With its white sandy beaches, relaxing lifestyle, active adult communities, and excellent healthcare system, Florida has long been a mecca for people looking to retire. It isn’t an accident that Florida’s nickname is The Sunshine State. It boasts an average of 230 days of sunshine, and even in winters, you are guaranteed to enjoy a considerable amount of daylight.
There are many retirement communities in Florida on the beach, and the good news is that you don’t need to have a deep pocket to afford one of them. Of course, you can find the ones where your dollar would stretch, but there are many affordable places where you can do it very comfortably on a retired police officer’s budget.
Today SDC International Shipping will look at some of the best retirement communities on the Florida beach, including those on a budget and hurricanes-free.
Best Retirement Communities in Florida on the Beach
Whether you are seeking a quiet small town or a lively city nearby the beach, there’s likely a place to fit your needs. Here are the five best spots to retire in Florida according to the US News & World Report (2021-2022) and our top retirement community picks.
- Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota
Sarasota is the best place to retire in the US; some even compare it to a paradise. It offers a wide range of modern amenities, artistic attractions, and golf courses along breathtaking beaches and nature.
The town is a wonderful area for 60+ adults who love socializing and getting involved in interest groups. You should definitely consider Lakewood Beach as the retirement community with several villages to choose from.
- The Glenview at Pelican Bay in Naples
Naples, FL, is in high demand among retirees preferring waterfront retirement communities. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, its downtown boasts an advanced metro area with clubs, restaurants, malls, and a concert hall.
People in Naples enjoy a host of natural attractions, including biking paths, hiking trails, and activities for kayaking and canoeing.
The retirement community of The Glenview at Pelican Bay has a long private beach and everything seniors need to live fulfilling lives.
- Bear Creek in Daytona Beach
Daytona is famous for motorsports and can be a perfect fit for motorsports fans. Other than that, for those 55+ looking for a more laid-back lifestyle, the beachfront Bear Creek retirement community has everything: medical centers, restaurants, places of worship, and shopping centers. It offers many amenities, from bandstands to dance floors to fitness centers and pools to tennis courts.
- Discovery Village in Melbourne, Florida
The US News & World Report ranks Melbourne the fourth best place to retire in Florida. Its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station allows residents to watch spacecraft launches from local beaches. On top of that, Melbourne is an ideal spot for active retirees who won’t mind surfing, hiking, and exploring the Indian River Lagoon.
Discovery Village in Melbourne offers both independent and assisted living with a host of wellness options, dining plans, and transportation/housekeeping services. You can also consider a Del Webb at Viera retirement community with single-family and villa homes.
- Valencia Del Sol in Tampa
Tampa is the third-largest city in Florida, with all the amenities of the modern city plus great weather.
At Valencia Del Sol, seniors can access many fan activities along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It has a 25,000 square foot Clubhouse with fitness, social halls, pools and spas, and tennis and pickleball courts. There’s also a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. This new community featuring twin villas and single families is an excellent place to enjoy various fan events and make new friends.
Sarasota, Naples, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, and Tampa are considered the top five towns to retire in Florida. The other highly esteemed places are:
- Fort Myers
- Port St. Lucie
- Ann Arbor
- Pensacola
On a Budget Retirement Communities on the Florida Beach
If you are looking for a budget retirement community in Florida, you can be assured of finding an affordable option within your reach. Check out the following communities:
- Boynton Beach – Indian Spring, Quail Ridge, Palm Isles
- Sarasota – Plaza de Flores, Palm Aire, Lake Tippecanoe
- St. Petersburg – Paradise Shores, Terrace Park of Five Towns
- Delray Beach – Las Verdes, Lakes of Delray
- Jacksonville – Sweetwater, Freedom at Arbor Mill
- Melbourne – Indian River Colony Club, Alamanda Key
- Fort Myers – Pine Ridge of Fort Myers, Fiddlesticks Country Club
- Margate – Oriole Gardens, Paradise Gardens
Hurricanes-Free Retirement Communities on the Florida Beach
The most daunting thing about Florida is the threat of hurricanes. Many people considering retirement in The Sunshine State want to live in an area that doesn’t have them. However, the truth is that there’s no place in Florida that is 100% hurricane-free. So we put on our list places that have a very low manifestation of tropical storms and hurricanes on the scale of natural disasters:
- Fernandina Beach
- Ocala
- Lake City
- Gainesville
- Naples
- Palatka
- Sanford
- Orlando
- Kissimmee
- Leesburg
Florida has many paradise retirement communities on the beach with tons to see and do. Make sure to contact those listed in this article to choose your favorite.
