The Best Places to Retire in Florida in 2023, According to Southern Living
It's no secret that Florida is growing dramatically. In January of 2023, Census data indicated that Florida was the fastest-growing state in the United States.
It makes sense, then, that a large percentage of the population that is relocating to Florida are retirees. In fact, according to Consumer Affairs, Florida and Maine are the states with the highest numbers of people above 65 years old.
So it's hard to deny that many retirees are attracted to some of Florida's attributes. Its lack of income tax, warm weather, and ability to live an active lifestyle make it an attractive option for some.
But what is up for debate is where are the best places in Florida to choose for retirees. The national publication Southern Living recently weighed in. Here are the destinations that the publication felt stood out among the rest.
Vero Beach: Southern Living liked this east coast city because it is very community-centered and it offers so many amenities and options for retirees. There are plenty of retirement communities, and some of them even have beach and pool access, along with golf, pickleball, and organized social events and physical activity. If you choose one of these options, you'd rarely ever need to leave the community, but if you do, downtown Vero Beach offers great dining and shopping.
The Florida Keys: Although Southern Living said it was impossible to choose just one place to retire in the Keys, the site narrowed it down to two - Key Largo and Marathon. Key Largo is the closest to the mainland and is only an hour and a half from all that Miami has to offer. It also has beautiful state parks and is Florida's diving capital due to its living coral reef.
The second choice from Southern Living was Marathon, a place where the locals outnumber visitors. This cute spot offers a plethora of water activities like diving, fishing, and boating. It's also a bit more affordable than some of the other destinations in the Keys.
Naples: A large percentage of the popular is over 65 here, so many amenities are geared toward seniors. This destination is often ranked highly for retirees. You'll find excellent health care, impressive shopping (including 5th Avenue) and dining. There are tons of outdoor activities such as the golf and fishing you'd expect from a waterfront city. There's plenty to do if family comes to visit, such as the Naples Zoo or an airboat tour of the Everglades.
Venice: This neighbor of Sarasota often isn't always well-known. The upside to this is that Venice can fly under the radar, which allows it to maintain its laid-back vibe, as it enjoys the amenities of a larger town like Sarasota. There are plenty of water activities to enjoy here. Try visiting Manasota Key and Nokomis Beach if you want to be on the water, or golfing and tennis if you'd like to be active inland. Downton Venice offers live music and great dining.
Palm Beach: Admittedly, this destination is quite affluent. It's a shopper's paradise, with its high-end boutiques on Worth Avenue. When you're done shopping, you can have your choice of golf courses (over 160) and outdoor public parks (over 110.) There are over 46 miles of coastline in Palm Beach, and there's no shortage of the arts. It's easy to take in a Broadway show at The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts or see and then appreciate some art at The Norton Museum of Art.
Winter Park: This quaint suburb of Orlando is home to Rollins College, and has plenty of charm. It has brick-lined streets, beautiful lakes, and a walkable downtown. It feels more like New England than Florida in places. While Orlando's attractions are only a short drive, there is plenty to do here, including enjoying the trendy foodie scene and taking in performances at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
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