The 10 Most Affordable Places to Retire in Florida

While Florida certainly has more than its share of luxurious active adult communities, it also has many affordable properties that are within your reach. You don’t have to be a millionaire to snag a retirement home that offers comfort, desirable amenities, and a warm climate.

You’ll see some familiar cities on this list, along with a few that may be new to you. It features communities in different parts of the state, so whether you prefer to be close to the beach or more centrally located, you’re sure to find something that speaks to you.

Here are 10 areas in the Sunshine State that offer affordable active adult communities.

1. Boynton Beach

Located just south of Palm Beach, Boynton Beach is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in South Florida. Popular attractions include the Boynton Beach Marina, Oceanfront Park, and the The Links at Boynton Beach.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Boynton Beach

• Indian Spring

  Mid $100s – High $600s

  This gated community has 1,901 resale condo, attached, and single-family homes as well as two 18-hole championship golf courses and a 52,000-square-foot clubhouse. Request more information about Indian Spring.

• Palm Isles

  High $100s – High $200s

  Also on the larger side, Palm Isles offers 2,367 resale condo, attached, and single-family residences. Request more information about Palm Isles.

2. Sarasota

According to U.S. News, living in Sarasota is like living in paradise “mixed in with some hints of reality.” It’s known for its thriving cultural and arts scene and award-winning beaches. Sarasota is in Florida’s southwest coastal region, about an hour from Tampa.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Sarasota

• Lake Tippecanoe

  Low $100s – Mid $100s

  This friendly condo community has 259 resale units offered in two floor plans. Request more information about Lake Tippecanoe.

• Plaza de Flores

  Mid $100s – Low $200s

  Plaza de Flores has 200 resale condos and is not age-restricted, but it caters to active adult lifestyles. Request more information about Plaza de Flores.

• Palm Aire

  Mid $100s – High $400s

  This large community was built from 1963 to 2003 and has 3,752 resale condo, attached, and single-family homes. Request more information about Palm Aire.

3. St. Petersburg

Part of the Tampa Bay area, this town is ideally situated between the Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and is considered part of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater area. Aside from its beautiful beaches, this region is known for its walkability, access to public transportation, and vibrant downtown arts scene.

Recommended 55+ Communities in St. Petersburg

• Terrace Park of Five Towns

  Below $100k – Low $200s

  Located just five miles from the Gulf, this condo community has two buildings, each with its own clubhouse and swimming pool. Request more information about Terrace Park of Five Towns.

• Palma del Mar

  High $100s – High $300s

  Palma del Mar has 140 resale condo units, outdoor pools and spas, and a private fishing dock. Request more information about Palma del Mar.

• Paradise Shores

  Below $100k – Low $100s

  This established condo community is perfect for downsizing and even has its own outdoor Tiki Hut barbecue area. Request more information about Paradise Shores.

4. Delray Beach

Delray Beach is between Boca Raton and Boynton Beach and offers 39 active adult communities. Rand McNally’s Best of the Road Contest once named it the “Most Fun Small Town in the United States,” and it won because of its exciting attractions, upbeat culture, and breathtaking scenery.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Delray Beach

• Lakes of Delray

  Below $100k – Mid $200s

  This 55+ community has 1,400 resale condos and attached homes as well as a private, resort-style clubhouse. Request more information about Lakes of Delray.

• Las Verdes

  Below $100k – High $100s

  Completed in 1988, Las Verdes has 1,235 resale condo and attached homes and plenty of year-round activities to keep you busy. Request more information about Las Verdes.

5. Ocala

Moving north, we find the city of Ocala in Central Florida, about 40 miles from Gainesville. It has plenty of small-town charm and outdoor activities. It takes longer to get to the beaches, but you can enjoy its beautiful parks, wineries, farmers markets, and boating on Lake Weir.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Ocala

• Pine Run Estates

  Below $100k – Mid $100s

  This welcoming 55+ community offers 880 resale single-family homes, two clubhouses, and a long list of dynamic activities and events to participate in. Request more information about Pine Run Estates.

• Oak Run

  Below $100k – Mid $200s

  Oak Run is a gated neighborhood with 3,509 resale attached and single-family homes, four clubhouses, and an 18-hole golf course. Request more information about Oak Run.

• On Top of the World

  Below $100k – Low $400s

  This planned active adult community has 10,000 new and resale attached and single-family homes and an array of clubhouses and community centers. Request more information about On Top of the World.

6. Lakeland

Fittingly named, Lakeland is home to 38 named lakes and sits 35 miles east of Tampa. Popular landmarks include Hollis Gardens and Lake Mirror Park. The region is also dotted with golf courses, antique shops, museums, and nature preserves.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Lakeland

• Sandpiper Golf & Country Club

  Low $100s – High $100s

  This affordable 55+ community has 1,153 resale attached and single-family homes, a golf course, sports courts, and the Sandpiper Golf Club & Bistro. Request more information about Sandpiper Golf & Country Club.

• Highland Fairways

  Below $100k – Mid $200s

  Geared for golfers, Highland Fairways also has its own course and 660 resale single-family homes. Request more information about Highland Fairways.

• Cypress Lakes

  Below $100k – Mid $100s

  Cypress Lakes is a gated 55+ neighborhood with 1,604 resale single-family homes, two golf courses, fishing lakes, and other indoor and outdoor perks. Request more information about Cypress Lakes.

7. Fort Myers

Southwest Florida’s Fort Myers offers retirees a low cost of living, historic attractions, and seaside lifestyles. Nature lovers spend time at Manatee Park, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, and beautiful beaches. Also, residents enjoy proximity to the Southwest Florida International Airport.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Fort Myers

• Cross Creek Golf and Country Club

  Low $100s – Mid $400s

  Cross Creek is not age-restricted and offers 905 resale condo, attached, and single-family homes, a golf course, and 10 satellite swimming pools. Request more information about Cross Creek Golf and Country Club.

• Pine Ridge at Fort Myers

  Below $100k – Mid $100s

  This mid-sized 55+ community has 462 resale condo, attached, and single-family homes on a gated property in sunny Southwest Florida. Request more information about Pine Ridge at Fort Myers.

8. Jacksonville

This Florida city is a great choice for active adults who prefer climates that don’t get too hot. Jacksonville has plenty of beaches, but it’s farther north, about 150 miles from the Georgia border. Its downtown area is worth exploring on its Skyway Express, and it also has some top-performing hospitals and world-class shopping.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Jacksonville

• Freedom at Arbor Mill

  Mid $200s – High $200s

  This smaller neighborhood of 155 residences offers new construction homes with floor plans ranging from 1,585 to 2,033 square feet. Request more information about Freedom at Arbor Mill.

• Sweetwater

  Low $200s – Low $400s

  Sweetwater is a gated active adult community with 950 resale condo, attached, and single-family homes built by Del Webb. Request more information about Sweetwater.

9. Melbourne

Melbourne is in East Central Florida, not far from the Kennedy Space Center and Vero Beach. Active adults who live here also enjoy boating at Lake Washington, visiting historic Main Street Melbourne. And at last count, Melbourne had five affordable 55+ communities to choose from.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Melbourne

• Alamanda Key

  Low $200s – High $300s

  You can find new and resale attached and single-family homes at Alamanda Key, plus some very nice amenities and lifestyle activities. Request more information about Alamanda Key.

• Indian River Colony Club

  Low $200s – Low $400s

  Designed for relaxed living, Indian River Colony Club has a golf course, a fitness center, a resort-style pool, and 776 resale attached and single-family homes. Request more information about Indian River Colony Club.

10. Margate

With a population of around 58,000, Margate is a good choice for retirees looking to relocate to the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area without the higher housing prices. It’s smack-dab in the middle of everywhere you want to go, including Pompano Beach and the Everglades. Margate is also close to two international airports, many hospitals, golf courses, and shopping.

Recommended 55+ Communities in Margate

• Oriole Gardens

  Below $100k – Mid $100s

  This established condo community is about 20 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and has 1,413 resale homes and three clubhouses. Request more information about Oriole Gardens.

• Paradise Gardens

  Low $100s – Mid $300s

  Paradise Gardens offers 1,800 resale ranch-style single-family homes and four separate clubhouses for homeowners to use. Request more information about Paradise Gardens.