From Jacksonville to Miami, Florida’s Atlantic Coast is all about beaches, golf courses, and all the recreational activities active adults look forward to during a well-deserved coastal Florida retirement. The waves are great for surfing, the parks are fantastic for wildlife watching, and there are plenty of lakes and rivers that invite canoeing, fishing, and kayaking.

If you’re a buyer looking for comfortable, budget-friendly properties on or near the coast, we have some great 55+ communities for you to consider.

Colonnades at Fort Pierce - Fort Pierce

Active adults looking for a small and budget-friendly community on the water will enjoy the dock privileges and the prices at Colonnades at Fort Pierce, a 55+ community of 250 condominium homes. There’s access to the Indian River Lagoon, boat slips, and plenty of parking and storage for boats and R.V.s. Kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are some of the most popular activities among residents here, and those are activities residents can do with their neighbors or enjoy on their own.

Condos are available in one- or two-bedroom models and have between 564 and 1,371 square feet. Many of the resale properties for sale have upgrades such as granite counters and tile floors. There may be enclosed porches and stainless steel appliances.

Parking is assigned and plentiful, and the homeowners' association takes care of things like lawn care, sewer, water, and trash bills, and access to recreational facilities that include a clubhouse, sauna, outdoor pool, tennis, and shuffleboard. Fort Pierce is a historic part of Florida’s Treasure Coast and has lots of natural shorelines which can be explored at places such as Fort Pierce Inlet State Park.

Lakes of Carriage Hills - Tamarac

Below $100k - Low $100s

Community events like potlucks and game nights are a big part of life at Lakes of Carriage Hills in Tamarac. This affordable 55+ community in Broward County is only about 25 minutes from Fort Lauderdale.

There are 520 condo units in 12 buildings that are three stories high and have elevators. The condominium homes are two-bedroom and two-bathroom properties with between 990 and 1,460 square feet. Buyers appreciate the open layouts, large closets, and extra storage space.

One of the more unique amenities available to residents at Lakes of Carriage Hills is the dedicated gardening space. Homeowners plant flowers, herbs, and vegetables in plots overlooking ponds.

There’s also an outdoor pool and patio, shuffleboard, and tennis courts. Residents have access to a clubhouse with a library, billiards area, and multipurpose room. Tamarac is considered part of the Miami metropolitan area and yet it’s close to several greenspaces such as Fern Forest Nature Center and Hampton Pines Park.

Indian River Colony Club - Melbourne

Low $100s - Mid $200s

It’s called the Space Coast due to its proximity to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, and one of the most affordable 55+ communities in the area is Indian River Colony Club in Melbourne. Homes are reasonably priced and come with golf privileges at River Colony Club Golf Course. This golf community includes a pro shop, an aquatic driving range, and a couple of putting greens for practice.  

In addition to golf, amenities include community fishing lakes, tennis, shuffleboard, and bocce courts, and an outdoor pool and patio. The At Ease Clubhouse includes restaurants, a fitness center, an art studio, a library, and a chapel.

Attached homes have two or three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with an attached garage for one or two cars. They range in size from 1,019 to 1,165 square feet. The single-family homes are a little larger, with between two and four bedrooms. Many properties have dens and offer between 1,368 and 2,098 square feet.

Whisper Walk - Boca Raton

Below $100k - Mid $200s

Boca Raton has million-dollar mansions on the Intracoastal Waterway, but there are also affordable Florida retirement communities to be found, such as Whisper Walk. This 55+ community is divided into five unique neighborhoods, each with its own clubhouse, patio, and pool.

There are a total of 2,637 attached homes available in models that range from 1,000 to 1,667 square feet. Homes are two or three-bedroom properties with two bathrooms and one-car garages.

Amenities include a fitness center and a multipurpose room as well as pickleball courts, shuffleboard courts, and handball courts. There’s also tennis and plenty of outdoor communal space. Boca Raton has a long list of beaches and golf courses in the area, and it’s also known for its art and culture. Residents enjoy being close to the Boca Raton Museum of Art and galleries like Vertu Fine Art.

Colonial Club - Boynton Beach

Below $100k - High $200s

Boynton Beach real estate doesn’t have to be pricey, and it’s easy to find when you know where to look. At Colonial Club, a 55+ condo community, the price is right and it includes things like water views.

This community is situated on the Intracoastal Waterway, putting residents close to some of southeastern Florida’s best beaches and most desirable golf courses. There is a large saltwater pool and patio with fetching views, and other amenities like shuffleboard courts and a clubhouse with a library and a multipurpose room.

Buyers can look for condos for sale with views of the water or the gardens. The home models come with one or two bedrooms and one to three bathrooms. They range from 950 to 1,200 square feet.

Large kitchens come with dedicated pantry space and all units have patios or balconies. Active adults who love golf will be thrilled to know they’re in the neighborhood of The Links at Boynton Beach and Winston Trails Golf Club.