Discover the Best Suburbs in Orlando, FL, for Active Adults

Buildings and colorful trees line Lake Eola near the best suburbs in Orlando, FL, for active adults.
Buildings and colorful trees line Lake Eola near the best suburbs in Orlando, FL, for active adults.

Many of the best suburbs in Orlando, FL, for active adults combine low-maintenance luxury with convenient access to gorgeous beaches, endless activities, and engaging environments. In this guide, we explore a few of these top Orlando suburbs that help make retirement truly feel like paradise in the Sunshine State. 


Summary:

  • Is Orlando a Good Place to Retire?

  • Best Suburbs of Orlando for Active Adults

  • New Homes in Orlando Suburbs for Active Adults

  • Conclusion


Is Orlando a Good Place to Retire? 

According to a 2024 survey by WalletHub®, Orlando ranked as the best city in America to retire. The survey included factors like the cost of living, things to do in the area, and access to quality health care. Orlando’s cost of living, as of January 2025 on Payscale®, is 1% lower than the national average. Housing and groceries are both 1% higher than the national average, but utilities are 3% lower. Additionally, as of January 2025, several healthcare facilities in Orlando are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report®. Orlando and its surrounding suburbs also offer numerous recreational activities for active adults and retirees, from golf and pickleball to cultural spots like museums, exciting amusement parks, and fun events like concerts.


Perhaps the most well-known reason people flock to Florida is because the state has an attractive tax situation. With no state income tax, residents get to keep more money in their wallets. The state sales tax rate is comparable to other states, too. Florida has a 6% sales tax, and Orange County (where Orlando is located) has a 0.5% county sales tax, which combines for an average 6.5% sales tax. 


Best Suburbs of Orlando for Active Adults 

In addition to tax incentives and wonderful year-round weather, the best suburbs of Orlando include plenty to do, beautiful homes you’ll love to live in, and proximity to downtown attractions and quality healthcare facilities. Let’s travel “The City Beautiful,” an appropriate nickname for this lovely place, and explore some of these nice suburbs of Orlando for active adults.


Minneola

Minneola is one of the best Orlando suburbs for retirees. Located in Lake County, Florida, an area full of lakes, Minneola sits on the edge of its namesake, Lake Minneola. Residents also enjoy easy access to Lake Minnehaha, Lake Apopka, and dozens of smaller lakes and ponds, making Minneola an ideal spot for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Other local attractions include the Minneola Trailhead Park, Lake Hiawatha Preserve, and Lakeridge Winery and Vineyard, which is less than five miles from Minneola. The Orlando Health South Lake Hospital is also conveniently close. Browse the new homes at Del Webb® Minneola, a 55+ community in this beautiful suburb.  


Sanford

Sanford is a more bustling area but still one of the best Orlando suburbs to live for active adults. Situated on Lake Monroe, Sanford is home to the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, a great source of entertainment for all ages. The Orlando Sanford International Airport is also located here, which makes this suburb a convenient spot for those who like to travel. 


Sanford is surrounded by nature, so locals have no shortage of ways to spend the day outdoors. You can take a leisurely stroll along the Sanford Riverwalk or hike through the greenery of the Lake Monroe Conservation area or nearby Seminole State Forest. Additionally, the area offers theatre, music, and art galleries to enjoy, along with numerous restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.


 

A firepit, green space, and lake in one of the best Orlando suburbs for retirees
A firepit, green space, and lake in one of the best Orlando suburbs for retirees

St. Cloud

A spot farther south of downtown on this list of some of the best suburbs near Orlando, FL, is St. Cloud. In fact, as of January 2025, Niche® ranks St. Cloud #2 among the top places to live in Osceola County, describing the area as having a suburban rural feel with a 28-mile ride into downtown Orlando.


Surrounded by four lakes and lots of nature, you can spend a day on the green at a local golf course or wander along East Lake Tohopekaliga. Downtown St. Cloud has a monthly market featuring local artisans and a farmers’ market, as well as planned events throughout the year. Plus, the Florida coastline is only about 50–60 miles away. If you’re looking to live in quiet, low-maintenance luxury within this suburb, check out our active adult communities, Del Webb Twin Lakes and Del Webb Sunbridge.


Winter Garden

One of the best suburbs in Orlando, Florida, for retirees is Winter Garden, which is about 15 miles west of downtown Orlando. According to reviews on Niche as of January 2025, Winter Garden has a very community-oriented atmosphere. It’s not uncommon to see downtown Winter Garden brimming with people. The quaint area has a year-round farmers market, a weekly event with live music called Fridays on the Plaza, and an artisanal market. The downtown area is also home to the “city’s living room,” as residents affectionately refer to Centennial Plaza, an area with flowers, swings, benches, a fountain, and a clock tower.


Winter Garden also offers easy access to Lake Apopka, the roughly 22-mile West Orange bike trail, and Newton Park (on the shore of Lake Apopka). Locals praise the food at the Historic Edgewater Hotel, but the downtown area has several other popular dining options, and you can even participate in a food tour. 


Winter Park

A more affluent Orlando suburb is Winter Park, which is called the “City of Culture and Heritage.” Here, you’ll find plenty of green space, shops, and attractions to explore. One of the best suburbs of Orlando to live in for active adults, Winter Park has golf courses, a tennis center, a pedestrian and bicycle program, and several parks. One of the area’s most popular spots is Central Park, which spans 11 acres. Next to Central Park is Park Avenue, the heart of the shopping district, lined with boutiques and restaurants and offering a fun way to spend the day.


While the cost of housing in Winter Park is high—about 37% higher than the national average, according to Payscale as of January 2025—the suburb has an active events calendar, including a weekly farmers market. During the summer, when the Sunshine State’s temperatures might be a bit too high for being outside, residents of Winter Park are conveniently close to the numerous museums and art galleries.


 

Exterior of a new construction home in one of the best Orlando suburbs to live for active adults
Exterior of a new construction home in one of the best Orlando suburbs to live for active adults

New Homes in Orlando Suburbs for Active Adults 

The best suburbs around Orlando for active adults are filled with gorgeous homes you’ll love to live in. These communities are conveniently close to Orlando’s city center, so homeowners have access to grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers, as well as abundant recreational activities and cultural attractions:


  • Del Webb Minneola: This over-55 community sits on one of the highest peaks in Central Florida, Sugarloaf Mountain. Del Webb Minneola has a two-story clubhouse filled with multipurpose rooms, sports courts, and other resort-style amenities. Many home designs here have flex space, so owners can customize the layout to fit their needs and activities, whether it becomes an office, sewing room, or guest bedroom. New homes here start in the upper 424Ks. 


  • Del Webb Twin Lakes: Homeowners of Del Webb Twin Lakes benefit from a waterfront clubhouse with a boat dock, perfect for launching kayaks and canoes, too. Residing in Twin Lakes is like living in a permanent paradise, with sports courts, a putting green, and a serene and inviting neighborhood atmosphere. Twin Lakes offers single-family homes starting from the high $330Ks.


  • Del Webb Sunbridge: Del Webb Sunbridge is a new community that’s conveniently close to Lake Nora. Homeowners have access to the 27,000-square-foot clubhouse that’s outfitted with numerous sports courts, multipurpose rooms for clubs, a tavern and grill, a fitness center, and so much more. New homes in this community start in the high $366Ks.


If you’re looking for more options, Pulte® also offers a 55+ active adult community in Orlando.


Conclusion

Orlando, Florida, is appealing for many reasons, from the tax benefits to the summer-like weather all year, and continues to draw new homebuyers starting the next chapter in their lives. Whether you want proximity to nature or a cute downtown area with plenty of places to shop, many of the best suburbs in Orlando, FL, for active adults include all those things, as well as beautiful 55+ communities from Del Webb where you can thrive. 


Explore active adult communities in Orlando, FL, today, or browse more Del Webb blogs



Written By: Alexandra Shimalla, Freelance Journalist and Former Orlando Resident

Last Updated: 5/22/25