Seven Great Places to Retire in Florida

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By the editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance

last updated 4 April 2024

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Every day Florida's population swells by more than 1,000 people, many of them retirees relocating for the second phase of their lives. There's little mystery why: Even in the coldest months of the year, the average daily high is at least 70 degrees, and the temperature rarely dips below 50 in the Sunshine State.

Florida is also one of the most tax-friendly states in the country for retirees. There's no state income tax if you can establish residency in Florida, and permanent residents are eligible for a homestead exemption of up to $50,000, which lowers their real estate taxes. Seniors may qualify for an additional exemption.

But Florida is a big, diverse state, too, with plenty of pleasant cities and towns on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, or inland (central Florida has lots of lakes, and parts are even hilly). Worried about hurricanes? Hurricane risk on Florida's west coast is less than on the east coast. Here are seven great Florida retirement destinations, based on locale, amenities and access to top-notch health care. Take a look.

1. Sarasota

Population: 57,376
Share of population 65+: 29.6%
Cost of living: 5.3% higher than the national average
Median household income: $68,870
Average home value (national average = $347,716): $459,813

Life unfolds a bit more slowly here than in Tampa-St. Petersburg, a 50-minute drive to the north. But Sarasota — which like Tampa has a colonial Spanish history — offers plenty of amenities. Those in search of the Good Life will find nearly 100 upscale stores and restaurants in the island shopping center of St. Armands Circle. And residents also have the Sarasota Memorial Health Care system, which is one of the largest public medical centers in Florida, offering specialized expertise in heart, vascular, cancer, orthopedic and neuroscience service.

Sarasota has miles of white-sand beaches on keys along the Gulf of Mexico. Homes a few miles inland tend to be newer and more affordable than homes along the waterfront, which can cost several million dollars. Nature lovers will find lush landscapes and subtropical wildlife at the local parks, as well as at Celery Fields (an erstwhile celery farm now known for its birds and wetlands) and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Sarasota also has a lively and diverse arts scene, which includes a ballet company, art museums and an 80-member orchestra.

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2. Gainesville

Population: 145,214
Share of population 65+: 11.1%
Cost of living: 7.8% lower than the national average
Median household income: $43,783
Average home value: $292,583

This is the home of the University of Florida, offering many benefits for retirees looking to escape the cold winds and higher cost of living up north. Residents age 60 and older can enroll in college courses at the University of Florida at no cost on a space-available basis. In addition, the Institute for Learning in Retirement at Oak Hammock, a retirement community affiliated with the University of Florida, offers an extensive roster of courses, many of them taught by university professors. (Seniors don't have to live in the community to participate).

There's Florida Gators football and basketball, too. But the city also offers more than a dozen museums and galleries with a thriving downtown. Gainesville was founded as a healthcare resort. Now, medical care is available through the university's Shands Hospital and the North Florida Regional Medical Center. Plus, the Institute on Aging at the University of Florida is specifically focused on the health, independence and quality of life of older adults.

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3. Naples

Population: 19,618
Share of population 65+: 54.6%
Cost of living: 13% higher than the national average
Median household income: $135,657
Average home value: $601,300

And you don't have to be retired to like living here. In fact, it's the influx of non-retirees that is raising home prices and the cost of living. Residents pay a premium to live the good life — particularly in Old Naples. Home prices start at about $400,000 for a small condo and $2 million for a single-family home on the beach somewhere in Collier County. But the sky's the limit if you can afford it.

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4. St. Petersburg

Population: 261,256
Share of population 65+: 19.9%
Cost of living: 2.8% higher than the national average
Median household income: $70,333
Average home value: $375,013

St. Pete extends 10 miles west from Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, where you can follow a 20-mile beachfront road north to Clearwater, home of the giant Morton Plant Hospital complex and the area's best-known beaches, most of which are free or have low access or parking fees. You can also explore the area via the Pinellas Trail. Widely regarded as a standout, the trail starts in downtown St. Pete right by Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team.

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5. Punta Gorda

Population: 20,608
Share of population 65+: 52.5%
Cost of living: 6.3% lower than the national average
Median household income: $75,898
Average home value: $407,375

Punta Gorda knows how to appeal to retired folks — a majority of its population is 65 or older. Life here revolves around 55 miles of canal-front homes as well as numerous retirement communities, restricted to people aged 55 and older. The area also offers plenty of golfing, plus a Fishermen's Village waterfront complex with 30 shops and restaurants. Also in town, the Harborwalk along Charlotte Harbor is just a portion of the 18 miles of bike trails and pedestrian pathways you can enjoy.

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6. St. Augustine

Population: 15,180
Share of population 65+: 26.2%
Cost of living: 10.9% higher than the national average
Median household income: $72,806
Average home value: $451,076

St. Augustine and the surrounding St. John’s county offer more than just surf and sand wedges. Retirees looking for fun in the sun will find it here in spades, along with plenty of cultural and historical activities, affordable luxury living and access to first-class health care. The 42 miles of sand on St. John’s County Atlantic coast offer something for everyone. St. Augustine Beach, located minutes from downtown, is backstopped by laid-back restaurants serving up the day’s catch to folks in flip-flops. If a peaceful hammock is more your vibe, chill with the local wildlife on the secluded beaches at the 1,600-acre Anastasia Island State Park.

You can’t walk very far in St. Augustine without a reminder that this is the oldest European-established city in the U.S. — one that houses more than 60 historic sites and attractions, including a town square dating to 1573. The city is still very much alive, however. The pedestrian-only St. George Street, lined with bistros, boutiques and bars, bustles all day and well into the night, with live music coming from practically every other open door.

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7. Venice

Population: 27,272
Share of population 65+: 61.2%
Cost of living: 5.3% higher than the national average
Median household income: $68,843
Average home value: $447,568

Wander around Venice’s historical neighborhoods and you’ll notice two things: You’re never far from the water, and there’s bound to be a park no more than a few blocks away. As you head west, the wide, palm-tree-lined sidewalks give way to white-sand beaches and expansive water views. Venice has a slow pace but offers plenty of amenities. Locals can stroll the historic district and stop in the numerous shops and restaurants. On Saturday mornings, there’s a farmers market. You can catch a show at the Venice Theatre or a performance by the Venice Symphony at the Performing Arts Center.