This Affordable Florida Destination Is One of the Best Coastal Retirement Spots in the U.S.

Dreaming of sun, surf, and sand post-retirement? Spending your golden years soaking up Vitamin D by the beach and enjoying the outdoors is what many retirees wish for, which is why Florida is still the top retirement destination among Americans. However, as inflation has driven housing prices and living costs up in the Sunshine State, it may seem out of reach for many.

But according to a new report by U.S. News, you shouldn’t give up on your Florida dreams just yet. The company looked at coastal destinations in the country and consulted with real estate experts to determine the best beach towns to retire. And while several Florida communities made the cut, one of the cities with the most budget-friendly home rental rates and housing costs was Daytona Beach. 

The publication points out that the median home price there is $375,917, and the median rent stands at $1,181 per month. Another benefit to moving to Daytona Beach? The destination is already pretty popular with seniors, as over 20 percent of its current population of 78,000 is aged 65 or over. And there are plenty of recreational activities to keep them busy year-round.

“Fishing is a popular pastime, and residents can be seen casting from a pier or the deck of a yacht. Fishing’s land-based recreational counterpart is golf, and the area offers multiple courses on which to play,” U.S. News reports. But it also notes that Daytona Beach is not a “sleepy seaside community” as it is home to The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), and hosts several major events each year drawing thousands of racing fans from around the country.

However, if you’re not one of them, you will still find many entertainment options in Daytona Beach. Culture and history enthusiasts can explore its museums, heritage sites, and galleries, including the Museum of Arts & Sciences, the leading museum in central Florida and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. This year, the city also welcomed the Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest Adventure, a 55,000-square-foot facility with a 110,000-gallon shark tank and a 12,000-gallon stingray touch pool, among other features.

Of course, one of the main attractions is the beach. The city, together with neighboring Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, and Ponce Inlet, boasts 23 miles of shoreline that, at low tide, measures 500 feet wide.

U.S. News also notes two highly rated medical centers service Daytona Beach residents.

You can see the full ranking on usnews.com.