7 Senior-Friendly Towns on Florida's Emerald Coast

It’s easy to see why Florida’s dazzling Emerald Coast is a hotspot for retirees and seniors. Over 1 million residents call this piece of paradise home, enjoying its year-round sunshine, white sand beaches, upscale amenities, and charming coastal communities. Named for its emerald green waters, the area covers five counties and numerous towns, giving house-hunting seniors plenty of opportunities to find the perfect location for their budget and needs.

From the lively streets of Destin to the relaxed charm of St George Island, this beautiful coastline offers something for everyone planning their golden years.

Fort Walton Beach

With 19.1% of the population aged over 65, Fort Walton has a sizeable senior community. It’s easy to see the attraction for this demographic. This relaxed beach town has it all, delicious dining, white sand beaches, a thriving arts and culture scene, and world-class golf courses, including the Fort Walton Golf Club which has two courses for golfers of all skill levels.

Take the grandkids to the Indian Temple Mound Museum where they can browse ancient artefacts or spend the day at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, enjoying the antics of sea lions and dolphins. There is also lots to do at the Fort Walton Senior Centre which offers a range of activities including pickleball, crafting, tai chi, and bingo.

Safe and welcoming, Fort Walton is also a highly affordable destination for seniors looking to put down roots by the beach. The median home listing price is $370,000 (according to realtor.com), putting it within budget for retirees. If you are here long-term, the HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital is right in town, along with the Gulf Coast Immediate Care Center, providing excellent healthcare coverage.

St George Island

Time moves slower on St George Island, or at least that is how it feels in this idyllic oasis. No one is in a hurry on this 22-mile-long barrier island which boasts sprawling white sand beaches unspoiled by high-rises and other development. Located off the coast of Franklin County, St George has all the amenities you would expect from a Florida town — shopping, beachfront bars and restaurants, fishing and boating — along with a few that might surprise you. Its most famous attraction is the St George Lighthouse, built in 1852 and open year-round.

Locals and tourists alike are also frequent visitors to the Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park where you can see an array of wildlife including sea turtles, shorebirds, and dolphins. A great choice for nature lovers, St George is also home to a thriving arts community which hosts regular festivals and other events.

Weems Memorial Hospital, Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf Hospital, and Eastpoint Medical Center are all within easy reach, giving seniors peace of mind over healthcare needs. Home prices are on the higher side in this island community, with the median home listing price over $1.1 million in 2024.

Seaside

If Seaside looks familiar, you have probably seen the film, The Truman Show. The hit 1998 movie was filmed here, providing a picturesque backdrop of white picket fences and colorful clapboard beach houses. The picture-perfect look of the town wasn’t down to camera magic, Seaside really is that pretty. One of the big advantages of its New Urbanist design is its accessibility, you can stroll anywhere in downtown Seaside, taking advantage of its many pedestrian walkways to navigate around town and visit its many bars, cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Head out for a day on the water from the Seaside Yacht Club or stay landside and take in a show at the 75-seat Repertory Theatre. Retirement is anything but boring here. While it’s a popular tourist spot, Seaside has a strong sense of community. The town hosts holiday events that light up the downtown square, as well as weekly farmers markets and movies under the stars on the Seaside Amphitheater Lawn.

Consisting of around 300 homes, Seaside is a community in itself although homes here tend to come with a multimillion-dollar price tag. There are plenty of short-term rentals available for visiting seniors, however, accessible through Homeowner's Collection Vacation Rentals. While there are no medical centers in Seaside itself, there are several urgent care clinics in nearby Miramar Beach.

WaterColor

Just a few minutes drive north of Seaside, you’ll find another planned community, WaterColor. Less well-known but equally scenic, this is a vibrant community, ideal for seniors who want to escape the rat race. You will find most visitors and locals hanging out at the WaterColor Beach Club or dining out at the award-winning eatery FOOW (Fish Out of Water) on special occasions.

WaterColor knows how to celebrate with seasonal events, wine festivals, and film festivals throughout the year. Meandering around town, you will see lots of beautiful homes with the signature wide porch and pastel colors of South Walton County. Downtown, you’ll find Cerulean Park, a favorite of local seniors who come for family brunches, nature walks, birdwatching outings or just to wile away the hours on a lazy afternoon.

WaterColor is located in the Santa Rosa Beach area in South Walton County, where the average house price is $651,000. The area is well covered in terms of healthcare, with the Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital just a short drive away.

Destin

Consistently named as one of Florida’s top retirement destinations, Destin is a great choice for active seniors looking to fully embrace the Florida lifestyle. There are five premier golf courses to choose from, including the renowned Indian Bayou Golf Club and recently renovated Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club. The town is also known for its fishing and hosts the Destin Fishing Rodeo which attracts hundreds of world-class anglers every year.

As you would expect with a busy urban center, Destin provides easy access to medical centers and emergency care, including the HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital. For those wanting to set down permanent roots in the area, accommodations range from modest downtown houses to upmarket condos with stunning sea views. The median home listing price in Destin is $667,000.

Mexico Beach

Southeast of Panama City is Mexico Beach, an ideal location if you would rather not share your post-retirement years with endless swarms of tourists. One of the Emerald Coast’s undiscovered gems, this small beach community is a diverse mix of Floridians, seasonal residents, and retirees. Safe, quiet, secluded, and very welcoming, just over 1,000 residents live in Mexico Beach. Those dreaming of a laidback retirement where traffic consists of two golf carts meeting, will love this town. If you are into angling, this is the place to be. One of the best destinations for sport fishing, local charters can help you reel in Spanish mackerel, kingfish, and other highly-prized catches. Back on land you will find plenty of hiking trails winding through the wetlands and beautiful birding spots where migratory species take a break before the long journey north.

Just 34 miles from Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach offers all the charm of a small town but with ready access to modern amenities such as medical centers, retail outlets, and transport hubs. The median home listing price is $649,000.

Apalachicola

Apalachicola is known for two things — art and fish. Nicknamed ‘Oystertown’, this charming community, located where the Apalachicola River joins the Gulf of Mexico, used to be a busy port. Today you will find dozens of incredible seafood restaurants scattered along the scenic waterfront. Off the main drag, you will discover a haven of art studios and galleries displaying the best of local talent. This eclectic, Bohemian community is proud of its history and has preserved much of its original architecture alongside gorgeous leafy green parks such as the Chapman Botanical Gardens.

Despite its stunning location, house prices here are surprisingly affordable with the median home selling for $295,000. There are a variety of medical centers in the town, including the Weems Medical Center and the Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart Primary Care clinic. With just over 2,000 residents in 2022, Apalachicola is a small town with a big welcome, making it perfect for seniors looking for their retirement home.

Sun, Sand, Seniors

With a subtropical climate, beautiful beaches, world-class medical centers, and zero income tax it’s no wonder Florida is a favorite with seniors. The Emerald Coast, once known as the playground of the Gulf, is now home to some of the state’s best retirement communities and has retained its playful vibe with plenty of opportunities to relax, sightsee, shop, and stay active. Take a walk along the beach with the grandkids, spend lazy afternoons fishing, play a round of golf with friends — however you want the next stage of your life to look, you can make those dreams a reality on the Emerald Coast.