Florida has all the trappings for a great retirement: top-rated beaches, a warm climate, a low cost of living and endless entertainment for people of all ages. The things that make the sunshine state a desirable vacation spot also make it an ideal setting for retirement.
While it’s easy to select Florida as the place you want to spend your golden years, it’s a big state. Choosing which city to call home is the hard part.
To narrow down your search, The Penny Hoarder analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data to identify retirement spots in Florida based on their share of retirees, median home values and overall economic health. “Most big cities in Florida have a glut of retirees thanks to low taxes and awesome weather,” says Alex Mahadevan, a data journalist at The Penny Hoarder. “But we also looked at unemployment, poverty rates, home values and other economic indicators to find truly desirable retirement towns.” Here are some retirement locales in Florida worth your consideration:
[See: The Best Places to Retire in 2018.]
The Villages. Often referred to as Disney World for adults, The Villages is a huge retirement community located in Sumter County, Florida, that draws many people to the area. This rapidly growing retirement community is geographically larger than Manhattan and offers over 2,000 activities, from woodworking to karate class.
Median home value: $227,000 Population of retirees: 53.1 percent
Punta Gorda. Located on the southwest coast of Florida, Punta Gorda is a waterfront beauty with a small town feel. In a place where nearly 38 percent of the population is 65 or older, retirees have lots of company. This city is known for its waterside entertainment hub called Fishermen’s Village, where you can eat, shop, enjoy a free concert or take a relaxing sunset cruise. If you prefer to explore nature, head to the Ponce de Leon park to enjoy both beaches and nature trails. Punta Gorda is often referred to as a boater’s haven, and with a median home value of just $154,000, you might be able to afford that boat after all.
Median home value: $154,400 Population of retirees: 37.6 percent
Vero Beach. As you can probably tell from its name, Vero Beach is a gorgeous stretch of beaches on Florida’s east coast. Although it has one of the smaller populations on this list, it’s not short on entertainment. There’s a professional theater, community theater and art museum.
Median home value: $160,900 Population of retirees: 30.2 percent
Sarasota. Known for being Florida’s “cultural coast,” Sarasota is full of life. It was once home to the Ringling Brothers Circus and boasts The Ringling, which has art and circus museums, beautiful gardens and a mansion on the grounds. Sarasota is also home to some of the best beaches in Florida, such as Siesta Key and Lido Beach.
Median home value: $189,400 Population of retirees: 30 percent
[Read: The 10 Best Places to Retire Overseas in 2018.]
Fort Myers. Located in southwest Florida, Fort Myers is a riverside city known for its rich history. Visit the expansive Edison and Ford Winter Estates, where Thomas Edison and Henry Ford created a garden escape in the early 1900s to conduct research and create new inventions. The city also offers all kinds of entertainment, whether it’s relaxing on the beach, taking a historic tour, fishing or strolling through one of its many parks.
Median home value: $171,100 Population of retirees: 26.3 percent
Ormond Beach. Ormond Beach is located on Florida’s east coast just above Daytona Beach. Between the Tomoka River and the Atlantic Ocean, this city is ideal for nature enthusiasts and all kinds of water activities. Visit Bulow Creek State Park and enjoy a hiking trail or spot some manatees at Tomoka State Park. Ormond Beach has the second lowest median home value on the list, which is quite a deal for picturesque beaches and thousands of acres of nature.
Median home value: $147,000 Population of retirees: 24.1 percent
Melbourne. Nestled along the Indian River on the east coast of Florida, Melbourne offers a historic downtown and gorgeous beaches. Melbourne is also part of Florida’s Space Coast, as it’s only an hour away from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.
Median home value: $150,500 Population of retirees: 22.5 percent
Winter Haven. Located in Central Florida, Winter Haven is known for its chain of lakes, which are connected by canals. This chain was created to transport citrus groves, but now serves as waterways for fishermen and fans of water sports. If you prefer dry land, Lake Wales Little Theatre, Bok Tower Gardens and the Lake Wales historic district will keep you more than entertained. The best part about Winter Haven is the median home value, which is the lowest on this list. It also has the smallest retiree population of the cities listed, so you will live among people of all ages.
Median home value: $110,400 Population of retirees: 19.5 percent
[See: 10 Tips for Finding a Great Place to Retire.]
Many people choose Florida as a retirement destination. This list considers several options based on median home values, overall economic health and the current population of retirees. While these metrics are important, you also need to consider what factors matter most to you when choosing where to retire.
Jacquelyn Pica is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
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8 Places to Retire in Florida originally appeared on usnews.com
