Are you getting ready to retire and are dreaming of heading somewhere where the weather is warm all year round? Do you want to move where you won’t have to worry about defrosting your car or shoveling snow from your driveway? Well, Florida is the premier destination for those looking to spend their later years in a nice warm climate.

Keep reading to learn more about the best place to retire in Florida, and start planning your move today!

1. Tampa

Tampa is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast and is located perfectly near the beach where you can spend the day relaxing in the sun, going out on the boat, or enjoying some of the many different water sports. It also has the attractions of city life with plenty of shopping, restaurants, concert venues, and museums. Sports fans will also enjoy living in Tampa since there are professional football, baseball, and hockey teams who call Tampa home.

The cost of living in Tampa is generally lower than other major cities on the East Coast of the United States, especially when compared to New York City or Atlanta. The cost of investing in property ranges depending on how close to the city center or if you would like waterfront property. The road system in and out of Tampa makes traveling around the state convenient or for when you want to road trip somewhere else.

Tampa also has great healthcare opportunities with several major hospitals, trauma centers, and leading cancer treatment facilities. You will be in a great position for care should the need ever come up.

The weather in Tampa is generally warm year-round. A few months in the winter you can expect to see temperatures drop to around 20 degrees for a few days and in the summer months, it can get to as high as 100 degrees.

2. Ocala

Ocala is a historically relevant city in Florida. The area was originally home to the Timucua Indians who fled the area after being attacked by the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Later, the Seminole Indians would call the area home before the US Army decided it was a great location to build Fort King.

The new fort brought settlers to the location who saw the potential for growing citrus fruit and many plantations were built to support this industry. Later, Ocala began its evolution as the “Horse Capital of the World” when the Bonnie Heath and Rosemere Farm began producing some of the best known thoroughbred horses in the whole world. Ocala is still known for being one of the top producers of thoroughbred horses to this day.

For those who enjoy living an active lifestyle, Ocala is a perfect choice. There are many businesses that offer horseback riding sessions and trail riding. There is also plenty of hiking, canoeing, and even some ziplining opportunities in the area. There is also a wide variety of shopping and restaurants to choose from if you ready to find a retirement community in Ocala.

3. Orlando

If you are a retiree who loves spending time with your family and friends then Orlando is a great choice for you. There is plenty of family-friendly places to spend time together when they come for a visit. Disney World, Sea World, Universal Orlando, and several other theme parks and water parks are located in Orlando.

There are also many museums, concerts, state parks, and sports venues that will provide you plenty of entertainment on a daily basis. There is a wide variety of shopping, including outlet malls, too. When you get tired of shopping there are many great restaurants to choose from with a great selection of different food cultures.

4. Brooksville

Brooksville is a smaller town located about an hour north of Tampa and is one of the best places to retire in Florida. Its location makes it ideal for those who want to live in a smaller town but still have access to larger cities when needed. The town dates back to the Civil War era so it has many interesting historic buildings and homes and also features yearly reenactments of battles and festivals honoring its heritage.

There are a decent amount of shopping centers and restaurants available for your patronage. With the population size around 8,000, you won’t feel like you are fighting the crowds when you want a night out. Brooksville also has some recreation centers for its residents plus outdoor trails for walking, hiking, and biking.

5. Key West

If you are looking for a laid back atmosphere where you can while away the days then Key West is the perfect place for your retirement years. Duval Street is full of bars, shops, restaurants for you to wander through daily and enjoy the many events that take place once the sunsets. The area is rich in history from the days when Harry Truman, Ernest Hemingway, and Tennessee Williams made this city home.

Key West is not the most affordable city to live in for retirees but you will find many gated communities, RV parks, apartments and condos full of locals, or “conches” as they are known, who enjoy riding their bikes and walking from place to place and finding no need for a car.

The weather is tropical and humid year-round which leaves plenty of time for you to get out and enjoy the water and many beaches in the area. There is the potential for tropical weather storms such as hurricanes, but if you are ready to take your chances then Key West is the perfect destination for you.

Learn More About the Best Place to Retire in Florida!

Have you decided which of these places is the best place to retire in Florida for you? With so many great options it can be difficult to choose! Hopefully, this guide will help you decide where is best for you!

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