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 right in line with the national average, and it is actually about 2.8 percent 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.
I'm not sure how long that will last though, because lots of residents are moving up to Port St. Lucie from parts further south (and more expensive) in Florida, so don't wait forever if you're hoping to nab a good deal.
Port St. Lucie Healthcare
The largest hospital here is HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital, a 207-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!
Where to Retire in Port St. Lucie
Retirees have several good options to consider:
Valencia Walk at Riverland is one of the newest 55+ communities on Florida’s East Coast. Located in Port St. Lucie, Valencia Walk brings together GL Homes’ famous 55+ resort-style living with an amazing master site plan to create a Florida lifestyle that’s second-to-none! At this new community, you’ll find a million ways to have fun. Walk to nearby shops and restaurants, spend the day at the beach or simply enjoy all the amenities right within your own neighborhood.
PGA Village Verano is a gated, golf resort community in Port St. Lucie FL. While not exclusively 55+, there is a 55+ neighborhood within PGA Village Verano called Cresswind at PGA Village Verano that features a 27,000 sq ft Social Center with a state-of-the-art fitness center and a 27 court Pickleball center, the largest private complex in South Florida. A full-time Lifestyle Director and Activities Coordinator maintain a year-round calendar of social and fitness activities. Most homes start in the $300k's.
Tradition is a master-planned community in Port St. Lucie. The Town Center creates a natural community hub for residents to meet and socialize, where events like a weekly farmers market invite one and all to gather. The extensive Tradition Trail winds through the community connected to over 300 acres of parks, inviting residents to explore the outdoors, meet up with friends, or enjoy a casual stroll and visit the Town Center.
Tradition is comprised of several different neighborhoods. While some neighborhoods are open to residents of all ages, Tradition also includes several 55+ neighborhoods from developers like Del Webb, Mattamy Homes, and Minto. Prices here generally start in the $300k's.
That covers most of the new 55+ community options, but there are plenty of others in Port St. Lucie that are not that old and might be worth exploring. For more information about what other real estate opportunities there might be for you depending on your price range and what you're looking for, just fill out this form:
My parents were retired in nearby Jensen Beach for over 10 years. I have been to Port St Lucie many, many times and several friends of mine have relocated there permanently.
I can attest to everything in this article. It is a great place to retire to for many reasons. There are always plenty of activities year round or you can just relax by the pool.
It’s looks interesting the town .