
There are so many “best places to retire” lists to consider, but I think that's a good thing.
While each list is different because they use different data to come to their conclusions, it's great to check them all out because they can bring different places to your attention.
To come up with their best places to retire list, U.S. News analyzed data for the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the USA to assess how well they meet Americans' retirement needs and expectations. Top criteria include the happiness of local residents, housing affordability, tax rates and healthcare quality.
Here are the places in Florida that made the list, and a snippet of what they said about each place:
#1: Sarasota
“Warm temperatures year-round, award-winning beaches and a thriving arts and cultural scene have made Sarasota a go-to place for retirees and families, not to mention a handful of celebrities (including Stephen King and Rosie O'Donnell).”
Read: Spotlight on Sarasota & Bradenton
Read: Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Sarasota & Bradenton
Read: Sarasota and Bradenton Community Profiles
#7: Daytona Beach
“Among the many advantages of living here is that residents have access to more than just Daytona Beach itself. Creating the metro area, adjoining towns and communities like Port Orange, South Daytona, Ponce Inlet, Ormond Beach and Holly Hill afford a range of living choices at various economic levels.”
Read: Minto Announces Latitude Margaritaville Community in Daytona Beach
#15: Fort Myers
“Fort Myers is a midsize metro area that has retained its small-town heritage though, with a charming downtown lined with shops and restaurants, many of which are dog-friendly.”
Read: Spotlight on Fort Myers
Read: Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Fort Myers
Read: Fort Myers Retirement Community Profiles
#20: Orlando
“Every facet of Orlando combines to create one of Florida's most appealing areas for business, living and recreation.”
Read: Retirement Spotlight: Kissimmee
Read: Retirement Spotlight: Lake Nona

#23:Jacksonville
“Sitting near the Atlantic shore in northeast Florida, Jacksonville is tied together by bridges, crossing rivers to unite residents in the downtown area with the nearby beaches.”
#26: Lakeland
“Due to its placement between two of Florida's major metropolises, Orlando and Tampa, Lakeland is often overlooked. The relatively small metro area lends itself to a small-town feel where neighbors know each other and people often run into friends while out shopping or dining.”
#29: Tampa
“Residents of the Tampa Bay area enjoy both a laid-back beach lifestyle and the amenities of a large metropolitan area, including three professional sports teams, interesting museums and an array of entertainment and dining options.”
#30: Miami
“Dubbed “The Magic City,” Miami is one of the most vibrant metro areas in the U.S., and it's well on its way to becoming one of the largest international business hubs in the world.”
#75: Melbourne
“Troves of urbanites, families, professionals and retirees enjoy Melbourne, Florida, one of the Space Coast's most populated metro areas.”
You might be surprised to see less than 10 Florida cities made the US News & World Report Best Places to Retire list, but keep in mind they studied metropolitan areas, not just cities by themselves.
That said, if Florida is not your only consideration, their list gives you a bunch of options to consider.
You can see the full list here.
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