I don’t know about you but when it’s time for retirement I want to find just the perfect place with the right kind of people which would make me feel like I belong even if it wouldn’t be my hometown. I will be looking for the hometown, small town feel that has the theaters, the beach, the golf course and the best artistic club. But that’s just me.
Whatever your expectations are for retirement at one point or another you will start thinking about that perfect spot, maybe with a picket fence or a deck behind the house or maybe just a forest surrounding your home. I worked on a few locations just like that where you can find your peace and quiet without getting bored. Someplace where everyone can become your friend even if you only just met. Florida has some of the best places to retire in the U.S. and is perfect for residents of the state as well as people who want to relocate to the place where the sun shines for over 9 months a year and where happiness is a lifestyle, not a choice. So here we go …
The Villages
There really isn’t anything that can make anyone overlook this lovely community. I say community because The Villages isn’t a city per se. Looking it up, you’ll find that The Villages is a census-designated place or CDP. In this, we’ll call it, community, there are 12 different districts each with several neighborhoods that are constantly developing and improving. It’s located in Central Florida and has more than 128,000 residents. What’s more, it’s only one hour away from Orlando and its international airport, so exotic holidays are just a short drive and a flight away!
In The Villages safety is not an issue, as the whole 12 district community spread out across 20,000 acres is gated and, aside from traveling, there really isn’t any reason to leave. Everything that you could possibly want is right here! Some residents don’t even have cars because they use golf carts for moving around.
Golf carts can be rented or bought, but considering how convenient they are, one could view buying one an investment. Golf carts range in price between $200 and $2,000 depending on the options you select, but given how convenient they are, we doubt you’ll regret your purchase. Having a golf cart will ensure that you’re able to visit the best attraction The Villages has to offer; with a golf cart, you can zip from one end of the community to the other in no time!
There are more amenities here per capita than in any other retirement community. Talk about movie theaters, swimming pools, free golf courses, polo matches, dancing, painting, archery and so many more. This master-planned community was built with the purpose of giving every retiree the perfect place for the golden years. It’s a place where everyone is trying to get you involved and with an age requirement of 55+ every resident there shares your interests, activities and way of life. Go ahead, call the best real estate agents in The Villages FL and set up your own master plan.
Home prices: from $100,000 to $2,500,000
Size: over 56,000 houses
Naples
The city of Naples Florida is another great destination for retirement. While not a close gated community, Naples is considered the best place to retire in the south of the nation. With a population of around 20,000 people, Naples is located in the southwestern part of the state, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
The first thing that we can say about Naples is that it has very advanced medical centers. With a focus on health care, it’s no surprise that 51% of its population is seniors. Naples has many golf courses as well as many other recreational activities being a great location for active Florida retirees.
The city might be smaller than most but it’s on the Gulf of Mexico which means that you can wake up with sand beneath your toes every morning. Waterfront properties are a huge selling point in Naples as there are plenty of available options. Just get in touch with real estate agents in Naples, FL and they’ll be able to sort out the details in no time.
The various beaches can offer various alternatives for any lifestyle.
If you want to feel like you’re at a resort then make sure to check out Vanderbilt beach. This area is one of the largest and most amazing looking beaches in Naples. There are plenty of cabanas available for rent, especially if you want to enjoy long walks on the beach.
Tigertail beach is perfect for those seeking a more relaxing beach in an untouched natural setting, along a stunning lagoon filled with exotic sea life. You can rent paddle boards and have a great adventure on the beach with your family.
Home prices: the median home price is $330,000 but the prices can go as high as $65,000,000.
Size: around 17,000 houses
Latitude Margaritaville
This is one of the newest 55+ retirement communities in Florida and it’s located in Daytona Beach. It is inspired by the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett. It is a gated community built across 1,600 acres and has over 6,900 single-family homes. With premium finishes and energy-efficient designs, the homes are low-maintenance and allow you to spend your time on recreational activities rather than tidying around the house.
Residents are able to live out their golden years in style with all the amenities the Latitude Margaritaville has to offer. Here we can mention the Latitude Bar & Chill restaurant, walking and biking trails, pickleball, plus tennis and bocce ball courts. Dining and live entertainment is just a way in which you can spend your evenings just a stone throw away from the world-famous attractions of Daytona Beach.
The retirement community is not short of things to see and do. If you catch a stage theater performance at the Last Mango Theater you’ll no doubt find yourself coming back for the next show. Or, take your pooch to the Workin' N’ Playin’ Center and treat them to the Barkaritaville Pet Spa while you take care of some work at the Business Center. Once you’re tuckered out from a day’s worth of activities, relax with some arts and craft or games in the game rooms. Another feature is free shuttle rides to the private Beach Club.
Home prices: from $250,000 to $350,000
Size: over 6,900
Conclusion
Pack your bags and get ready to relocate to one of these perfect retirement destinations. There aren’t many places that will fulfill all your requirements like there are in The Villages, so before you decide on which would be the best fit for you, it’s best to see them in person. If you are interested in any of these options, you’ll want to get in touch with a realtor on The Official Real Estate Agent Directory® and find out more about the community you’re interested in.
Let us know if you have any questions about these perfect locations in the comments or if you think there are other options that are better for active seniors. Like & Share with friends that might be looking for the best retirement communities in Florida.