Florida continues to be one of the most popular retirement destinations for retirees from across America – and the world, for that matter, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. One reason is the
Retiring in Florida is the goal for many people, with year-round hot weather, impressive natural landscapes, sandy beaches, and an exciting culture drawing people in. Almost 80,000 people retire to the Sunshine State every year. A famous quote about retirement, “retirement is not an end but a new beginning, offering endless possibilities,” and Florida delivers.
However, there is one question that needs answering, and that is, where is the best place to retire in Florida? Today, we’re going to answer that question for you. In this article, you’ll find a list of Florida’s best places to retire.
We’ll explain what makes each place so desirable to retirees.
Affiliate
Portfolio Insight is a leading portfolio management and research platform.
- 9,000+ stocks and ETFs in its database
- Access up to dozens of metrics, 20-years of financial data from S&P Global, fair value, margin of safety, charting, etc.
- Avoid dividend cuts with the Dividend Quality Grade and screening tools.
Click here to try Portfolio Insight for free (14-day free trial).
The 10 Best Places to Retire in Florida
1. Naples
We’ll kickstart our list with Naples, arguably the best place to retire in Florida. Naples is a charming city found on the southwest coast of the state. It’s famous for many things, but its quiet retirement community is the city’s biggest draw for retirees.
This city is also one of the wealthiest areas in the United States, so it could be the perfect place to retire if you have wealth behind you. Having said that, despite the second-highest concentration of billionaires in the country living here, you can find some more affordable condos across the city.
It’s also worth noting that Naples offers the NCH Healthcare System (not-for-profit) consisting of two hospitals.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
2. St. Petersburg
On the West Coast of Florida, St. Petersburg is one of the state’s largest cities. It’s also one of the oldest retirement destinations in the Sunshine State. The high population of senior citizens in the city is the reason St. Petersburg was once dubbed “Heaven’s Waiting Room.”
Today, the city has a younger population, but it’s still a great place to retire. The city has a lively downtown area, miles of waterfront parks, and a wonderful arts and culture scene. St. Petersburg is also famous for boating, golfing, and beachgoing.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
3. Boynton Beach
Next up, we have Boynton Beach. Situated in Palm Beach County, this picturesque coastal town is one of the most accessible retirement destinations in Florida.
Famous for its pristine beaches and golf clubs, this town offers a wide range of retirement living styles. These include multi-generational programming and active communities. There are also condominiums and single-family homes available.
With a population of less than 80,000, you’re guaranteed a tranquil and peaceful retirement here too.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
4. Tampa
Retirees that want to be near all the best beaches and attractions in Florida should consider retiring in Tampa. Tampa is a major city with a population of approximately 400,000. It certainly isn’t the place to retire if you seek a quieter retirement, but you’ll never be short of things to do.
Besides, Tampa is much more affordable than other major cities in America. For example, the cost of living in Tampa is almost 20% lower than in New York City (NYC). House prices vary a lot, and you can expect to pay more the closer you are to the waterfront.
Some of the best attractions in Tampa include The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football).
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
5. St. Cloud
Found in northern Osceola County, St. Cloud is a beautiful and sleepy town that has a lot to offer to the right person. In particular, this is a fantastic place to retire if you seek a slow-paced way of life.
Retirees that live in St. Cloud love the town’s historical significance, relaxed way of life, and accessibility to other parts of Florida. Orlando, Satellite Beach, and Cocoa Beach are just nearby.
Real estate in St. Cloud can be much more affordable, too, so now could be the best time to buy!
6. Vero Beach
Vero Beach is another laid-back, slow-paced place you can retire in Florida. This small city encompasses several small beach towns, typically much quieter than other towns in the state.
There are many attractive destinations, including lush parks, white sand beaches, botanical gardens, lily-covered streams, and retiree-friendly activities. Vero Beach also offers easy access to neighboring cities and serves as a departure point for the Bahamas.
When it comes to living arrangements, retirees have a wide variety of options. There are condos, single-family homes, private gated communities, and more.
Photo Credit Deposit Photos
7. Sarasota
If you’re looking for an upscale retirement destination complete with waterfront homes, gated communities, and a lively downtown, look no further than Sarasota. Roughly 60 miles south of Tampa, Sarasota has a higher cost of living than the state average, making it a more luxurious place to retire.
You can expect bigger and better homes, higher quality health care, luxury facilities, and some of Florida’s best natural attractions.
You’ll find various small islands and beaches along the coast, plenty of museums and galleries, and some of the best botanical gardens in Florida.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
8. St. Augustine
St. Augustine is famous for being the oldest town in America. Founded in 1565, this vibrant town offers a wonderful array of things to do, a pristine Atlantic Coastline, ancient architecture, and a fantastic atmosphere.
Compared to other towns in Florida, the cost of living in St. Augustine is relatively low, too, so it’s a great destination for retirees on a fixed income and senior on a budget. There are plenty of gated communities, active retirement communities, and condos.
Retiring in St. Augustine means accessing Florida’s best wildlife sanctuaries, music, art, and theater.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
9. The Villages
Found about an hour from Orlando, The Villages is consistently ranked as one of the best-selling communities in the United States. Its sheer size and scale make it unique.
Retirees have access to almost anything they can think of. These include golf courses, town squares, recreation centers, and a quite frankly ridiculous number of clubs that cover any topic imaginable.
What makes the Villages even better is that almost everything can be accessed via a golf cart.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
10. Palm Beach
Perhaps the most iconic place to retire in Florida is Palm Beach. Palm Beach has been a classic place to retire for generations, with some of the most influential and wealthy people in the world spending their time there.
Billionaires and presidents have lived in Palm Beach, so that you can expect a much higher cost of living. Lower cost of living options exist, but life wouldn’t be as easy unless you have some serious wealth.
Therefore, Palm Beach is best suited to retirees seeking an upscale retirement that includes luxury living, fine dining, and shopping.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
Bottom Line: Florida is Popular with Retirees
There you have it, the best places to retire in Florida!
With so many unique towns and cities to choose from and all the amenities and perks a person could ever need, it’s no surprise Florida is such a popular place to retire in the United States. Moreover, it’s a state with zero income taxes, a major attraction.
If you plan to retire in the Sunshine State, one of the places from our list might be perfect. In fact, why don’t you start narrowing down the options and find where you might want to retire?
Related Articles on Dividend Power
Here are my recommendations:
Affiliates
- Simply Investing Report & Analysis Platform or the Course can teach you how to invest in stocks. Try it free for 14 days.
- Sure Dividend Newsletter is an excellent resource for DIY dividend growth investors and retirees. Try it free for 7 days.
- Stock Rover is the leading investment research platform with all the fundamental metrics, screens, and analysis tools you need. Try it free for 14 days.
- Portfolio Insight is the newest and most complete portfolio management tool with built-in stock screeners. Try it free for 14 days.
Receive a free e-book, “Become a Better Investor: 5 Fundamental Metrics to Know!” Join thousands of other readers !
*This post contains affiliate links meaning that I earn a commission for any purchases that you make at the Affiliates website through these links. This will not incur additional costs for you. Please read my disclosure for more information.
Jack Bolton is a content writer and blogger from the UK. He has a strong passion for travel and has an endless bucket list that he’s making his way through!