9 Best Florida Towns For Retirees
With no state income tax, a vast coastline, and plenty of sunshine, it is no surprise that Florida is a magnet for retirees. In a 2025 study by WalletHub, which measured metrics such as affordability and quality of life, Florida ranked highest among the 50 states. Nonetheless, glitzy coastal towns like Palm Beach can make some seniors weary. Despite its tax breaks, is Florida truly all that affordable?
As we know, life on the water can be extremely expensive. As a result, many seniors view retiring in Florida as an unattainable dream. However, Florida’s expenses are far more diverse than we realize. While lavish coastal towns are certainly in high supply, Florida also offers a wide range of affordable beach towns. Deeper inland, property prices can decrease even more.
Whether seeking laid-back beach days or an active pace with a full itinerary, these Florida towns range not just in budget, but also in lifestyle. These nine communities, arguably the best Florida towns for retirees, prove that life in the Sunshine State does not have to be a pipe dream.
Inverness
A lakefront town with charm to spare, Inverness is popular with seniors seeking affordability and a strong sense of community. According to seniorsite.org, nearly 40% of Inverness' 7,857 locals are 65 or older, making it one of the best places in Florida to connect with other retirees. Affordability is no doubt one of the main reasons retirees flock here, with a median home listing price at just $275,000 in May 2025.
Skirting the shores of Henderson Lake and Tsala Apopka Lake, natural beauty is also one of the biggest draws of this Citrus County town. Locals of all ages can stay active on the scenic Withlacoochee State Trail, one of Florida’s longest paved multi-use paths. Waterfront scenes can also be enjoyed at Inverness' extensive park system, including gems like Cooter Pond Park and Liberty Park. For fun indoors, Inverness is also home to Florida's Antique Mall, a 30,000-square-foot antique haven with an extensive collection of treasures.
Punta Gorda
Down in Southwest Florida, Punta Gorda is another waterfront town with pristine natural scenes and a strong sense of community. Located where the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor merge, much like Inverness, seniors love Punta Gorda for its outdoor recreation. The town’s 2.5-mile Harbor Walk hugs the Charlotte Harbor shoreline, making it the perfect place to get some steps in with a gorgeous view. The route also connects strollers to Punta Gorda’s Fishermen’s Village, a chic waterfront mall and marina.
Although life in Punta Gorda can cost a bit more than in Inverness, it is still affordable compared to much of Florida. In May 2025, the median home listing was $398.5K, while the median sold price was even lower, at $348,000. For many retirees, this price is well worth Punta Gorda’s fabulous waterfront scenes. For others, Punta Gorda’s active community wins their heart. From annual events like the Florida International Air Show to weekly traditions like the Saturday Downtown Farmer's Market, there is always something to do in Punta Gorda.
Englewood
Sticking to Florida’s Southwest Coast, Englewood is a “Mellow Coastal Town” perfect for beachgoers on a budget. With a median age of 68.2 as of 2023, the town is a magnet for seniors craving sunshine and sand without the Miami prices. For instance, in the Southwest Coast town of Naples, homes sold for a median of $615,000 in May 2025, listing even higher at $725,000. By comparison, Englewood saw a median home sale price of just $340K the same month, with costs trending down around -3% year-over-year.
A gateway to barrier islands like the Manasota Key, beach days are a thing of beauty in Englewood. At Chadwick Park, Englewood Beach offers all the postcard features: shimmering blue waters, cotton-white sands, and watercolor skies at sunset. Back on the mainland, Oyster Creek Regional Park and Cedar Point Environmental Park are great for when you need a break from the sand or want to stretch your legs. Both offer gentle hiking trails with scenic views of Florida’s wild side.
Ponce Inlet
Life in Ponce Inlet may cost a bit more, but for those “who value nature, quiet, and privacy,” this Atlantic barrier island town is paradise. With Daytona Beach just 10 miles away by car, Ponce Inlet residents can enjoy the city’s offerings with the perk of a quiet home life. Locals can also enjoy a sense of security in Ponce Inlet, whose crime statistics are self-reportedly “among the lowest in Central Florida.”
Despite its small size, this cozy town is home to some of Florida’s best beaches and landmarks. For retirees with mobility aids, Winterhaven Park offers an accessible beach boardwalk with gorgeous views of the Atlantic. Across town, Lighthouse Point Park is the beach of choice for animal lovers thanks to its dog-friendly swim beach, while Ponce Inlet’s main beach offers a four-mile stretch of sand. Towering above it all, the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is an iconic symbol of the town. As the tallest lighthouse in Florida, it soars 175 feet high.
Sebring
Deeper inland, life in Sebring may lack an ocean breeze, but it offers financial freedom and peace of mind. While many retirees flock to Florida for its coastline, life in Sebring comes with its own relocation-worthy perks. Like many other inland towns, the cost of housing here is much lower compared to the coast, with a median sold home price of $262,000 in May 2025. Thanks to its inland setting, Sebring also boasts a lower risk of hurricanes than the Florida average, according to the National Risk Index.
Hugging the shores of Lake Jackson, Sebring’s waterfront is blissful as can be, with nearly 100 additional lakes dotted through the region. Whether casting a line at the Lake Jackson Fishing Pier or treating yourself to an Airboat Wildlife Adventure across Lake Istokpoga, hurricanes are nothing to fret over here. At Highlands Hammock State Park, nature’s repose is equally inviting, welcoming locals to explore its 9 picturesque trails and 3-mile bike path.
Winter Park
Less than 20 minutes north of Orlando, Winter Park is the perfect place to enjoy big-city attractions with a quieter place to rest your head. Orlando, famous for its theme parks and resorts, is also notoriously congested. Although life in Winter Park can come with a higher price tag, it also comes with the best of both worlds: city perks within reach without the daily traffic and crowds. Much like Sebring, Winter Park’s inland setting also makes it less at risk for ocean-based natural disasters.
While life in Winter Park is much quieter than Orlando, there is no shortage of things to do. In Downtown Winter Park, cobblestone-paved Park Avenue features over 140 restaurants, stores, museums, and cafes. From cozy shops like the Writer's Block Bookstore to renowned museums like the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, your time downtown will never be dull. At the heart of it all, Central Park is the perfect place to rest your feet or discover exciting events, like Winter Park’s annual Sidewalk Art Festival.
Navarre
If you dream of retiring in a seaside town, Navarre boasts some of the prettiest shores in the nation. At Navarre Beach, one of the town’s namesake neighborhoods, Emerald Coast waters and white-sugar sands are straight out of a travel ad. Often called “Florida’s most relaxing place,” the shores here are famously uncrowded and pristine, lined with landmarks like Florida’s longest pier. Other coastal attractions include the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center and Navarre Beach Marine Park, a popular snorkeling shore.
Although Navarre Beach is located on Santa Rosa Island, the Navarre Beach Causeway can get you there in around 10 minutes. While it sounds tempting to buy a home right on the barrier island, bear in mind, it will also cost a pretty penny. In May 2025, the median selling price for a home in Navarre Beach was $920,000. By comparison, life on the mainland in Navarre is much more affordable, with a median home selling price of just $395,000.
Stuart
Previously named “America's Happiest Seaside Town” by Coastal Living Magazine in 2016, Stuart continues to rank as one of Florida’s best retirement destinations in 2025. With a median home price similar to Navarre’s, life in this Atlantic Coast town is well within budget for many retirees. Notably, nearly 30% of Stuart’s population is 65 years and over, proving the town is a popular place to live out your golden years.
There are countless ways to enjoy life in this happy seaside town, including daily strolls along Stuart Beach. Alternatively, locals can also enjoy exercise with a view of the Stuart Riverwalk, a boardwalk overlooking the St. Lucie River. Along the way, the Riverwalk connects pedestrians to parks and attractions like Flagler Park and Downtown Stuart, a vibrant district with cozy locales like Maria's Cafe.
St. Augustine
St. Augustine is a vibrant coastal town with Old Florida charm, perfect for seniors looking to stay busy in retirement. Known as the nation’s oldest city, the historic town always has something going on, inviting locals to explore its depth of attractions. St. Augustine Beach is constantly brightened with spirited beachgoers, while historic sites like the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum await at every turn.
For the days when you feel like embracing a slower pace, St. Augustine is also a gateway to Anastasia State Park. Located on Anastasia Island, around 1 mile from downtown St. Augustine, the park boasts over 1,600 acres of tidal marshes, sand dunes, and undeveloped beaches. Whether camping overnight or heading home before dark, this St. Augustine attraction guarantees bliss.
Discover The Best Florida Towns For Retirees In 2025
Boasting a range of budgets and lifestyles, these 9 Florida towns are among the best retirement destinations in the United States. Although happiness and quality of life are largely subjective, it is fair to say that these towns attract seniors and retirees for good reason.
Whether opting for more affordable coastal towns like Englewood or paying a bit more for Ponce Inlet’s secluded shores, beach bliss is well within reach. For seniors on a stricter budget, more cost-effective towns like Sebring come with their own beautiful scenes and benefits, like increased safety from ocean-based natural disasters. Ultimately, each town has its own distinctive charms and comforts, but they all share Florida’s famous sunshine, beauty, and spirited seniors.
