Located in northeast Florida, Jacksonville offers its residents all of the amenities that come with a beachfront city for a fraction of the cost of some of the other popular retirement destinations in the state.
Known as the “River City on the Sea,” Jacksonville is packed with more than 22 miles of beaches, a scenic stretch of the beautiful St. Johns River, the largest urban park system in the nation, historic neighborhoods, and a thriving street art scene.
In this article, we'll look at some of the newest 55+ retirement communities in Jacksonville, as well as some other helpful information that would be of interest to those wanting to retire in this area.
Del Webb eTown – Jacksonville
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.
Everlake at Mandarin – Jacksonville
Everlake at Mandarin offers 192 luxury paired villa homes centrally located in the heart of Mandarin, a popular Jacksonville area neighborhood. Residences will offer lakefront, preserve, and privacy-focused homesites. The paired villas of Everlake are designed to liberate homeowners from day-to-day home maintenance so they have more time to pursue a carefree lifestyle.
Amenities will include a private clubhouse with an outdoor swimming pool, open-air pavilions, a fitness center, and more. Prices start in the $300k’s.
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Del Webb Nocatee – Ponte Vedra
Del Webb Nocatee is a new 55+ gated community in Ponte Vedra, which is in Northeast Florida, just minutes from Jacksonville and St. Augustine, and about 4 miles from pristine beaches.
The Canopy Club offers luxury amenities just a golf cart's drive away, including a zero-entry pool, pickleball courts, fitness studio, and even an onsite Tavern & Grill with private wine lockers.
Parkland Preserve – St. Augustine
Parkland Preserve at World Golf Village is an active adult neighborhood offered by Freedom Homes, a D.R. Horton company. Freedom communities offer a low-stress, active adult lifestyle in great locations.
Community features include a gated entrance, an amenity center with a pool, and a Lifestyle Director to help residents meet their neighbors, stay active and make new friends!
Community amenities include a swimming pool, fitness room, covered pavilion, park, and lifestyle director. Parkland Preserve is close to many great golf courses, fantastic shopping, dining, music, and entertainment! Conveniently located near I-95, it makes visiting Historic St. Augustine, Downtown Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville International Airport a short drive.
Reverie at Trailmark – St. Augustine
Reverie at Trailmark is a 55+ community in St. Augustine. The Lodge is a 4,600 sq. ft. Lakeside Clubhouse that features indoor and outdoor social spaces, six pickleball courts, a resort-style pool and spa, a catering kitchen, and what sounds to me like one of the coolest amenities…an open-air Bier Garten.
There are 11 new single-family home designs, ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft. The community features lakeside and preserve homesites. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Request more information about Reverie at Trailmark
Summer Bay at Grand Oaks – St. Augustine
Located in St. Johns County, this community from Pulte Active Adult features homesites designed to showcase conservation, lake, and park views. The gated, 55+ neighborhood will have 1.5 acres of exclusive amenities including pickleball, tennis, bocce ball courts, and more. Prices start in the $300k’s.
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Del Webb Wildlight – Yulee
Experience a new level of retirement living at Del Webb Wildlight. This distinctive active adult community is located 20 minutes away from downtown Fernandina, Amelia Island beaches, and downtown Jacksonville. Del Webb Wildlight provides unique opportunities centered around signature resort-style amenities hosted by a full-time lifestyle director to ensure you stay active.
Lakeview at Tributary – Yulee, FL
Stillwater – St. Johns, FL
Stillwater is a 55+ community by Lennar Homes located just off I-95 about 20 minutes south of downtown Jacksonville. Homeowners have access to exciting amenities, such as the Bobby Weed-designed 18-hole golf course and a community swimming pool. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby in St. Johns.
A total of 549 homes are planned here, and attached villages and single-family homes are available. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Watersong at RiverTown – St. John's, FL
Located in the amazing master-planned community of RiverTown, Watersong at RiverTown is an active adult community of 800 attached villas and single-family homes. Residents here enjoy access to their own private community clubhouse, resort-style pool, and fishing pier. They can also find plenty to do in the larger RiverTown community.
Homes range in size from 1,431 to 2,554 square feet with 2 to 4 bedrooms and 2-3 bathrooms. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Request more information about Watersong at Rivertown
Jacksonville History
The history of Jacksonville dates all the way back to 2500 BC according to pottery remains that have been found in the area, but the modern history of the city starts when it was founded in the early 1800s. American settlers moving to the area named it after President Andrew Jackson.
Following the Civil War, Jacksonville became a popular winter tourist destination for wealthy visitors from the north. Then the real boom came to the area shortly after World War II thanks to the postwar economic growth that helped many cities in Florida become popular places to live.
In 1991, Mayor Ed Austin issued a $235 million bond to fund the River City Renaissance program that would lead to a revamping of the city's historic neighborhoods and eventually help stake the claim as a major city by being awarded an NFL franchise in 1993.
Jacksonville Driving Tour
This driving/aerial video tour gives you a good idea of just how vast Jacksonville is, and provides some fun facts along the way:
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Jacksonville Lifestyle
In a city that is known for its beaches, waterways, and greenspaces, everything about the lifestyle in Jacksonville revolves around taking advantage of those amenities.
Whether you are a surfer, an ocean swimmer, or just a beach bum, you can find your fill of salt water, sand, and sun at Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach.
In addition to those beaches, residents can also find tons of boating, fishing, and kayaking opportunities along the St. John's River, which is one of the few northward-flowing rivers in the country.
If you prefer to stay on dry land, there are more than a few green spaces to choose from here in “The City of Parks,” including 10 different state and national parks inside the city limits.
Jacksonville Culture
Where many Florida cities have cultural communities that you have to look for, you simply can't avoid all of the arts and culture in Jacksonville. The Art in Public Places Program, which displays the city's art collection in public buildings, plays a significant role in creating that atmosphere.
There are also more than 18 different museums and art galleries across the city that create a never-ending cycle of cultural excitement for anyone who is interested in the arts.
And that's not even scratching the surface of all that Jacksonville offers through its thriving theatre community and all of the history that you will find in its unique neighborhoods.
Jacksonville Events and Festivals
Popular annual events and festivals in the Jacksonville area include the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Springing the Blues Festival, and the Gate River Run.
Jacksonville Shopping
Jacksonville offers a wide range of shopping opportunities depending on the type of experience you are looking for.
Beachfront shoppers can find some of the best shops in the area right at Beach Town Center, and then there are dozens of other stores located up and down A1A.
And if you are in the mood for a little mall shopping, you can always swing through St. Johns Town Center, or The Avenues.
Jacksonville Restaurants
As you might expect, the largest city in Florida brings quite a bit to the table when it comes to culinary appeal. No matter where you find yourself in the city, you're never going to be more than a stone's throw away from a great place to eat.
Some of the local favorites here include The Bearded Pig for barbecue, Southern Charm for soul food, and Carolina Jax for burgers.
For special occasions, there is nothing quite like a meal from Orsay, which offers the perfect combination of French cooking techniques and the local ingredients available along the Atlantic Coast of Florida.
Marker 32 is another local favorite that has been featured on Emeril's Florida, The Cooking Channel, and more.
Jacksonville Healthcare
There are lots of healthcare options to choose from in Jacksonville, including the Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center, and more.
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