Some good news… most of the best places to retire are here in the southeast. Tampa and St. Pete did make the list, but there are better options in Florida, according to WalletHub. They measured things like affordability, but also took into consideration the quality of life each area offers. Things like healthcare, leisure activities and weather are important so they were factored in.
The best city in the country to spend your retirement, however, is NOT in Florida. They say life gets no better than in Charleston, South Carolina. They scored a 58.97, doing particularly well in affordability and activities. Orlando came in right behind Charleston with an overall score of 58.23. Just like Charleston, Orlando did well with activities and affordability. Miami came in at #4. No surprise to anyone who lives here in Florida, affordability was NOT Miami’s strong point. Miami did rank 7th in the country though for activities and outscored Orlando on health care. Here is the Top 10 for Florida specifically.
#1: Orlando
Surprised as I was? The traffic alone in Orlando is a disqualifier for me personally. But I guess when you’re retired, you’re not in too much of a hurry to get to work. Orlando’s got a bunch of activities and that certainly helped them rank 2nd nationally and 1st in Florida for retirement.
(Photo by Matt Stroshane/Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images)
#2: Miami
If you’ve got the money, Miami definitely has the sun and beaches.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
#3: Fort Lauderdale
Activities was where Fort Lauderdale scored highest. But like Miami, the affordability factor kept its score down overall.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
#4: Tampa
Ranked 11th nationally for activities, Tampa just barely made the Top 10 in the country for retirement. Tampa’s weak spot was said to be healthcare. Agree?
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
#5: St. Petersburg
Personally I think retirement is a lot more fun on the Pinellas side, but St. Pete ranked lower than Tampa on this survey. St. Pete scored well in affordability (really?), activities and quality of life – but like Tampa, slipped in the rankings a bit due to the healthcare.
#6: Cape Coral
Quality of life is where Cape Coral did really well, landing 20th nationally.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
#7: Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines ranked 19th in the country for quality of life, but scored poorly on affordability and activities.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
#8: Port St. Lucie
Affordability was Port St. Lucie’s strength – they ranked #30 nationally.
(Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
#9: Hialeah
Scoring 35th overall in the nation, quality of life was Hialeah’s strength.
(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
#10: Jacksonville
Coming in 68th overall, Jacksonville scored really well in affordability, but poorly on healthcare and quality of life.
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
