U.S. News & World Report publishes an annual list of what they think are the best cities for people to retire in, and to be quite honest, sometimes it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
This year they have SEVEN Pennsylvania cities in the top 10 (that's up from five last year), and to top it off, New York City came in at #6!
Are you retiring to NYC? I hope you have a bag of cash!
But to their credit, they did include 14 Florida cities on this year's list, and here they are:
#8 Daytona Beach
What they said:
“The Daytona Beach population swells and wanes like the ocean tide. Every winter, the region's beaches overflow with tourists looking to thaw after bearing the cold temperatures back home. Come summertime, the city feels empty by comparison.”
One nearby retirement option:
Latitude Margaritaville is a 55+ community in Daytona Beach, 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.
#12 Tampa
What they said:
“Residents of the Tampa Bay area enjoy both a laid-back beach lifestyle and the amenities of a large metropolitan area, including professional sports teams, museums, and an array of entertainment and dining options.”
One nearby retirement option:
Valencia Lakes is a 55+ community located in Wimauma, about halfway between Tampa and Bradenton.
Valencia Lakes residents have access to a 40,000 sq. ft. clubhouse that features a fitness center, card room, ballroom, an arts and crafts room, tennis, pickleball and bocce courts, a resort-style pool area, and more.
Attached villas and single-family homes are both available and prices start in the $300k's.
#18 Sarasota
What they said:
“Sarasota has a distinct vibe that’s different from Florida’s relative coastal cities, with its own vibrant arts scene,beachy atmosphere and burgeoning food culture. People who choose Sarasota as their home are generally called by its unique charm. This metro area of just over 800,000 people has a renowned opera house, a number of rooftop barsand the popular beach of Siesta Key.“
One nearby retirement option:
Just minutes from the beaches of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is the #1 best-selling multigenerational master-planned community in the country.
With everything from low-maintenance condominiums to single-family houses starting in the $400k's, Lakewood Ranch offers a neighborhood option for just about every type of family and budget. There are also a few 55+ community options available, including Del Webb Lakewood Ranch and Cresswind Lakewood Ranch.
#22 Lakeland
What they said:
“Aptly named for its 38 stunning lakes, Lakeland is infused with Old Florida history and natural beauty. Remnants of Lakeland's past, like Polk Theatre and Munn Park, remind residents of the metro area’s 19th-century roots. Meanwhile, dozens of parks allow Lakelanders to enjoy the beautiful Sunshine State weather.”
#23 Melbourne
What they said:
“Troves of urbanites, families, professionals and retirees enjoy Melbourne, Florida, one of the Space Coast's most populated metro areas. It's no accident that residents here love anything that produces lift. On clear days, you can see sky-rumbling satellite launches and spacecrafts containing cargo en route to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral.”
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.
#24 Orlando
What they said:
“When travelers say they're going to Orlando, the question is, “Which one?” There's downtown Orlando, the seat of Orange County government and a center for nightclubs, restaurants, concerts and post-game celebrations. There's residential Orlando, which developed during the 1920s “City Beautiful” movement to feature canopied oaks and lakefront bungalows. And then there's the Orlando that tourists know: the Orlando that's home to some of the world's top theme parks and that welcomes millions of travelers each year, making it one of the most popular vacation destinations in America.”
One nearby retirement option:
Solivita is an award-winning retirement community in Central Florida’s attraction zone. No matter where you live within this lush gated 55-plus community in Kissimmee, you can easily walk, bike or drive your golf cart to indoor and outdoor dining venues, state-of-the-art spa and fitness complexes, pickleball or tennis courts, and other facilities for sports and games.
With two stunning championship golf courses, intimate neighborhood centers, softball field, miles of green space for walking and biking, and too many classes and clubs to count, you will have many ways to enjoy the Solivita life.
Home prices start in the $200k's.
#26 Ocala
What they said:
“Known as the “Horse Capital of the World,” Ocala maintains deep equestrian roots even as the area evolves into a diverse metropolitan community. The rolling hills and green pastures of surrounding horse farms meld into the urban center of the city, where a burgeoning logistics industry takes advantage of the centralized location in the heart of Florida.”
One nearby retirement option:
At On Top of the World Communities, active adults will find all they dream about and so much more. Located in beautiful Ocala Florida, On Top of the World residents can enjoy any schedule that suits their tastes – from activity-packed to unhurried.
Amenities include 54 holes of golf on three courses, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a 14-acre R/C flying field, bocce, racquetball and basketball courts, fitness center, health club and spa, restaurants, cultural venues, and much more. Residents can also participate in over 175 clubs, leagues, hobbies, and lifelong learning opportunities.
There are around 20 different floor plans available with prices ranging to suit every budget starting in the $200k's.
#28 Naples
What they said:
“Nestled between the edges of the Everglades and the shores of the Gulf of Mexico sits Collier County, home to Naples, Immokalee and Marco Island, as well as a range of distinctly Florida flavors. Long known as a preferred retirement spot for the rich, powerful and cold-averse, the greater Naples and Marco Island area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping.”
One nearby retirement option:
Located just east of Naples in the master-planned community of Ave Maria, Del Webb Naples is a fairly large community of around 2,000 condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. This community has an (optional to join) 18-hole championship golf course, sports courts, resort and lap pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and 2 large clubhouses with a full-time Lifestyle Director. Homes start in the $300k's.
#29 Jacksonville
What they said:
“Sitting near the Atlantic shore in northeast Florida, Jacksonville is tied together by bridges, crossing rivers to unite residents in the downtown area with nearby beaches. Restaurants, shops and entertainment options fill all of Greater Jacksonville's neighborhoods. There are nature trails to hike and marshes to kayak.”
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.
#30 Pensacola
What they said:
“White sand beaches, breathtaking sunsets and emerald green waters are often cited as reasons newcomers fall in love with the Pensacola area. The Spanish explorer Tristán de Luna was certainly enamored when he established Pensacola as the first European settlement in the U.S. in 1559. But beyond the world-famous beaches is a rich cultural heritage displayed through historical architecture, diverse festivals and a fine arts scene.”
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.
The list of amenities coming to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is very similar to what we’ve seen in other Latitude Margaritaville communities. Home prices start in the $300k’s.
#49 Port St. Lucie
What they said:
“Port St. Lucie is nestled along Florida's Treasure Coast, on the state's southeast side, about halfway between Miami and Orlando. Port St. Lucie has a more relaxed atmosphere than its larger neighbors. Its clean streets and quiet neighborhoods are woven around scenic waterways and lush green golf courses. Homes in the area can be affordable to buy or rent, compared with other South Florida housing markets.”
One nearby retirement option:
As soon as you enter Vitalia at Tradition, you’ll know you have found the ultimate active adult lifestyle in Port St. Lucie. With bicycles and golf carts as the preferred method of transportation, active adult residents can join friends within the neighborhood or explore the vast 8,300 acres of Tradition.
A 24,000-square-foot clubhouse encompasses everything from tennis and bocce courts to a great lawn with fire pits and a putting green to a ballroom, fitness rooms and more! The Captiva Club is a private lakefront facility offering year-round recreation and social activities for Vitalia residents, complementing an active lifestyle. Home prices start in the $300k's.
#57 Fort Myers
What they said:
“Situated between Tampa and Miami on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers is a growing city. The “City of Palms” has long lured vacationers with its year-round warmth, lush flora, waterways and proximity to white sand beaches. These qualities have attracted such notable seasonal visitors as Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, and help lure new residents to the area, as well.”
One nearby retirement option:
Del Webb Oak Creek is a new 55+ community that opened in Fort Myers in 2022. Here you’ll find pretty much the same floorplans and amenities offered in other Del Webb communities, but if Southwest Florida is where you want to retire, this place is definitely worth checking out. Prices start in the $300k’s.
#63 Tallahassee
What they said:
“Florida is known for its sandy beaches and summertime weather, but Tallahassee has a different vibe. Located on the edge of the tree-covered Red Hills region near the border of Georgia, this state capital enjoys four distinct seasons. It boasts three institutions of higher learning: Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College. And the city’s Southern heritage influences its architecture, landscape, attitude and pace of life.”
#82 Miami
What they said:
“Dubbed “The Magic City,” Miami is one of the most vibrant metro areas in the U.S., and it's well on its way to becoming one of the largest international business hubs in the world. In Miami, each neighborhood reflects its diverse communities and adds to the character of the area and Miami-Dade County.”
For further reading: You can see all the cities that made the 2024 US News & World Report list here.
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