Choosing where you are going to retire is a difficult thing to do, but knowing which are the best places to retire in Florida Gulf Coast can help you!
Mostly, when you’re about to hit retirement age and you’re itching for a change, you start to research moving to various other places, experiencing new things, finding out new things. Well, if Florida is the state you’re interested in, then it’s going to be great reading about all these great locations where things could be great for your new life. For instance, you can read up on the 10 best places to retire in Florida on social security, if that’s your situation.
smikeymikey1/Shutterstock.com
Now, if you’re wondering where in Florida to move, the Gulf Coast is a great pick. The coastline with the Gulf of Mexico is rather large and covers many states, but there’s also quite a bit of Florida dipping its land into the Gulf’s waters.
This is an area that’s full of inlets, bays, lagoons and so on, and there are many rivers ending up into the Gulf. In short, it’s a rather green and wet area. The climate in the Gulf is rather humid and very warm, even the winter months being, well, not that cold at all. There is a high danger of hurricanes and floods in the entire Gulf area and there have even been a few tornadoes to hit the coast, but not that many that you should worry about.
In Florida there are 13 different districts that border the Gulf of Mexico, out of which we picked the best ten. For our ranking we took a look at several aspects regarding these districts, including the cost of living index, the millage rate and the median home price in the area, figuring out just how much you’d have to pay in home taxes. We handed out points depending on their ranking and ended up with a list of places where you’d do best to move if you’re looking for this side of the coast in Florida, with the lowest score being the best.
10. Santa Rosa
Total score: 20
Millage rate: 14.59
Median home price: $149,700
Cost of living index: 97.7
The Santa Rosa county is pretty populated, the latest census indicating there were over 153,000 people living on its territory. The average age of those that call this county home is a bit over 39, which means there’s plenty of young people living here, right along all the retirees that decided to call this district home.
The unemployment rate is well below the national average, indicating a good economical state of affairs. The median home price in the area is also pretty steep, going up to $149,700. Considering the views, however, this may be a small price to pay, especially if you have the budget for it. The numerous beaches across the county, including the breathtaking Navarre beach, will surely call your name.
9. Wakulla
Total score: 17
Millage rate: 16.73
Median home price: $127,200
Cost of living index: 93.2
If you want to mix the greens with the blues, then Wakulla county is a great choice as it not only border the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s also full of nature’s greens, such as the Apalachicola National Forest and the Wakulla Springs State Park, as well as the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
The median home price in the area is north of $127,000, but we’re pretty sure you can find something suited for your new lifestyle below this price. The county is home to over 30,000 people, with a median age of 39.5 years. The unemployment rate in the region is 4.7 percent, which is well below the 6.3 percent national average across the United States.
Tero Hakala/Shutterstock.com
8. Citrus
Total score: 14
Millage rate: 17.67
Median home price: $111,500
Cost of living index: 91.1
Home to over 140,000 people, Citrus County, Florida, is a great choice if you’re looking to move. Despite the high population, you should know that the median age in the county is 54.2, which means plenty of other retirees have chosen this beautiful area to enjoy their free time.
The median home price is $111,500, which is a bit steeper than in other areas, but not an impossible sum to shell out, especially if you have some money set apart or sell your old house before moving. The overall cost of living in the area is below the national average, which is great since you’ll want to make sure you’re enjoying life, especially when so close to the ocean.
Goodluz/Shutterstock.com
7. Bay
Total score: 13
Millage rate: 12.06
Median home price: $150,300
Cost of living index: 97
This is a pretty busy county, with nearly 170,000 people living in the area. The median age is a little over 39, so there’s people of all ages here. To the number of people living here you should also take into consideration the tourists coming to visit since there are plenty of those to go around.
Panama City is one of the most famous places in the county and one of the busiest, too. When it comes to the geography of the county, you should know that over 26 percent of it is made out of water, which means there are plenty of related activities you can partake in.
altelia/Shutterstock.com
6. Gulf
Total score: 12
Millage rate: 14.97
Median home price: $126,600
Cost of living index: 92.4
Gulf County is a nice place to live in, cozy, if you will, especially since there are under 16,000 people living here; In average, the population density here is 24 persons per square mile. The median age of the residents is 43.8 years, according to the latest census. The median home price in the area is $126,600, which is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive among the counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
Similar to the Bay County, over 25 percent of the area is made of water, so there are plenty of places to go visit and enjoy. If you want to see the greens more than the waters of the area, then you might want to go visit the St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge which Gulf County hosts partially.
5. Jefferson
Total score: 12
Millage rate: 17.01
Median home price: $114,100
Cost of living index: 90.7
This is another small county, with under 15,000 residents calling it a home. The median age of the residents is 43.6 years, according to the latest census. The economic situation of the area is pretty good considering the unemployment area is well below the national average of 6.3 percent, namely 4.7 percent.
The median home price here is a little over $114,000, which means it may take a bit of saving to move here, but it’s not impossible. There’s plenty of countryside to enjoy, as well as several water bodies, such as Aucilla River and Lake Miccosukee.
4. Dixie
Total score: 8
Millage rate: 21.5
Median home price: $89,300
Cost of living index: 86
You’d think that with only about 16,000 people living in Dixie county there wouldn’t be that much to do around there, but you’d be wrong. In fact, there are so many things to do here, including nature coast trail rides, parks and ramps to visit, paddling in saltwater and trips on the Suwannee River. Considering that over 18 percent of its territory is made out of water, it makes sense that plenty of the activities you can partake in Dixie are related and that’s great.
The median home price in the area is below $90,000, while the cost of living index is 86, meaning you can buy a lot more with the same cash.
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
3. Escambia
Total score: 7
Millage rate: 16
Median home price: $108,600
Cost of living index: 90
Escambia is the county that’s the westernmost in Florida and it’s massive. With a population of close to 300,000 people and a county seat situated in Pensacola, Escambia is one of the 10 best places to retire in Florida Gulf Coast. There are plenty of beaches just around the corner, the place is full of history, with Pensacola’s strategic location making it desirable by the French, the British and the Spanish over the centuries, each leaving their print on the place.
A quarter of the county’s territory is water so there is plenty to do in this regard. There are also plenty of trails you can walk on and nature time to lose on beautiful days.
The median home price in the area is north of $108,000, lower than you’d expect given the popularity of the county.
altelia/Shutterstock.com
2. Levy
Total score: 5
Millage rate: 17.89
Median home price: $94,300
Cost of living index: 86.7
Levy County is home to over 40,000 people with a median age of 45.2 years, which means there’s plenty of other retirees that have chosen it for their relocation. The median home price in the area is also quite low compared to other regions, namely $94,300.
Levy is the perfect place to move to if you love nature, walking into the wilderness, but also laying out in the sun on the many beaches peppering the county’s shores. You can also partake in bird viewing, diving and trail rides if that’s more of your flavor.
1. Taylor
Total score: 2
Millage rate: 16.67
Median home price: $79,800
Cost of living index: 83.7
The best place out of the entire Florida’s Gulf Coast shore is Taylor County, a place with Over 22,500 residents, according to the last count. Data also shows that the median age of the residents is 41.2, while the unemployment rate is pretty much in line with the nationwide rate, namely some 6.5 percent.
The median home price here is $79,800, which is more than OK considering the prices across the other counties, as Taylor scores the best home prices. The county also has the best cost of living index out of the lot, with prices being a lot lower than the national average. Overall, Taylor tops the list of the 10 best places to retire in Florida Gulf Coast.
