Port St. Lucie sits in the northern part of what most people consider South Florida, but home prices here are not quite as high as those you will find in places like Palm Beach County.
Because of this, Port St. Lucie is very attractive to retirees right now, and developers are building several 55+ communities to meet that demand.
Port St. Lucie 55+ Communities
First off, here are some of the best 55+ communities in Port St. Lucie that are currently building and selling new homes:
Valencia at Riverland
A new chapter of exceptional 55+ living has arrived at Riverland for 55+ in Port St. Lucie, Florida with the grand opening of Valencia Vista! This highly anticipated community introduces an all-new collection of thoughtfully designed homes, including the innovative Club Villas, along with spacious new floorplans featuring open-concept living, flexible spaces, designer kitchens, and enhanced standard features such as upgraded 42″ upper cabinetry, quartz countertops throughout, and expansive kitchen islands that make it easier than ever to create your dream home.
Residents will also enjoy an expanded Social Club with over 54,000 total sq. ft. of resort-style amenities, including a full-service restaurant and bar, resort-style pools, vibrant social spaces, and year-round events curated by a full-time Lifestyle Director. Beyond the clubhouse, Riverland’s extraordinary 4,000-acre master-planned community gives homeowners access from day one to more than 80 outdoor sports courts, a 51,000 sq. ft. Wellness & Fitness Center, a 5-acre Arts & Culture Center, miles of scenic Paseo greenways, parks, and countless opportunities to stay active, social, and inspired every day. Learn more about Valencia Vista at Riverland with homes starting from the mid $300s today and start living the best 55+ Florida lifestyle!
Catalina Palms at Sundance
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.
Located a little more than halfway from Daytona Beach to Miami, Port St. Lucie offers a more relaxed feel than its much larger coastal counterparts, but it does so without asking residents to concede many of the same amenities!
Getting There
Port St. Lucie is located on Florida's east coast, right off I-95 and Florida's Turnpike, so getting there by car is a breeze.
If you are flying down, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is about 40 miles away and probably the best bet for most people. Depending on what airlines service your area, you might also want to check out Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) which is about 60 miles away.
Cost of Living in Port St. Lucie
The cost of living in Port St. Lucie is about 1% below the national average, and it is actually about 4% lower than the average cost of living in Florida.
One major factor in an area's overall cost of living is home prices and, at least for now, Port St. Lucie has some of the most attractive home pricing in the state, at least when it comes to places you'd actually want to retire.
Port St. Lucie Healthcare
The largest hospital here is HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital, a 222-bed hospital that has been serving Florida's Treasure Coast community for more than 30 years. This facility offers a full range of services, including 24/7 emergency care in their “senior-friendly” emergency room. Another great option is the just slightly smaller 177- bed Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital on the west side of town which is actually where more of the 55+ communities are in Port St. Lucie.
Port St. Lucie Weather
Here’s a look at the average low and high temperatures in Port St. Lucie throughout the year:
| Month | Avg. Low | Avg. High |
| January | 56 | 73 |
| February | 59 | 76 |
| March | 63 | 79 |
| April | 67 | 83 |
| May | 72 | 86 |
| June | 74 | 88 |
| July | 74 | 89 |
| August | 75 | 88 |
| September | 74 | 85 |
| October | 67 | 80 |
| November | 62 | 77 |
| December | 57 | 73 |
Golf in Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie might just be the ideal location for people who love the game of golf! Here you will find 54 holes of golf at the PGA Golf Club, and more than a dozen other courses in the area.
Mets Spring Training Baseball
Another reason that Port St. Lucie is such a popular location is that the New York Mets call it home from February to March every year for their spring training. Coming out to see the big league squad during spring training can be an awesome experience, but residents also have the option to watch the Mets’ high class-A minor league affiliate play here in Port St. Lucie throughout the summer!
Port St. Lucie Area Beaches
As far as beach access is concerned, Port St. Lucie residents can either go north to Fort Pierce, or south to Jensen Beach. Hutchinson Island sits in between them. All in all, St. Lucie County has 21 miles of beaches. The county claims to have more public beach access points per square mile than any other coastal community in Florida.
With the exception of the Florida State Park beaches, all beaches in St. Lucie are free admission and free parking and many of them have amenities like bathrooms, pavilions, dune walkovers, and more.
History & Culture
While golf and baseball tend to take precedence in the Port St. Lucie area, there is no shortage of culture and history here either! The area contains attractions like the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, a museum dedicated to the history of the US Navy SEALs, the Hallstrom Planetarium, and the A.E. Backus Gallery and Museum. There are also a plethora of cultural events hosted as the Port St. Lucie Civic Center every year!
What are your thoughts about Merritt Island for a retirement location? Thanks.