Florida’s Gulf Coast makes for an interesting and quite desirable retirement destination. Generally speaking, this side of the Sunshine State gets fewer crowds, provides a lower cost of living, and offers not only beaches and golf but also an abundance of nature and wildlife watching. Locals like to call many parts of the Gulf Coast “Old Florida,” meaning it retains much of the early history and culture even as it developed into a modern, attractive place to live.
But where to retire on Florida’s Gulf Coast? The Southwest Gulf has pretty beaches with all the amenities, a warmer climate, and easy access to cities like Orlando, Tampa, and Miami. In the Northwest part of the state’s Gulf Coast, there’s a lower cost of living, more seasonal temperatures, and far fewer tourists.
The good news: there’s no bad decision here. Both parts of Florida’s West Coast are attractive and full of recreation and entertainment. The bad news: You probably only want to purchase one home and not two, so you’ll have to choose.
Maybe we can help. Here’s our look at where and how to retire on Florida’s Gulf Coast, based on what you need and what you want.
Climate and Weather on the Gulf Coast
People move to Florida largely for the climate. Warm winter days, sunshine all year long—it’s easy to understand the way the weather impacts decisions on where to be. Whether or not you like a surprise cold front now and then will help you decide which part of the Gulf Coast makes the best home.
Southwest Florida is generally going to be warmer. It’s also going to be hotter in the summer. Prepare for humidity and lots of rain and thunderstorms between June and October. It also means shorts in February and golf in January. Even when the winter settles in, Southwest Florida can be relied upon to continue offering outdoor dining, pleasant boating weather, and dry conditions. This is the season that people work on their gardens.
In the Northwest part of the state, summers are still hot. Winters get a little cooler, though, and residents even enjoy some fall colors during the late autumn months. You’ll need a jacket or two but the snow boots can still be left behind.
We also have to talk about hurricanes. While Southwest Florida is far more likely to experience dramatic tropical weather, the Northern areas are not immune. Hurricane season lasts from June until November and the entire state remains on edge every time something stirs in the Atlantic or the Gulf.
For active adults who want to use the heat in their home as little as possible, Southwest Florida might be for them. But if seasonal changes and pumpkin flavors make you happy when November rolls around, consider the Northwest Gulf Coast.
Cost of Living and Taxes
Preparing to move to Florida requires some budgeting. Not only do future retirees need to budget for the home they’ll buy, but also for things such as homeowners insurance. The cost of living in Florida has risen over the last few years, as it has everywhere. However, this is still one of the most affordable places to be, especially the Gulf Coast.
Southwest Florida is generally a bit pricier, especially in popular retirement cities like Naples and Sarasota. If affordability is a priority, Northwest Florida might be the better choice. Even growing communities in Pensacola and Panama City have lower price points than the rest of the state, making these areas far more accessible.
One of the reasons that Florida is so popular as a retirement destination is that there’s no state income tax here, meaning retirement benefits and Social Security are not taxed on the state level. Property taxes vary, and depend on property value and the exact location in which you buy. The Florida Revenue Department can be helpful with tax calculators and local resources, allowing buyers and new residents to determine exactly how much will be paid in taxes depending on the city and county.
Homeowners insurance rates will also depend heavily on location. Hurricane and flood-prone areas will always have higher premiums. Rates are still generally lower on the Gulf Coast than they are on the other side of the state.
Lifestyle and Amenities
When deciding where to retire on Florida’s Gulf Coast, think about what types of recreation, entertainment, and fun need to be part of your daily life. There are some similarities in the North and in the South, but also some nuanced differences that may be meaningful to your decision.
Southwest Florida is all about art, culture, fine dining, and good shopping.
- There’s a lot of great golf, such as Calusa Pines Golf Club in Naples, which is private, and Fort Myers Country Club, which welcomes guests.
- Museum lovers will want to be close to The Ringling in Sarasota, which feels like a European museum.
- There are beaches, of course, and many of them are popular. Sunsets at the Venice Fishing Pier are hard to beat, and Siesta Key in Sarasota are especially well-liked for their calm, warm waters and easy access.
On the Northwest Gulf Coast, new residents will find smaller cities, more of an untouched landscape that’s ideal for:
- Hiking
- Bike rides
- Paddling
- Kayaking or canoeing
This area has more of that “Old Florida” charm that’s hard to find in more resort-heavy cities.
State parks are especially popular in this area, and here are a few locals love:
- Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola for its scenic picnic spots, woodsy trails, and good birding.
- St. Andrews State Park in Panama City has white-sand beaches and comfortable camping opportunities.
Deciding where to retire on Florida’s Gulf Coast may come down to whether you want a resort-style atmosphere where there’s always a tee time and a dinner reservation to be booked or whether you prefer a lifestyle rooted in nature and wildlife.
How to Find Your 55+ Community
It’s all about location, and not just when we’re talking about Northwest Florida vs. Southwest Florida. It’s also about the place you call home: condo or single-family home? Townhouse or villa? Large community with constant social events or quieter, intimate neighborhood?
In Southwest Florida, retirees find a lot of options when it comes to 55+ communities. Anyone wondering what it’s like to live in Florida simply has to drop by an active adult community in Sarasota, Naples, or Fort Myers to gain an immediate understanding of what it’s like. There are:
- Spacious but low-maintenance homes
- Busy social calendars
- Amenities such as pools, pickleball courts, and sometimes golf courses.
Options are abundant.
In Northwest Florida, the number of 55+ communities is growing as interest in retirement here increases, but there are not quite so many options. Homes are generally more affordable, however, and while the pace of life is somewhat slower than in the South, there are still plenty of amenities and activities in these neighborhoods.
Active adults who enjoy filling their calendars with book clubs, group fitness classes, happy hours, and holiday parties might find a more suitable environment in Southwest Florida. Those who prefer a gentle balance of solitude and society would likely gravitate towards the Northwest part of the state, especially when budget is a factor. It depends on individual priorities and plans.
Health Care and Accessibility
It’s important to know that basic needs will be met when retirement arrives, and there are excellent facilities and services up and down the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Larger and more established health care networks can be found in the Southwest. Top-rated hospitals and health care systems such as Lee Health in Fort Myers and Sarasota Memorial Hospital are well-known throughout the state. They focus on senior care health issues, including heart health, cancer treatment, and preventative medicine.
In Northwest Florida, the best medical care is in the area’s larger cities. HCA Florida West is the best-known provider in Florida’s panhandle. It’s known for providing excellent acute care with a long list of specialties.
Anyone with chronic medical conditions or illnesses that need management will want to investigate individual providers and hospitals before deciding to move. When access to top-tier health care is an absolute necessity, Southwest Florida may provide better options and more peace of mind.
Travel and Transportation
How important is travel to your retirement plans?
If you need easy access to international airports, retiring to Southwest Florida will make that easy. There are hundreds of domestic and international flights to and from Tampa International Airport every day, and residents also find it easy to fly in and out of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and even Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.
Northwest Florida has regional airports in Pensacola and Panama City, but it will be difficult to find a direct flight, and for an international airport, it will be necessary to travel to Tallahassee International Airport, which is likely to be at least two hours away from most areas along the northern Gulf Coast.
Getting in and out of Southwest Florida is definitely more convenient than arriving and departing from Northwest Florida. The bright spot for those leaning towards the north, however, is that in terms of day-to-day travel, there’s a lot less traffic in the Panhandle area of Florida. Some of the cities in the Southwest Gulf Coast are growing pretty quickly, and the infrastructure is still catching up.
Is It Time to Choose Where to Retire on Florida’s Gulf Coast?
It’s easy to see that both parts of Florida have their own charms and attention-grabbing attractions. For people who want to retire with all the comforts of great restaurants, good shopping, and endless golf and tennis or pickleball and boating, Southwest Florida might look especially appealing. Nature lovers who imagine a retirement full of quiet beaches, cooler winter days, and time spent on trails or in a kayak might lean more towards Northwest Florida.
Consider your budget. Think about your lifestyle. Determine what you’ll be doing and how you’ll be living once you make the move to Florida’s Gulf Coast. Visit each area and see which one feels more like home.
And don’t forget: we’re here as a resource. Browse communities in Southwest or Northwest Florida, or connect with us to find the perfect 55+ community for your lifestyle.
