Are you ready to retire to the Emerald Coast of Florida? Find out what makes this area ideal for your golden years.

The Emerald Coast – The Best Place to Retire in Florida

From the gorgeous white-sand beaches, to the limitless activities, and amazing weather year-round, the Emerald Coast is the popular retirement spot that retires rave about. Communities like Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Pensacola, Destin, and Crestview will provide you with affordable real estate, an active lifestyle, and even some business opportunities.

Retiring to the Emerald Coast

Whether you want a bigger city with more of a suburban feel or a small community, the Emerald Coast offers it all. Larger cities like Panama City or Destin give more of an urban feel, while Rosemary Beach or Okaloosa Island give more of a small community atmosphere. No matter where you want to retire to on the Emerald Coast, the real estate market is good.

Emerald Coast Real Estate Market

There are many choices when it comes to real estate in the area. Beachfront condos, homes in a new development, in town, or along the coastal route—what option sounds ideal to you? If you want a retirement community, the Emerald Coast has a few of those options as well. While real estate close to the water will go for more, typically homes in the Emerald Coast area are pretty affordable.

Currently, the national average cost for a home is $169,000, but in Florida, the average is lower at just $152,300.  Narrowing down a few of the cities here you might want to retire to, Panama City’s home prices are averaging $95,100 and Crestview is at $131,400—well below the national average. If you want to retire affordably, there are plenty of areas in the Emerald Coast that will allow you to stay within your budget.

Coming up in next:  Recreation Options and Business Opportunities for Retirees in the Emerald Coast.