Where to Retire in Florida

Considering the incredible beaches, laid back atmosphere, breathtaking views, and numerous activities, it’s no surprise as to why so many are packing their bags and retiring in Florida. However, considering the state is 65,755-square-miles, it’s not as easy as just saying you’re going to retire to Florida and that’s it. There are a lot of cities to consider and any one of them could turn out to be the best place you’ve ever lived. With that said, let’s talk about four cities that may be a good option for you.

St. Petersburg
The city with a population of about 250,000 offers beautiful weather and is known as the “Sunshine City.” As far as what you can do in St. Petersburg, you can head over to the Sunken Gardens, the Museum of Fine Arts, Fort De Soto Park, the Salvador Dali Museum, and more. It’s also home to Tropicana Field which is the stadium of the Tampa Bay Rays so you could always catch a baseball game during the season.

Fort Lauderdale
Love the arts and want to keep busy? Fort Lauderdale has the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District where you’ll find museums, the Florida Grand Opera, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and more. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention Fort Lauderdale Beach. Also, when you want to get out of town, you just go right over to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Bonita Springs
With a population of only about 47,500, Bonita Springs has far fewer residents than the aforementioned cities. It’s here that you’ll find the Barefoot Beach State Preserve, Bonita Public Beach, Bonita Beach Park, golf courses, the massive Flamingo Island Flea Market, and more. You’ll never be short of activities to do.

Clearwater
Love walking the shore and reading a book while relaxing in white sands? Clearwater Beach has long been raved about by many. There are also plenty of water activities in Clearwater as well as boat tours and dining cruises, and you can visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. You’ll also have easy access to the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport.

So how do you go about choosing a place to retire in Florida if so many cities sound incredible? Research is essential. Start by making a list of what you really want in your new city. For example, do you care about museums and galleries? Do you need to live by the beach? Are you a big shopper? Are you a foodie who needs plenty of restaurant options? Deciding what you must have as part of your community can help you significantly narrow down your options. Your budget also plays a huge part, so make sure to determine what you can afford before you even start searching.

Once you have all the details written down and you see them right in front of you, you can start looking into which cities offer what you desire. If you need some assistance, there are plenty of real estate agents in Florida who could help guide you in the right direction. Even if they won’t be able to help you, they can likely point you in the direction of another real estate agent who could.