8 Welcoming Towns to Retire in Florida's Emerald Coast
Known for its clear, emerald-green waters, sugar-white sands, and awe-inspiring Gulf of Mexico vistas, Florida's Emerald Coast leaves a lasting impression on first-timers. Stretching west from Pensacola to Panama City Beach, this picturesque pocket of the Sunshine State captivates with its natural beauty both above and below the ocean's surface. Beyond breathtaking shorelines, several welcoming small towns along the coast have established themselves as some of the best places to put down roots and enjoy retirement in this sun-drenched corner of Florida.
These lovely towns are ideal for retiring in Florida's Emerald Coast harbor communities with idyllic natural settings, social support networks, amenities, and activities tailored for active seniors. If you plan to call it quits on your career soon, these beautiful burgs may be what you always wished for in a retirement home.
Milton
About 30 minutes northeast of Pensacola, you will come across the quaint retirement community of Milton. Steeped in history, it is a lovely choice for those who want to take it easy in their golden years. Retirees can tour the West Florida Railroad Museum to explore local railway history. Occasional hiking or cycling along the 8.1-mile (13-km) paved Blackwater Heritage State Trail enables pensioners to keep fit while enjoying stunning outdoor scenery. Meanwhile, Southern Raceway provides a family-friendly atmosphere where townsfolk gather to watch a racing spectacle on a dirt road.
The Santa Rosa Medical Center is Milton's primary healthcare provider. It has a 129-bed capacity and offers various forms of care, guaranteeing seniors quality medical attention without leaving the town. Another quality pensioners will appreciate is the manageable median housing cost of $349,000, far below the state average of $399,000.
Crestview
Despite being the largest city in Okaloosa County, Crestview entices retirees with a relatively reasonable cost of living. Given an average home price of $330,000, many will afford a retirement home without digging too deep into their savings. The town provides plenty of attractions to keep residents engaged at all times. Notable among them is the Emerald Coast Zoo, a kid-friendly venue with cute wildlife species. The Carver-Hill Museum documents fascinating African-American history in Crestview.
The community's outdoor spaces ensure senior citizens can access recreational opportunities whenever necessary. Twin Hills Park is an excellent example, boasting a lakeside location with picnic tables, a playground, a splash pad, and athletic courts. When old age proves challenging for retirees, the Crestview Senior Activity Center watches out for them using various support programs tailored to their well-being.
Shalimar
Shalimar's small population of under 1,000 leaves plenty of room for incoming retirees to make it a happy retirement home. It has a charming small-town appeal with laid-back open spaces for outdoor recreation. Meigs Neighborhood Park is a local favorite, offering picturesque views of Choctawhatchee Bay. Seniors will fancy exciting fishing excursions courtesy of Have Fun Fishing Charters, which allows them to explore the town from the water. Meanwhile, Shalimar Cheers Pub is the ideal hangout spot to link up with friends and peers after a long day.
While Shalimar does not have many facilities, its proximity to bigger towns like Destin and Fort Walton Beach allows easy access to better social and health amenities. Finally, Shalimar's median real estate price is $384,900, lower than the Florida average.
Valparaiso
Although not as famous as Destin, Valparaiso promises all the niceties its famous neighbor offers without costing you an arm and a leg. Retirees can enjoy low-cost living, and those planning to invest in a home will need a budget of around $358,000 for a decent house in Valparaiso. The small community has several indoor venues that pensioners will enjoy exploring, especially the Heritage Museum of Western Florida. Lincoln Park is where residents access outdoor recreation. The lovely park harbors a 24-hour boat ramp, a playground, a swimming area, and picnic spaces.
Whenever seniors feel like dining outside, the Boathouse Landing is among the top local eateries they can visit for a casual dining experience. The menu features seafood, steak, and cocktails. Valparaiso may not have world-class health amenities, but Crossroads Center assures pensioners of decent healthcare access locally.
Fort Walton Beach
Home to a bustling community of about 21,000, Fort Walton Beach boasts some of the most sought-after attractions on the Emerald Coast. It houses the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, a world-class aquarium where families visit for unforgettable experiences with rare marine species. Several nature spaces, including Liza Jackson Park, allow retirees to live actively through hiking and other recreational activities. They also have multiple opportunities to have fun with their grandkids when they visit, highlighted by the Emerald Coast Science Center.
Pensioners can also access reliable medical attention at the HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. Meanwhile, the town's median home price of $376,500 makes it one of the most budget-friendly towns to retire in Florida's Emerald Coast.
Mary Esther
Mary Esther is surrounded by several military bases, which helps guarantee fresh residents a high level of safety in the town. The lovely community presents various attractions to keep pensioners engaged indoors and outdoors. Those who prefer open spaces can commune with nature at Oak Tree Nature Preserve, home to tranquil walking trails through a scenic wooded section. Elsewhere, Surge Adventure Park is the ideal venue to spend quality time with family, and the grandkids will enjoy jumping on the trampolines.
After a tedious day filled with adventures, retirees can stop by A Day Away Massage and Spa for healing therapy to relieve the stress and tension in their muscles. Mary Esther's median house cost is only $345,000, conveniently lower than Florida's average.
Okaloosa Island
Boasting 3 miles of pristine Gulf of Mexico shoreline, Okaloosa Island has gorgeous beach scenery with a relaxed setting that many seniors wish for in the sunset years. Thanks to a variety of experiences across the town, retirees can look forward to staying engaged and entertained at all times. An unassuming stroll along the Okaloosa Island Pier is an excellent way to meditate and enjoy the fresh sea breeze. Meanwhile, the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk presents a highly social atmosphere, with a cluster of lively businesses where pensioners can interact and establish friendships.
Okaloosa Island residents can easily access towns like Fort Walton Beach by land or sea in less than half an hour, availing crucial social amenities to needy retirees. Seniors need not spend a fortune on a new home in Okaloosa Island, as the median house cost is $399,900.
Seaside
Picture perfect and walkable, Seaside is associated with the birthplace of the New Urbanism design. It is famous for its pastel-colored cottages overlooking the emerald-green waters of the Gulf Coast and white sand beaches. Retirees have numerous ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle in Seaside, with the nearby Timpoochee Trail providing the perfect route for a biking workout. Residents enjoy fabulous shopping, dining, and social opportunities at Airstream Row. The vibrant square is home to a cluster of food trucks where townsfolk gather to savor tasty treats in a socially charged atmosphere.
Proximity to other bustling Emerald Coast towns, including Rosemary Beach, gives pensioners prime opportunities to seek further recreation outside or better health care without straying too far. The local median home price is $399,900, which is within reach for many retirees.
The Takeaway
With charming small towns and long stretches of sugar-white beaches lining emerald waters, it is no wonder Florida's Emerald Coast remains a premier retirement destination for many. The mild climate and coastal scenery provide the perfect year-round environment for an active lifestyle. Seniors relocating to one of these scenic coastal communities can look forward to embracing the laidback pace of life. They will enjoy exploring all the region offers, from water activities to cultural events. Most importantly, new retirees will appreciate becoming a part of a tight-knit community in any of the discussed towns to retire in Florida's Emerald Coast.
