The 7 Best Beach Communities for Your Retirement

If you\'re dreaming of a beachside retirement, take a look at these 55+ communities.

For many, a dream retirement involves lounging on the beach, enjoying the company of friends, and taking in the sights and sounds of the ocean. Luckily, there are hundreds of active adult retirement communities located near the beach, with many right on the shore. Even better, many of those communities are surprisingly affordable.

Here are seven of the nation’s best 55+ communities near a beach.

1. Sugar Sands – Riviera Beach, FL

Low $200s – High $600s

Palm trees surrounding the outdoor pool and patio at Sugar Sands in Riviera Beach, Florida
Sugar Sands is a 55+ condominium community located right off the Intracoastal Waterway.

Unsurprisingly, we’re starting on Florida’s Atlantic Coast in Palm Beach County. Sugar Sands is a 55+ condominium community located right off the Intracoastal Waterway. Current homes for sale start in the high $300s and go up to the mid $600s. Amenities include a clubhouse, a fitness center, saunas, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and much more. Homeowners have scenic ocean views and are just a short walk away from several beaches.

Request more information about Sugar Sands.

2. Leisure World Seal Beach – Seal Beach, CA

High $100s – Low $600s

Palm trees in front of a lighthouse in Long Beach, California
Leisure World Seal Beach is a short drive from several beaches and great waterside restaurants.

Leisure World Seal Beach is a great option for those who want to downsize and enjoy a beachside retirement. The community includes 6,608 condominium and attached homes, and current homes for sale start in the low $200s and go up to the low $400s. There are six clubhouses throughout Leisure World Seal Beach as well as amenities like a health care center, a nine-hole golf course, and an outdoor pool. The community is a short drive from several beaches and great waterside restaurants and bars.

Request more information about Leisure World Seal Beach.

3. Southshore Falls – Apollo Beach, FL

Mid $200s – Low $400s

Palm trees and greenery surrounding the resort-style pool at Southshore Falls in Apollo Beach, Florida
Southshore Falls is home to the 14,000-square-foot Wellspring Club.

There are many communities in the Tampa Bay Area that provide homeowners with a retirement by the beach, and Southshore Falls is perhaps the most modern. Construction on the community’s 866 single-family and attached homes began in 2004 and was completed in 2016. Southshore Falls is home to the 14,000-square-foot Wellspring Club, which includes a fitness center, a lagoon-style pool, and tennis courts. Nearby is Apollo Beach Marina, which is a great place to enjoy a sunny, beachside retirement.

Request more information about Southshore Falls.

4. Woodlake Village – Murrells Inlet, SC

High $100s – High $200s

Trees and homes lining a road in Woodlake Village in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Woodlake Village is a short drive from miles of beaches and coastline.

Myrtle Beach is a popular retirement destination for many, and Woodlake Village is one of the area’s most affordable 55+ communities. With current homes for sale ranging from the low to mid $200s, it’s a great option for a budget-friendly, relaxing retirement. Amenities include a clubhouse, an outdoor pool, shuffleboard courts, and tennis courts. The community’s location in Murrells Inlet means it’s a short drive from miles of beaches and coastline. It’s also a great area for active adults looking for seafood, nightlife, and golf.

Request more information about Woodlake Village.

5. Lions Head North – Brick, NJ

High $100s – Mid $300s

Exterior view of the clubhouse at Lions Head North in Brick, New Jersey
Lions Head North features 360 single-family and attached homes.

While New Jersey residents don’t have access to beaches year-round, Ocean County features many age-restricted communities near the beach. Lions Head North features 360 single-family and attached homes, with current homes for sale starting in the high $200s and topping out in the low $300s. The community includes a clubhouse with a game room, billiards, a ceramics studio, an outdoor pool, and several sports courts. In the warmer months, residents are just minutes away from beaches on the Intracoastal Waterway as well as a short drive away from the Jersey Shore.

Request more information about Lions Head North.

6. Peppertree Crossing – Brunswick, GA

Mid $100s – High $200s

Clouds over a picturesque beach on Jekyll Island in Georgia
Peppertree Crossing is located just minutes from the Atlantic Coast and miles of beaches.

If you’re looking for modern homes in an affordable community, Peppertree Crossing is an ideal choice. Its 1,127 attached and single-family homes start in the mid $100s and go into the high $200s. Residents can choose between 11 floor plans that offer hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and walk-in closets. Amenities in the community include a clubhouse, an exercise room, an indoor spa, an outdoor pool, a putting green, and tennis courts. Peppertree Crossing is the only active adult community in the area, and it’s conveniently located just minutes from the Atlantic Coast and miles of beaches.

Request more information about Peppertree Crossing.

7. Pelican Landing – Bonita Springs, FL

Mid $200s – Low $4Ms

Palm trees and greenery surrounding the community sign for Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs, Florida
Pelican Landing is home to a tennis center, a golf club, and other amenities.

Pelican Landing has a diverse selection of homes, with current homes for sale starting in the high $200s and going up to $4.2 million. This 3,068-home community is located right on the water and is only a few minutes from Gulf of Mexico beaches. Pelican Landing is home to a tennis center, a golf club, and other amenities like a fitness center, a resort-style pool, and sailing facilities. Homeowners also have access to a beach park, which includes a beach house, pavilions, and the 34-acre Gulf Island Beach House.

Request more information about Pelican Landing.

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