Active adults looking for lush forests, accessible golf, and gently sloping hillsides dotted with horse farms should consider the Ocala area. Mary Esther is another town in northwest Florida with a decent cost of living, low crime rates, and great high school graduation rates. The crime rate isn't as low as some of the smaller towns on this list, but it's still lower than the average, and the violent crimes are 80% lower than the rest of the state. Plus, it has some beautiful scenery. If you love seashells, this is the place to pick them out of the white sands. And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: This city of around 13,000 people located in the Panhandle really lives up to its name. Bonita Springs is located just north of Naples Florida and about a half hour south, driving from Fort ... #2 Cape Coral Florida. Without further ado, here are the 25 best places to retire in Florida today. The cost of living is average, but the cost of housing is good for Florida. If you live in Florida, you know it can be hard to find a city or town with low cost of living that’s still safe enough to raise a family. Known as the 'Waterfront Wonderland,' Cape Coral has more than 400 miles of canals, making it one of the cities with… Tampa Niceville hosts the annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival in October, which is a great time to go check the city out. If you're not worried about graduation rates or employment (if you're retired for example) Apalachicola has a very low cost of living and housing, along with a very low crime rate. If you are researching the best places to retire in Florida and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the options, I hope this list can help you. Valparaiso is a small city in northwest Florida. Daytona Beach on Florida’s Atlantic Coast provides affordable housing, lots of coastal activities, and a front-row seat for the famous Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Port St. Lucie. 6. Its crime rate is not as low as some of these small towns, but it's lower than the state average. #3 Estero Florida. Melbourne is close to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and even Miami. There are no state income taxes, housing prices are still relatively affordable, and general cost-of-living incidentals—such as gas, groceries, and recreation—are economical. Only the first initial of your last name will be displayed. Safety: 9 out of 10. 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It boasts a crime rate about 70% lower than the rest of the state, a lower-than-average cost of living and cost of gas, along with a 9% higher graduation rate. Located along the Gulf Coast just an hour south of Tampa and a little under two hours … It has a good cost of living and high school graduation rate, and it's about 10 miles from Tampa and all of its attractions. Florida, in general, is an affordable place to retire. Thank you! At some point we’ve all wished we could live in a nice place that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. In the end we put together this list of the cheapest places to live in Florida! If you’re looking for a cost-effective retirement destination in Florida, here are the 10 best areas for you and your budget. She also makes art, jewelry, and other things for her shop. 1. Right along the Interstate 4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is a growing Central Florida area that has maintained its affordability. There’s also some excellent shopping, unique hiking trails, and a vintage amusement park in Old Town. #1 Bonita Springs Florida. If you’re looking for a quiet and scenic place to spend your retirement, grab your UF Gators gear and settle into Gainesville. The top five places for active adults to spend an affordable retirement offer endless benefits and attractions. Fishing and boating are the most popular pastimes. Port Orange is the largest city on this list, at around 60,000 people. It has a relatively low cost of living and housing, and an excellent high school graduation rate. Lakeland is all about culture and art, with regular poetry readings, exhibits, and unique dining experiences in the quaint and historic downtown district. Swim in some springs, take horseback riding lessons, and explore a lot of the local area in Ocala. If you live in Florida, you know it can be hard to find a city or town with low cost of living that’s still safe enough to raise a family. Though the student-to-teacher ratio is high, the high school graduation rate is still 8% higher than the rest of the state. Source: Public domain … Best Places 2020-2021 Rank: 127 Metro Population: 6,070,944 Median Home Price: $247,112 Average Annual Salary: $48,240 The most populous metro area in Florida, Miami sits at the state’s southern tip and is a major tourist destination for its year-round hot weather, vibrant culture and lively nightlife. The city also includes easy access to Interstate 95 and an international airport for frequent fliers. Best More Affordable Beach Town in Florida– This is one of the few places in … Job Market: 8 out of … If you’re looking for a quiet and scenic place to spend your retirement, settle into Gainesville. >> Bonus Material: Get this list in a print friendly PDF version. However, by settling in one of these affordable cities near Miami instead of downtown, you can get the best of both worlds, all while staying well within your budget. 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