Picture this– you’ve just completed your long contribution to the American workforce and are now ready to retire. You, being the sensible and clever person that you are, decide you want to retire in good ole’ sunny Florida.
Great taste! But where do you start?
Now, before panicking, take a deep breath and kick back, we’ve got it from here. Let us tell you about 10 of the best retirement communities in Florida.
Where to Retire in Florida?
Retirement is serious business. You don’t need to be fully retired to enjoy downsizing to the Sunshine State. However, most retirement communities are restricted and require residents to be at least 55 years or older. Be sure to check the details as you start your Florida home search.
Pet owners should also take note. All of the locations listed below are pet-friendly communities.
Deciding where you’re going to hunker down and enjoy the slow life is a lot of work. There’s a lot to consider, like if you want to move into a large master-planned community like The Villages or look for a smaller community focused on active adult living.
Luckily, we’ll do quite a bit of it for you. Now, onto our list!
The Waters – Melbourne Beach, Florida
This is a beautiful retirement community located across the street from pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches. The Waters gives residents direct beach access with gorgeous views for days. This active adult retirement community is right on the coast which means you get some nice sea breezes to keep you cool during the summer months!
The Waters features single family homes and a couple of poolside rentals. Among the community amenities are a private beach, a boardwalk pier, a fishing area, a bocce ball court, and a swimming pool.
The Meadows – Tarpon Springs, Florida
This manufactured home community sits right on Florida’s Gulf Coast near the Sponge District of historic Tarpon Springs. You can soak up the sun year-round in this friendly Florida retirement community.
The Meadows provides a relaxing atmosphere and great weather- plus plenty of fun things to do inside the community from social clubs to entertainment. You can’t beat the vibe anywhere else.
“I compare it to going on a cruise. There’s always something to do morning, noon, and night and they make it accessible to you.”
Paual Rooney, Resident at The Meadows
Sun Valley – Tarpon Springs, Florida
Located down the road from The Meadows is Sun Valley.
You get all the same perks of a 55+ active adult neighborhood. It lives up to its name, considering the forecast tends to be 72 and sunny all year long! Here you’re located close enough to St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Tampa Bay but far enough away to stay relaxed and away from the bustling crowds.
Along with great weather, you can enjoy a wide range of amenities including a recreation hall, billiards, fitness center, billiards, shuffleboard, and more.
Rolling Greens Village – Ocala, Florida
Located in central Florida just on the edge of the Ocala National Forest, the community is a nature lover’s paradise! On top of the beautiful landscape, Rolling Greens Village is a golf course community. Homes surround the Rolling Greens Executive Golf Course giving residents a view in every direction.
If you enjoy living an active lifestyle, stay busy playing golf, participating in planned activities and sports tournaments, or swimming in the incredible aquatic center.
Zip around in your golf cart and discover the good life here.
Meadowlea Village – DeLand, Florida
This 55+ community is in the beautiful and sunny DeLand, Florida. Meadowlea Village sits northeast of Orlando’s theme park attractions like Disney World and a quick drive from Atlantic beaches.
DeLand is an easy place to discover and has loads of unique shopping and dining, award-winning eateries, and so much more to explore. Here you can enjoy several ponds, nice sized yards, and stretches of recreation space. It’s the perfect place to kick your feet up!
Jamaica Bay Village – Fort Myers, Florida
Another beautiful resort community on the list is located in Fort Myers, Florida. Jamaica Bay Village is a gated community for residents who want to enjoy a fun and active lifestyle in retirement!
“We just knew in our hearts that the community aspect of Jamaica Bay, the layers of quality that existed here, don’t exist everywhere.”
Jeff Starkweather, a Jamaica Bay Resident
Take if from Jeff Starweather who loved Jamaica Bay Village so much that he moved there twice in five years.
This village offers three stocked lakes, pickleball and tennis courts, shuffleboard, and endless social functions open to the whole community. After you’ve finished meeting with one of the many social and sports clubs, end the day in the whirlpool spa or the sauna.
Jamaica Bay offers modem manufactured homes for sale in Fort Myers minutes from the town center.
Estero Bay Village – Estero, Florida
Down the highway from Jamaica Bay Village, you’ll find another gated community for retirees.
Estero Bay Village is located right on the Estero River and is a close drive to several beaches! The town is listed as one of the best places to live and retire in Lee County, FL. This community offers its residents many amenities such as pickleball, bocce ball, horseshoes, a pool, and a spa (of course).
And if you’re looking to take up kayaking, this is the place to do it.
Dunedin Village – Dunedin, Florida
This quaint community offers its residents a small town feel and amenities to enjoy. In Dunedin Village, you have easy access to both Tampa and Orlando! Dunedin is known as a small, artsy, dog-friendly town with many unique retail shops, parks, spring training, and the annual Scottish celebrations.
Fully enjoy retirement here with your nice-sized yard and tree-lined roads.
Resort Style Amenities for Sarasota Retirees
Sarasota is a Gulf Coast haven for retirees who want to be near white sand beaches. There you’ll find two bustling retirement communities.
Camelot Lakes Village & Camelot East Village – Sarasota, FL
It’s double the fun at Camelot Lakes Village. The community boasts two amenity-filled clubhouses, two resort-style pools, tennis courts, pickle-ball, and shuffleboard courts.
Enjoy calming views of lakes and nature preserves while being close to dining, and shopping.
You can enjoy similar amenities with energetic residents, exciting activities, and an active lifestyle at Camelot East Village. Residents participate in more than 30 social events yearly.
We can’t forget the heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, poker room, pickle-ball, and great amenities. Even your furry family will enjoy themselves here at the dog park!
Florida is the most popular place to retire in the United States, according to WalletHub. And it’s no wonder why– with amazing weather year-round and so many options to choose from, retirement just looks good here!
Ready to get started? Check out our current inventory of homes for sale and start living your best retirement life in Florida in no time.
