Venice, Florida is Named Top Retirement City

When deciding where to spend our retirement years, a number of elements have to be considered especially the cost of living, the climate, and the crime rate. It is also important for most to be near family, banks, medical facilities, or houses of worship. Tranquility, however, may be the most important factor. Many will look for a community where they can simply relax and live as worry-free as possible.

The Huffington Post recently investigated America’s small cities and towns, looking for the most relaxing and tranquil retirement destinations. For a town or city to make the Huffington Post’s top 10 rankings the community needed to have evidence of a peaceful atmosphere: a good climate, low crime, civic-minded neighbors, and plenty of outdoor and recreational opportunities. Guess what, Venice fit the bill! The article titled “Best Places To Retire: 10 Most Relaxing U.S. Cities To Enjoy Your Golden Years,” by The Huffington Post ranked Venice as the #5 retirement location among all American towns and cities.

Venice Island’s quaint downtown features upscale shopping, fine dining, and classic Italian architecture. The sidewalks are lined with many boutiques, cafés, and towering palms. The Venice Little Theater, the Venice Symphony, and the Venice Art Center provide culture and entertainment to this laid-back coastal community while many fishing enthusiasts and sunset watchers enjoy sands, surf, and a 700-foot fishing pier at sunny Venice Beach.

Several legendary golf courses and country clubs are less than an hour from anywhere in Venice; many retirees choose homes in one of Venice’s gated country club communities. Venice is for everyone and also features waterfront communities, boating neighborhoods, and equestrian communities. The miles of area beaches are complemented by dozens of county and state parks and nature preserves throughout the greater Venice area. The cost of living in Venice is lower than the cost in comparable cities. On top of that, there is very little crime and you’ll also find award-winning medical facilities. Did I mention that the annual average temperature is a glorious 73 degrees? This gives retirees the opportunity to swim, golf, fish, and otherwise enjoy the great outdoors almost every day.

Venice offers the advantages of urban living in a laid-back and charming seaside town of only 21,000. It also offers a world of recreational choices. As the Huffington Post reported, “in many ways it’s the ideal retirement community.”