13 Cities in the US That Are Becoming a Retiree Hot Spot
Bursting with sunshine and good times, Florida is the hottest retirement destination in the United States. But did you know it has 10 of America’s top 13 retiree hot spots? What is it about these cities that makes people want to move here? And what other cities are slowly becoming even more popular with the senior crowd?
Everyone jokes about how people flock to Florida after they retire. It turns out that those jokes are rooted in a bit of truth. These numbers all come straight from the source — the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to the statistics, these are the cities where the percentage of the population of adults age 65 and older is the highest. And if you’re curious about why they’re retiring there — I was too — scroll through the description of each city. Some of them are pretty surprising!
1. North Port, Florida
With 32.4% of the population at or above retirement age, this city has more older adults than any other city in America. Located on Florida’s west coast, right between Tampa and Fort Myers, it offers beach access and planned neighborhoods ideal for walking. With more than 94,000 residents, there is always something to do (and someone to do it with).
Why are so many people retiring in North Port? Probably because there’s always something to do and ways to enjoy the outdoors. It’s home to one of the largest bicycle clubs in southwest Florida, 80 miles of freshwater canals for canoeing; the Myakka State Forest has horse riding and birdwatching, and 22 local beaches (just to name a few).
2. Palm Coast, Florida
On the opposite coast, just south of St. Augustine, is Palm Coast, Florida. About 30% of the town’s population is 65 and older, and one look at the city tells you why so many want to live here. They’re so proud of their older community that they host the annual Senior Games. Adult athletes at least 50 years old can compete in pickleball, tennis, horseshoes, and even a 5K.
The fun and games aren’t the only things everyone loves about this coastal town. This place is downright affordable. According to the Economic Research Institute, Palm Coast is 8% below the national cost of living and 14% lower than the state average. Money talks; here, your dollar stretches farther than other places in Florida.
3. Tamarac, Florida
Travel south along this same eastern coast, and you’ll find Tamarac. It’s a suburb of Miami and only 14 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale. About 28% of the population is retirement age, and one look at the weather and location will tell you why it’s such a hot spot.
It’s close to everything. The vibrant nightlife in Miami, miles of gorgeous beaches along the coast, and vibrant collection of restaurants all offer something to see and experience. Boredom is not a thing in Tamarac.
4. Port Charlotte, Florida
Florida’s west coast is popular too. Just 10 miles south of North Port is the next hot spot on our list — Port Charlotte. This is an unincorporated community, but there are 60,000 people living here, so don’t mistake it for the middle of nowhere. In fact, it’s near hundreds of miles of waterways, offering fishing, cruises, golf courses, and so much more.
With 27% of the population 65 years and older, people swarm here to relax, spend time on the beaches, and experience nature and parks. Visit Florida says Port Charlotte is “a destination of hundreds of miles of waterways, offering breathtaking Gulf sunsets, freshwater and saltwater adventures, world-class fishing, award-winning restaurants.” You can’t get better than that!
5. Scottsdale, Arizona
The first non-Florida city on this list is down in hot and sunny Arizona. Scottsdale has a population of more than 240,000, with 27% being retirees. Everything about Scottsdale is completely different from Florida. For one thing, it’s in the desert. For another, the culture is distinctly southwestern.
People move to Scottsdale to enjoy the weather because it doesn’t snow or freeze, and there aren’t any hurricanes or tornadoes. Other than the super hot days, the weather is pretty amazing. They also call it a paradise because you can always find something to do in the city and enjoy the desert hiking trails at the same time.
6. Georgetown, Texas
Smack in the middle of Texas is a town that attracts more retirees each year. Georgetown, Texas, is a mid-sized city north of Austin. The Visit Georgetown site says they have “personality for days and blooming good energy to boot,” and you can tell just from looking at the pictures. Georgetown offers a combination of city and country living, which is why 27% of the population is older than 65.
Georgetown’s best feature is that it’s set up to cater to the retired crowd. There are several 55+ communities to live in, as well as golf courses, rec centers, and clubhouses.
7. Delray Beach, Florida
Back in Florida, retirees are loving the sunshine and beaches in Delray Beach. People live here because it’s a small city with an active arts district. And did I mention beaches? The Village by the Sea is a two-mile stretch of breathtaking sandy views.
It’s directly in between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. Straight to the west are the Everglades and various wildlife preserves. The small-town feel is why about 1/4 of the 67,000 people are retirement-ready.
8. Boca Raton, Florida
Florida’s eastern shore is pretty popular with retirees. Travel south on 1-95 from Delray Beach, and you’ll run into Boca Raton. It’s only 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale, a busy port for international cruises (another thing people love to do after they retire).
People want to retire here because it has so many parks and beaches (and the weather is actually nice enough year-round to enjoy them!). From Red Reef Park to Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, there are hiking trails, outdoor amphitheaters, and almost anything for outdoor lovers to do.
9. Jupiter, Florida
Jumpin’ Jupiter! Another east coast town in Florida! This one is north of Palm Beach and has a historic 1860s lighthouse with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s surprising that there are only about 62,000 people living here because it has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the state. I’m talking about blinding white sand and glistening blue water.
A quick look at some facts about Jupiter shows why so many people move here to retire. Half of the town’s households earn at least $105,000. And about 23% of the residents are 65 years or older. Anyone looking to retire will find a large community of others just like them right here in this little town.
10. Spring Hill, Florida
With a population of over 100,000 people, you might think this is a large city, but it’s a census-designated place (CDP). A CDP means it’s not really a town or city. It doesn’t have a local government, but enough people say they live in this place by name so it’s given a name in the government census. Spring Hill is technically in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area.
This busy community is straight west of Orlando and north of Tampa. This area is also known as Florida’s Adventure Coast because there is so much to do outside. That’s probably one of the many reasons people travel here to retire.
11. Cape Coral, Florida
A little further away from the ocean is a really busy city called Cape Coral. In 2022, it had a population of 216,992, and that number is only going up. If it’s so busy, why are so many people retiring here? It is probably because it’s a master-planned community. In addition to walker-friendly parks, there’s also the Yacht Club Community Park on the Caloosahatchee River.
Cape Coral consistently ranks high in the rankings of the best places to retire. RetirementLiving ranked it 4th in 2022 and WalletHub said Cape Coral is the 24th best place in 2021. The only downside is that it’s so congested, especially in the summer when the tourists flood the area.
12. Largo, Florida
This gem of a town is situated on a mini peninsula between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. The population is growing quickly, with 82,000 as of 2020. How many of those are over the age of 65? That’s about 19,600, or 24%. Not too shabby!
Like some of the other places on this list, Largo offers a mix of urban and suburban living, a low crime rate, and tons of art and culture. But it’s the year-round sunshine that really grabs people and draws them here. It has about 244 days of sunshine a year.
13. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Let’s round out the list with a city that isn’t in Florida. Just like all the other places in this list, Santa Fe never has snow or freezing temperatures. The warm and sunny weather 300 days out of the year makes it a premier retirement destination.
More than the amazing weather, Santa Fe is also the oldest state capital city in the United States, so it’s rich with history and museums. It might not have the beaches that Florida does, but there’s plenty to do outside here. Hiking, skiing, biking, fishing, and even golfing — retirees will have plenty to fill up their time.
