement might seem far away, but planning early can ensure a comfortable life. 25 Best Places to Retire in Florida - Updated for 2023 Rachel Hartman and Emily BrandonJune 29, 2023, Rachel Hartman and Emily BrandonJune 28, 2023, Rachel Hartman and Katy MarquardtJune 20, 2023, Emily Brandon and Emily ShermanJune 16, 2023, Emily Brandon and Rachel HartmanJune 12, 2023, Emily Sherman and Emily BrandonJune 8, 2023. Homeowners pay a median of $1,485 per month to live in Tampa, and the median rent is $1,160 monthly. The population is about 185,000, and snowbirds increase that number significantly during the winter. An average house can be bought for about $155,000. The 6 Best Beach Cities To Retire on $2,600 a Month - Yahoo Finance The average home price in the city has been rising steadily over recent years, reaching $232K last year on Zillows 2018 report card, nearly 3% growth from 2017. Situated among the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay, and Boca Ciega Bay, it's a prime spot for boating, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and sunbathing on the beach. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway shows, music, and rock concerts, while museums include the Tampa Bay History Center, Henry B. When is the best time to make your exit from the workforce? Photo by Linda Gillotti on Unsplash. Locals, calling themselves "conches," ride bikes or walk, not needing a car for days. These coastal cities provide convenient access to the beach and all the amenities retirees need. The population is just over 24,000 and it seems to be growing every day with new residents always wanting to spend life here among pristine beaches and nature. Livability: 87. Melbourne is an affordable beach town for retirement. The town was established by Henry Flagler to provide a luxury destination for his railroad that ran through Florida. Florida also has no estate or inheritance tax. Movie nights and musical events are frequently hosted at the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach during the spring and summer months. From white sand beaches, first-class golf courses, and exciting deep sea fishing spots to shopping with top-notch deals in every neighborhood, there are plenty of options available here. Biking along the beachfront paths can be relaxing while also providing some exercise at your own pace. The cost of living is high, but for those with sufficient retirement savings, living here is most pleasant. So you don't have to worry about making friends. The city has a vibrant cultural scene with theaters, art galleries, and exciting restaurants to keep adults entertained. The Best Beach Towns For Retirement - Southern Living So you might want to check with your accountant before making any move. US News and World Report ranked this wonderful city among one of the best towns for retirees. Bein the county seat of Sarasota County, it is different from other nearby towns. Stretch your Social Security benefit to pay for the retirement lifestyle you want. and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 25.59. Find employment that aligns with your interests and keeps your life in balance during retirement. It has an in-demand central west coast location and proximity to popular cities like Sarasota and Bradenton, and offers a variety of 55+ and all-ages neighborhoods, making it suitable for a variety of retirement tastes. Fernandina Beach The county seat of Nassau County, Fernandina Beach is just north of Florida's beautiful Amelia Island. Learn more about Jax's local history at the Beaches Museum and the Clara White Mission's Eartha M. M. White Museum. Downtown Delray Beach is a lively area with lots of activity happening all the time. Coconut Creek. Mount Dora, located in Central Florida about 30 minutes from Orlando, is known for its frequent festivals, impressive art galleries, and vibrant craft fair and antique shop scene. The cost of living is 37% higher than the average. Retirement Advice | Best Beach Towns to Retire in the US | HGTV Lakeland is also a college town and home to Florida Polytechnic University and Florida Southern College, the latter of which has the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. According to the Census Bureau, the average over-65 household in America requires $49,000 a year to cover everything from housing to food. The area is sometimes affected by flooding most recently, during Hurricane Ian in 2022 but tends to bounce back pretty quickly. Art-loving retirees are sure to love this town, where the cost of living happens to be two percent below the national average. on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Featured Review: Current Resident says Wonderful rustic beach town with great restaurants and shops and the nicest beach in the country.Daily running trolleys and free ride services allow visitors to go up and down the island to enjoy.. Population: 76,832 Coast: Atlantic Location: South Florida Located in Palm Beach County, this coastal town is known for its public beaches and golf clubs. The crime rate is lower than both the national and the state average. Its a rule of thumb to have two to three times your salary in savings by age 40, but thats not possible for everyone. Daytona Beach is a popular retirement spot, and a third of the population is age 60 or older. About 60 miles south of Tampa on the Gulf Coast, Sarasota is one of Florida's most popular retirement destinations. But this is not a sleepy seaside community. The vibrant arts scene, bustling food culture, and great neighborhoods in Sarasota are what make it one of the most popular cities for retirees. This fabulous town has a population of just over 100,000. Locals can watch rockets as they launch into space. Home prices vary greatly and are, unsurprisingly, higher the closer you are to the waterfront. Monthly expenditures: $3,242. 07 of 13 Retiring in Florida is a goal for many across the country and the world, for that matter. Supporting your declaration with certain actions such as obtaining a Florida driver's license, registering to vote in the state, changing mailing addresses, or purchasing a home will help prove that you are eligible for the state's tax advantages. Boynton Beach Boynton Beach is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in South Florida. With pristine waters, soft white sand, and crystal blue skies they offer an unrivaled view for any person who visits this city to enjoy life at its fullest. 5 Affordable Places To Retire Near the Beach | GOBankingRates Pixabay/Public Domain. With its lush greenery, this historic town offers an abundance of options when it comes to housing communities. This inland Florida city is more affordable than many other parts of the state. It costs a median of $1,521 per month to own a home with a mortgage in Port St. Lucie, and a median of $1,194 monthly to rent. Located about a 45-minute drive from Jacksonville, St. Augustine is a laid-back city of roughly 15,000 that's home to several art galleries, museums, a 320-year-old fort (Castillo de San Marcos National Monument) and a lighthouse that dates to the early 1870s. The 10 Best Places to Retire in Florida - NewHomeSource Playalinda Beach is one of the best East Coast beaches in Florida, and stepping one food on its sands explains why. Youll enjoy fourteen pristine miles of beach that provide retirees plenty of options for swimming, fishing, boating, shellingand for golf enthusiasts, dozens of courses to choose from. The mild winter temperatures, prolific entertainment options and low cost of living are attractive to retirees. Beaches extend 33 miles down into crystal-clear waters which lend themselves beautifully to activities like surfing (or simply lazing about), fishing from boats bobbing up on shoreline just waiting for their turn. Naples. 1. 20 Best Florida Cities To Retire on $3,000 a Month - Yahoo Finance Naples scores high marks for desirability, with many people age 45 and older expressing an interest in moving to the area, according to a U.S. News survey. The reasonable housing costs allow retirees on a budget to live near the water. If you're interested in retiring near the ocean without the humidity of a tropical destination, consider Portland. Beach access is available on the island with many great restaurants and shops. It was declared the No. Lying on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean not far from Miami, Palm Beach has a small population of 8,800. The weather, of course. It offers beautiful white-sand beaches, luxurious shopping and high-end living. Jacksonville is one of the best cities in Florida overall because it has a little of everything. Not the most economical retirement destination, Key West still offers a range of living areas, including private homes, condos, apartments, gated communities, and RV parks. Tampa Richard Cummins / Getty Images / Lonely Planet Images Set on Tampa Bay along Florida's Gulf Coast, Tampa is a major city with a population hovering around 400,000. The downtown area has recently been revitalized and offers many amenities such as shops or restaurants that cater to all tastes. Copyright 1996 - 2023. Islamorada offers its residents all that life can offer including great schools for children, plenty of opportunities at work or school thanks to its thriving economy (it ranked number 12 outranked other towns), vibrant neighborhoods. Fort Myers scored well on the desirability and happiness metrics. Thrillist, and U.S.News and World Report, to find the best beach cities to retire on a budget of $2,600 dollars or . Naples, Florida. Sanibel Population: 6,382 Cost of Living Index: 67% Above Florida Average Crime Rates: 75% Below Florida Average Location: Check on Google Maps Sanibel starts off our list of the best small towns in Florida to retire in. Located on the Southwest coast of Florida, Fort Myers is a commuter town located near Cape Coral and Sanibel Island. Countless senior communities provide plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people of the same age group. Look for ways to save and enjoy what you have during this post-work stage. Downtown Jacksonville boasts an extensive art scene, with galleries, public murals, and an annual visual arts festival. This Florida City Is One of the Best Places to Retire in the U.S Even so, many retirees choose to settle down in Key West because of its quirky atmosphere, history, weather, and community. Florida cities took eight out of the top 10 spots on . Florida's most populous city is the 12th biggest city in the U.S. and added over 4,000 new residents over the past year, according to Census Bureau data. This thriving community has grown tremendously over time. % of population 65 and older: 17.9%. So you dont have to worry about making friends. 1 / 16 Credit Retirement in Florida Florida's sunny beaches and pleasant winters have long drawn retirees who spent their working years in colder climes. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Pensacola's many beaches provide ample opportunities for boating and fishing, and local restaurants are known for their fresh seafood. 9 Best Small Towns in Florida to Retire in 2023 - Strategistico It's not without cultural and entertainment opportunities either the city offers performing arts, college sports teams to follow, and nearby lakes and forests for outdoor recreation. Retirees can choose from a number of 55+ communities, and the cost of living is only a smidge higher than other Florida cities like Orlando. Over a third of the population is age 60 or older. Population: 481,334Share of population age 60+: 34%Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,521Median monthly rent: $1,194. Melbourne, Florida. The Best Places To Retire In Florida - Southern Living In addition to white-sand beaches, Fort Myers offers the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, more than 3,500 acres of wetland ecosystem with otters, alligators, turtles, wading birds, and migrating wildlife. It is a small town in Florida that has a population of roughly 6,500 people. Sarasota Memorial Hospital is a high-performing hospital for the region, according to U.S. News Best Hospitals data. Nature lovers can also hit the hiking trails, kayak, try stand-up paddle boarding, or check out the historic glass-bottom boats at Silver Springs State Park. Think of what you love to do, and use your free time wisely to thrive in this stage of life. The unusual quartz sand at Siesta Beach is soft, white and powdery, and stays cool to the touch, even on sunny days. The median home cost for. and have not been previously reviewed, approved or endorsed by any other Population: 360,210Share of population age 60+: 36%Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,135Median monthly rent: $929. They can also cheer on the New York Yankees during their annual spring training camps at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Think of what you love to do, and use your free time wisely to thrive in this stage of life. affordable homes starting around $190,000, Low Maintenance / Maintenance Free Communities. Playalinda Beach near Titusville, Florida. Pensacola scores high marks for desirability, with many people age 45 and older expressing an interest in moving to the area. There's also no state income tax in Florida, which can benefit retirees with taxable income. Find employment that aligns with your interests and keeps your life in balance during retirement. Just about 24 miles west across the Tampa Bay, Dunedin has two island state parks within its city limits: Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park. Whether the siren call of the Atlantics crashing waves have always beckoned, or youre just fed up with sub-freezing temperatures and blowing snow, youre certainly not alone as you consider retiring on the Florida coast. It sits just across from Tampa Bay and has clear blue waters for miles upon end along its beautiful beaches. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and a number of other theme parks and water parks make this central Florida city a popular destination. Health care is readily available in Pensacola, with several hospitals there as well as in nearby Milton. Nestled on an isolated barrier island that boasts only six miles of the commercial district, Naples is known as one of the most wealthy towns in Florida. There are a variety of waterfront Vero Beach communities you can research through PCReach with their own unique features and amenitiesbut they all share a common bond: some of the best beach vibes youll find anywhere. The temperatures reach 84 degrees Fahrenheit on average between February and April when baseball season begins here at Tradition Field at Jet Blue Park. Melbourns perfect afternoons spent enjoying nature are unforgettable. Venice is a small but famous beach town in Sarasota County. Your grandchildren will beg to visit you if you live near Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida. Home to the University of Florida, the city's largest employer, Gainesville has a small-town feel, unlike the more popular, touristy-heavy coastal cities. Lower Keys Medical Center is located on Key West for 24-hour emergency access, while the next closest hospital is on Marathon Key, about 50 miles away. This makes it one of the best beach towns in Florida to retire. That said, it's still slightly more expensive to live here than in other Florida locales (but only by four percent). Portland has a wide variety of restaurants, and foodies will enjoy sampling diverse and innovative cuisines, local produce and fresh seafood. Located near several different beautiful Florida beaches, Delray Beach is a dream for nature lovers who want to be close to the ocean. The council on aging in Vero Beach serves more than 10,000 senior citizens with its transportation system and senior centers. entities, such as banks, credit card issuers or travel companies. Sports, beaches, retail, restaurants, and more. The Mount Dora Arts Festival, held in early February each year, is another crowd pleaser. You will also find a vibrant theatre scene with active theatres like Vero Beach Theatre Guild and Riverside Theatre with celebrity appearances and stage performances. The 10 Best Places to Retire in Florida - SmartAsset When you think of retirement locales, Florida is probably the first state to come to mind and for good reason. The county seat of Nassau County, Fernandina Beach is just north of Floridas beautiful Amelia Island. The median price of an average house in Delray Beach is around $280,000. Tampa, Florida. 15 Best Beach Towns in Florida to Retire - Interactive Sinkhole Maps Try these free tools that will help you determine the retirement age to start Social Security. Plus you get all this beauty for your money. Consider these Florida cities for retirement: Population: 756,570Share of population age 60+: 36%Median monthly mortgage cost: $1,501Median monthly rent: $1,225. Check out the best cities to live in Florida. Port St. Lucie is located on Florida's Atlantic coast and has freshwater marshes in addition to ocean beaches. If you ever tire of the beach, you can check out the wetlands at Savannas Preserve State Park or the native plants at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. There are also many retirement communities in the area, says Andrew Latenko, RV travel blogger at RV Camp Gear. The Gulf Breeze Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals, including giraffes, rhinos, gorillas, otters, alligators, and hippos. You're likely to find plenty of other retirees for company, since over a third of the population is age 60 or older. The sun may be hot but youll never regret taking time out during one of these scorching days underwater where temperatures will help cool off before heading back. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Florida's cities vary in terms of lifestyle, cost of living, natural environment, and amenities. Pensacola, Florida. If youre looking for healthy living, peaceful ocean views, and an average year-round temp of 72 degrees, Sarasota just might be your ideal retirement destination. There is a lot of culture in Fernandina Beach. Search gated, golf, and retirement communities based on amenities or location. But while many beach communities are cost-prohibitive, a surprising number are within reach for those who aren't millionaires. Located about halfway between Miami and Orlando, Port St. Lucie is more laid back and affordable than these larger cities. At HGTV we've researched some of the best and most affordable beach towns in the U.S. The reasonable cost of living and proximity to the beach make Florida a desirable place to retire, according to a U.S. News analysis of the 150 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. The city of St. Augustine is located along the east coast of Florida, right about 45 minutes south of Jacksonville and an hour north of Daytona Beach. The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention highlights emerging technologies, educating and entertaining visitors with themes of science, invention, and future vision. The median cost of an average house is around $238,000. Well, that depends. Downtown Delray Beach is a lively area with lots of activity happening all the time. But a remote beach area isn't always the right fit for retirees, who also need access to amenities and services, such as quality health care and transportation options. It is a safe, family-friendly town with plenty of outdoor activities, excellent public school options, and close access to West Palm Beach, Florida View nearby homes. The combination can work well for retirees who are looking for a place to retire near the beach on a budget but don't want to give up the amenities and services of living in a city.