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Retiring in Central Florida: Best Cities, Costs & 55+ Communities (2025)

Retirements in Central Florida can be affordable, enjoyable, and filled with new experiences. We’ve put together this guide to your Central Florida retirement…

Cari Oleskewicz

Cari Oleskewicz

Cari Oleskewicz is a writer based in Gainesville, Florida. She has been writing about real estate, property management, travel, and active adult lifestyles for 10 years. She has delivered lectures on the importance of high-value website copy for small businesses, and has ghostwritten books for real estate investors. Before settling in Gainesville, she lived in Tampa, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; Los Angeles, California; and Florence, Italy. Before launching her writing career, Cari was a communications and editorial strategist for a digital advertising agency in Tampa and managed the communications department of a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities in Maryland. She has also taught middle school and writes poetry. Cari graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1994, with a BA in Communications/Journalism. She currently lives in Tampa, travels frequently, and recently helped her father find the perfect 55+ community to call home.
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September 30, 2025

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55+ Amenities, Features & HOAs
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55+ Buying, Selling & Moving
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Retiring in North Florida & the Panhandle: Lifestyle, Communities & Home Prices (2025)

Retiring in North Florida & the Panhandle: Lifestyle, Communities & Home Prices (2025)

Madeline Crozier Sutton

Madeline Crozier Sutton

Madeline Crozier Sutton (she/her) is an experienced freelance writer and editor who has worked with 55places since 2018. Now a fifth-year PhD Candidate in English at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, she has a BA and MA in Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse from DePaul University. She specializes in researching real estate trends across the country with a focus on the Midwest and Southeast regions, including the housing markets of Chicago, Indianapolis, and East Tennessee. Dedicated to helping homebuyers make evidence-based decisions, she brings six years of experience in real estate writing and research.
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September 18, 2025
Best Places to Retire in Florida Near the Beach: Top Coastal Communities

Best Places to Retire in Florida Near the Beach: Top Coastal Communities

Chad Walker

Chad Walker

Chad Walker joined 55places in 2022 as the VP of Sales and Real Estate Operations. He comes with 14+ years of experience in the Real Estate industry, ten of which have been dedicated to leading operational excellence. Chad started off in the industry as a top producing Real Estate Agent in Seattle, WA before taking on positions to lead high-performing teams of real estate professionals to advocate for customers along their journey of home ownership. Chad specializes in the real estate tech sector and focuses on the strategy of growing sales, revenue, and teams by collaborating with other leaders on the company’s goals and initiatives. Chad has a customer-first mentality and builds his organization around that passion. Chad currently resides in Seattle with his family and enjoys traveling when not thinking about real estate.
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September 24, 2025
How to Apply for a 55+ Apartment: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Apply for a 55+ Apartment: Step-by-Step Guide

Khadeejah Johnson

Khadeejah Johnson

Khadeejah oversees operational efficiency and strategic initiatives for the brokerage, audit, and partnership divisions. With extensive experience in real estate management and brokerage operations, she ensures compliance with state and local regulations, while guiding referral agents in adherence to contract law. Khadeejah also fosters collaborative partnerships within the referral program, all while leading a high-performing team. She is known for her strong leadership, attention to detail, and dedication to fostering growth in the brokerage community.
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September 26, 2025
Del Webb Explore: A Guide to PulteGroup’s New All-Ages Community Concept

Del Webb Explore: A Guide to PulteGroup’s New All-Ages Community Concept

Jared Sutton

Jared Sutton

Jared Sutton is a freelance writer based in Durham, North Carolina. His background spans sales, marketing, and corporate content writing. He specializes in current real estate and housing market trends across the Southeast, including Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Florida. With an emphasis on drawing information from a variety of trusted sources, Jared creates content that helps 55+ homebuyers make informed decisions.
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October 1, 2025

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Northern California vs. Southern California: Which Is Better for Your Retirement?

Northern California vs. Southern California: Which Is Better for Your Retirement?

Elizabeth Kang

Elizabeth Kang

Elizabeth Kang is a seasoned writer and content specialist with a diverse background in lifestyle, travel, and real estate journalism. Her work at Neighborhoods.com and 55places.com has focused on providing insightful articles about 55+ communities and retirement living, particularly in California. Beyond real estate, Elizabeth has contributed to publications like Active Family Magazine and Eucalyptus Magazine, covering topics from family travel to interior design.
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December 8, 2025
New Active Adult Communities Added to 55places.com

New Active Adult Communities Added to 55places.com

Deana Becker

Deana Becker

Deana Becker is the Senior Content Strategist at 55places.com. With an extensive editorial background, she has been writing, editing, and researching real estate topics since 2018. Her work has brought her in contact with many subject matter experts in the real estate industry, and she enjoys continually improving her SEO and content marketing skills. As a Chicago native, she’s also well-versed in the Midwestern housing market (as well as the best places for deep-dish pizza).
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December 5, 2025
North Carolina vs. South Carolina: Key Comparisons for Your Retirement Decision

North Carolina vs. South Carolina: Key Comparisons for Your Retirement Decision

Deana Becker

Deana Becker

Deana Becker is the Senior Content Strategist at 55places.com. With an extensive editorial background, she has been writing, editing, and researching real estate topics since 2018. Her work has brought her in contact with many subject matter experts in the real estate industry, and she enjoys continually improving her SEO and content marketing skills. As a Chicago native, she’s also well-versed in the Midwestern housing market (as well as the best places for deep-dish pizza).
View all authors
December 3, 2025

Ready to Sell Your Home?

READY TO SELL YOUR HOME?

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Ready to Sell Your Home?

READY TO SELL YOUR HOME?

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Where To Retire

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Northern California vs. Southern California: Which Is Better for Your Retirement?

Northern California vs. Southern California: Which Is Better for Your Retirement?

Reaching the retirement stage of your life is an achievement worth celebrating, but the beginning of a new era brings a list of…

Elizabeth Kang

Elizabeth Kang

Elizabeth Kang is a seasoned writer and content specialist with a diverse background in lifestyle, travel, and real estate journalism. Her work at Neighborhoods.com and 55places.com has focused on providing insightful articles about 55+ communities and retirement living, particularly in California. Beyond real estate, Elizabeth has contributed to publications like Active Family Magazine and Eucalyptus Magazine, covering topics from family travel to interior design.
View all authors
December 8, 2025
North Carolina vs. South Carolina: Key Comparisons for Your Retirement Decision

North Carolina vs. South Carolina: Key Comparisons for Your Retirement Decision

Deana Becker

Deana Becker

Deana Becker is the Senior Content Strategist at 55places.com. With an extensive editorial background, she has been writing, editing, and researching real estate topics since 2018. Her work has brought her in contact with many subject matter experts in the real estate industry, and she enjoys continually improving her SEO and content marketing skills. As a Chicago native, she’s also well-versed in the Midwestern housing market (as well as the best places for deep-dish pizza).
View all authors
December 3, 2025
Explore the 10 Largest Active Adult Communities in the U.S.

Explore the 10 Largest Active Adult Communities in the U.S.

Bill Ness

Bill Ness

Bill Ness is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com. His real estate career began in sales for Del Webb before becoming a sales manager for Sun City Huntley. After noticing that the industry lacked a central, reliable, and unbiased resource for active adult communities, Bill left Del Webb in 2007 to start 55places.com. Having traveled to countless 55+ communities and having interviewed residents, builders, and agents around the country, Bill is considered a leading expert on the active adult lifestyle.
View all authors
November 17, 2025
Is Melbourne, Florida, a Good Place to Retire?

Is Melbourne, Florida, a Good Place to Retire?

Madeline Crozier Sutton

Madeline Crozier Sutton

Madeline Crozier Sutton (she/her) is an experienced freelance writer and editor who has worked with 55places since 2018. Now a fifth-year PhD Candidate in English at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, she has a BA and MA in Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse from DePaul University. She specializes in researching real estate trends across the country with a focus on the Midwest and Southeast regions, including the housing markets of Chicago, Indianapolis, and East Tennessee. Dedicated to helping homebuyers make evidence-based decisions, she brings six years of experience in real estate writing and research.
View all authors
November 12, 2025

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55+ Lifestyle

View all 55+ Lifestyle

The Ultimate Hobby Guide: 55 Hobbies for Seniors and Active Adults

The Ultimate Hobby Guide: 55 Hobbies for Seniors and Active Adults

If you already have favorite ways to spend your free time, this guide can help you deepen those interests. And if you’re still…

Madeline Crozier Sutton

Madeline Crozier Sutton

Madeline Crozier Sutton (she/her) is an experienced freelance writer and editor who has worked with 55places since 2018. Now a fifth-year PhD Candidate in English at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, she has a BA and MA in Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse from DePaul University. She specializes in researching real estate trends across the country with a focus on the Midwest and Southeast regions, including the housing markets of Chicago, Indianapolis, and East Tennessee. Dedicated to helping homebuyers make evidence-based decisions, she brings six years of experience in real estate writing and research.
View all authors
November 24, 2025
Stay and Play Retirement Communities in Florida: Explore the 55+ Lifestyle

Stay and Play Retirement Communities in Florida: Explore the 55+ Lifestyle

Deana Becker

Deana Becker

Deana Becker is the Senior Content Strategist at 55places.com. With an extensive editorial background, she has been writing, editing, and researching real estate topics since 2018. Her work has brought her in contact with many subject matter experts in the real estate industry, and she enjoys continually improving her SEO and content marketing skills. As a Chicago native, she’s also well-versed in the Midwestern housing market (as well as the best places for deep-dish pizza).
View all authors
August 29, 2025
Stay and Play Vacations: Experience 55+ Living Before You Buy

Stay and Play Vacations: Experience 55+ Living Before You Buy

Deana Becker

Deana Becker

Deana Becker is the Senior Content Strategist at 55places.com. With an extensive editorial background, she has been writing, editing, and researching real estate topics since 2018. Her work has brought her in contact with many subject matter experts in the real estate industry, and she enjoys continually improving her SEO and content marketing skills. As a Chicago native, she’s also well-versed in the Midwestern housing market (as well as the best places for deep-dish pizza).
View all authors
August 22, 2025
Cruises in Florida: Where to Live for Easy Sailing

Cruises in Florida: Where to Live for Easy Sailing

Cari Oleskewicz

Cari Oleskewicz

Cari Oleskewicz is a writer based in Gainesville, Florida. She has been writing about real estate, property management, travel, and active adult lifestyles for 10 years. She has delivered lectures on the importance of high-value website copy for small businesses, and has ghostwritten books for real estate investors. Before settling in Gainesville, she lived in Tampa, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; Los Angeles, California; and Florence, Italy. Before launching her writing career, Cari was a communications and editorial strategist for a digital advertising agency in Tampa and managed the communications department of a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities in Maryland. She has also taught middle school and writes poetry. Cari graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1994, with a BA in Communications/Journalism. She currently lives in Tampa, travels frequently, and recently helped her father find the perfect 55+ community to call home.
View all authors
July 30, 2025

View all 55+ Lifestyle

55+ Buying, Selling & Moving

View all 55+ Buying, Selling & Moving

Find Your Perfect Place With a 55places Partner Agent by Your Side

Find Your Perfect Place With a 55places Partner Agent by Your Side

55places Partner Agents are carefully selected for their expertise, professionalism, and in-depth knowledge of the communities they represent. They specialize in active adult…

Bill Ness

Bill Ness

Bill Ness is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com. His real estate career began in sales for Del Webb before becoming a sales manager for Sun City Huntley. After noticing that the industry lacked a central, reliable, and unbiased resource for active adult communities, Bill left Del Webb in 2007 to start 55places.com. Having traveled to countless 55+ communities and having interviewed residents, builders, and agents around the country, Bill is considered a leading expert on the active adult lifestyle.
View all authors
November 17, 2025
Estate Planning: Can My Children Inherit My Home in a 55+ Community?

Estate Planning: Can My Children Inherit My Home in a 55+ Community?

Khadeejah Johnson

Khadeejah Johnson

Khadeejah oversees operational efficiency and strategic initiatives for the brokerage, audit, and partnership divisions. With extensive experience in real estate management and brokerage operations, she ensures compliance with state and local regulations, while guiding referral agents in adherence to contract law. Khadeejah also fosters collaborative partnerships within the referral program, all while leading a high-performing team. She is known for her strong leadership, attention to detail, and dedication to fostering growth in the brokerage community.
View all authors
October 7, 2025
Don’t Wait Until Spring To Buy Your Dream Home

Don’t Wait Until Spring To Buy Your Dream Home

Bill Ness

Bill Ness

Bill Ness is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com. His real estate career began in sales for Del Webb before becoming a sales manager for Sun City Huntley. After noticing that the industry lacked a central, reliable, and unbiased resource for active adult communities, Bill left Del Webb in 2007 to start 55places.com. Having traveled to countless 55+ communities and having interviewed residents, builders, and agents around the country, Bill is considered a leading expert on the active adult lifestyle.
View all authors
May 9, 2025
Interest Rate vs. APR Mortgage and Other Questions

Interest Rate vs. APR Mortgage and Other Questions

Bill Ness

Bill Ness

Bill Ness is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com. His real estate career began in sales for Del Webb before becoming a sales manager for Sun City Huntley. After noticing that the industry lacked a central, reliable, and unbiased resource for active adult communities, Bill left Del Webb in 2007 to start 55places.com. Having traveled to countless 55+ communities and having interviewed residents, builders, and agents around the country, Bill is considered a leading expert on the active adult lifestyle.
View all authors
May 8, 2025

View all 55+ Buying, Selling & Moving

Featured 55+ Communities

View all Featured 55+ Communities

6 Things to Know About The Grand

6 Things to Know About The Grand

Knowing these six things about The Grand in Surprise, Arizona may help you decide if it’s the right active adult community for you. Let’s take a…

Mike Gerrard

Mike Gerrard

Mike Gerrard has been writing about Arizona property for 55places since 2019. Born in England, he and his American wife bought their home in Green Valley, south of Tucson, in 2004. As travel writers, they love exploring and writing about the USA, and Arizona in particular, which they write about on their website: Arizona-Travel-Guide.com. Mike also writes about drinks, and is the author of Cask Strength, a history of the barrel, and Behind Bars, about the connections between drink and crime.
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February 6, 2025
55+ Brand Spotlight: K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons

55+ Brand Spotlight: K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons

Chad Walker

Chad Walker

Chad Walker joined 55places in 2022 as the VP of Sales and Real Estate Operations. He comes with 14+ years of experience in the Real Estate industry, ten of which have been dedicated to leading operational excellence. Chad started off in the industry as a top producing Real Estate Agent in Seattle, WA before taking on positions to lead high-performing teams of real estate professionals to advocate for customers along their journey of home ownership. Chad specializes in the real estate tech sector and focuses on the strategy of growing sales, revenue, and teams by collaborating with other leaders on the company’s goals and initiatives. Chad has a customer-first mentality and builds his organization around that passion. Chad currently resides in Seattle with his family and enjoys traveling when not thinking about real estate.
View all authors
December 9, 2024
Sun City Hilton Head vs. Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head

Sun City Hilton Head vs. Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head

Charles Moss

Charles Moss

Charles Moss is a freelance writer based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with a diverse portfolio spanning pop culture, history, and social issues. His work has appeared in prominent publications such as The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate, VICE, and MOJO Magazine. Currently serving as an Assistant Editor at SPIN magazine, Moss continues to contribute insightful articles on various topics. His Chattanooga roots provide a unique perspective that enriches his writing across multiple genres.
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June 19, 2024
Weighing Your Options: The Advantages of 55+ Lifestyle in Sun City

Weighing Your Options: The Advantages of 55+ Lifestyle in Sun City

Mike Gerrard

Mike Gerrard

Mike Gerrard has been writing about Arizona property for 55places since 2019. Born in England, he and his American wife bought their home in Green Valley, south of Tucson, in 2004. As travel writers, they love exploring and writing about the USA, and Arizona in particular, which they write about on their website: Arizona-Travel-Guide.com. Mike also writes about drinks, and is the author of Cask Strength, a history of the barrel, and Behind Bars, about the connections between drink and crime.
View all authors
October 13, 2023

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Resources

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Top Reasons To Choose an Attached Home: Benefits for Retirees Explained

Top Reasons To Choose an Attached Home: Benefits for Retirees Explained

When searching for their next perfect place, active adults may overlook this housing option and miss out on all the potential it has…

Bill Ness

Bill Ness

Bill Ness is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com. His real estate career began in sales for Del Webb before becoming a sales manager for Sun City Huntley. After noticing that the industry lacked a central, reliable, and unbiased resource for active adult communities, Bill left Del Webb in 2007 to start 55places.com. Having traveled to countless 55+ communities and having interviewed residents, builders, and agents around the country, Bill is considered a leading expert on the active adult lifestyle.
View all authors
November 28, 2025
What Is the Retirement Age in Florida?

What Is the Retirement Age in Florida?

Bill Ness

Bill Ness

Bill Ness is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com. His real estate career began in sales for Del Webb before becoming a sales manager for Sun City Huntley. After noticing that the industry lacked a central, reliable, and unbiased resource for active adult communities, Bill left Del Webb in 2007 to start 55places.com. Having traveled to countless 55+ communities and having interviewed residents, builders, and agents around the country, Bill is considered a leading expert on the active adult lifestyle.
View all authors
September 17, 2025
How to Get the Most Out of Your AARP Membership

How to Get the Most Out of Your AARP Membership

Bill Ness

Bill Ness

Bill Ness is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com. His real estate career began in sales for Del Webb before becoming a sales manager for Sun City Huntley. After noticing that the industry lacked a central, reliable, and unbiased resource for active adult communities, Bill left Del Webb in 2007 to start 55places.com. Having traveled to countless 55+ communities and having interviewed residents, builders, and agents around the country, Bill is considered a leading expert on the active adult lifestyle.
View all authors
April 18, 2025
What 55+ Buyers Need To Know About Pulte Homes

What 55+ Buyers Need To Know About Pulte Homes

Chad Walker

Chad Walker

Chad Walker joined 55places in 2022 as the VP of Sales and Real Estate Operations. He comes with 14+ years of experience in the Real Estate industry, ten of which have been dedicated to leading operational excellence. Chad started off in the industry as a top producing Real Estate Agent in Seattle, WA before taking on positions to lead high-performing teams of real estate professionals to advocate for customers along their journey of home ownership. Chad specializes in the real estate tech sector and focuses on the strategy of growing sales, revenue, and teams by collaborating with other leaders on the company’s goals and initiatives. Chad has a customer-first mentality and builds his organization around that passion. Chad currently resides in Seattle with his family and enjoys traveling when not thinking about real estate.
View all authors
April 16, 2025

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