Best Retirement towns in FL?

[Scrappy_Tink]

Me and DH plan on retiring in 8 years and counting to FL. I'm thinking mid-state...as much as I'd love to live on the coast, I don't want to have to worry about a hurricane wiping out my house.

We'd like to live in a 55+ community....nothing extravagant. I might consider a coastal town...my in-laws live in Sebastian, about 10 miles from Vero Beach, in a very affordable retirement community.

Does anyone here have any good FL retirement communities you'd recommend? I know we have a while to decide, but just like to start looking.

Thanks!

 

[worm761]

Fort Walton Beach is supposed to be one of best places to retire.

 

[lemondog]

My parents live in the Villages and they LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is known as Disney World for seniors and I can see why. We love visiting them...my kids have so much fun. It is mid-state between Ocala and Orlando. There is a website www.thevillages.com

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Check out www.solivita.com which is a 55+ community. One of the clubs I belong to is the Solivita Disney Cast Members Club, which has almost 80 members. From my house to the nearest point on Disney property is 13 miles.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to look into all of them!

 

[manning]

My parents live in the Villages and they LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is known as Disney World for seniors and I can see why. We love visiting them...my kids have so much fun. It is mid-state between Ocala and Orlando. There is a website www.thevillages.com

And they are known for.....never mind.

 

[JimR24]

We must have read the same articles about the Villages.

 

[denisem]

And they are known for.....never mind.

We must have read the same articles about the Villages.

Supposedly that article was an urban myth; however, after overhearing a bunch of retired men drinking coffee at our local Winn-Dixie near "On Top of the World" discussing their community's widows, I'm not so sure!

We have friends that considered The Villages, but decided on Oak Run in Ocala, as The V's area can be quite traffic congested; plus, it's only a 20 minute or so drive there. There are numerous other over-55 communities here also.

 

[DVC-Don]

I'd also,like to recommend Solivita. Love it here.

 

[ChattaAlley]

Check out www.solivita.com which is a 55+ community. One of the clubs I belong to is the Solivita Disney Cast Members Club, which has almost 80 members. From my house to the nearest point on Disney property is 13 miles.

I would LOVE to live there. I am not of retirement age but I am quiet and have no children. I wonder if they would let me in?

 

[phorsenuf]

I'd also,like to recommend Solivita. Love it here.

Are there rentals there or do you strictly have to buy? My husband is 53 so we only have a couple more years before we can look into these communities. Although where my sister lives in Orlando they do allow a certain percentage of people if you are over 50. Have you ever heard of that?

 

[lemondog]

Are there rentals there or do you strictly have to buy? My husband is 53 so we only have a couple more years before we can look into these communities. Although where my sister lives in Orlando they do allow a certain percentage of people if you are over 50. Have you ever heard of that?

Yes I believe it is state law. The Villages I know has to sell either 10% or 15% to people under 55, but the rule still remains that no one under 19 can live there full time so it would not be possible unless your children were grown or you were child free.

 

[phorsenuf]

Yes I believe it is state law. The Villages I know has to sell either 10% or 15% to people under 55, but the rule still remains that no one under 19 can live there full time so it would not be possible unless your children were grown or you were child free.

My "baby" just turned 21 and none of the kids live with us. I'd love to move into a community like that. maybe I should check into it a little more.

 

[DVC-Don]

Are there rentals there or do you strictly have to buy? My husband is 53 so we only have a couple more years before we can look into these communities. Although where my sister lives in Orlando they do allow a certain percentage of people if you are over 50. Have you ever heard of that?

Yes, there are rentals avail here, but owners are limited to two rentals per year. No length of rental is specified, but no more than two per year. You have to have proof of age to be an owner here, 55+. Never heard of younger than 55 being allowed to own here. I believe children younger than 18 are limited to 30 days in a year (grandchildren).

 

[Dax]

I live near Solivata...I am in Poinciana...I am DYING to drive around back there and look around...

My aunt and uncle live in Ocala. They love it. There are some nice retirement places in the Ocala area. The Villages is VERY busy and congested. I almost got ran over by a man on a speeding golf cart the last time I visited there..

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My parents live in the Villages and they LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It is known as Disney World for seniors and I can see why. We love visiting them...my kids have so much fun. It is mid-state between Ocala and Orlando. There is a website www.thevillages.com

Wow that is nice!!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes I believe it is state law. The Villages I know has to sell either 10% or 15% to people under 55, but the rule still remains that no one under 19 can live there full time so it would not be possible unless your children were grown or you were child free.

It is Federal, not State, law. It is written into one of the age-discrimination laws as an exception. There are very strict rules that apply.

1. At least one owner of a home must be at least 55 years old at the time of purchase.

1A. If a rental, at least one of the people on the lease must be at least 55 when the lease is signed.

2. At least 80% of the residents musty be at least 55.

3. Nobody who is a resident may be less than 19.

I don't know if the following is in the law or not, but we are permitted to have guests under the age of 19 as long as no one guest under 19 is there for more than 30 days in a year.

Every two years we have to fill in a form, including a photo copy of a Driver's License or State ID, certifying that we are 55 or older.

And a few years ago we had a situation where a married couple (not Solivita Residents) were involved in a fatal accident and the parents of one of them became guardians of the children. They were given six months to leave Solivita as they now had two children under 19 residing with them.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Check out www.solivita.com which is a 55+ community. One of the clubs I belong to is the Solivita Disney Cast Members Club, which has almost 80 members. From my house to the nearest point on Disney property is 13 miles.

I absolutely love the floorplan on this!!! WOW! Now that is a dream retirement house. If I won the lottery, I am building this.

http://www.vitaliahomes.com/communities/solivita/move-ready/miami-lot-130

 

[Jaya]

Kind of interesting that they have an charter elementary, middle and high school there in The Villages that can be attended by the children of employees of "Village companies" or "business partners" but the kids can't actually "live" in The Villages. I guess every day is "bring your child to work day".

 

[lemondog]

Kind of interesting that they have an charter elementary, middle and high school there in The Villages that can be attended by the children of employees of "Village companies" or "business partners" but the kids can't actually "live" in The Villages. I guess every day is "bring your child to work day".

Those charter schools are actually considered some of the best in the state. There are actually 3 "villages" within The Villages that are designed specifically for families. However,they are not afforded the same rights and privileges as the other Villages owners such as access to pools, community centers, country clubs, etc. Most of the employees, from what I understand, live in nearby towns like Leesburg, Wildwood, Clermomt, etc.