Best Places to Retire in Florida

Exploring the Best Places to Retire in Florida for a Sunny New Chapter

When it comes to choosing the perfect place to retire, it’s hard to beat Florida. With year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle, the Sunshine State continues to be a top choice for retirees from around the world, including British expats dreaming of warmer days and Americans looking to return home after living abroad.

Thanks to its diverse range of cities and towns, Florida is a popular retirement destination, each offering something different depending on your lifestyle and priorities. Whether you're seeking luxury coastal living, affordability, or access to world-class healthcare, there's a Florida retirement destination for you.

Florida offers a wide variety of retirement-friendly locations, from peaceful coastal towns to vibrant cities with thriving communities and plenty to see and do. The biggest challenge? Deciding exactly where to settle down.

To make that decision easier, the team at Pinnacle Removals and Storage has put together this guide to the best places to retire in Florida, including tips on housing, cost of living, healthcare, and climate to help you make the best decision for your retirement.

Naples

• Average home price: ~$650,000, with luxury condos and waterfront properties common.

  
  

• Population: ~22,000 in the city, with a larger metro area popular among affluent retirees.

  
  

• Lifestyle & amenities: High-end dining, world-class golf, pristine beaches, and top-tier healthcare, including NCH and Physicians Regional hospitals.

  
  

Nestled along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Naples is one of the most upscale and picturesque places to retire in the state. Known for its stunning white-sand beaches, high-end shopping, and relaxed coastal lifestyle, it's particularly popular with retirees who are looking for a touch of luxury in their later years. While the average home price sits around $650,000, many find the investment worthwhile thanks to the area's safety, cleanliness, and high quality of life.

Naples also offers excellent healthcare, with top-rated hospitals like NCH and Physicians Regional Medical Center, as well as a wide variety of golf courses and cultural venues. If you're looking for luxury retirement living in Florida, Naples is hard to beat.

Sarasota

• Average home price: ~$525,000, offering both modern homes and coastal charm.

  
  

• Population: ~55,000 in the city, part of a vibrant Gulf Coast retirement corridor.

  
  

• Culture & healthcare: Known for its arts scene, white-sand beaches, and excellent healthcare through Sarasota Memorial and private clinics.

Sarasota combines coastal living with culture, making it a fantastic choice for retirees who want more than just sunshine and sand. Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, this charming city is home to world-famous beaches like Siesta Key, as well as a vibrant arts scene that includes theatres, galleries, and the renowned Ringling Museum of Art.

With an average home price of around $525,000, Sarasota offers a good mix of affordability and access to excellent healthcare. The city has great options for retirees, including independent living communities, assisted living, and specialist medical centres. Whether you're interested in staying active, enjoying local culture, or simply relaxing by the sea, Sarasota provides a well-rounded Florida retirement lifestyle.

Ocala 

• Average home price: ~$275,000, offering excellent affordability.

  
  

• Population: ~65,000; known for a quiet, equestrian lifestyle.

  
  

• Healthcare: Multiple hospitals and retirement-focused communities.

It might not always be the first place that jumps to mind when it comes to moving to Florida, but Ocala is definitely one that should be high up on the list. It has an absolutely breathtaking natural landscape around it, and this is something that should not be underestimated. 

Ocala is perfect for those looking for affordable retirement communities in Florida. The area blends small-town charm with access to amenities, including hospitals and outdoor recreation. If you are more interested in keeping active than you are in the culture of the area, then you will be pleased to know that Ocala also has 3 golf courses, a variety of pools and tennis courts, as well as plenty of other sporting activities for you to enjoy.

The Villages

• Average home price: ~$360,000 (2025), designed for residents aged 55+.

  
  

• Population: 150,000+ with 80% aged 55+, making it the largest retirement community in the U.S.

  
  

• Amenities: 50+ golf courses, 100+ recreation centres, and golf cart–friendly infrastructure.

  
  

Located just over an hour north of Orlando, The Villages is one of Florida's most well-known and best-loved retirement communities, and for good reason. Home to more than 150,000 residents, it's one of the fastest-growing and most popular retirement destinations in Florida.

Purpose-built with retirees in mind, The Villages offers a unique, self-contained lifestyle designed to make life after work as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. The community features hundreds of recreation centres, over 50 golf courses, numerous town squares with shops and restaurants, and an endless calendar of social clubs, events, and entertainment.

The Villages offers a low-maintenance, active lifestyle ideal for those seeking to stay social and engaged. If you're looking for a sociable, active retirement lifestyle in the Florida sunshine, The Villages could be your perfect fit.

Port St.Lucie

• Average home price: ~$360,000, with plenty of new homes.

  
  

• Population: 230,000+ and growing, with an increasing retiree demographic.

  
  

• Amenities: Coastal access, golf courses, and Cleveland Clinic healthcare facilities.

  
  

If you are looking for “the real Florida,” you might be tempted to take a look at Port St. Lucie. This fast-growing Atlantic coast city is one of the best places to move to in Florida for active seniors and golf lovers to retire.

Within the 4,000 acres of Riverland, you will find over 55 communities that are able to offer newcomers to Florida a resort-style lifestyle. Not only do these communities offer fantastic living options with lots to do, but they are also a ready-made social network, giving you the chance to feel at home in your new state quickly. The city also benefits from affordable housing options and access to world-class healthcare through the Cleveland Clinic.

Wesley Chapel 

• Average home price: ~$425,000, primarily new builds and master-planned communities.

  
  

• Population: ~65,000; part of the expanding Tampa Bay metro area.

  
  

• Convenience: Easy access to Tampa, major shopping centres, and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

  
  

If you don’t have to worry too much about budget, then you are definitely going to like the idea of Wesley Chapel. Known to be a premier retirement destination in the Tampa area, Wesley Chapel offers modern amenities, blended with a stunning natural landscape, offering the best of both worlds.

This growing area has become popular with retirees seeking an urban-suburban balance, with easy access to healthcare, shopping, and outdoor recreation. Communities in this area are well-suited for an active yet peaceful retirement lifestyle.

Babcock Ranch 

• Average home price: ~$450,000, with energy-efficient smart homes.

  
  

• Community: America’s first solar-powered town, focused on sustainability and walkability.

  
  

• Lifestyle: Nature trails, fitness amenities, and planned healthcare facilities.

  
  

If you are searching for something that is a little kinder to the environment, then you may want to take a look at Babcock Ranch as your possible retirement location. Located in Southwest Florida, this is a town that is proud to be the first solar-powered community in the U.S., promoting a sustainable and modern way of life.

Everything here is designed to support eco-conscious retirement living, with walkable neighbourhoods, energy-efficient homes, and abundant green space. Babcock Ranch is an ideal choice for retirees who want to combine comfort, health, and sustainability.

Parrish

• Average home price: ~$400,000, with many new master-planned communities.

  
  

• Population: Rapidly growing area between Tampa and Sarasota.

  
  

• Retiree appeal: Peaceful suburban feel with new amenities and easy Gulf Coast access.

Parrish is a great choice for those who are happy to be a part of a relatively small but growing community. This particular community is found in Manatee County, which is between Tampa and Sarasota.

It’s known for affordable homes and suburban charm, with plenty of new developments aimed at retirees and families alike. It is a peaceful alternative to nearby larger cities, yet offers quick access to beaches, shopping, and healthcare services.

St Augustine 

• Average home price: ~$465,000, with historic and coastal properties.

  
  

• Population: ~15,000 within the city; popular with retirees seeking charm and culture.

  
  

• Lifestyle: Historic sites, beaches, golf, and top-rated Flagler Hospital.

  
  

If you are a fan of history and want to stay somewhere that is definitely already established rather than up and coming, then St. Augustine may be the perfect choice for you. From here, you can reach Jacksonville in as little as 45 minutes and Daytona Beach in just over an hour.

St. Augustine is one of the most charming and culturally rich retirement destinations in Florida. While steeped in history, the city offers a variety of modern conveniences, including boutique shopping, dining, and access to great healthcare. It's walkable downtown, and a relaxed pace makes it ideal for retirees seeking a slower, more meaningful way of life.

Ready to Retire in Florida? Here’s Your Next Step

As you can see, there is no shortage of great options when it comes to the best places to retire in Florida. Whether you're after luxury coastal living, affordability, vibrant urban life, or a quiet, sustainable community, Florida has something for everyone.

All that’s left is to choose your ideal spot and get your big move underway. Whether you're moving from the UK or relocating from within the U.S., it’s important to plan ahead.

At Pinnacle Removals and Storage, we’re experts in long-distance and international removals to the USA. We can help take the stress out of your relocation, so you can focus on starting your new chapter in sunny Florida. Get in contact with us today to speak to one of our Florida relocation experts!