Florida offers a variety of coastal towns that are popular choices for retirement. Here are ten great coastal retirement towns in Florida.
Naples
Located on the Gulf Coast, Naples is known for its beautiful beaches, upscale shopping, and golf courses. It offers a relaxed atmosphere and a vibrant cultural scene.
One nearby retirement option:
Valencia Sky, GL Homes' newest 55+ community, combines luxury living with coastal convenience just 6 miles from downtown Naples. This Valencia community features a state-of-the-art clubhouse with pools, pickleball and tennis courts, gym, restaurant/bar, sports lounge, and event hall. Located minutes from 5th Avenue South shopping and Naples Pier. Request information today to learn more.
Sarasota
With its stunning beaches and cultural attractions like art galleries and theaters, Sarasota is a favorite retirement destination. It has a lively downtown area and is home to the Ringling Museum of Art.
One nearby retirement option:
In their follow-up to the now sold-out Del Webb Lakewood Ranch, Del Webb Catalina brings the trusted Del Webb 55+ lifestyle back to the award-winning Lakewood Ranch master plan, featuring a massive 15-acre amenity campus overlooking a 70-acre lake.
While the main clubhouse is still under development, a temporary Lifestyle House with pickleball courts and putting green is already in place, with the main amenities scheduled for completion in late 2026.
St. Augustine
Known for its rich history and charm, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States. It has beautiful beaches, cobblestone streets, and a quaint downtown area with plenty of shops and restaurants.
One nearby retirement option:
Reverie at Trailmark is a 55+ community in St. Augustine. The Lodge is a 4,600 sq. ft. Lakeside Clubhouse that features indoor and outdoor social spaces, six pickleball courts, a resort-style pool and spa, a catering kitchen, and what sounds to me like one of the coolest amenities…an open-air Bier Garten.
There are 11 new single-family home designs, ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft. The community features lakeside and preserve homesites. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Vero Beach
Located on the Atlantic coast, Vero Beach offers a laid-back atmosphere and uncrowded beaches. It has a vibrant arts scene and is home to the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
One nearby retirement option:
Catalina Palms at Sundance is Akel Homes’ newest 55+ active adult community in Port St. Lucie, FL, located within the thoughtfully planned 2,500-acre Sundance master-planned community. Designed exclusively for active adults, Catalina Palms offers a vibrant lifestyle experience centered around connection, wellness, and resort-style living.
At the heart of the community is Club Catalina, Port St. Lucie’s largest private community clubhouse, spanning an impressive 56,000 square feet. This resort-style amenity campus features expansive pools with luxurious cabanas, a full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, a world-class fitness center with cutting-edge equipment, dedicated pickleball and tennis courts, social lounges, art studios, card rooms, a test kitchen, and numerous indoor and outdoor spaces designed for social, recreational, and creative pursuits.
Catalina Palms offers a diverse collection of beautifully designed lifestyle villas and single-story homes ranging from approximately 1,400 to 3,400 square feet under air, with pricing anticipated from the low $300s.
Fort Myers
Situated along the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Myers has a warm climate and an abundance of outdoor recreational activities. It is also known for its historical sites, such as the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
One nearby retirement option:
Discover Valencia Harbor by GL Homes in Fort Myers – a new 55+ community featuring a clubhouse, resort pools, fitness centers, sports courts, dining, and social activities. New single-family homes start from the $300s. Join the VIP Interest List to be the first to explore this premium active adult community.
Destin
Nestled on the Emerald Coast in the Florida Panhandle, Destin is famous for its pristine white sand beaches and emerald green waters. It offers a range of water activities and is a popular spot for fishing.
One nearby retirement option:
Located on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast between Pensacola & Panama City, Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is the 2nd Jimmy Buffett-inspired 55+ community in Florida, and the 3rd one overall when you include Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.
Amenities in place or coming soon include a Latitude Town Square with Bandshell, Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant, 2nd Floor Overlook Bar with panoramic views of the Intracoastal Waterway, Paradise Pool with Beach Entry Cabanas, Tiki Huts, Fins Up! Fitness Center, Barkaritaville Dog Park, Tennis & Pickleball Courts, Port of Indecision Kayak Launch, Walking Trails, and more.
Home prices start in the $300k's.
Delray Beach
Located in Palm Beach County, Delray Beach has a vibrant downtown area known as Atlantic Avenue, which is filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. It has beautiful beaches and a lively cultural scene.
One nearby retirement option:
Valencia Del Mar elevates the renowned Valencia 55+ living experience in Boynton Beach, Florida. This luxurious new community offers innovative floorplans, cutting-edge features, and enhanced lifestyle options.
At its center is an 8-acre recreational site featuring a grand social hall, luxury restaurant with indoor and patio seating, stylish sports lounge, and world-class spa with steam rooms, saunas, and private treatment suites. Every aspect is designed for the discerning active adult.
Join the VIP List for exclusive access to all new developments at Valencia Del Mar.
St. Petersburg
Situated on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Petersburg is known for its pleasant weather and cultural attractions. It has a vibrant downtown area with museums, art galleries, and a bustling waterfront.
One nearby retirement option:
Valencia Ridge, the all-new community in the greater Tampa area, offers contemporary home designs and world-class amenities for the ultimate 55+ luxury living. Nothing compares to the incredible 55+ lifestyle, as the world-class clubhouse will feature multiple pools, pickleball and tennis courts, fitness center, restaurant and bar, sports lounge, social hall and much more.
Amelia Island
Located in Northeast Florida, Amelia Island is a charming coastal town known for its pristine beaches, historic district, and Victorian architecture. It offers a relaxed coastal lifestyle and hosts various festivals throughout the year.
One nearby retirement option:
Sweetwater by Del Webb brought the trusted Del Webb 55+ lifestyle to the Jacksonville area, making it North Florida's first Del Webb community.
With world-class amenities, easy access to beaches and urban conveniences, and a fully built-out community offering resale opportunities, Sweetwater delivers proven active adult living in one of Florida's most livable cities.
Jupiter
Situated in Palm Beach County, Jupiter offers beautiful beaches, excellent golf courses, and outdoor recreational opportunities. It has a small-town feel and is known for its natural beauty, including the nearby Loxahatchee River and Jupiter Inlet.
One nearby retirement option:
Valencia Parc at Riverland is one of the newest 55+ communities on Florida's East Coast. Located in Port St. Lucie, Valencia Parc at Riverland brings together GL Homes' famous 55+ resort-style living within the amazing 4,000-acre master-planned community of Riverland to create a Florida lifestyle that's second to none! In this new community, you'll find a million ways to have fun with everything connected through miles of eco-friendly greenways without ever having to get in your car. Walk or ride your golf cart to all the amenities right within your own neighborhood and to nearby shops and restaurants or enjoy a car ride to spend the perfect day at the beach.
Tell Us About Your Favorite Florida Coastal Retirement Town
These are just a few examples of the many great coastal retirement towns in Florida. Each town has its unique charm, amenities, and attractions, so it's important to visit and explore them to find the one that suits your preferences and lifestyle best.
Based on the popularity of this article, I'm sure we'll do a Round 2, so be sure to drop your favorite Florida coastal retirement town down below so we can consider it next time around!
Palm Coast is where spend my winters, getting a busy with commercial expansion and housing developments. Please don’t come here, it’s just fine as is! Lol
I moved from South FL to NE FL. I love Nocatee/Ponte Vedra. You get a nice change of seasons and break from the oppressive heat of South FL. And it’s not nearly as congested. Only a few miles to the coast with close proximity to St Augustine and Jacksonville.
We like Tampa/St.Pete. We are big city folk so we only considered the top four cities in the state. Hope I don’t offend, but we were turned off by Miami’s insane driving, frequent floods, and pockets of poverty. We thought Jacksonville too staid. Orlando turned us off because of its distance from the coast, frequent Disney-inspired traffic jams and gridlock, and omnipresent strip malls and chains. Tampa, St Pete and Clearwater have access to the coast, lots to do, and a sense of dynamism. We are happy here.
We Retired in Naples, Florida from Salt Lake City, Utah and previous to that was Santa Monica, California.
We fell in love with Naples 10 years ago after visiting Naples upon the completion of a Caribbean cruise. We had been looking for a retirement place for two years and immediately fell in love with Naples and purchased a Townhouse before we left to go back home.
After living here for two years, we built a new home in North Naples.
Miami Beach for us. We like the Latin culture. We have great museums and the New World Symphony. The brick walk along the ocean goes for miles.
Why is it that on the Ocean Side the condo’s are always set “way back” from the Ocean. Unlike in California where the Ocean Front Condo’s are literally right there on the ocean front. I’ve been searching for a nice condo on the Ocean Side in Florida and continue to struggle to find anything that is up close and personal to the ocean. They are all “set back” and many have trees and bushes blocking your ocean view.
I love Boca Raton restaurants , bars, art museums and the beach
Crystal river Florida and Beverly hills Florida, 2 of the nicest costal towns to retire to.
We retired in Ocala from South Florida because the insurance and property taxes were to high for our budget. Ocala has the clear springs that is similar to south Florida beaches. Also the restaurants in the Ocala there are some that make it to 5 star with very good food quality. We picked the eastern part of the county do to less traffic and the country feel.
We love the Riverview area. Retired here 2019 love the weather. I’m a Southern girl anyway. We love the Deep South.
Dunedin is a great little town, small enough to feel cozy but the downtown is active and it’s just a short drive to Tampa for all the big city fun and entertainment.
We were ending 4 days in Gulf Shores, AL. We needed to find a place for 2 nights before our next reservations in Hudson, FL. My wife found Cedar Key, a hidden gem on the gulf coast 1-1/2 hrs (+/-) from Hudson. It’s really off the beaten path and very laid back. Not fancy but with a vibrant downtown on the water.
We came from San Diego and chose Inverness, Florida. Small town, crystal river and Homosassa next door. All the restaurants and ,shopping you could want. Seafood galore. Not far from Ocala if you need big city or One hour to Orlando or Tampa.
Davenport is quiet and a great retirement community
DeLand is historic and beautiful 25 minute drive to Daytona beach.
We chose Largo to be near neighbors who are from our Midwest hometown. It is a really convenient location for going to Tampa to the east, Clearwater to the north and St. Pete to the south, but not as fast paced. Just right for us.
I fell in love with St George Island in the panhandle. Close to Apalachicola and PT St Joe.
Great beaches!
Take a look at Palm Coast. The beach is only three miles off I-95!
More of a small town atmosphere, with friendly people, and locaated on the east side of Florida.
I write retirement books, and this is where I relocated more than 15 years ago – I’m still very happy, and the area is still growing.
Jan Cullinane, The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life (Wiley, 2022)
We retired here also in late 2021 and love it. A small town feel with convenient access to the beach, St. Augustine, and Daytona Beach.
Agree 100% Palm Coast is quiet, just enough of great restaurants and shopping. Easy drive to beach and not too crowded!
Dunedin is amazing.