Best Retirement Communities in Florida
Retirement is an exciting time for many adults, and it’s essential to find the perfect retirement community that will provide all of the on-site amenities and features that make for a convenient and active lifestyle.
When it comes to retirement communities in Florida, there are many great options located throughout the state. But South Florida, in particular, is home to some of the most luxurious 55+ communities in the country, offering residents well-appointed homes, resort-style amenities, and a wealth of activities.
Below are some of the best retirement communities in South Florida that provide residents with an all-inclusive experience.
Valencia Grand, Boynton Beach
Opened in 2022, Valencia Grand is one of the best luxury retirement communities in Florida. Known for its first-class amenities, residents have access to a 44,000-square-foot clubhouse, with every bell and whistle for the ultimate retirement experience. Amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, resort-style pools, tennis courts, a racquet club, a performing arts venue with scheduled shows, a golf simulator, and more.
Home styles in Valencia Grand fall into three categories: Signature, Vintage, and Crown Collection. Each home type is packed with designer features, such as quartz countertops, porcelain floors, and European-style wood cabinetry. Depending on the collection, residents can choose a two-, three-, or four-bedroom home, ranging in size from 3,000 to 4,500 square feet. Sale prices range from $900,000 to upwards of $1 million.
Other interior and exterior highlights include spa-inspired master bathrooms, screened or covered patios, cross-gabled roofing, and 2- to 3-car garages. With all of these features, it’s no wonder why Valencia Grand stands out as one of the best Florida retirement communities in the state.
Avalon Trails, Delray Beach
Another popular retirement community in South Florida is Avalon Trails in Delray Beach. Here, residents enjoy resort-style living, with access to a fully-equipped fitness center and aerobics studio, as well as tennis and pickleball courts. Other outdoor amenities include a swimming pool with a separate lap pool (for those looking to get a good workout) and plenty of green spaces for leisurely strolls.
One of the more affordable retirement communities in Florida, Avalon Trails offers both detached, single-family properties and semi-attached townhomes to promote multi-family living. Open-concept layouts are perfect for entertaining, and certain smart features, like Eero mesh wi-fi, Honeywell smart thermostats, and Ring security kits, come standard.
Additional interior highlights include porcelain floors in a wood-plank style, hurricane-impact windows, and white shaker cabinetry. Home prices range from $400,000 for a 1,500-square-foot townhome to $700,000 for a 4,000-square-foot, single-family home. It’s this kind of value that sets Avalon Trails apart from other retirement communities in Florida.
Regency at Avenir, Palm Beach Gardens
Nestled in Palm Beach Gardens just north of West Palm Beach, Regency at Avenir is a retirement community like no other. Surrounded by more than a dozen championship golf courses, including the prestigious PGA National Resort, residents can tee off on some of the country’s best 18-hole layouts. Within the master-planned community, residents have access to five-star amenities that include an outdoor heated pool with cabanas, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an amphitheater, bocce ball courts, tennis courts, and more.
Along with these amazing amenities, Regency at Avenir homes are designed with retirement-ready features that make life easier, such as walk-in showers, 8-burner gas ranges, spacious covered lanais, and ample closet space. As far as architectural styles, some homes showcase brick-and-stone exteriors, with country windows and flagstone walkways leading to lushly landscaped front yards. Other 55+ communities in Florida simply can’t compare.
In terms of sale prices, 1,800-square-foot homes hover around $600,000 while 2,400-square-foot homes can go for $1 million. To sum up, Regency at Avenir is one of the best retirement communities in Florida for those looking to live in the lap of luxury.
Hollybrook Golf & Tennis Club, Pembroke Pines
Broward County is centrally located in South Florida, making it an ideal starting point to explore all that the region has to offer, from the Everglades in the west to the gold-sand beaches in the east. The county is home to many vibrant cities that offer the best shopping, dining, and entertainment options in the area, such as Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and, of course, Pembroke Pines.
It’s in Pembroke Pines that one of the best retirement communities in Florida, Hollybrook Golf & Tennis Club, is located. This 55+ community offers an active lifestyle that’s hard to beat, with its 18-hole, U.S.G.A.-approved championship golf course, complete with sand traps, elevated knolls, and water hazards. Golf culture is strong in this Florida retirement community, but it isn’t the only thing that sets it apart.
Hollybrook also features 14 mixed tennis courts, some of which are lit, a fitness room, a swimming pool, and a clubhouse that serves as the main gathering place for art classes, book clubs, and other community events. Condos in the community are a steal, with many lakefront 2-bedroom layouts going for as low as $200,000. At these prices, there’s no doubt that Hollybrook is one of the most affordable retirement communities in Florida.
The Watermark at Coral Gables
Those looking for a touch of sophistication and elegance should look no further than The Watermark at Coral Gables. Located in one of Miami’s most upscale neighborhoods, this property combines city living with luxurious resort-style amenities, making it one of the best retirement communities in Florida. Floor plans are available for rent, which is perfect for seniors looking to downsize without having to commit to a purchase. Residences range from 1-bedroom to 2-bedroom apartments, with some units offering private balconies and stunning views of downtown Miami.
Amenities include a 24-hour concierge, a fitness studio, and five dining venues that bring residents together. On-site chefs offer freshly made meals, while the clubroom is ideal for social gatherings. Assisted living services are also available, providing residents with the help they need in a caring and comfortable environment. With all of these features, The Watermark at Coral Gables is one of the top 55+ communities in Florida, as well as one of the best Florida retirement communities near Miami International Airport.
Sunset Harbor at Cow Key Marina, Stock Island
At the very tip of Florida lies a coral cay archipelago that has been the subject of countless stories and photographs. Key West, a place that was once a hideaway for pirates like Blackbeard and Jean LaFitte, now boasts some of the most impressive retirement communities in Florida. One such 55+ community is Sunset Harbor at Cow Key Marina, located just south of the Overseas Highway in Stock Island. Seventy-nine sites make up the community, with dock space available for the many colorful beach cottages that call this strip of paradise home. Sale prices range from $200,000 to $500,000, proving that owning a piece of paradise is still within reach.
Amenities include a heated swimming pool, BBQ area, sundeck, and pavilion, while nearby Key West Golf Club offers 18 holes across 200 acres of tropical terrain. For those looking to stay active, Sunset Harbor also provides access to a 12-slip marina that’s great for fishing, boating, and watersports. Located right on the waterfront, this retirement community in South Florida provides breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby islands, making it one of the best Florida retirement communities for water enthusiasts.
Recap of the Most Popular Retirement Communities in Florida
From Delray Beach to Stock Island, retirement communities in South Florida offer a wide range of living options for seniors. Some of the best 55+ communities in Florida provide residents with the opportunity to enjoy warm weather, resort-style amenities, and cultural attractions all year round.
While each community has its own unique features, some of the most popular retirement communities in Florida have one thing in common: they provide seniors with an active coastal lifestyle in a friendly tax climate, so they can continue to enjoy retirement while still taking advantage of all that Florida has to offer.
Reach out to The Luxury Team for more information about retirement communities in Florida, as well as luxury condo communities in South Florida for every homebuyer.
