5 Best Cities in Northern Florida to Retire

3. Gainesville

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Retiring in a college town has its own perks, and Gainesville gives retirees a chance to enjoy that. A thriving arts and culture scene, dozens of theaters and auditoriums, and plenty of shopping locations are some prime features of this location. Moreover, there are plenty of ethnic restaurants to try, such as Mexican, Greek, and even Italian.

Most importantly, the University of Florida in Gainesville gives people of all ages a chance to keep on learning. The city has its own medical and surgical acute care center called North Florida Regional Medical Centre. The cost of living in Florida stands at 90, which means it is 10% lower than the U.S. average. Groceries are 8% cheaper, but utilities are 5% more expensive. Median home costs around $271,700.