Florida stays the go-to relocation state for retirees, accounting for 11 % of seniors who cross state strains post-retirement. It is simple to see why the Sunshine State is so in style with retirees 65 and older — in spite of everything, who can resist its laid-back way of life, picturesque seashores, and heat climate? However with its price of residing skyrocketing, retirees at the moment are opting out of pricier areas like South Florida, and as a substitute discovering various communities that provide decrease actual property costs whereas nonetheless sustaining a excessive way of life. One such place is Solar Metropolis Middle, which was not too long ago ranked as the highest retirement city for 2024 by Realtor.com.
“The nation’s high cities for retirees are typically sunny and close to massive cities. Solar Metropolis, Florida, the top-ranking retirement city, is on the south facet of Tampa, providing consumers quick access to the seaside and to the facilities and assets of the massive metro space,” Realtor.com financial analysis analyst Hannah Jones informed Journey + Leisure.
In line with the actual property web site, the city has over 30,000 full-time residents with a median age of 71. That’s as a result of Solar Metropolis Middle is a census-designated 55+ grownup group that’s fully targeted on offering its residents with age-appropriate leisure, instructional, and cultural actions. However, as Realtor.com factors out, there’s another excuse seniors are transferring: “Residents who relocate right here can ditch lots of the trappings of their pre-retirement life, together with their automotive and their garden mower.”
The median record value in Solar Metropolis Middle is $315,000, which is effectively beneath the nationwide common. Realtor.com additionally factors out that an amazing majority of listings that span single-family houses and condos, or 84 %, are retiree-friendly. Householders additionally profit from decrease owners affiliation charges, which might add a considerable monetary burden on month-to-month bills in different components of the Sunshine State.
And residents definitely get loads of alternatives to benefit from the sunny Florida climate because of the abundance of out of doors actions and occasions that the group provides. There are over 100 golf equipment and organizations in Solar Metropolis Middle that modify from archery and ceramics to gardening, yoga, and garden bowling (there’s additionally a journey membership). Services are simply as many — over a dozen tennis and pickleball courts, a number of indoor and outside swimming pools, garden bowl greens, volleyball courts, and a billiards room.
Nevertheless, one disadvantage to residing in Solar Metropolis Middle is its strict age restrictions. In line with an ordinance, a minimum of one family member ought to be 55 or over, and anybody youthful than 19 can solely spend as much as 30 days a yr right here. So, seniors who take pleasure in spending extra time with their grandchildren will most likely must exit of city to take action.
The second spot on Realtor.com’s record goes to Inexperienced Valley, Arizona, one other retirement group providing entry to golf programs, mountaineering trails, and plenty of pure landmarks. The median record value for houses right here is $349,900. And Oregon’s King Metropolis is third, up three spots since final yr.
You may see the complete report on realtor.com.