Map of Delray Beach

The Best Retirement Cities in Florida: Delray Beach

When looking at places to retire in Florida, there’s certainly no shortage of sun-drenched beaches and metropolitan cities that dazzle. So, how to choose? Often, the best retirement places in Florida will have two crucial components that elevate them above the rest: community and variety.

To help you determine if Delray Beach is a good place to live,  let’s take a peek at all the ways the city of Delray Beach, Florida, meets, and exceeds, these standards as an exemplary retirement destination.

Retirement Living Rooted in a Welcoming Community

A dynamic little coastal city tucked between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Florida, has earned a reputation as one of the most fun small towns in the nation. This dynamic, small-town feel fosters a sense of connection and camaraderie among members of the community, who also benefit from access to big-city amenities and entertainment geared toward a variety of interests.

Delray Beach also boasts a population comprised of nearly 25% seniors, meaning that many of these amenities are rooted in serving a community of older adults. When combined with the presence of high-end, luxury senior living communities brimming with opportunities for connection, Delray Beach firmly cements itself as a hidden gem destination and one of the best retirement communities in Florida.

Climate | Setting the Scene for an Active Retirement Lifestyle

[Image of seniors walking on the beach, any park/beach in Delray Beach, or seniors doing outdoor activities in Florida]

When you retire in Delray Beach, your days are defined by nearly limitless sunshine, balmy sea breezes, and swaths of tropical foliage. The city gets 235 days of sun annually, has an average temp of 77 degrees, and sees zero annual snowfall.

Active older adults are drawn to Delray Beach for many reasons, not the least of which is that the city’s idyllic climate can support a broad range of outdoor hobbies.

 

Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the city’s fair weather in several ways, including but not limited to:

  • Exploring the local golf scene. Delray Beach boasts 18 golf courses, with another 82 courses located within a 20-minute drive.
  • Birdwatching and wildlife observation. Delray Beach is home to 56 parks, perfect for small hikes, outdoor recreation, and relaxation.
  • Sunbathing, swimming, and beachfront fun. Delray Beach is named among the 12 best beaches in Florida, offering two miles of public shoreline and gorgeous views.

Culture, Shopping, and Entertainment | A City That Keeps Up With Multifaceted Seniors

Prefer to immerse yourself in the arts? In addition to the shopping and nightlife the city offers, Delray Beach is also known for its numerous arts and dining events scheduled throughout each year. First Friday Art Walks, an annual Festival of the Arts, and Restaurant Month are just a few celebrations that can be found on the city’s calendar.

Other must-see destinations for seniors in Delray Beach include The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, which feature six lush gardens inspired by famous gardens of Japan, perfect for a relaxing afternoon stroll. For connoisseurs of the fine arts, The Cornell Art Museum exhibits works by nationally and internationally recognized contemporary artists.

There’s also Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach’s main downtown area, which was named among the 10 greatest American shopping streets by USA Today. This dynamic hub of activities and entertainment is just one reason why Delray Beach is considered among the best places to live in Florida for seniors.

Directional signs at Delray Beach

It Made the List – Actually, Lots of Lists | A Reputation for Retirement Excellence

Delray Beach has a long-standing history of excellence as both an idyllic place to live and one of the best places for retirement in Florida. While many of the city’s features certainly speak for themselves, it’s made headlines for its excellence in several trusted magazines and resources.

For example, niche.com, an online company that evaluates U.S. cities by analyzing dozens of ranking factors and community reviews, listed Delray Beach at #9 in its Best Places to Live in Palm Beach County ranking. In 2020, the website floridaforboomers.com ranked Delray Beach #14 on its list of the 25 Best Places in Florida to Retire.

The Palm Beach Post reported in 2019 that Delray Beach was ranked fourth on SmartAsset’s list of the “Best Cities for an Active Retirement.” SmartAsset analyzed over 544 cities for walkability score, concentration of fitness-related businesses, number of golf courses, retirement communities, medical centers, senior population percentage, and average effective tax rate.

Exterior of Abbey Delray

Luxury Retirement in Delray Beach at Abbey Delray

If you’ve determined that retiring in South Florida is right for you, and if Delray Beach’s ideal location, gorgeous scenery, and engaging lifestyle have piqued your interest, the next step is to discover more about  Abbey Delray. A charming and luxurious senior apartment rental community in Palm Beach County, Abbey Delray is the type of place where older active adults celebrate life together, surrounded by a city designed to help them flourish.

Complete the form on this page to learn more, or call us at 888.589.5778. We look forward to giving you a closer look at Abbey Delray!