
Readers often ask me some variation of “what part of Florida has the lowest risk of hurricanes”.
My answer is usually “anywhere in the middle of the state” which would include popular retirement places like any of the cities in the Orlando area, Clermont, The Villages, Leesburg, and Ocala.
Now, thanks to the Wall Street Journal and Climate Alpha, a company that uses AI to build forecasting models based on data from FEMA related to past events, predictions of future weather, and other factors, we have a more scientific answer.
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Florida's Most Hurricane Resilient City
The two companies partnered on a recent report to identify which Florida town is the most hurricane resilient.
When looking at hurricane, flooding and strong wind data, their research identified Ocala to be at less risk from coastal flooding than other parts of the state, making it a popular option for storm-weary home buyers.
This makes sense because Ocala is a pretty good distance from either coast. It's about 45 miles from the west coast and about 75 miles from the east coast.
Two other Florida cities, Lake City and Tallahassee, were mentioned in the article, which you can read if you have a Wall Street Journal subscription here.
But of the three places, Ocala is the best choice for retirement because there are so many 55+ options there. In fact, the WSJ article shared the stories of a few retirees choosing to move there not just because of the lower risk of storms, but also the lower insurance rates that come along with it.
Again, I think the other inland options I mentioned would be fine choices too, this particular report just found Ocala to be the best option.
Popular Ocala 55+ Communities
If you'd like to start exploring this area, here are some great communities to start with:
At On Top of the World Communities, active adults will find all they dream about and so much more. Located in beautiful Ocala Florida, On Top of the World residents can enjoy any schedule that suits their tastes – from activity-packed to unhurried.
Amenities include 54 holes of golf on three courses, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a 14-acre R/C flying field, bocce, racquetball and basketball courts, fitness center, health club and spa, restaurants, cultural venues, and much more. Residents can also participate in over 175 clubs, leagues, hobbies, and lifelong learning opportunities.
There are around 20 different floor plans available with prices ranging to suit every budget starting in the $200k's.
Ocala Preserve is a resort-style community with sections that are designated 55+. The ~17,000-square-foot clubhouse offers incredible amenities and unique social spaces for connection, relaxation, and fitness. There's a restaurant and bar, resort and lap pools, a spa, pickleball, and sports courts, and more. Ocala Preserve is also home to homeowner-led clubs, live events, and plenty more going on to keep residents happy and engaged.
Shea Homes and DR Horton are both building single-family homes and villas ranging in size from about 1,300 sq. ft. to around 2,800 sq. ft. of living area, with starting prices from the $200k's.
Del Webb Stone Creek is a gated, 55+ active adult community located in the horse capital of the world, Ocala, FL. The community has an 18-hole championship golf course, restaurant, resort-style pools, fitness center, spa, multiple game courts, a full-time lifestyle director and more. Home prices start in the $200k's.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned towards the beginning of this article, I really think you're good in any of the inland areas I mentioned. In fact, when we used to have our condo in Daytona, we used to make the trek inland to Orlando whenever a big storm threatened.
That said, the newer communities closer to the coasts are built to withstand hurricane winds and the neighborhoods have been designed to prevent the effects of flooding. Whenever you see images of hurricane damage on TV, it's usually older homes and communities built before more stringent construction standards went into effect.
But if you want the ultimate peace of mind during hurricane season and lower insurance rates, set your sights on inland locations like Ocala.
We moved to Ocala about 7 years ago. It’s a wonderful place to retire. We own our own home and every where we need to go is all very close.
I moved to Ocala 5 years ago from Pt.St.Lucie
Best Decision I ever made. So much more to do and see here. So much more Beauty here
Also has World Equestrian Center. And is Horse Capital of the World!
I moved to Winter Park Florida about 8 months ago. So far itโs great. Windy during the hurricane season, but nothing Major
You can have the middle of the state if you want but I moved here for warm weather and the beach/oceans negative ions! Hubs & I moved from Syracuse to Pembroke Pines, FL 12 years ago and don’t regret a second of it! We’re 10 minutes from the water, close to all my docs & shopping, 20 minutes to the Port (I love hopping on a last minute cruise!) and both airports. (FTL & MIA) I can go to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami, if I wanted, in 20 minutes or so depending on traffic. We live (apparently) on the hospital’s grid bc we have never lost power for more than few minutes since we moved here. Of course, coming from Syracuse, we were anxious and put a whole house generator in as soon as we got here out of fear. We had a guy start wiring it until we realized he was drunk! ๐ฑ He ruined the wiring harness, but it’s fine bc we’ve never needed the generator! We can hook it up and get it working just fine to power the main things like AC, the fridges, tv, etc…but knock wood, as of yet, we’ve not need to use it. So for now, we enjoy ALL of Florida! ๐๐๐ฅฐ
I’ve been living in Holiday Florida 17 years. Never had an issue with in a hurricane here. But we do have the Indians and safety harbor that protects this area. And I do believe in that
I live in Orlando Florida been living here 2 years. I just get rain and wind. No damage since I been here no flooding no nothing. Only lost power for a few hours that’s it.
Live in Wimauma,Sun City area. We are centrally located about 13 miles West from Gulf side, however we are 103 feet above sea level. You are not going to be perfectly safe anywhere in Florida, but been here since 2017 and have been blessed so far with minor weather issues
My whole family moved from Broward County to Brevard County. Wilma was the worst that I ever went through living in Broward my whole life. Since in Brevard, Irma has been the worst with 4 others brushing by, even the big rain storms miss Palm Bay quite often, going north and south of us as well as the county. Brevard has not had a direct hit of a ๐3 or above since 1850, NASA did their research before putting the space center where they did๐ค
We moved from Miami to Mount Dora 18 years ago. Have lost power only twice for a day or two plus much cheaper insurance rates. Don’t even have shutters. Middle of the state is the place to be if you donโt want to deal with hurricanes and and storm surge near the coast.
We live in Deltona. About 20 miles inland from the east coast. We have lived here for 40 years.We have lost some trees, and gotten 2 new roofs in that time from storm damage. No flooding here, but in other parts of Deltona. Depends on how high your lot is.
Pinellas county! Just move to Pinellas county, we’re right on the Bay area and every hurricane Misses us. It’s protected land.
We have been happy to live in Gainesville for 11 years with minimal problems like twigs and branches on the lawn after storms, and hurricanes.
Informative article, thank you.I would be interested in retirement real estate around golf courses. I have lived near Clearwater, Fl. For forty plus years close to coast. I believe, because of insurance rates and being lucky on storms, I’m ready to relocate in state.