A year-round warm climate, gorgeous beaches, and ample opportunities for recreation make Florida one of the nation’s most desirable retirement destinations. Yet, many retirees wonder if they can afford the Sunshine State lifestyle on their retirement income.
While Florida has more than its fair share of luxurious active adult communities, many amazing Florida locations are available to retirees with a more modest budget. From beachfront properties to more centrally located areas, there are many affordable areas featuring a range of 55+ communities to choose from.
Hoping to stretch your budget and retire in Florida? Choose one of these 10 areas in the Sunshine State with a more palatable cost of living.
1. Ocala
Located in Central Florida, about 40 miles from Gainesville, Ocala offers an ideal blend of small-town charm and vibrant outdoor activities. Around town, residents enjoy beautiful parks, diverse dining and shopping options, wineries, and access to walking and hiking trails and pristine lakes. Also, Ocala’s Silver Springs State Park, world-class golf courses, and nearby lakes offer a range of activities for every personality and ability level.
In an area with so much to offer retirees, housing costs are surprisingly affordable. The average home cost is in the high $200ks. That’s 17.6% less expensive than the national average and 23.2% less expensive than the average Florida home.
Ocala and the surrounding area are also home to many affordable 55+ communities, with some homes ranging from mid $100k to high $300k. These planned living communities provide a range of benefits and amenities. Along with a low-maintenance lifestyle, you can find communities with perks like swimming pools, tennis courts, and restaurants.
Recommended 55+ Communities
- On Top of the World
- Stone Creek
- Oak Run
- Ocala Preserve
- Ocala Palms
- SummerGlen
- Pine Run Estates
- Cherrywood
- Marion Landing
- Majestic Oaks Ocala
- Quail Meadow
- Spruce Creek North
- JB Ranch
- Marco Polo Village
- Liberty Village
- El Dorado
2. Daytona Beach
Home to one of the largest NASCAR tracks in the country, iconic beaches, and endless entertainment opportunities, Daytona Beach has much to offer retirees. Tourists only flock to the area during specific months, but residents enjoy the benefits all year. 55+ communities in Daytona Beach are surrounded by outstanding restaurants, cultural attractions, outdoor activities, shopping, and entertainment.
Daytona Beach is an extremely popular vacation destination. However, you might be surprised to learn that living there is more affordable than many places in the country. The median home price in Daytona Beach is a reasonable high $100k, costing buyers less than in most other states and many other Florida locations.
Many 55+ communities in Daytona Beach are also prime spots for affordable retirement. Depending on the community you choose, you can find homes or condos ranging from the high $100ks to the low $400ks.
Recommended 55+ Communities
3. Lakeland
Located about 40 minutes east of Tampa, Lakeland is known for a laid-back lifestyle and a wide array of outdoor activities. You won’t have immediate beach access here. However, the city and surrounding area are home to 38 lakes that offer stunning views, water activities, and amazing wildlife.
Along with all the benefits the area offers, Lakeland boasts a cost of living 8.4% lower than the national average and 11.2% lower than the average for Florida. The average cost of a home in Lakeland is in the high $200ks. That’s notably lower than the national and state average costs. If you’re looking for an experience beyond what your typical neighborhood has to offer, many 55+ communities in the Lakeland area provide low-maintenance living and a range of amenities.
Recommended 55+ Communities
- Cypress Lakes
- Sandpiper Golf & Country Club
- Highland Fairways
- Carillon Lakes
- Foxwood Lake Estates
- Colonnades
- Lake James
- Silver Lakes
- Heritage Landings
- Lakes at Laurel Highlands
4. Stuart
About an hour from Palm Beach, Stuart is an overlooked gem. The friendly town provides residents with easy beach access, antique shops, museums, and more. Stuart’s Riverwalk, nestled along St. Lucie Avenue is a hotspot for dining, visiting local markets, and enjoying free concerts.
In the mid $300ks, a typical home in Stuart is slightly more expensive than the state and national average. However, an array of 55+ communities in the area offer opportunities for affordable living and added amenities. Stuart’s lower-priced homes and condos in popular age-restricted communities range from the low $100ks to the mid $200ks.
Recommended 55+ Communities
- South River
- Vista Pines
- Monterey Yacht & Country Club
- Vista del Lago
- Cedar Pointe Villages
- Kingswood Condominiums
- De La Bahia
- Circle Bay Yacht Club
- Montego Cove
- The Windjammer
5. Boynton Beach
While it’s not as easily recognizable as the surrounding Delray and West Palm Beaches, Boynton Beach is a thriving location offering access to beaches, shopping, entertainment, and dining. Residents enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, or simply strolling along the sandy shores. Away from the waterfront a range of cultural activities await, and recreational facilities give retirees opportunities to stay active and engaged.
Boynton Beach features many of the same opportunities as more expensive neighboring towns, but the cost of living in the area remains modest. A typical home in Boynton Beach is in the low $400ks—higher than the national average but lower than bigger cities in the area.
Mortgage payments at some of the area’s most popular 55+ communities may be even more affordable. Homes and condos in Boynton Beach active adult communities start as low as the low $100ks, and many are available in the mid $300k range. These communities boast low-maintenance living and a range of amenities you aren’t likely to find in other local neighborhoods.
Recommended 55+ Communities
- Aberdeen Golf & Country Club
- Palm Isles
- Hunters Run
- Coral Lakes
- Venetian Isles
- Valencia Reserve
- The Cascades
- Boynton Leisureville
- Village Royale on the Green
- Sterling Village Condominiums
- Valencia Cove
- Valencia Isles
- Aberdeen
- Valencia Lakes – Boynton Beach
- Valencia Pointe
- Banyan Springs
- Greentree Villas
- Ponte Vecchio
- Cascade Lakes
- Valencia Bay
6. Tampa Bay
Beautiful beaches, diverse attractions, and excellent health care make Tampa Bay one of Florida’s most popular retirement destinations. Beyond the shoreline, Tampa offers a variety of entertainment options and activities to support any active lifestyle. The area is home to several museums, theaters, and professional sports teams. Residents can also engage in a range of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
If you think you can’t afford to live near Tampa Bay’s acclaimed white sand and emerald water beaches, you might be pleasantly surprised by the average living costs in the area. The average cost of a home in Tampa is in the high $300ks, which is a little more expensive than the national and state average. However, low costs of other necessities balance out expenses, making the cost of living in Tampa Bay slightly lower than the state average.
People who retire in Florida and want a home in a planned community may find attractive homes and condos for lower-than-average costs. Many 55+ communities in the Tampa Bay area feature homes with prices that range from the low $100ks to the mid $300ks.
Recommended 55+ Communities
7. Vero Beach
Just north of Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach is a lesser-known but equally amazing slice of Florida paradise. Active adults can enjoy golf, water sports, fishing, boating, and frequenting local parks. Creatives can get inspired by the active art and cultural community. Like many of the small towns along the Treasure Coast, Vero Beach is home to local boutiques and entertainment that ensure things stay interesting.
Although it might sound too good to be true, the Vero Beach lifestyle can be surprisingly affordable. The average home in Vero Beach is in the mid $300ks, which is 3.6% less expensive than the average Florida home. If you’re seeking an active living community, you’ll also find a number of affordable options. Many 55+ communities in Vero Beach have homes starting in the $100ks.
Recommended 55+ Communities
- Grand Harbor
- Vista Plantation
- Lakes at Waterway Village
- Isles at Waterway Village
- Woodfield
- Vista Gardens
- Harmony Reserve
- Vista Del Mar
- The Willows
8. Mt. Dora
If proximity to the beach isn’t your main concern when you retire in Florida, then the Mt. Dora area has much to offer. You’ll get stunning views of rolling hills and tranquil lakes along with access to a range of outdoor recreation options. From water sports and trails to relaxing downtown, there’s something to make every day enjoyable.
Enjoying retirement in Mt. Dora or the surrounding Clemont-Leesburg area isn’t as expensive as you might imagine. Although the typical home is in the high $300ks (a little more expensive than the state average), affordable options are available.
Many 55+ communities in the area feature homes and condos in the mid $100ks and $200ks. Along with affordable mortgage prices, residents in these planned communities enjoy amenities like golf courses, swimming pools, shopping plazas, lake access, and other perks.
Recommended 55+ Communities
9. Fort Myers
Known for fishing, beaches, golfing, outdoor recreation, and various coastal attractions, Fort Myers has much to offer as a place to retire in Florida. Over seven miles of white sand beaches ensure easy ocean access. Cypress wetlands and pine forests provide a range of activities beyond the shoreline. Historic Downtown Fort Myers is filled with shops, restaurants, and theaters but retains its small-town charm. Also, the convenient location between Tampa and Miami means you’ll always have access to big-city energy without staying in the hustle and bustle full-time.
While the Fort Myers area has much to offer, living there isn’t likely to break your retirement budget. The average home cost in Fort Myers is in the mid $300ks—less than the state average. The average cost of other living essentials is also slightly lower than the state average.
Active adult communities in Fort Myers also provide opportunities to stretch your retirement budget. Many communities have available single-family residences and condos starting in the mid $100ks and $200ks.
Recommended 55+ Communities
- Pelican Preserve
- Verandah
- Colonial Country Club
- Heritage Palms
- Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club
- Legends Golf and Country Club
- Paseo
- The Plantation
- Seven Lakes
- Cross Creek Country Club
- Arborwood Preserve
- Cinnamon Cove
- Esplanade Lake Club
- Heritage Cove
- The Hideaway Country Club
- The Reserve at Estero
- Pine Ridge at Fort Myers
- Brandywine
10. Margate
Location is everything and proximity to Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale makes the small town of Margate an ideal location for retirement. Residents get easy beach access without the cost of living in a beach town, but there’s more to Margate than sandy shores and azure waters.
Residents can stay active in the area’s many parks, recreation centers, and golf courses and enjoy local restaurants and museums. Margate offers all the benefits of a small close-knit community with the benefits of big-city entertainment nearby. A smaller town than its big-city counterparts, Margate is also a more affordable place to retire in Florida. The average cost of a home in Margate is in the low $300ks—11% less expensive than the national average and 17% less costly than the average Florida home.
Margate is also home to many 55+ communities featuring affordable homes and condos. Many locations have options starting in the $100ks.
Recommended 55+ Communities
