Seven Great Places to Retire in Florida

1. Sarasota

• Population: 57,602
• 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 = $363,438): $457,900

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.

2. Gainesville

• Population: 145,812
• Share of population 65+: 11.1%
• Cost of living: 7.8% lower than the national average
• Median household income: $43,783
• Average home value: $304,163

Gainesville is smack in the middle of the state, 75 miles from the coasts. But in Florida during hurricane season, that's not a bad place to live.

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.

3. Naples

• Population: 19,704
• Share of population 65+: 54.6%
• Cost of living: 13% higher than the national average
• Median household income: $135,657
• Average home value: $595,693

The rapid growth in Naples, which gets a top grade from the American Lung Association for air quality, has been fueled by a torrent of retirees attracted by miles of beaches, gracious homes and giant banyan trees. Part of Florida's "Paradise Coast," Naples's coastline spans nearly 9 miles and is home to many beautiful white-sand beaches with crystal clear waters. 

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.

NCH Healthcare System, which operates a hospital downtown and one in north Naples, offers a range of specialties, including rehabilitation and cardiac, cancer and geriatric care. It's a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which connects its doctors with Mayo Clinic specialists.

4. St. Petersburg

• Population: 263,553
• Share of population 65+: 19.9%
• Cost of living: 2.8% higher than the national average
• Median household income: $70,333
• Average home value: $383,372

Home prices here range from $200,000 to $1 million (or more). Vintage neighborhoods on the northeast side of St. Petersburg, away from the water, offer a mix of bungalows, Craftsman-style cottages, large ranchers and enough Spanish-influenced design to suggest you're in Pasadena or Santa Monica. You can easily bike or walk to neighborhood bars and restaurants and to St. Pete's artsy downtown.

With the larger city of Tampa just a half hour north on I-275, St. Pete offers more than beautiful harbor views and the Salvadore Dali museum. Residents are an easy drive away from an array of theaters, concert halls, stadiums, colleges and hospitals, without the density and congestion of Miami or the inflated real estate costs of Palm Beach and Boca Raton.

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.

5. Punta Gorda

• Population: 20,227
• Share of population 65+: 52.5%
• Cost of living: 6.3% lower than the national average
• Median household income: $75,898
• Average home value: $401,416

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.

Punta Gorda is also home to a robust ecosystem of 600 species of birds, fish and marine wildlife, which can be seen at various wildlife centers around the city, like Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary.

6. St. Augustine

• Population: 15,596
• Share of population 65+: 26.2%
• Cost of living: 10.9% higher than the national average
• Median household income: $72,806
• Average home value: $456,587

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.

Locals enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities. Chief among them: the Mayo Clinic’s Jacksonville campus, a five-star hospital that’s about an hour from downtown St. Augustine.

7. Venice

• Population: 28,150
• Share of population 65+: 61.2%
• Cost of living: 5.3% higher than the national average
• Median household income: $68,843
• Average home value: $436,990

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.

Venice has more than 30 parks, including the 37,000-acre Myakka River State Park. You can kayak or paddleboard along the Intercoastal Waterway, which runs through the city. Cyclists can cruise around town or hop on the 10-plus-mile Legacy trail that extends north to Sarasota.

With all the snowbirds, rentals tend to be booked a year in advance. Expect to pay $3,000 to $5,000 a month on the island (which is connected to the mainland by three drawbridges). Prices on the mainland are a little lower.

Population data and median household incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau. Average home values from Zillow. Cost of living data comes from BestPlaces.

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