Florida remains one of the most desirable places to retire, offering sunshine, beautiful landscapes, and a vibrant lifestyle. While home prices have risen due to increased demand, it’s still possible to find 55+ communities in Florida under $200,000—especially compared to many other states along the East Coast. With a little guidance, you can discover the perfect home to enjoy your retirement in this sought-after destination.
Active adults considering a move to Florida can find attractive, low-maintenance homes in thriving communities for reasonable prices. Start your search here! We’re highlighting six areas where buyers can find 55+ homes for sale under $200k. Explore these diverse areas of the state with us, and get a preview of what it’s like to live in the Sunshine State.
Broward County
More than 5 million people live in Broward County, an area in the central part of South Florida. The county includes hotspots such as Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, and Pembroke Pines.
This part of Florida boasts a tropical climate, with mild winters and warm, breezy summers. Temperatures typically range from the mid-70s in winter to the high 80s in summer, creating plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors year-round. While summers bring humidity and refreshing ocean breezes, they also come with rainfall—about 63 inches annually—keeping the landscape lush and vibrant. If you love outdoor dining, this is the perfect place to be, whether it’s a sunny afternoon in June or a pleasant evening in February.
Broward County Beaches
- Hollywood Beach
- Dania Beach
- Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Deerfield Beach
- Keating Beach
- Peace Mound Park
Broward County Attractions
It’s not just the beaches that draw active adults to a Broward County retirement. It’s also Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk, the Museum of Discovery and Science, and the Historic Stranahan House Museum. Shoppers prowl the Broward Mall in Plantation, the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, and Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise. Popular golf courses include Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation, Deer Creek Golf Club in Deerfield Beach, and Grande Oaks Golf Club in Davie.
Broward County 55+ Communities With Homes for Sale Under $200,000
- Lime Bay – Tamarac, FL
- Oriole Golf & Tennis Club – Margate, FL
- Bermuda Club Condominiums – Tamarac, FL
- Oriole Gardens – Margate, FL
Sarasota-Bradenton
Looking for fine dining and outdoor recreation but without spending more than $200,000 on a home? Consider the Gulf Coast communities of Sarasota and Bradenton. Sarasota is notoriously high-end, but the more affordable area of Bradenton is Sarasota-adjacent, and full of good options in any budget.
Food and fine dining are a big part of the Sarasota-Bradenton lifestyle. Whether it’s a glass of wine and a locally sourced steak or a slice of gourmet pizza, residents can find what they’re craving. Also, the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System is well-known for its health center, medical center, and outpatient surgery center.
Sarasota-Bradenton Beaches
- Siesta Key
- Bradenton Beach
- Anna Maria Island
Sarasota-Bradenton Attractions
There’s also a lot to do outdoors, including hikes and wildlife watching. Celery Fields and Myakka River State Park are especially popular destinations. Golf is a major pastime for anyone living around here. Popular courses include the lush Sarasota National Golf Course and The Heritage Harbour Golf Club in Bradenton, which is known for being welcoming to golfers of all skill levels.
Indoor activities are just as popular in Sarasota, which has a rich selection of museum and theater offerings. The Ringling Museum has an impressive collection of old European and modern American art as well as a sculpture garden. There’s also the Sarasota Art Museum, which is free to visit on the second Sunday of every month. Also, The Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton has an impressive lineup of performances all year long.
Sarasota-Bradenton 55+ Communities With Homes for Sale Under $200,000
- Bayshore on The Lake Condominiums – Bradenton, FL
- Burgundy Condominiums – Bradenton, FL
- Glory Gardens at Christian Retreat – Bradenton, FL
Treasure Coast Area
Not a lot of people think about the Treasure Coast as their first choice in retirement destinations. However, it’s an eye-catching stretch of the Atlantic Coast, starting in Vero Beach and stretching to Stuart. This unique and tranquil part of Florida remains less touristy, less crowded, and more affordable than a lot of other Florida regions, especially since it’s situated on the coast.
The Treasure Coast has art and culture, plenty of beaches to explore, and a lot of history too. The region gets its name because over 300 years ago, several Spanish ships that were carrying gold and silver shipwrecked off the coast of this part of Florida. All of that treasure fell into the sea, and artifacts from these mishaps have been brought ashore over the last several decades.
Exploring the Treasure Coast area is a great idea for active adults who are looking for a retirement experience that’s a little bit quieter, but still with plenty of recreation, entertainment, and opportunities to enjoy beaches, fine dining, and outdoor activities like golf, boating, and fishing.
Treasure Coast 55+ Communities With Homes for Sale Under $200,000
Palm Beach County
Looking for an affordable place to buy a retirement home but still in need of a little luxury? Palm Beach County might be the right place. Here, residents can access high-end shopping, upscale restaurants, and all the entertainment that normally comes with a high price tag but doesn’t have to if you know how to have fun on a budget.
Palm Beach County includes Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, and lots of other communities both near the water and further inland. It’s just outside of the Miami metropolitan area and close to Fort Lauderdale, making it an ideal home base for people who love to hop on a departing cruise ship or explore the gems of South Florida, such as South Beach or the Everglades. It’s been called the Golf Capital of Florida, and there may be something to that title, considering this area has more than 150 public and private golf courses.
Palm Beach County Beaches
- Coral Cove Park on Jupiter Island
- Juno Beach Park
- John D. MacArthur State Park
Palm Beach County Attractions
The Florida Marlins, the Houston Astros, the Washington Nationals, and the St. Louis Cardinals have their spring training complexes here, attracting baseball lovers and minor league games. Also, polo and equestrian activities are huge here. The $100,000 World Cup and the Winter Equestrian Festival are popular events for competitors and spectators who love to watch humans and horses in action.
Entertainment is easy to find in Palm Beach County, and it’s often affordable. From festivals to live theater, residents and visitors are likely to be found at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach or enjoying live music at the Norton Museum’s Art After Dark festivities.
Palm Beach County 55+ Communities With Homes for Sale Under $200,000
- Dudley Villas – Greenacres, FL
- Murray Hill – Lake Worth, FL
- Barkley Villas – West Palm Beach, FL
- Regal Palms Condominium – Palm Springs, FL
- Hampshire Gardens – Boynton Beach, FL
Tampa Bay Area
One of the fastest-growing areas in Florida for retirees is Tampa Bay. But it’s not just Tampa that’s attracting active adults and new residents. St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and smaller coastal communities like Dunedin and Palm Harbor are also attractive to retirees looking for a high quality of life and low cost of living. South of Tampa, Sun City Center and Riverview are growing suburban hotspots, and north along Interstate 75, residents are settling into new homes in areas like Wesley Chapel and Land O’Lakes.
Healthcare is high-quality in and around Tampa. Not only is the University of South Florida and its teaching hospital here, there’s also Moffitt Cancer Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital, which has campuses across the Bay area.
Tampa Bay Attractions
Residents enjoy everything from theater to professional sports to top-tier museums and excellent dining but with a lot of suburban comforts and the space that comes with residential neighborhoods. There are nature preserves and hiking spots like the Hillsborough River State Park just minutes from the arts and entertainment available at Amalie Arena or the Tampa Museum of Art.
Whether on the Tampa side of the Bay or the St. Pete side, there’s lots of fun to be had on the water, in the woods, or throughout the shops, museums, and restaurants that are available. Lots of spring training happens in this part of Florida. You’ll find the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers playing ball. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers draw crowds during football season, and there’s a lot of local love for the Lightning (hockey) and the Rays (baseball).
Tampa Bay 55+ Communities With Homes for Sale Under $200,000
Venice-Port Charlotte Area
Also along the Gulf Coast and remarkably affordable compared to other parts of Florida is Venice-Port Charlotte. In addition to the area’s affordability, local residents also enjoy the slower pace of life. There’s not a large city in this area, so things stay a bit calmer. It’s great for long, sunny days and cool, wind-swept evenings. There are an average of 263 sunny days in Venice, and that’s a lot of Vitamin D.
Venice-Port Charlotte Attractions
Just south of Sarasota and north of Fort Myers, this area is desirable because of its beaches, quirky charm, and fantastic fishing piers and boat charters. It’s not unusual to spot a shark in this part of Florida. Shark teeth are common in the sand as beachgoers search for shells.
Not only do residents get white sand beaches, but canals too. The Venetian Waterway Park is a scenic canal trail that stretches right along the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s perfect for biking and walking, and whether you do all or some of the nine-mile trail is up to you.
Port Charlotte is the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. It feels like a small town and offers residents great fishing opportunities, freshwater lakes, and easy proximity to the beach. It’s becoming a popular destination for active adults, which has contributed to a growing community of people interested in golf, pickleball, art, and shops.
Venice-Port Charlotte 55+ Communities With Homes for Sale Under $200,000
55places Can Help You Stick to Your Homebuying Budget
It’s possible to find 55+ communities in Florida under $200,000, and these communities are located in cities and towns that offer an abundance of recreation, entertainment, outdoor activities, and cultural diversity. Spend the day in a museum or on the golf course or at the beach. Everything is possible, and it’s possible on a budget!
Whether you’re years away from your retirement or marking off the days on a calendar as it gets closer, start exploring the 55+ communities in Florida. You’re likely to be surprised at what you’ll find. Working with an expert will make the process a lot more efficient and enjoyable. When you’re ready contact 55places.com to connect with a real estate professional to find the perfect home within your budget.
