Updated for 2023.
If you are tired of the dreary and cold Northeastern weather, why not relocate to somewhere a bit sunnier and warmer? After all, if you have put in decades of hard work at your job, it can be time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the smell of the ocean.
The cost of living in retirement communities in Florida varies greatly depending on the location, size, and amenities of the community. Generally, rental prices for a one-bedroom in retirement communities range from around $600 to $1,500 per month. Two-bedroom units may run anywhere from $800 to $2,500 per month. Homeownership prices in retirement communities can range from the low $100,000s to $600,000 or more, depending on the size, location, and amenities.
Yes, we are talking about the Sunshine State — retiring in Florida is a very popular choice, as it offers plenty of outdoor activities, shopping, culture, and friendly people.
Let’s check out the best retirement communities in Florida to consider for the next phase of your life!
Retirement Communities in Florida
#1 Westminster Towers, Orlando
Westminster Towers is an excellent choice for those who still want to get out and explore the nearby city. With just over 287,000 people, this retirement community in Orlando is great for older folks who love to socialize and meet new people.
This community is ideal if you have children who want to visit you in your new retirement community. It’s perfect for family-friendly entertainment, and 10% of their population is at retirement age, meaning you will never feel like you are alone!
Not to mention, your grandkids will also love visiting you here, as there are seemingly endless attractions, like Walt Disney World, The Orlando Science Center, and The Kennedy Space Center!
Westminster is a retirement community with the individual in mind, no matter what you like to do in your free time. This community features a modern fitness center, bookkeeping services, transportation opportunities, classes and educational courses, and group activities.
Standout Feature: The socializing possibilities
Founding Date: 1954
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Studio Apartment Entrance Fee $79,500, Monthly $1,686
1 Bedroom Apartment Entrance Fee $103,400, Monthly $2,212
#2 Cypress Village, Jacksonville
Our second choice of retirement communities in Florida is Cypress Village, a retirement community with an average home price of just over $236,000. With plenty of outdoor opportunities, this retirement community is a top choice for those who enjoy being outside in nature!
The nearby Florida theater, Cumer Musem of Art and Gardens, and Ritz Theater and museum are good for the rare rainy days where you still want to explore the state of Florida. For sports lovers, you can head to the Veterans Memorial Arena to watch the NATAL Sharks, college teams, and minor league sports leagues.
Cypress Village is known for its focus on luxury — they have designed their retirement community to feel more like a luxurious getaway than a retirement home. It features a putting green, fitness center, walking trails, metal workshops, bocce courts, arts and crafts studios, and vegetable gardens.
Standout Feature: The outdoor-centric activities
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Assisted Living $5500/month, Independent Living $2100/month
#3 Discovery Village, Melbourne
For scholars who know you’re never too old to learn something new, Discovery Village is the place to continue pushing the limits, learning new skills, and studying new topics. Since it’s near the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, we love this location for history buffs and educational enthusiasts who enjoy watching spacecraft launches, art galleries, and planned activities.
Residents love the beauty salon, wellness center, movie theater, outdoor heated pool, game rooms, housekeeping services, transportation options, and independent living options. When residents want to get out and explore their local area, they can head to the nearby Indian River Lagoon. Or, they may try surfing lessons, start golfing at Baytree National Golf Links, and get some fresh air at the Viera Wetlands.
Standout Feature: Educational opportunities
Founding Date: 2012
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Shared Suite $4,041, Private Suite $4,849, Studio $5,253
#4 The Palace Group, Miami
Miami is home to numerous beaches, nightlife, and entertainment venues – but is it a good place to relocate if you are retired? Yes! The Palace Group features nearly 17% of their population over age 65 and has an average home price of just over $407,000. This location is perfect for the creative types who enjoy art, culture, and museums.
Residents can head to the local Wynwood and Design districts in the bustling city of Miami to check out antique shops, local boutiques, coffee shops, craft beer breweries, car dealerships, and local artists. Not to mention, if you don’t enjoy walking, you can ride for free on public transportation if you are over the age of 65!
Residents love the fitness center, heated pool, community activities, and special events within the gated community.
Standout Feature: Proximity to downtown Miami
Founding Date: 1980
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Studio $5,100, One-bedroom apartment $6,100
#5 On Top of the World, Ocala
This retirement county in Florida is superb for those who want to explore the eclectic downtown area of Ocala. The culturally-rich city contains ballet companies, theaters, attractions, and orchestras to check out in your free time.
Along with the numerous museums and art galleries scattered through the downtown area, residents of On Top of the World can check out the nearby nature, like the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway and Silver Springs State Park.
We love how they feature a cultural center, Ocala Civic Theater, fitness programs, festivals, environmentally-friendly practices, and well-being programs within the community.
Standout Feature: Artistic vibe in Ocala
Founding Date: 2004
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Prices $165,000 to $625,000
#6 The Glenview at Pelican Bay, Naples
Do you enjoy the sun on your face, sand between your toes, and the sound of waves crashing? If so, then Glenview is the best place to be. With a 65+ population of a whopping 52%, this is one of the best retirement communities to meet others just like yourself.
Not to mention, Naples has been consistently ranked as one of the top cities to retire in the U.S. This popular beachfront city is the ideal spot for retirees looking to visit museums, go to the beach, and spend time with others in your local community. Plus, everyone here has their own choice of where they want to live, whether in the assisted living center or independent living.
The Glen View features a hobby studio, a private beach, and nearby downtown shopping streets. It’s excellent for beach-lovers who want to get outside and socialize.
Standout Feature: Top-ranked retirement city of Naples
Founding Date: 1988
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Nursing Care $13,427, Assisted Living $5,652, Independent Living $3,109, Memory Care $9,325
#7 Valencia Cay at Riverland, Port St. Lucie
With a convenient location between Orlando and Miami, Valencia Cay at Riverland in Port St. Lucie has something for everyone. If you enjoy visiting the local cultural centers, you can head to the Oxbow Eco-Center, Savannas Preserve State Park, or Clover Park to catch some fresh air on a nice day (which is almost every day in Florida).
For older individuals who like to go to festivals and concerts, living here will be like a dream come true. Living here all year round provides you with the opportunity to head to Oktoberfest in the fall, The FEStival of Lights, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and the Food Truck Invasions. No wonder U.S. News ranked this city as one of the top three places to retire in 2021!
Within the retirement community itself, residents can enjoy the cafe, community garden, pickleball courts, cultural center, nearby restaurants, and local shopping centers.
Standout Feature: The huge houses and 34,000-square foot clubhouse
Founding Date: 2018
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Prices $459,000 to $754,000
#8 Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota
Sarasota is ranked as the top city to retire in for 2022, according to the U.S. News — and we see why. With 27.3% of the population being over 65 years old, tons of correctional parties, a bigger city population, modern amenities, attractions, clean beaches, and nature preserves, there are more than enough reasons to relocate to Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota.
Residents can explore the local Lido Beach, Myakka River State Park, and Siesta Beach during the perennially sunny and warm days. Creative types and artists who enjoy the local architecture, performers, and music scene will love the Art Center in Sarasota and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
Since there is a large population of individuals over 60 years old, other retirees will have no problem meeting like-minded people of the same age group. Especially if they mingle with others at Lakewood Ranch, residents will enjoy the multi-generational community, sports tournaments, diverse activities, and outdoor activities.
Standout Feature: The 50-square-mile community
Founding Date: 1994
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Median Housing Price $578,915
#9 Pelican Preserve, Fort Myers
This retirement community in Florida is one of the top options for those who enjoy meeting others in their same age range. With 22% of the population being over 65 years old, Fort Myers is a great place to meet others in a small-town feel. Not to mention, Pelican Preserve offers various amenities, activities, walking trails, restaurants, social events, butterfly gardens, libraries, movie theaters, and indoor and outdoor pools — all perfect spots to socialize and meet your neighbors.
You can head to the nearby Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, or Sirenia Vista Park when you want to get out of the community. We love how you can view manatees and the dozens of species of local birds just minutes away from your front door!
Standout Feature: The luxury golf course
Founding Date: 2016
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Median Housing Price $375,000
Related: Advantages to Living in Fort Myers, Florida
#10 Bear Creek, Daytona Beach
Motorsport enthusiasts and car racing fans will love living in Bear Creek. Since Daytona is the home to NASCAR and provides proximity to watch some of the biggest races in the world, car lovers will enjoy living in this amenity-laden community. Residents love the aerobics space, fitness center, pickleball courts, dance floor, and numerous events that can make it easy to meet your neighbors!
When you leave the beautiful community, those in Daytona Beach will enjoy the Daytona Lagoon with their grandchildren, a water park with plenty of outdoor activities, go-karts, laser tag, and fun-filled rides! For those who enjoy learning a little bit more about the local town, head to the Museum of Arts & Sciences to learn more about Floridian history.
Standout Feature: NASCAR — proximity to Daytona Speedway for high-speed events!
Founding Date: 2017
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Median Housing Price $197,618
#11 The Villages, Orlando
The Villages has amazing weather and is one of the top retirement communities in Florida. With proximity to Orlando, without feeling like you are stuck in the middle of a city, The Village is a quintessential paradise perfect for active people who want a big and expansive community.
With golf courses, recreation centers, clubs, and a town square, there are plenty of places to socialize and meet people. When you want to get out of the picturesque resort community, we recommend checking out Lake Weir for some fun fishing and lake life, Lake Griffin State Park for a camping getaway, or Canary Island Recreation and Conservation Area for a short hike!
We can guarantee you will never be bored living here!
Standout Feature: The size of the community
Founding Date: 1980
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Median Housing Price $197,618
#12 Latitude Margaritaville, Watersound
Located right near Panama City Beach, this place is perfect for beach lovers. Home to the third Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville retirement community, the Watersound location is an excellent option due to the picturesque location in the Florida Panhandle. Watersound, Florida, residents will love the nearby Pier Park for a stroll in the sunshine and the Shell Island just a short boat ride away from the mainland. You can also visit the Holmes creek Canoe Livery and try rafting, kayaking, or paddleboarding in your free time!
Once you work up an appetite doing some outdoor activities, head to one of the award-winning dining options in Watersound to quench your hunger and thirst. We recommend trying the Beach and Brew on 30A, George’s at Alys Beach, Lola Coastal Italian, or Crabby Steve’s Highpointe!
Standout Feature: Location
Founding Date: 2021
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price Range $200-$400k
#13 Valencia Trails, Naples
Valencia Trails provides a great combination of resort luxury and amenities with the practicality of a typical housing community. With an expansive clubhouse, entertainment, and clubs, there is no shortage of activities to do here in Naples. Residents love the social hall, nature trails, and pools for relaxing on a hot day.
This community is specifically created for those over age 55 who are long to retire and slow down. It provides various single-family homes, covered patios, stainless steel appliances, and beautiful exterior finishes. Not to mention, the nearby proximity to the beach, Naples Botanical Garden, Naples Pier, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park are huge selling points!
Standout Feature: Modern houses
Founding Date: 2020
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $600,000
#14 Valencia Del Sol, Tampa
Located right in the heart of Tampa, aiming for a convenient place to live, Valencia Del Sol is the perfect spot for those over the age of 55 to socialize, meet new friends, and work on their physical fitness. With a health center, social hall, pool, spa, and sports courts, this is the best retirement community to stay active all year round.
Once you head out of the 55+community, there are endless opportunities for things to do in Tampa! Whether you are by yourself or with your family, you can choose from one of the many indoor or outdoor attractions, such as Busch Gardens for amusement park fun, The Florida Aquarium on the rare rainy day, or the Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park to engage with the interactive exhibits.
Standout Feature: Exercise opportunities
Founding Date: 2019
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $266,000-$296,000
#15 Valencia Sound, Boynton Beach
Valencia Sound is great for those who enjoy socializing and joining new clubs. With hundreds of clubs to join and meet people in your free time, you can do anything from local artistic events to bocce ball tournaments! We recommend checking out the local Boynton Beach scene, like the Green Cay Nature Center and Wetlands, Arthur R. Marshall National Wildlife Refuge, and Gulfstream Park.
Boynton Beach is less busy and less crowded than other Florida cities, so it is the perfect escape from throngs of tourists who are looking to party.
Standout Feature: World-famous Racquet Club
Founding Date: 2019
Luxury Community: Yes
Cost: Housing Price $900,000
#16 Latitude Margaritaville, Daytona Beach
As another one of the Jimmy Buffet-inspired locations, this Latitude Margaritaville is another alternative to the Watersound location! Featuring a business center, Latitude Bar and restaurant, Attitude Bar, paradise pool, tiki huts, private beach club, lap pool, virtual personal trainer, and banquet hall, there is so much to do here every day of the week!
Plus, this Latitude Margaritaville is located right near the infamous Daytona International Speedway, arguably the most popular and most-visited motorsports attraction in the entire country! Buy tickets for one of the numerous races held at this picturesque location for a fun day out of the community.
Standout Feature: Restaurant and bar options
Founding Date: 2019
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $200,000
#17 Venetian Bay, New Smyrna Beach
Located right in the middle of Florida, Venetian Bay offers luxurious resort-style living and amenities to the residents. Featuring an 18-hole golf course, world-class spa, on-site fitness center, and various home options, residents love the high-class feel of this community.
Plus, New Smyrna Beach is a lively Florida city just south of Daytona Beach, bringing fewer crowds but with the same opportunities as living in an urban mecca. The Smyrna Dunes Park is a beautiful escape from the crowded city of New Smyrna or Edgewater and can provide expansive views of the Ponce Inlet and famous lighthouse. Plus, for shopping fanatics, the nearby Canal Street has local shops, art galleries, artistic attractions, and cultural spots that are must-sees.
Standout Feature: Housing options, such as semi-custom homes, gated communities, mid-sized family homes, luxury townhouses, apartments, and many more.
Founding Date: 2019
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $200,000-$1 million
#18 Tradition, Port. St Lucie
Here we have another retirement community in Port St. Lucie, specifically designed to encourage socializing and meeting your neighbors. It can be hard to meet new people and make new friends as you get older. However, at Tradition, that is the goal!
This community focuses on weekly events and monthly get-togethers to encourage people to speak with one another, find common interests, and use the extensive facilities. Tradition contains plenty of outdoor space for sports games, walks, and runs through the nearby Tradition Trail.
Standout Feature: Social events
Founding Date: 2003
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $300,000
#19 PGA Village Verano, Port St. Lucie
Although this is not specifically a retirement community, there is a 55+ neighborhood located within the PGA Village Verano in Port St. Lucie. It features a massive social center for private and community events, a pickleball center, a year-round social calendar filled with activities, and a modern fitness center.
Additionally, Port St. Lucie is one of the best cities on the coast of southern Florida that has a little something for everyone!
With plenty of outdoor nature activities, this outdoor mecca has no shortage of fun things to do in your free time. For example, the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens features hundreds of plants, hummingbirds, and other unique attractions. You can also visit the Savannas Preserve State Park and the Veterans Park at Rivergate.
Standout Feature: Golf-centric activities
Founding Date: 2015
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $300,000
#20 Champions Gate, Osceola County
This master-planned community is close to some of the state’s biggest attractions, within just a short driving distance from Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World. Featuring a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse, tiki bar, movie theater, 18-hole golf course, and volleyball courts, we love this retirement community for people who want a little bit of everything!
And we love Osceola for visiting families! Osceola is home to Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, the perfect place for your family to stay while they are visiting you. Plus, Old Town is a fun attraction that contains rides, food, and shops.
Standout Feature: 18-hole golf course on-site and a 36-hole golf course next door
Founding Date: 2004
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $200,000
#21 Del Webb Active Adult Communities, Sun City
There are numerous Del Webb communities scattered across Florida, with the first one being the Sun City location. With over 50 years of experience in planning and running 55+ communities, Del Webb knows precisely what people are looking for when it comes to their later years. It provides things to keep you active, social events, luxurious amenities, and a nearby town.
And don’t worry if there is no location currently in your ideal retirement town — there are many more Del Webb communities currently in the works! One of the best features about these 55+ communities is the focus on connection — all of the communities promote social lifestyles while still providing high-quality resort-style amenities, numerous clubs, and personalized homes that will suit your lifestyle.
Standout Feature: Long-standing reputation
Founding Date: 1960
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $200,000
#22 Cresswind 55+ Communities, Palm Beach County
Cresswind is a specific 55+ community that is similar to Del Webb. Focused on providing older adults with activities that will keep them in superior mental and physical condition, Cresswind has ample experience in the industry. With locations in Florida, Georgia, and other states on the East coast, Cressiwnd is one of the leaders in churning out high-quality retirement communities.
The Cresswind Palm Beach Community Clubhouse contains a resort-style pool, spa, sun decks, private cabana, bocce courts, pickleball courts, yoga studio, art room, event plaza, food trucks, and much more!
Standout Feature: Experience in the industry
Founding Date: 1960
Luxury Community: Yes
Costs: Housing Price $300,000-$600,000, Association Fee is $288/month
Related: Is Tampa Bay or Orlando a Better Place to Live
#23 Paseo, Fort Myers
Featuring an expansive 26,000-square-foot clubhouse for all of your amenity and question needs, this resort-style community offers extensive acreage and various homes for your personal style. With numerous styles that can work with your personal space and amenity needs, residents here can choose between attached townhomes, single-family houses, and luxury condominiums.
Not to mention, the various clubs and activities that residents can partake in here will work for those who are highly social and want to get in some exercise and fun within their life. Do you want to learn a new skill? Do you want to hone in on some artistic talent? Paseo has it all!
Standout Feature: Housing options
Founding Date: 2006
Luxury Community: No
Costs: Median Housing Price $369,000
#24 MiraBay, Tampa
Located within driving distance of Tampa, the bustling and vibrant Floridian city, MiraBay is a 750-acre 55+ community that prides itself on the number of family homes available, housing to suit any price range, and a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse.
For residents interested in indoor and outdoor activities, this is the place to be. Members can enjoy the numerous nature trails, sightseeing opportunities, boat trips, and water proximity that is just a short walk outside their doorstep! Plus, nature lovers will love the nearby Wolf Branch Creek Nature Preserve for bird watching, ocean access, and hiking trails.
Standout Feature: Outdoor Activities
Founding Date: 1984
Luxury Community: No
Costs: Median Housing Price $899,995
#25 Harbor Isle, Anna Maria Sound
This gated community for 55+ residents is ideal for people who want tropical beach living, low-maintenance daily life, and extensive floor plan options. With over 17 floor plans to choose from, you can decide if you want a studio, single-room apartment, family home, or condominium while you gaze out on the crystal blue water!
We love the private beach, luxury amenities, clubhouse, and lounges to socialize and meet your neighbors. For those who enjoy being outside, watching the boats pass by, and minging by the outdoor pool and fire pit, Harbor Isle is a little slice of heaven that all retirees will enjoy.
Standout Feature: Lower price
Luxury Community: No
Founding Date: 2010
Costs: Median Mortgage Cost $1,461, Median monthly rent $1,154
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of places to retire in Florida. Whether you want a retirement community that has all the necessary amenities at your fingertips, or you want a laid-back city or town to spend your golden years in, there are tons of options in the Sunshine State. It all depends on what you are looking for — and Florida has it all!
Whether you are a nature lover, museum aficionado, local art connoisseur, or golf pro, you will love the vast choices of retirement options in Florida.
See anything we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
If you loved these ideas, then don’t miss our other posts about travel and moving to a new city!
Related: Affordable Places to Live in Florida
