Retirement in Vero Beach

Located just a bit north of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach is one of the most underrated destinations along Florida's Atlantic Coast. Known for outstanding golf, water sports, and fishing, this is the perfect community for those looking to pack some adventure into their retirement years.

In addition to all kinds of activities for active adults, Vero Beach is also known for having a rich history of museums and art galleries, excellent boutique shopping, and some outstanding dining options for a wide range of budgets.

Vero Beach History

The history of Vero Beach dates all the way back to 1715 when a fleet of Spanish treasure ships ran into a hurricane that sunk 11 of 12 ships right off the coast. However, it wasn't until Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway began operating in 1893 that settlers began coming to what was then the town of Vero.

The town name was changed to “Vero Beach” in 1925, and the population then grew steadily throughout the rest of the century as various bridges made it easier and easier to get around the area.

Vero Beach Lifestyle

The Vero Beach lifestyle revolves around enjoying everything about the outdoors, and the best places to start doing just that are local parks like Riverside Park, Round Island Beach Park, and Jaycee Park.

Once you have explored those popular local spots, you'll definitely want to spend some time checking out some of the local airboat tour companies.

For more competitive boomers, fishing and golf are at the top of the lifestyle list. Vero Beach has dozens of options for private fishing charters, plus there are also some outstanding golf courses in the area.

On top of all of that, there are always options for new and exciting water sports like stand-up paddle boarding available for residents and guests to enjoy!

Vero Beach Culture

The beautiful surrounds of Vero Beach have acted as an inspiration for artists and musicians of all types for almost as long as the city has existed. Today, the focal point of the artist community is the Vero Beach Museum of Art, which offers a stunning permanent collection, outstanding traveling exhibits, and classes to help local artist hone their skills.

Between the Riverside Theatre and the Vero Beach Theatre Guild, there is also a thriving theatre community in Vero Beach that is perfect for those who enjoys taking in a show. It is also a great opportunity to get involved if you would like to participate on stage!

Vero Beach Shopping

Like most of the small town communities along the Treasure Coast, Vero Beach is home to dozens of locally owned shopping destinations that create a thrilling experience for anyone looking for a little retail therapy.

Shoppers tend to gravitate toward either the Beachfront Shopping District or Historic Downtown Vero Beach, and each of those destinations is packed full of boutique specialty shops, consignment and thrift stores, and antique dealers.

In addition to the locally owned operations, shoppers can also head to the Indian River Mall to locate all of their favorite mainstream stores to complete their adventure.

Vero Beach Dining

When you are looking for a casual bite to eat in Vero Beach, one place that will always make your shortlist is The Barefoot Cafe. The Barefoot Cafe has a fantastic selection of grilled wraps and toasted subs.

Other casual options that should be in your regular rotation include all of the crab dishes from Crab Stop Vero Beach and the Brisket Fried Rice from Southern Social.

If you are in the mood for something a little fancier, the classic Vero Beach spot is Ocean Grill. This local icon sits right on the water and serves up some of the most delicious seafood you will find anywhere in the Sunshine State.

Vero Beach Area Communities

Just down the road in Port St. Lucie is where you'll find Valencia Parc at Riverland, one of the newest 55+ communities on Florida’s East Coast.

Valencia Parc at Riverland brings together GL Homes' famous 55+ resort-style living within the amazing 4,000-acre master-planned community of Riverland to create a Florida lifestyle that's second to none!

In this new community, you'll find a million ways to have fun with everything connected through miles of eco-friendly greenways without ever having to get in your car. Walk or ride your golf cart to all the amenities right within your own neighborhood and to nearby shops and restaurants or enjoy a car ride to spend the perfect day at the beach.

You can request more information here:

Final Thoughts

Between the excellent dining choices, the unique shopping destinations, and the local emphasis on arts and culture, it's easy to forget that the heart of Vero Beach is all about enjoying the water. But because this town offers a little bit of something for everyone, it ends up being the perfect destination for many different types of boomers.

Are you one of them?