Florida is the place of retirement dream for many seniors looking for a place to spend their Golden Years, but some of its most popular destinations could be their worst nightmare.
In a recent study, personal finance website WalletHub looked at retirement locations in Florida and ranked them using a variety of factors relating to affordability and quality of life.
WalletHub compared 120 of the state's largest towns and cities across the three key categories of Quality of Life; Healthcare; and Activities, each measured by 29 relevant metrics graded on a 100-point scale, where 100 represents the most favorable conditions for retirement and 0 the least. Finally, WalletHub determined each city’s weighted average aross all 29 metrics to calculate its total score, then used those scores to rank-order its sample.
Here, in descending order, are WalletHub's 10 worst places to retire in Florida.
10. Plant City
The suburban community of Plant City is ideal for commuters working in Tampa and Lakeland, but not for seniors on the hunt for local job opportunities. And other than the annual Strawberry festival, retirees will find their entertainment options limited. Plant City ranks 69th in Activities, 89th in Healthcare and 117th in Quality of Life. Total Score: 36.43.
9. The Villages
The Villages is a booming retirement development in Central Florida that has everything a retiree could ever want, but appearances can be deceiving. While the community is tied for first with the most seniors age 65 and older, it ranks last in the study sample at 120th with the fewest adult workers age 65 and older. The Villages ranks 78th in Quality of Life, 108th in Healthcare and 116th in Activities. Total Score: 36.18.
8. Land O’ Lakes
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of busy urban living, Land O’ Lakes is the place for you, but if you retire there, get a car to get around because its not very walkable. Land O’ Lakes ranks 84th in Healthcare, 100th in Activities and 113th in Quality of Life. Total Score: 36.14.
7. Deltona
With plenty of service stations, Deltona is a good rest stop on your drive to Walt Disney World in Orlando, but if you decide to retire there, you may have a hard time looking for entertainment. The city ranks fifth with the lowest adjusted cost of living, but 109th in terms of healthcare facilities per capita. Deltona ranks 57th in Activities, 86th in Quality of Life and last at 120th in Healthcare. Total Score: 35.13.
6. Navarre
If you decide to retire to the small beach town of Navarre and want to have some fun, you’ll need to drive at least an hour away to find it in Pensacola or Destin. The city ranks 107th for the fewest heathcare facilities per capita. Navarre also ranks 79th in Activities, 103rd in Quality of Life and 116th in Healthcare. Total Score: 34.82.
5. Wesley Chapel
This Tampa Bay suburb is a great place to live if you’re raising a family. But retirees will have to contend with home prices that are getting more expensive, and traffic that is getting more congested. Wesley Chapel ranks 77th in Healthcare, 114th in Activities and 115th in Quality of Life. Total Score: 34.81.
4. Town ‘n’ Country
If you want to be entertained in this Tampa Bay neighborhood, check out its annual Easter Egg Hunt, craft fairs and Christmas Parade. But if you’re looking for culture, you’ll need to drive to the nearest city. This suburb ranks 110th for the fewest heathcare facilities per capita. Town ‘n’ Country ranks 59th in Activities, 109th in Healthcare and 119th in Quality of Life. Total Score: 34.69.
3. Brandon
If you find a job to pay for it, you’ll need a car to get to work here since bus service is limited and local train service nonexistent. Brandon ranks 90th in Activities, 97thin Healthcare and 116th in Quality of Life. Total Score: 34.54.
2. St. Cloud
Located near Kissimmee and south of Orlando, St. Cloud is a quiet city. Retirees still flock to St. Cloud, but to find a job, they need to commute somewhere else with everyone else. St. Cloud ranks 33rd for Quality of Life, 119th in Healthcare and 120th in Activities. Total Score: 34.32.
1. Riverview
The city ranks 75th for fewest museums per capita. Riverview ranks 91st for Activities, 102nd for Healthcare and last at 120th in Quality of Life. Total Score: 33.30.
The full report can be viewed here.