Florida is one of the top retirement destinations in the U.S., and for good reason! Boasting an abundance of 55+ communities, sunny and mild weather year-round, and endless opportunities for recreation and leisure, it’s no surprise that over 21% of Floridians are 55 and older. Whether you’re looking for resort-style living, access to pristine beaches, or a vibrant cultural scene, Florida offers something for everyone. New residents will find a thriving community of like-minded individuals who share a sense of adventure and a love for laid-back, stress-free living.
The best Florida cities for retirement stand out for their affordability, amenities, and lifestyle offerings. After careful comparison, our expert retirement realtors have identified the top cities and communities for active adults, focusing on Gulf Coast gems and other must-visit locales. Here’s a closer look at some of the best options for retirees in the Sunshine State:
The Most Popular Florida Cities for 55+ Communities
Naples
Not only is Naples a top tourist destination, but this area is a great place to settle down. Naples features walkable areas such as the historic downtown strip and small town charm with local cafes, shops, museums, and festivals. However, this retirement destination is also home to some of the most luxurious active adult communities on the Gulf Coast. Naples ranks well in terms of affordability for those seeking a resort-style, destination retirement.
Fort Myers
Fort Myers is a great city for active adults! More than 20% of the population is over 55 so you’ll easily find a spectacular community with a shared enthusiasm for health, wellness, and fitness. Beaches are nearby, parks and trails are just a drive away, and many active adult communities feature onsite amenities for biking, jogging, walking, and more. The low cost of living makes Fort Myers even more appealing to prospective retirees.
Sarasota
Sarasota is home to Florida’s best beaches and cultural attractions. A thriving arts scene makes Sarasota unique compared to the hustle and bustle of other Florida cities. You’ll find an array of museums and historic places scattered throughout the area. Best of all, many retirement communities feature both new construction and resale homes at an affordable price point. You may even find the historic retirement home of your dreams in Sarasota!
Orlando Suburbs
The Happiest Place on Earth is in the heart of Orlando for a reason! However, most retirees agree that the Orlando suburbs are the way to go for a peaceful, laid-back retirement. We recommend focusing on areas like Davenport, Ocala, and Leesburg. These communities are near enough for a trip into the heart of Orlando’s parks and entertainment district, but far enough from the busy city landscape to still provide the serenity many retirees are seeking.
The Villages
The Villages are a master-planned Floridian community designed with 55+ adults in mind. If you’re seeking a self-contained retirement experience, this amazing mini-city is for you! Not only do The Villages have an array of living options from new construction to resale, single-family homes to condos and bungalows, but you’ll find endless options for shopping, dining, wellness, and entertainment — all conveniently located onsite!
So if Florida is at the top of everyone’s retirement destination list, which Florida retirement communities are best for active adults? For our master list of amazing Sunshine State active adult communities, we looked at factors such as accessibility, amenities, cost, and nearby recreation opportunities. Each of our top picks has a unique sense of character.
Explore the best features of these luxury retirement communities in Florida and create your own short list!
1. On Top of the World – Ocala, FL
Low $100ks – Low $700ks
It’s no surprise that residents of this lively 55+ community in Ocala, Florida, truly feel like they’re On Top of the World. Since breaking ground in 1981, this dreamy Ocala haven has a wide array of new construction and resale homes which creates a flexible price point. Resort-style amenities include all of the Floridian must-haves; a clubhouse, pool, three golf courses, a fitness center, and many recreation and community centers. In addition, this is a pet-friendly retirement community that features an onsite dog park.
2. The Villages – The Villages, FL
High $100ks – High $2Ms
The Villages is one of Florida’s largest active adult communities that still retains a cozy neighborhood vibe. Over 30,000 acres of space is connected by hundreds of miles of streets and trails, designed for biking, jogging, and even golf carts. Best of all, The Villages is an entirely self-sustaining town, complete with shopping, dining, banks, post offices, healthcare centers, and countless recreational amenities.
3. Oak Run – Ocala, FL
Mid $100ks – High $300ks
The perfect community for active adults, Oak Run has a range of indoor and outdoor luxury recreation options. As the name implies, this lush, green space is shaded by Florida’s native oak trees. You’ll enjoy the best highlights of your favorite vacation right outside your front door. The Island Club of Oak Run features three specialty pools including a lap pool, a pool for aquacise and other water exercises, and a lounge pool for soaking up that Florida sunshine. The clubhouse at the Island Club also includes a whirlpool spa, ideal for relaxing after a few laps in the pool.
4. Latitude Margaritaville – Daytona Beach, FL
High $300ks – Low $800ks
If wastin’ away again in Margaritaville is your laid-back retirement dream, look no further than this unique community. Inspired by the music and mood of legendary musician Jimmy Buffett, Latitude Margaritaville is a new 55+ active adult community in Daytona Beach, Florida. The highlights of this community include innovative, customizable floor plans alongside world-class options for recreation, nightlife, dining, and, yes, the best margaritas in all of Daytona Beach. It goes without saying that this community also has a lively music scene!
5. Sun City Center – Sun City Center, FL
Below $100k – Low $800ks
With a name like Sun City Center, you know you’re in the right place. Experience a peaceful escape in this beachy village, complete with onsite services such as shopping, dining, and entertainment to state-of-the-art healthcare, groceries, and fitness centers. Sun City Center is just outside Tampa in a prime location for venturing out and exploring the best beaches in Florida.
6. Stone Creek – Ocala, FL
Mid $200ks – Mid $700ks
Visit Stone Creek, a gated active adult community by Del Webb in Ocala, Florida. The highlight of this pristine community is the Stone Creek Golf Club, the perfect spot to tee up and meet new friends with a myriad of events and activities for golfers and non-golfers alike. Located in the heart of central Florida, Stone Creek is just 30 miles to the Gulf of Mexico and 90 minutes to the best entertainment Orlando has to offer including Disney World, Universal Studios, The Kennedy Space Center, and sunny Daytona Beach.
7. Solivita – Kissimmee, FL
Low $300ks – Low $700ks
Solivita is a stunning 4,300-acre master-planned community in a prime location – Kissimmee, Florida. Designed for active adults 55 and over, Solivita has created a dynamic lifestyle standard. This gated community is offset by lush greenery and natural spaces, including lakes and waterways ideal for kayaking, SUP, fishing, boating, and lounging.
8. King’s Point – Sun City Center, FL
Low $100ks – Mid $400ks
Live like royalty in King’s Point, one of Florida’s top 55+ communities. This neighborhood is great for golfers and features world-class golf courses with nearby private clubhouses to relax and congregate. King’s Point is close to Florida’s best beaches and just a short drive from the Gulf Coast’s top entertainment districts. If you’d prefer to stay onsite, you’ll find a great sporting complex for tennis, softball, basketball, and more. Our favorite amenity at this sunny paradise? The year-round, well-maintained volleyball court where residents are welcome to join a community team!
9. Spruce Creek Country Club – Summerfield, FL
High $100ks – Low $500ks
Spruce Creek Country Club is the height of luxury in Summerfield, Florida. With more than 40 single-family home plans, each residence comes complete with its own signature charm. This 3,250-home community has over 100 clubs and activities to take part in, along with a picturesque pool, 36-hole golf course, seven tennis courts, and a lively fitness center.
10. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound – Panama City Beach, FL
High $300ks – Mid $900ks
The Margaritaville life has come to Panama City Beach. Latitude Margaritaville is a vibrant 55+ community in the heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast. If you’re seeking a destination retirement village, look no further. Residents can enjoy miles of white sand beaches along Watersound, fine dining, entertainment, and, of course, a great music scene inspired by the legacy of Jimmy Buffett. This community even offers kayaking equipment for a day on the water.
11. Pelican Preserve – Fort Myers, FL
Low $300ks – High $800ks
Looking to downsize and enjoy natural serenity? Pelican Preserve is the best place to be when it comes to 55+ communities in Fort Myers, Florida. This master-planned community features an array of low-maintenance home options from charming carriage houses to sleek, modern condos. Here, residents will find tennis courts, trails and bike paths, and plenty of year-round events and activities. Join the Pelican Preserve Golf Club to enjoy the best perks of this active adult community.
12. The Villages of Citrus Hills – Hernando, FL
Low $300ks – Mid $1Ms
The Villages of Citrus Hills have a warm, welcoming community atmosphere. This is a luxury retirement community in Hernando, Florida that features several distinct villages—Terra Vista of Citrus Hills, Brentwood of Citrus Hills, Canterbury Lakes of Citrus Hills, and Belmont Hills of Citrus Hills, among others. Explore picturesque rolling hills at 250 feet above sea level set back by Florida’s towering great oak trees. The Villages of Citrus Hills are truly a gem when it comes to the best 55+ communities in the Sunshine State.
13. King’s Point in Delray Beach – Delray Beach, FL
Below $100ks – High $200ks
Affordable, scenic, and complete with the best amenities, King’s Point in Delray Beach is calling many active adults to the Gulf Coast. This ocean retirement community features waterfront condos with beautifully designed, intricate spaces. The outdoor pool and spa is not to be missed when touring this community. In addition, new residents can join a variety of activities and clubs with other active 55+ adults ready to explore the best of Florida’s retirement scene.
14. The Plantation at Leesburg – Leesburg, FL
Mid $100ks – High $400ks
A scenic gated community with 3,000 single-family homes and an attractive price point, Leesburg is a great place to settle in the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford Metropolitan Area. Leesburg is situated between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, just a short drive to Orlando which means a weekend Disney trip is easily accessible for residents at The Plantation. If you’d rather stay nearby, there’s plenty to do onsite including fishing ponds, pools, a semi-private golf course with PGA professional assistants on staff, and nearby shopping and wellness services.
15. Valencia Lakes – Wimauma, FL
High $200ks – Mid $800ks
An active lifestyle community, Valencia Lakes welcomes residents 55 and over who enjoy a wellness-centered lifestyle. The clubhouse is one of Valencia’s best features, with a state-of-the-art fitness center that showcases the latest cardio and weight training equipment, an aerobics and yoga studio, pilates, and even dance classes from a grand ballroom. Residents who love the performing arts can also enjoy several musical theater productions throughout the year.
16. Timber Pines – Spring Hill, FL
Low $200ks – Mid $500ks
Timber Pines is a golfer’s paradise with four community golf courses along this picturesque 1,400-acre neighborhood. Ranked among Tampa’s best 55+ communities for active retirees, Timber Pines has a little bit of everything. Amazing local cuisine, shopping, and attractions are all a short distance away, as well as accessible travel via Tampa International Airport. Timber Pines is a great spot for adventurers who enjoy the luxury of fast, convenient travel alongside the comforts of home.
17. King’s Ridge – Clermont, FL
High $200ks – Low $600ks
Looking for lakeside communities in the Clermont area? King’s Ridge is a beautiful community nestled in the foothills of one of Florida’s best retirement areas. The neighborhood has a private and secluded feel while still being a short distance from conveniences like the Kings Ridge Publix shopping plaza. King’s Ridge is among Florida’s top retirement communities for active adults. Here, you’ll find an expansive recreation complex that includes tennis, pickleball, a golf course, an arts and crafts studio, a hobby room, basketball courts, and even a full ballroom.
18. Del Webb Ponte Vedra – Ponte Vedra, FL
Mid $300ks – Mid $900ks
No, you aren’t touring a brand new island resort. This is Del Webb Ponte Vedra, one of Florida’s premiere retirement communities. A luxurious villa off the Atlantic Coast, this master-planned, private community is the epitome of vacation time, all the time. The 37,800 square-foot spectacular Anastasia Club includes a recreation and fitness center, aerobics studio, resort-style indoor pool, a whirlpool spa along with world-class wellness treatments, and a sauna. Del Webb is a unique village that is fairly self-contained with year-round activities. You’ll also find a library, lounge, cafe, arts and crafts studio, and even a fully-equipped catering kitchen. Did we mention there’s a ballroom to dance the night away? Del Webb Ponte Vedra is a must-see for anyone touring the top trending retirement communities in Florida.
19. On Top of the World Clearwater – Clearwater, FL
Mid $100ks – High $300ks
Soar to new heights with Clearwater’s best retirement community. On Top of the World in Clearwater is a 55+ community located in Pinellas County, Florida. This neighborhood was designed with active adults in mind and features a host of health and wellness amenities, alongside fitness and recreation. Residents enjoy yoga and pilates classes, lake access for fishing and kayaking, and unique offerings such as a woodworking workshop. There are an array of trails and natural spaces throughout the community making residents truly feel as if they are On Top of the World in Clearwater.
20. Ocala Palms – Ocala, FL
High $200ks – Mid $400ks
Looking for a retirement community where you can bring your horse with you? Ocala Palms is in the heart of horse country with rolling hills and plenty of riding trails. At an affordable price point, residents of this beautiful space have a choice of modern floor plans in a well-established neighborhood. The energy is cozy and close-knit with shared values that include a love for the outdoors. Ocala Palms is a great option for those who would like to avoid the crowds and settle into their own little slice of paradise in the Sunshine State.
21. Century Village at Pembroke Pines – Pembroke Pines, FL
Low $100ks – High $300ks
The best condominium communities in Florida for retirees are welcoming new residents! Century Village at Pembroke Pines is a gated 55+ neighborhood situated in Broward County where residents can enjoy a low-maintenance, carefree lifestyle. Location is key for this retirement gem. Century Village sits between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, offering easy access to either. This means residents can partake in an endless array of arts, dining, entertainment, and shopping. Of course, if you’d rather stay close to home, Century Village comes complete with the best recreation and leisure amenities onsite. Best of all, this community is budget-friendly, saving you more money for fun activities.
22. Trilogy Orlando – Groveland, FL
Mid $300ks – Mid $600ks
Just 30 miles west of Orlando, you’ll find the exclusive, luxury retirement haven of Trilogy Orlando in the comfortable suburbs of Groveland, Florida. Trilogy is a pedestrian-friendly, highly accessible community built for residents of all fitness levels and abilities. You’ll find well-lit paths for biking, strolling, jogging, and even birdwatching throughout the community. Onsite amenities include restaurants, a fitness center, ceramics studio, outdoor patio spaces, game rooms, sports complex, and even a theater.
23. Stonecrest – Summerfield, FL
High $200ks – Low $1Ms
A great community with a broad price point that offers both new and resale homes, Stonecrest in Summerfield, Florida, is centered around recreation and wellness. It’s easy to get plugged into a thriving social scene at Stonecrest as the community features an array of classes, events, and activities. Learn a new hobby like swing dancing or join the community book club. Join the local pickleball league or find a tennis partner and stay fit year-round in Florida’s welcoming sunny weather.
24. Del Webb Orlando – Davenport, FL
High $200ks – High $500ks
This Orlando suburb is located in a thriving, well-established neighborhood. The best golfing retirement communities in Florida have Del Webb Orlando at the top of the list. The master-planned, 18-hole golf course of Ridgewood Lakes is world-famous and features scenic routes with native oak trees, lakes, and shady areas for relaxing on the green. There are plenty of golf cart-accessible tracks throughout the community, setting the laidback tone of Del Webb Orlando. Best of all, Del Webb is only a short drive to the Happiest Place on Earth.
25. Royal Highlands – Leesburg, FL
Mid $200ks – High $500ks
Royal Highlands in Leesburg, Florida, is a natural escape from the hustle and bustle of Central Florida’s bigger cities, but near enough for an afternoon trip to Orlando or Ocala. Living the good life is what this community is all about! This world-class golf community sits on just under 1,100 acres, with nearly 35 percent of the land set aside for conservation. Residents share their home with native wildlife such as songbirds and waterfowl, as well as a variety of native flora including mature oak trees. Trails and waterways are well-maintained and loved by residents of this stunning 55+ community.
Living the good life begins in Florida’s premiere 55+ communities. These picturesque escapes are filling up fast! As one of the most popular retirement destinations in the U.S., you can count on the Sunshine State to exceed expectations for active 55+ communities. We’ll help you get started on downsizing from your current home and creating your own list of the top retirement communities in Florida to tour. Reach out to our team of 55+ realtors today to learn more.
