A few months back I shared this article highlighting 10 great coastal retirement towns in Florida, but if 10 great coastal retirement towns are all you think we've got, you don't know Florida!
So here are 10 more great coastal retirement towns in Florida you might want to consider.
Venice
Located just south of Sarasota, but not quite as far south as Fort Myers or Sanibel Island, Venice sits in a sweet spot along Florida's southern Gulf Coast that makes it the perfect destination for anyone looking to make the most of 14 miles of stunning white sand beaches.
One nearby retirement option:
Grand Palm is truly a one-of-a-kind community! This beautiful, amenity-rich, nature-focused community in Venice, Florida is exactly what resort living should be like. Residents enjoy easy access to downtown Venice and beaches (20 minutes away) and a multitude of activities right in their own backyard with an on-site activities coordinator, state-of-the-art fitness facility, and large, resort-style pool with water slide. Attached villas and single-family homes are available.
Boynton Beach
Located just about halfway between West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, Boynton Beach offers residents a lifestyle that is far-removed from all of the popular Florida tourist destinations without actually being all that far away from those places.
One nearby retirement option:
Cresswind Palm Beach at Westlake is a 55+ community offering resort-style amenities, including Club Cresswind with pools, fitness facilities, arts studios, and sports courts. Located between Wellington and Palm Beach Gardens, residents enjoy easy access to beaches, shopping, and West Palm Beach attractions. Kolter Homes offers 12 floorplans designed for active adults.
Tampa
As the third largest city in the state of Florida, Tampa offers residents all of the big city amenities they are looking for combined with the fantastic climate that draws people to the Sunshine State in the first place. In addition to tons of amenities and great weather, Tampa is also located right on the water and filled with outstanding shopping and dining options.
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.
Daytona Beach
It's not called “The World's Most Famous Beach” for nothing! Because of its popularity among race fans, motorcycle enthusiasts, spring breakers, and summer vacationers, Daytona Beach is often overlooked by many retirees as they search for a Florida retirement destination that will fit their ideal lifestyle. However, those popular reasons for visiting Daytona Beach are really just scratching the surface of what residents enjoy here throughout the year.
One nearby retirement option:
Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach is a 55+ community inspired by the lifestyle and music of Jimmy Buffett.
Amenities include a fully outfitted gym / Spin Room, aerobics room with virtual personal trainer, indoor whirlpool spa and lap pool, Latitude Town Square where you’ll find the Bandshell with live music, The Last Mango Theater includes a banquet hall with stage for performances and dancing, Barkaritaville Pet Spa, Coconut Telegraph Business Center, Latitude Bar & Chill Restaurant, Changes in Attitude Bar, Paradise Pool with beach entry, cabanas, and tiki huts, plus, an amenity that you don’t see every day…your very own private beach club! Home prices start in the $300k's.
New Smyrna Beach
Located just 15 miles south of Daytona Beach is where you will find New Smyrna Beach. This quaint little beach town offers the atmosphere that many Boomers are looking for, but also brings quite a few unique amenities to the table.
One nearby retirement option:
Explore DeLand’s newest 55+ community, offering Cresswind’s national award-winning active adult lifestyle and new, Move-In Ready homes from the $300s. Cresswind DeLand offers a lakefront location just minutes from charming downtown DeLand in Central Florida.
In addition to Lake Winnemissett access for catch-and-release fishing, Cresswind offers an award-winning, 55+ lifestyle. A future resident-only clubhouse will serve as the central hub, featuring a fitness center, resort-style pool, pickleball courts, art studio, event spaces and indoor/outdoor gathering spots to unwind and connect with neighbors.
Cresswind features a new collection of floorplans designed specifically for active adults.
Melbourne
Considered part of the Space Coast on Florida's East Coast, Melbourne is seeing an uptick in interest among readers in part due to all of the activity surrounding the fast-growing commercial space program.
One nearby retirement option:
Situated on over 500 acres, with plans for approximately 1,300 homes, Del Webb at Viera offers retirement living in an acclaimed master-planned community known for its robust amenities and proximity to beautiful beaches, fine dining and shopping.
Del Webb at Viera offers single-family homes similar to those available in other Del Webb communities. Prices start in the $300k's.
Crystal River
Crystal River is located right on the Gulf Coast of Florida just a little over an hour north of Tampa, a little over an hour south of Gainesville, and about and hour and a half west of Orlando. This area is commonly referred to as “The Nature Coast” because of the abundance of parks, preserves, and wildlife, and it is also one of the best places to get up close and personal with some West Indian Manatees.
One nearby retirement option:
Located less than an hour from The Villages, the Villages of Citrus Hills is a Florida Retirement Community with single-family homes and maintenance-free villas that have been built with today’s demanding baby-boomer in mind. But what makes the promise of Florida Retirement in the Villages of Citrus Hills truly come together for today’s new breed of active adult retiree is its extraordinary collection of world-class community country club amenities and extensive social activities. Villages of Citrus Hills offers a variety of home styles and neighborhoods to choose from.
Panama City Beach
Known for its 27-mile stretch of stunning white sand beaches, Panama City Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations located in the Florida panhandle, and it’s hard not to fall in love with what the city refers to as “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches.” Tourists and residents alike are able to enjoy scenic state parks and some great golf courses.
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.
Palm Coast
Located along the Atlantic Coast, Palm Coast is a popular destination for retirement due to its beautiful weather, affordable cost of living, and range of recreational activities.
One nearby retirement option:
Reverie at Palm Coast is a brand new 55+ community located in a naturally beautiful setting at the heart of the abundant activities, great golf and sparkling ocean waters that rank this area as one of the top beach towns in the country.
Reverie will include a staffed amenities center with an outdoor zero-entry swimming pool, separate spa, fitness center with fitness on-demand video system, 6 tournament-style pickleball courts, grand event lawn, multiple gathering areas, party bar, social clubs, separate aerobics area, golf simulator, putting green and much more.
Reverie will feature 15 different home designs in 3 home collections that range from 1,693 sq. ft to over 3,700 sq. ft in living area with 2 and 3-car garages. Pre-construction prices start from the mid $300,000 to mid $500,000 range with many homesite views, design elements and options to choose from.
Jacksonville
Known as the “River City on the Sea,” Jacksonville is packed with more than 22 miles of beaches, a scenic stretch of the beautiful St. Johns River, the largest urban park system in the nation, historic neighborhoods, and a thriving street art scene.
One nearby retirement option:
Del Webb eTown is a new, smart-living, 55+ gated community in Jacksonville centrally located near the popular St. Johns Town Center retail/dining/entertainment center off I-295. Meet friends at the private clubhouse and amenity center with recreational activities including tennis, pickleball, bocce courts, walking trails, outdoor pavilions, fire pits and so much more. Homes start in the $400k's.
Tell Us About Your Favorite Florida Coastal Retirement Town
These are just a few more 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 another round, so be sure to drop your favorite Florida coastal retirement town down below so we can consider it next time around!
Lehigh Acres is a great place to retire I had a vacation home there for 40 years close to Ft Myers
I personally Love St. Joe/Mexico Beach . It’s all about Beauty and the Beach. St.Joe, Bay -Indian Pass Beach and the Apalachicloa Bay not far away either.
Punta Gorda, great place!!!!
St. AUGUSTINE
Fernandina Beach(Amelia Island)
Redington Beach is a diamond. No comericial business in the 10 block town, but easy access to restaurants, golf, tennis, pickleball, etc. The beach has no high rises. All homes are individually owned. Most beautiful beach and a majority of home are steps away on the intercoastal.
We are looking at Estero, Ft Myers, Cape Coral or Bonita Springs for our dream retirement home. We rent a home in those areas every February and really love the area.
I recently moved from Jacksonville to Tavares. I’m only 2 miles from Eustis, 3 miles from Mount Dora, and 2 miles from Leesburg. I love it here. Auto insurance is about a third cheaper, and so many places to go.