Palm Harbor, FL 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Palm Harbor is a relaxed town along the Gulf Coast of Central Florida. The town is northeast of Clearwater and northwest of Tampa. Palm Harbor is home to multiple parks with peaceful nature trails where active adults can hike, fish, and boat. There is also a variety of restaurants and shops in the Palm Harbor area, giving residents plenty of exciting things to do.

Climate & Geography

Like much of Florida, Palm Harbor experiences more sunny days than the national average as well as more rainfall. The town does not receive any snowfall and maintains warm, humid weather throughout the year.

Palm Harbor is located along the coast of Central Florida on low, flat land. Palm Harbor is largely surrounded by water, bordered by Lake Tarpon on its northeast side and the Gulf Coast on its west side.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Palm Harbor has plenty of options for those who appreciate outdoor recreation. Residents can enjoy the warm Florida weather at John Chesnut Sr. Park. Located along Lake Tarpon, this park features various nature trails and a boat ramp. Wall Springs Park offers an observation tower for visitors to look out over the Gulf of Mexico as well as a nature trail and boardwalk. Fishing is also allowed at Wall Springs Park. 

Palm Harbor Museum allows residents to explore the area's historic past. The museum is housed in the century-old Hartley House, features exhibits and displays, and serves to educate the public on the town's history.

Palm Harbor is also home to an assortment of shops and restaurants, providing all the essentials one would need. The surrounding area features a variety of festivals, community events, and farmers markets. In addition to its local amenities, the entertainment of Clearwater is less than a half-hour away.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The overall cost of living in Palm Harbor is above the state and national averages because of high housing costs.

Florida does not impose an income tax, meaning all forms of retirement income are untaxed. Property taxes in the state are below average, and the combined sales tax in Palm Harbor is average at 7 percent. 

Health Care

The Tampa metro area ranks in the top 100 communities on Gallup’s Well-Being Index, and Florida ranks in the top 20 states.

There are no hospitals in Palm Harbor, but residents have access to several nearby hospitals that are rated high performing by U.S. News. These include Mease Countryside Hospital, Florida Hospital North Pinellas, Morton Plant Hospital, and Medical Center of Trinity. All of these are located within 10 miles of Palm Harbor.