Overview of Florida’s 8 Diverse Regions

Each region of Florida has its own unique charms.

Before deciding on a retirement community, you should really spend some time thinking about which part of Florida you might like best.

I like to think of the decision process as: Location —> Community —> Home

Here are links to a few of the popular Florida retirement regions:

Central Florida – There are a lot of retirement communities to choose from in Central Florida. Some prominent cities include Orlando, Lake Mary, Altamonte Springs, Winter Park, Kissimmee, The Villages, Leesburg, Ocala, Gainesville, and Lakeland.

The West Coast – Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, and Sarasota are the biggest population centers in this region of the state. This area is also very popular with residents and retirees from the Midwest who are able to shoot right down I-75 to get here.

Southwest Florida – Southwest Florida which includes Naples, Marco Island, and Fort Myers, is extremely popular due to its proximity to the tranquil Gulf and relaxing beaches. Most retirement communities in Southwest Florida are very upscale.

North Florida – Jacksonville and other parts of North Florida have a wide array of retirement communities from which to choose. Living in Jacksonville and the Northeast part of Florida gives you a chance to be away from the hustle and bustle of South Florida while enjoying a slightly milder climate, though the city of Jacksonville itself is pretty busy.

The East Coast – This region includes Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna, Titusville, Melbourne, and Cocoa Beach. This popular retirement community destination is growing rapidly not only because of Northerners retiring there but also because of people moving up from South Florida.

South Florida – Southeast Florida has been one of the nation’s all-time most sought-after retirement community locations. The most popular destinations include Port St. Lucie, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach.

Panhandle/Northwest Florida – This region includes popular retirement destinations like Destin, Panama City Beach, and Pensacola, and is quickly becoming even more popular with the development of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound.