We've covered the many great coastal retirement towns in Florida, but for this article, let's turn our attention to some of the great inland retirement towns in Florida.
For our purposes here, we are defining “inland” as being in a county that does not touch the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf.
Here are seven great inland retirement towns to consider in Florida.
Ocala
The Ocala area represents a unique combination of history, horses, and culture that is surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural environments you will find anywhere. Sprinkle in the collection of interesting shops and restaurants in Ocala’s downtown district and you will find Ocala to be the type of place where no one struggles to find something to do.
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.
The Villages
Located about an hour north of Orlando, The Villages is consistently one of the best-selling communities, retirement or otherwise, in the country.
The Villages is home to more than 150,000 people, has more than 700 holes of golf, 200 pickleball courts, 100 recreation centers, 100 swimming pools, more than 3,000 clubs and organizations residents can participate in, an “enrichment academy” to support lifelong learning, more than 100 restaurants, a wide range of shops, grocery stores, and medical offices, free live entertainment on a nightly basis, and to top it off, nearly everything is golf cart accessible. Monthly fees are less than $200.
Because of its sheer size and scale, The Villages is unlike any other place or community you'll encounter in Florida.
Lady Lake
Lady Lake is a small town in North Central Florida known for its role as the birthplace of the world's biggest retirement community, The Villages. But The Villages is not the only retirement community with roots here, and new ones continue to pop up even today.
One nearby retirement option:
Cresswind at Hammock Oaks is a 55+ community in Lady Lake, located less than 3 miles from The Villages.
The planned resident-only clubhouse will feature a SmartFIT Training Center with EGYM technology, resort pool, pickleball courts, art studio, and various gathering spaces. The community offers new floorplans specifically designed for active adults, with customization options available through an on-site Design Studio.
Join the VIP List for early access to community information, floorplans, and pricing before the Spring 2025 Grand Opening.
Tavares
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Dora, Tavares is a waterfront town known as the “Seaplane City.” It offers a relaxed lifestyle with opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeside activities. Tavares also has a historic downtown district and hosts various events and festivals.
One nearby retirement option:
Cresswind at Lake Harris offers a lakefront location just minutes from downtown Tavares and Mount Dora in Central Florida.
In addition to the community dock for boating on Lake Harris, a future lakefront, 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 at Lake Harris will feature a new collection of floorplans designed specifically for active adults.
Clermont
Sitting right in the heart of Central Florida, just 20 miles west of Orlando, is where you will find the impressive city of Clermont, Florida. It has been ranked in the past as one of the Top 25 Best Places to Retire by Forbes and Money Magazines and was also voted the #1 Florida Bicycle-Friendly Community.
One nearby retirement option:
Located in Clermont, Palms at Serenoa is a gated, active adult community of 570 attached villas and single-family homes. Residents here enjoy access to amenities like a community clubhouse, fitness center, resort-style pool, and more than 16 acres of parks and green spaces around the community.
The attached homes at Palms at Serenoa are a 1,608 square foot floorplan with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The single-family homes range in size from 1,402 to 2,034 square feet and come in six different models. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Winter Garden
Situated along the Caloosahatchee River and the Gulf of Mexico, Fort Myers has a warm climate and an abundance of outdoor recreational activities. It is also known for its historical sites, such as the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.
One nearby retirement option:
Del Webb Oasis is located just minutes from Orlando area theme parks and attractions.
Like most Del Webb 55+ communities, Del Webb Oasis has a long list of amenities for residents to enjoy, including a 12,000 sq. ft. resort-style amenity center.
Del Webb offers 13 different floorplans here from their “Scenic”, “Distinctive”, and “Echelon” home series, plus the “Ellenwood” from their attached villa series. Prices start in the $400k's.
St. Cloud
Located along the southern banks of East Lake Tohopekaliga near Kissimmee and just south of Orlando, St. Cloud is a quiet city that was originally known as a retirement destination for Civil War veterans.
In addition to having a rich history, the area also offers a type of small-town living that is getting harder and harder to find here in Florida. Combining that small-town atmosphere with access to all of the fantastic amenities located just to the north in Orlando makes St. Cloud a perfect mixture of old and new Florida living.
One nearby retirement option:
The Lakes at Harmony is a 55 and Better community from Jones Homes USA. Experience active living at its best, with Harmony’s signature golf course, Town Center, community events, walking trails, and more.
Harmony is more than a community, it’s a way of life; where the peace and tranquility of small-town living is surrounded by pristine lakes, abundant natural areas, popular Town Square and exclusive amenities, all close to the excitement and activities of nearby Orlando.
All homes are built for the way you live today, with oversized kitchens, open living spaces and incredible included luxury features. With its perfect blend of small-town living, outstanding amenities, convenient location, everyone wants to live in Harmony.
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