Where Realtors See Growth
Florida's most popular retirement cities are getting crowded and expensive. But a quieter shift is happening in smaller towns across the state, and realtors are paying close attention to all of them.
New Smyrna Beach
Sitting about 15 miles south of Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach gives retirees direct Atlantic Ocean access with a fraction of the noise. Realtors have ranked it near the top of emerging retirement lists, and as per Zillow, median home prices in the mid-$400,000s keep coastal living within reach for a lot of buyers.
New Smyrna Beach (Cont.)
New Smyrna Beach holds an unusual distinction: more documented shark bites occur here than anywhere else on earth, earning it the Shark Bite Capital of the World title. Nearly all are minor. On dry land, the historic Canal Street district buzzes with galleries, festivals, and a farmers' market that draws locals every week.
Babcock Ranch
Babcock Ranch near Fort Myers and Punta Gorda runs on power from an 870-acre solar farm. It’s the first U.S. town built entirely around solar energy. Now home to over 12,000 residents, it ranks among Florida’s top-selling master-planned communities, with median prices around $453,000, as per the National Association of Realtors.
Florida Aerial Pics, Shutterstock
Babcock Ranch (Cont.)
The solar story gets most of the attention, but the preserved 73,000-acre ranch and wilderness area bordering the community is equally striking. Florida panthers, deer, and dozens of bird species live there. Plus, golf cart paths and that wilderness just beyond the fence line make Babcock Ranch a genuinely rare retirement proposition.
Florida Aerial Pics, Shutterstock
Haines City
Haines City is a Polk County town that sits between Orlando and Tampa without feeling anything like either. Realtors describe it as an emerging hidden gem, and median home prices around $295,350 (Zillow) reflect that it hasn't been fully discovered yet.
Haines City (Cont.)
Lakes and quiet neighborhoods give it the kind of pace that retirees seek out. Lake Eva Community Park is a community favorite with walking trails and a relaxed atmosphere that locals call a hidden oasis. No state income tax on retirement income and easy access to Orlando medical facilities round out a compelling retirement case.
Homosassa Springs
Homosassa Springs sits in Citrus County on Florida's Gulf Coast, surrounded by springs, wildlife reserves, and quiet waterways. U.S. News & World Report has identified Homosassa Springs as a top retirement destination for 2025 and 2026.
Homosassa Springs (Cont.)
With median home values around $260,000, per Zillow, and a large senior population already in place, the infrastructure for retirement life is there. For retirees who prioritize nature access over urban convenience, this stretch of the Nature Coast consistently delivers, and Tampa sits close enough for medical appointments and city errands when needed.
DeLand
DeLand is located in Volusia County about 20 to 30 minutes from Daytona Beach, with a walkable Victorian downtown and a livability score above 75. As per Zillow, median home prices in the mid-$300,000s make it significantly more affordable than coastal neighbors.
DeLand (Cont.)
Good healthcare access, proximity to the coast, and a genuine small-town feel have realtors calling it Florida's best-kept retirement secret. Moreover, the annual DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts is one of Florida's largest fine arts events, drawing thousands for music and crafts each year.
Brooksville
In Hernando County, Brooksville blends rolling terrain with a preserved historic downtown and a slower lifestyle. A large 65-plus population and convenient proximity to Tampa enhance its retirement appeal. Median home prices hover near $300,000, as per Zillow, alongside scenic surroundings and consistently low-crime neighborhoods.
Robert Miller Online, Shutterstock
Brooksville (Cont.)
The May-Stringer House, a Victorian mansion turned museum, runs ghost tours that have made Brooksville one of Florida's most notable haunted destinations. Built in 1852, the property has multiple documented ghost stories attached to it and draws visitors from across the state.
Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Brooksville (Cont.)
The Withlacoochee State Trail passes directly through Brooksville, a 46-mile paved path for biking and walking that consistently ranks among the best rail-trails in the entire country. Surrounding state forests and nature preserves add hiking and wildlife access on top of that.
DanTD, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Eustis
About 45 minutes north of Orlando, Eustis sits on Lake Eustis and connects to the Harris Chain of Lakes in Lake County. Median home prices near $330,000, per Zillow, and a waterfront-centered lifestyle make it a practical and scenic retirement option. Boating, fishing, farmers' markets, and easy Orlando day trips fill the calendar comfortably.
Connor J. Williams, Wikimedia Commons
Eustis (Cont.)
Eustis hosts Georgefest, one of the largest Washington's Birthday celebrations in the country, with fireworks and historic reenactments drawing visitors from across the region. The town sits within the Golden Triangle lakes area of Central Florida, a stretch of genuinely beautiful inland scenery.
St. Augustine
As the country’s first enduring European settlement, St. Augustine merges rich heritage with the draw of its Atlantic coastline. Its walkable downtown, arts scene, cultural attractions, and established retiree base drive demand. Zillow places median home prices near $425,000, though surrounding neighborhoods offer lower-cost entry points for buyers seeking similar character and convenience.
Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
St. Augustine (Cont.)
St. Augustine's ghost tour industry is very popular in the country. The city claims dozens of documented paranormal locations, and evening tours run year-round. Anchoring the historic district is the Castillo de San Marcos, the nation’s oldest surviving masonry fort, which continues to draw visitors and retirees interested in history woven into everyday life.
Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Manasota Key
Manasota Key is a Gulf Coast barrier island near Englewood in Sarasota and Charlotte County. Realtors highlight it as a rising retirement destination, with 55+ gated communities like BeachWalk by Manasota Key offering active adult living. Redfin reports median home prices around $380,000, with easy access to Venice and Sarasota for dining and healthcare.
Guspederson, Wikimedia Commons
Manasota Key (Cont.)
Blind Pass beach on Manasota Key ranks among Florida’s best shelling spots, where colorful shells wash ashore in significant numbers after storms. Lemon Bay nearby offers kayaking through mangroves with frequent dolphin sightings. For retirees who want natural Gulf beauty without the crowds of bigger barrier islands, this one consistently delivers.
Florida Aerial Pics, Shutterstock
Inverness
With median home prices around $235,000, Inverness sits at the most budget-friendly end of this entire list. Located in Citrus County on the Nature Coast, it has a large senior population, a local hospital, historic Old Florida downtown, and surrounding rivers and lakes that support fishing, golf, and outdoor recreation year-round.
Inverness (Cont.)
Inverness serves as the gateway to the Withlacoochee State Trail, that same 46-mile paved path that runs through multiple counties and consistently ranks among the best rail-trails in Florida. The annual Florida Nature Coast Bike Fest celebrates a local cycling culture that's genuinely strong.
Crawfordville
South of Tallahassee in Wakulla County, Crawfordville offers a Big Bend lifestyle built around springs, rivers, forests, and the Gulf. Housing costs are among the lowest in Florida, at around $281,737 per Zillow. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park sits nearby, and Tallahassee covers healthcare and city needs for anyone based here.
The Bushranger, Wikimedia Commons
Crawfordville (Cont.)
Wakulla Springs, a vast and exceptionally deep freshwater spring, sits right here, and it served as the filming location for the 1954 horror classic Creature from the Black Lagoon. Today, it draws manatee watchers and eco-tourists.
The Bushranger, Wikimedia Commons
Lake Wales
Lake Wales is located in Polk County with some of Florida's highest elevations, giving it a landscape that looks noticeably different from the state's flat coasts. Gated active adult communities like Lake Ashton offer amenity-rich retirement living at around $240,866 (Zillow), and the overall cost of living remains well below what retirees pay in Orlando or Tampa.
Lake Wales (Cont.)
Set across 250 acres, Bok Tower Gardens is a National Historic Landmark with a 205‑foot carillon tower that fills the gardens with daily concerts. It's consistently described as one of the most beautiful spots in Florida.
Usflibstudent21, Wikimedia Commons
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