Southeast Florida 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview

Southeast Florida caters to active adults better than almost any other area in the country. The South Atlantic Coast of Florida stretches 240 miles from Key West in the south to Palm Beach in the north. It consists of four counties including Monroe County, Miami-Dade County, Broward County and Palm Beach County. It includes popular retirement cities such as Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Jupiter. The trend of retirees flocking to 55+ active retirement communities in Florida that started in the 1920's continues today and has made Southeast Florida one of the best places to retire in the country. Some of the most popular communities in this region are Valencia Falls, Indian Springs County Club, Ponte Vecchio, and Century Village.

Climate & Geography

The area enjoys a pleasant tropical climate all year that is moderated by the cooling effects of the Atlantic Ocean in the summer and warm Gulf Stream in the winter. Most of the area experiences summer highs in the mid 80's and lows in the lower 70's. In the winter, January highs still manage to climb into the mid 70's and only fall to around 60 at nighttime. Most of the region experiences approximately 60 inches of rain annually.

Southeastern Florida is home to nearly six million people, many of who are active adults. The major population center stretches from Miami northward to Palm Beach in a continuous patchwork of active adult communities.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

Southeastern Florida has endless opportunities for culture and recreation geared towards active adults. There are countless art galleries, museums and performing arts centers in the region. Some of the more notable attractions in Southeastern Florida include the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Frost Art Museum, and the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Active adults in this area experience no shortage of culture and entertainment.

Sports fans will love the area for the endless sports teams present in the region and the number of annual events. Most of the professional sports teams are located in Miami and include the Miami Heat (basketball), Miami Dolphins (football), and Miami Marlins (baseball). The International Swimming Hall of Fame is located in Fort Lauderdale and exhibits many of the most important events in the sport. Golfers go crazy over Southeastern Florida for its large number of public and private course in the area, offering play for all skill levels.

The area is also full of outdoor recreational opportunities for active adults. Key West is renowned for its world-class diving and snorkeling. The islands that make up the Florida Keys are home to over 500 shipwrecks and the coral reef is the third largest in the world. Boating and fishing is a favorite activity among many active adults who live in the region and the extensive Intracoastal Waterway, rivers and canals make for thousands of miles of navigable waterways. Beaches are plentiful in the region and the Fort Lauderdale beachfront has some of the most attractive and inviting beaches in the world.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Southeastern Florida's cost of living is slightly higher than the rest of Florida. A major factor for many people who would like to continue working is the lack of income tax on individuals. Local governments rather than the state collect property tax. While property taxes are among the highest in the country there are several exemptions. One exemption that may catch the eye of Florida active adults is the Senior Citizen Exemption. This exemption is available in certain counties only and is valued up to $50,000 for residents 65 and older with a gross income below $20,000.

Healthcare

Southeast Florida boasts some of the best hospitals and medical centers in the state of Florida. The University of Miami Jackson Memorial Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in the state and is nationally ranked for cancer research and treatment. Another top hospital in the area is the Broward Health Medical Center located in Fort Lauderdale. Active adults living in the region will be happy to know they are never too far from the medical attention they might require.