If you've been looking at Southwest Florida for retirement, you already know the names: Naples, Fort Myers, Venice. But knowing the names and knowing where you'd actually want to live are two different things. I put together a list of the 7 best places to retire in Southwest Florida right now, with specific communities in each town so you can see what's actually available.
Fort Myers
Known for offering the perfect combination of recreation and relaxation, Fort Myers contains an endless amount of options including great beaches, first-class golf courses, exciting deep-sea fishing, and outstanding shopping. It's no wonder why you'll find so many 55+ communities there.
There is an amazing selection of great local restaurants in just about every neighborhood, and baseball fans will be excited to know that both the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins host their spring training activities here.
Where to Retire in Fort Myers
Discover Valencia Harbor, a premier 55+ community in Fort Myers, Florida, where exceptional value meets an elevated active-adult lifestyle. This vibrant new community features beautifully designed single-family homes priced from the mid $300s to the $600s, with stylish standard features, resort-style amenities, and countless opportunities to connect, stay active, and enjoy the best of Southwest Florida.
The Valencia Harbor lifestyle is already taking shape, with the Community Center now open and offering a fitness center, card room, sports lounge, arts and crafts room, covered outdoor patio, and more. Residents will also enjoy the 33,000-square-foot Harbor Club, complete with resort-style pools, a lap pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, full-service restaurant and poolside bar, grand social hall, sports lounge, card salon, and arts and crafts room. The Sports & Racquet Club adds even more opportunities for recreation, featuring tennis and pickleball courts, a pro shop, and additional amenities designed for an active lifestyle. With a full-time Lifestyle Director curating a dynamic calendar of clubs, activities, fitness programs, and social events, there’s always something new to experience and a welcoming community to be part of.
Explore Valencia Harbor today and discover beautiful new homes, exceptional amenities, and an unparalleled 55+ lifestyle in the heart of Fort Myers.
Naples
Like many southwest Florida communities, Naples brings together the best of shopping, recreation, and beautiful beaches. But residents here would definitely argue that Naples offers the best versions of all three.
Historic downtown Naples is filled with high-end shops and boutiques. The surrounding areas are littered with championship-level golf courses. And this location along the southern Gulf Coast of Florida boasts some of the most stunning beaches you will find anywhere.
Where to Retire in Naples
Introducing Valencia Sky, Naples, Florida's leading luxury 55+ community, where the world-famous Valencia lifestyle meets the world-famous Naples lifestyle. Located just five miles from iconic 5th Avenue, Valencia Sky offers an unbeatable location with easy access to Naples’ renowned shopping, dining, beaches, and entertainment. Experience the best of Southwest Florida while enjoying an exceptional active adult lifestyle right at home.
Valencia Sky is bringing an incredible collection of resort-style amenities to life. The Community Center is now open, providing residents with a fitness center, social hub, daily activities, and events curated by a full-time Lifestyle Director. The Racquet Club and Pro Shop are also now open, featuring nine pickleball courts and three tennis courts. The impressive 35,000-square-foot Clubhouse features resort-style pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and exercise studio, spa with treatment rooms, steam rooms and a salt therapy lounge, a grand social hall, full-service restaurant, sports lounge, cooking studio, arts and crafts center, and so much more.
With contemporary home designs and impressive models like the new Stellar, Valencia Sky offers beautifully designed homes from the $700s to $1m+. Discover Naples’ premier 55+ lifestyle and learn more about Valencia Sky today to explore the homes, amenities, and exceptional location that make this community unlike anywhere else in Naples.
Port Charlotte
Located almost exactly halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, Port Charlotte is one of the true hidden gems of Florida's Gulf Coast, which makes it a natural destination for many boomers looking to enjoy their retirement years.
This small town community is located right on the water of Charlotte Harbor and offers access to more than 165 miles of waterways, so all kinds of water activities are extremely popular here.
Where to Retire in Port Charlotte
Located in the popular Port Charlotte/Punta Gorda area of Florida, Kings Gate offers easy access to beaches, marinas, wildlife sanctuaries, airports, and more, many within a 15-minute drive or less. A friendly, gated neighborhood community for residents age 55 and up, Kings Gate homeowners enjoy access to a recreation center, Olympic-sized swimming pool and spa, tennis courts, on-site activities director, and a variety of resident clubs and social events. Membership to the two 18-hole golf courses and facilities are additionally available. Prices start in the $200k’s.
Babcock Ranch
Babcock Ranch is a solar-powered town located near Fort Myers in Southwest Florida. It is designed with walkability and bike-ability in mind, and much of it is golf cart accessible.
Babcock Ranch gained a lot of national notoriety in 2022 after news stories from CNN and 60 Minutes covered how well the community fared during Hurricane Ian.
Situated on approximately 18,000 acres, adjacent to an extensive wilderness preserve, an 870-acre solar farm powers some of the community. There are clubhouses, pools, a golf course, hiking and biking paths, greenways, and lakes perfect for outdoor adventures.
Where to Retire in Babcock Ranch
There are several great single-family home and condominium neighborhoods retirees might like in Babcock Ranch, but the first 55+ neighborhood opened there in 2023 called Regency at Babcock Ranch.
Englewood
Englewood is a popular retirement destination located in Southwest Florida. Retirees like it because they can enjoy a coastal retirement location but the home prices and cost of living tend to be a little lower than they are in places like Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples.
Like most places in Southwest Florida, Englewood has hot and humid summers and mild winters.
Englewood is a popular destination for fishing and boating enthusiasts. Charter a fishing trip or rent a boat to explore the local waterways and enjoy the abundant marine life.
Where to Retire in Englewood
Located just south of Venice in Sarasota County, Boca Royale Golf & Country Club offers a rare lifestyle that feels more like a vacation than the everyday. Residents of the gated 1,000-acre community enjoy a full line of fun and fitness amenities, including an 18-hole par 72 golf course. A beautiful amenity center and clubhouse round out the community. The community offers both single-family homes and attached villas.
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 beaches.
In addition to those beautiful beaches, Venice is also known for all kinds of exciting ways to enjoy the great outdoors. It is a fabulous destination for boomers interested in exploring arts and culture, boutique shopping, or a wide range of outstanding restaurant choices.
Where to Retire in Venice
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.
Wellen Park
Wellen Park is a master-planned community that is home to several different neighborhoods, shops, restaurants, and lots of amenities for residents (and non-residents) to enjoy.
The Venice area on Florida's west coast has seen a lot of demand and growth in recent years and that's thanks in large part to the development of Wellen Park.
Wellen Park spans approximately 11,000 acres and it is estimated that there will be about 22,000 homes at time of completion which is many years away.
Where to Retire in Wellen Park
Experience low-maintenance living in beautifully designed condos nestled within the desirable Wellen Park community. These thoughtfully crafted residences feature 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1- or 2-car garages, and private lanais or balconies.
Enjoy access to resort-style amenities like a lap pool with shaded cabanas, clubhouse, paw park, firepit, and more. With lawncare included, you can spend less time on maintenance and more time enjoying your vibrant community.
Conveniently located just minutes from shopping, dining, and entertainment, plus nearby golf courses, Gulf Coast beaches, and CoolToday Park.
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