Life in the Sunshine State shines even brighter on Florida’s Central Gulf Coast. It’s no wonder that homes for sale on Florida’s Gulf Coast are a top choice for retirees seeking the perfect beachside retreat. From Port Charlotte and Sarasota to Venice, Tampa, and Bradenton, each vibrant community boasts its own unique charm and amenities. The Central Gulf Coast offers an ideal blend of 55+ housing options at relatively affordable prices, making it a prime destination for U.S. retirees.
Of course, Florida is more than beaches. Water sports, resort-style luxuries, a year-round warm climate, and the perfect balance of arts and culture alongside natural escapes highlight the most salient aspects of the lifestyle found along the Central Gulf Coast.
Why Buy a House on Florida’s Central Gulf Coast: Top 10 Reasons
Planning your ideal retirement streamlines the homebuying process from start to finish. Our expert realtors specialize in finding the best age-restricted communities for today’s active adults. If living your best life, focusing on health and wellness, and treating every day like an adventure are among your retirement goals, we’d recommend taking a closer look at Florida’s 55+ communities.
Let’s explore the top 10 reasons to buy a house on Florida’s Central Gulf Coast.
1. Vacation All Day, Everyday at Florida’s Stunning Beaches
The Sunshine State is home to world-renowned beaches, and the Central Gulf Coast has some of the best beaches in Florida. Beachgoers travel across the country just to soak up that Floridian sunshine. Fortunately for homeowners, catching some rays is easily an afternoon excursion or a weekend outing. Many of the most pristine, white sand beaches are just a short trip from Florida’s best age-restricted communities. Swimming, sunbathing, and water sports are popular pastimes in coastal communities.
You’ll find the same postcard-esque beaches stateside in Florida. We’ve highlighted untouched and beautiful coastal sanctuaries that will make you feel like you’ve stepped onto a private resort.
Englewood Beach and the Hidden Don Pedro Island
Nearby beaches in Charlotte-Sarasota County include the popular Englewood Beach where you’ll discover a serene landscape with lush dunes and teal water. Englewood is a great destination for kayakers, especially glass bottom kayaks for a full view of the open ocean. Crystal clear water offers excellent snorkeling as well.
Want to know Charlotte’s best-kept secret? Just a three-minute ferry ride away, you’ll find the magical Don Pedro Island. White sand beaches await at this peaceful nature preserve. Only seven miles long, the area is well-known for shelling, birdwatching, sunbathing, and relaxation. Locals know Don Pedro as one of the best fishing spots in Central Florida. You can hop on the ferry or chart your own course via a kayak, boat, or paddleboard to reach the island.
Manatee Beach in Bradenton
Manatee Beach is a fantastic, community-oriented beach with lots of activities and events throughout the summer. This beach is the shore of choice for recreation, with well-maintained amenities such as volleyball courts and bike paths. The vibes on this beach are laid back and casual, the perfect spot for an afternoon picnic. As the name suggests, you may just be lucky enough to spot a manatee during peak season from April through November.
Venice Beach, Florida
Venice is one of the more well-known beaches along the Central Gulf Coast. Relax under the banyan trees and enjoy the sound of the ocean. This white sand beach comes complete with a lively boardwalk and a short downtown strip with plenty of boutiques, cafes, and wineries. Venice is a great community beach with lots of private lounge areas to enjoy a serene escape from the city.
2. Embrace a Sunshine State of Mind With Year-Round Warmth
Harsh winters are a stress of the past when you plan a retirement to Florida’s Central Gulf Coast. Balmy sea breezes take the place of the winter chills and the holidays look a little sunnier in our favorite 55+ beach communities.
If you’re considering buying a home in Florida, you can expect year-round temperatures to remain warm and welcoming. Average daily temperatures range from a low of 57°F in January to a high of 88°F in August—prime weather for a beach day any day of the year. The Central Gulf Coast is also home to some of the mildest summers in the area. Although Florida summers can be scorching, areas like Bradenton and Port Charlotte enjoy 70-degree average temperatures throughout spring and summer. Beautiful weather makes it easy to stay active, with fewer off days from your favorite Gulf Coast activities.
If you’ve had Florida on the map for your retirement, chances are you’ve heard the term “snowbird.” Snowbirds are a bit like the expats of the retirement scene. Those who enjoy living in the mountains during the summer often invest in a second home for the colder parts of the year. Florida’s Central Gulf Coast is the ideal location for enjoying the best of both worlds. You’ll often find communities of fellow snowbirds eager to meet new neighbors.
Whether you’re planning to stay for the season or the year, Florida’s bright, sunny temperatures make these 55+ communities a great place to call home.
3. Get Out on the Water With Florida’s Best Boating and Fishing
World-class boating and fishing abounds in the Gulf of Mexico. Be a part of the adventure and live at the heart of the action on the central coast. Florida boasts a rich and diverse marine ecosystem that welcomes divers, kayakers, sailors, fishing enthusiasts, and more. The Sunshine State offers access to every water sport imaginable.
The best freshwater fishing access can be found along the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Central Florida. Multiple record-breaking largemouth bass have been caught in these abundant lakes, including a 17.27-pounder. If ocean fishing is more your style, take a trip down to Charlotte Harbor in Port Charlotte, FL. Tarpon season offers fantastic fishing. You may just get lucky enough to claim an Inshore Grand Slam by hooking a redfish, snook, and trout off this pristine coast.
The Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club welcomes new members and offers an array of amenities such as Sunday brunch offset by scenic ocean views. Boating events are held year-round with a friendly community of sailing enthusiasts. Residents will find similar yacht and boating clubs throughout Central Florida, offering the perfect social landscape to build skills, meet new friends, and embark on new adventures.
Other water sports can be found throughout the many beaches, parks, and wetland preserves. Stand-up paddleboarding is a popular pastime that guarantees a low-impact cardio workout alongside ocean and wetland views. Snorkeling off the coast of Florida’s crystal clear ocean is another great way to get up close to marine life. Underwater photography is a rapidly growing hobby in the area, especially among retirees with a passion for both water recreation and the arts.
4. Tee Off On the Central Gulf Coast’s Golfing Paradise
It’s always tee time on Central Florida’s championship golf courses. Designed by renowned architects and visionaries, the region brings an array of challenging layouts alongside stunning views. Florida is a golf retirement paradise. With friendly communities and courses designed for beginners and pros alike, you’ll find beautiful greens and fairways to explore.
Check out a few of the most loved golf courses on Florida’s Central Gulf Coast.
The Concession Golf Club – Bradenton
Of Bradenton’s 73 golf courses within a 15-mile radius of the city center, The Concession easily ranks among the top best golf courses in Florida. Established by Sarasota golfer, Tony Jacklin, and designed by the famous Jack Nicklaus, the club name honors the famous final-putt concession from Jack to Tony in the 1969 Ryder Cup. The design offers challenging greens with lush meadows, wetlands, oak hammocks, and pine forests throughout. In 2021, The Concession hosted the World Golf Championships, a history-making occasion for Central Florida golfers and enthusiasts.
Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club – Sarasota
With over 50 acres of lush green, Heritage Oaks is a social golfing community that offers challenging layouts and great amenities for members. Enjoy dinner at the club after a few rounds on Heritage Oaks’ championship golf and tennis courts. Members can also enjoy “games, dinner dances, gourmet dinners, enrichment programs, pool parties, a beach party and seasonal events.” The clubhouse is friendly, welcoming, and an excellent space for couples looking for a great golf course alongside other recreation and entertainment opportunities.
Streamsong Resort Golf Course – Tampa
Proudly claiming the title of best golf resort in Florida, Streamsong offers world-class, championship courses over acres of pristine natural landscape. Streamsong is more than a golf course—it’s an experience. This luxurious resort is the only course in the world featuring Coore/Crenshaw, Doak, and Hanse/Wagner-designed courses in the same location. In addition, Streamsong features a chic lakeside lodge, gourmet dining, a full-service spa, and outdoor adventure opportunities all curated by the resort’s friendly and knowledgeable staff. Residents of Central Florida can often be found spending a getaway weekend at this beautiful, secluded golf course.
5. Explore Immersive Cultural Attractions
Central Florida is a diverse and thriving community with a lively arts scene. The culture is best described as a melting pot, giving way to a dynamic range of talent in the arts, theater, music, and culinary scene. Many communities have a strong Latin American influence, with vibrant flavors and colors that make each area unique. Rich history is a part of Florida’s landscape as the area features many historical sites and oddities, such as the Bok Tower Gardens. Originally opened in 1929, this unique architectural marvel is a national historic landmark with 2 hiking trails, 50 acres of gardens, and a 205‑foot singing tower carillon.
You can also browse one of the many regional art museums, such as the Sarasota Art Museum or Tampa Museum of Art. Take in a show at the nostalgic Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre in Lakeland, one of Florida’s remaining vintage theaters. If performing arts are closer to your heart, there are plenty of shows, concerts, and events to add to your calendar. Sarasota features the Sarasota Opera House and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Head over to Tampa for dynamic concert venues like The Orpheum, hosting bands and musicians from around the globe.
In addition to permanent exhibits and galleries, Florida Southern College hosts the annual Festival of Fine Arts where visitors can tour art exhibitions alongside jazz, ballet, and regional performance showcases. Art in the Park is a fun summer tradition in many Central Florida cities as well as autumn art walks and wine tasting.
6. Get Out and Get Moving With Active Lifestyle Communities
Florida has a grand total of 175 state parks and 11 national parks! Everglades National Park, Dry Tortugas, and Biscayne National Park are among the most popular spots to plan a weekend visit for residents of Central Florida. When considering buying a home along the Gulf Coast, prospective new residents can anticipate settling into an active outdoor community.
Florida is a prime spot for nature retirement communities, with many neighborhoods resting on adjacent trails, beaches, and meadows. Active 55+ communities are scattered throughout the region. A few of the most popular outdoor recreation sports include:
- Hiking
- Trail running
- Biking (and mountain biking!)
- Stand-up paddleboarding
- Kayaking
- Horseback riding
- Geocaching
- Birding
- Fishing
- Snorkeling and diving
There’s no need to be a pro before moving to an active retirement community. Classes provide a fun way to socialize with your neighbors and learn new skills or hone your current athletic abilities. Many retirement communities offer on-site outdoor excursions and courses for adventurous residents.
If a blend of outdoor recreation and relaxation sounds like the perfect balance, plan a glamping adventure in Central Florida. Luxury glamping has become more popular throughout the region and offers prime wildlife viewing and outdoor spa services.
7. Be a Part of a Close-Knit Community
55+ communities in Florida are some of the friendliest places to be. There’s a thriving snowbird culture centered around recreation, beach activities, and a shared appreciation for the state’s beautiful nature reserves. Managed communities in Florida have implemented a special landscaping program called FFL—or Florida Friendly Landscaping—that strives to preserve and maintain native ecosystems for homeowners, their neighbors, and future generations.
This thoughtful and conscientious value system is reflected in Florida’s close-knit community style as a whole. Residents are courteous and respectful to one another as well as the beautiful spaces they inhabit. Many Florida transplants find the culture to be part Southern hospitality, part beach town vibes.
Neighbors are like family in Central Florida with social events throughout the year that bring people together. It’s easy to form a tight circle of friends in one of the many age-restricted communities. These private gated communities are more like small villages where residents are always there to help one another or share a drink on the porch.
8. Discover Affordable Real Estate in Florida
If you’ve dreamed of a beachside retirement but you’re worried about the cost, look no further than Florida’s Central Gulf Coast. As a good ballpark guide, active adult communities typically range from $1,500-4,000 per month depending on the area. The central coast falls well within the lower end of Florida’s cost of living for retirees.
Of course, one of the biggest draws is the quality of real estate retirees can find in the Sunshine State. Depending on the location and amenities, Florida homes can come in just under the national average and far below high cost of living cities such as Los Angeles. Owning an oceanfront condo or low-maintenance townhouse is a far more attainable goal in an area like Central Florida. Retirees can enjoy communities with expansive, manicured lawns and common areas, without the hefty price tag. Furthermore, when it comes to comparing real estate costs in Florida to other coastal retirement communities, Florida wins for the most affordable place to retire in the U.S.
9. Enjoy the Benefit of Lower Taxes in the Sunshine State
Did you know that Florida is one of the best states to retire to from a tax perspective? Kiplinger reports that Florida is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees, with no state income tax and a homestead exemption of up to $50,000 for permanent residents. The average property tax rate is under one percent of a property’s assessed value, and many residents qualify for the homestead exemption.
Affordable housing and an attractive cost of living make Florida an easy state to retire in. Retirees on a fixed income will find luxurious living more attainable than other coastal retirement locations in the U.S. and abroad. Better still, Florida is a prime location for investors. Many snowbirds purchase second homes on the Gulf Coast, both to use during the winter months and to rent out or retain as a valuable property asset.
10. Make Health and Wellness a Priority
Focusing on your personal wellness journey is a key aspect of the ideal retirement. Now is the time to live your best, healthiest life as we prioritize ourselves and our happiness. The Central Gulf Coast is a health and wellness-centered culture, complete with state-of-the-art fitness centers, often conveniently onsite at Florida’s premiere 55+ communities. New residents will find an array of wellness programs that range from yoga and meditation to strength training. Best of all, the area offers acres of outdoor recreational space for biking, jogging, walking, and simply enjoying the benefits of Florida’s mild year-round climate.
Residents can also find nearby access to the best health care centers in the nation. Many age-restricted communities are situated around helpful resources for ongoing health, wellness, and fitness needs. Staying on track with your health and wellness needs is easy when you’re supported by a like-minded and motivating community.
The Central Gulf Coast: Florida’s Retirement Paradise
It’s no secret that Florida is a retirement hotspot. With the help of our expert team of 55+ community specialists, finding hidden gems along the Central Gulf Coast area is as effortless as a walk at the beach. The team at 55places is here to support you through every step of the homebuying journey.
We have access to prime communities in Port Charlotte, Sarasota, Venice, Tampa, Bradenton, and other sought-after neighborhoods. Our top picks are designed around your priorities and interests so you can feel confident buying a home in a 55+ community in the Central Gulf Coast area.
Pack the sunscreen. Your Gulf Coast retirement awaits. Reach out to our team today to get started.
