Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, and Sarasota are the biggest populations centers in this region of the state. The west coast of Florida offers direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, which is perhaps a more serene option than the Atlantic Ocean.
This area is also very popular with residents and retirees from the Midwest who are able to shoot right down I-75 to get here.
Popular Communities in this Region:
Located less than an hour from The Villages, the Villages of Citrus Hills is a Florida Retirement Community with single-family homes and maintenance-free villas that have been built with today’s demanding baby-boomer in mind. But what makes the promise of Florida Retirement in the Villages of Citrus Hills truly come together for today’s new breed of active adult retiree is its extraordinary collection of world-class community country club amenities and extensive social activities. Villages of Citrus Hills offers a variety of home styles and neighborhoods to choose from.
Just minutes from the beaches of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch is the #1 best-selling multigenerational master-planned community in the country.
With everything from low-maintenance condominiums to single-family houses starting in the $400k's, Lakewood Ranch offers a neighborhood option for just about every type of family and budget. There are also a few 55+ community options available, including Del Webb Lakewood Ranch and Cresswind Lakewood Ranch.
Grand Palm is truly a one-of-a-kind community! This beautiful, amenity-rich, nature-focused community in Venice, Florida is exactly what resort living should be like. Residents enjoy easy access to downtown Venice and beaches (20 minutes away) and a multitude of activities right in their own backyard with an on-site activities coordinator, state-of-the-art fitness facility, and large, resort-style pool with water slide. Attached villas and single-family homes are available.
Located just south of Venice in Sarasota County, Boca Royale Golf & Country Club offers a rare lifestyle that feels more like a vacation than the everyday. Residents of the gated 1,000-acre community enjoy a full line of fun and fitness amenities, including an 18-hole par 72 golf course. A beautiful amenity center and clubhouse round out the community. The community offers both single-family homes and attached villas.
Kings Point, with over 5,200 homes is a snowbird's paradise. Kings Point is centrally located 30 minutes south of Tampa, 30 minutes north of Sarasota, and 30 minutes to the Gulf Beaches. This gated community offers over 200 clubs to keep anyone and everyone entertained. The two large clubhouses contain 3 indoor pools and 2 outdoor resort-style pools. There are also other heated pools sprinkled throughout the community. The community also features fitness rooms, pickleball courts, tennis courts, shuffleboard, bocce ball, archery range, horseshoes, and billiard leagues. Kings Point offers its residents free scheduled transportation throughout Sun City Center.
All of the homes are paired villas and the price point can be from mid $100k's to high $400k's.
Del Webb BayView – Parrish, FL
Del Webb Bay View is located in Parrish, which is in Manatee County, about 30 minutes away from downtown Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. Like most Del Webb communities, residents can expect resort-style amenities hosted by a full-time lifestyle director. Even though this community only just recently opened, I’ve already had a few readers purchase homes there. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Southshore Bay – Wimauma, FL
Southshore Bay is a community of 655 attached villas and single-family homes located in Wimauma, between Tampa and Bradenton. Available amenities here include a community clubhouse, fitness center, outdoor pool, and a large Crystal Lagoon.
Southshore Bay offers villas and single-family homes that range in size from 1,396 to 2,775 square feet. Prices start in the $300k’s.
Popular Florida West Coast Retirement Articles
As the third largest city in the state of Florida, Tampa offers residents all of the big city amenities they are looking for combined with the fantastic climate that draws people to the Sunshine State in the first place.
Retirement Spotlight: St. Petersburg
Across the bay from Tampa and just south of Clearwater is where you will find the city of St. Petersburg.
Known for offering the perfect combination of white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and all of the big city amenities that make life enjoyable, St. Petersburg is the perfect destination for anyone who wants a little bit of everything in their retirement lifestyle.
Retirement Spotlight: Crystal River
Crystal River is located right on the Gulf Coast of Florida just a little over an hour north of Tampa, a little over an hour south of Gainesville, and about and hour and a half west of Orlando.
Spotlight on Sarasota & Bradenton
Located along the Gulf Coast just an hour south of Tampa and a little under two hours north of Fort Myers your will find the historic artist towns of Sarasota and Bradenton. Both of these communities combine the historic Old Florida feel with vibrant cultural districts to create one of the most perfect atmospheres anywhere.
Located just south of Sarasota, but not quite as far south as Fort Myers or Sanibel Island, Venice sits in a sweet spot along Florida’s southern Gulf Coast that makes it the perfect destination for anyone looking to make the most of 14 miles of stunning white sand beaches.
Retirement Spotlight: Florida’s Nature Coast
Located along the inside curve of Florida’s coastline, the Nature Coast region connects the Sun Coast counties with the areas located further west along the Florida Panhandle.
It is comprised of nine counties that include Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and the city of Dunnellon, which is a part of Marion County.
