Long one of the world’s top retirement destinations, Florida’s latest affirmation as a place to enjoy one’s “next act” comes in the form of a national ranking.
Its Jacksonville and Sarasota metro areas are among the top 10 of U.S. News & World Report magazine’s 2025 Best Places to Retire.
Here’s why Jacksonville and Sarasota rank high on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Places to Retire list.
A deeper dive
U.S. News & World Report researchers analyzed the 150 most populated U.S. cities using public data sources in terms of affordability, desirability, happiness, healthcare quality, job markets and retiree taxes. An online survey of 3,500 people age 45 or older from across the U.S. asked respondents to rate cities as retirement destinations using the categories most important to them.
Those turned out to be housing affordability, tax rates, quality healthcare and the happiness level of local residents. Using data and survey responses, researchers ranked each city by its overall score on a 10-point scale.
Naples, Florida is No. 1, followed by Virginia Beach, Virginia at No. 2, New York, New York at No. 3, Sarasota at No. 4, Boise, Idaho at No. 5, Raleigh, North Carolina at No. 6, Jacksonville at No. 7, Huntsville, Alabama at No. 8, Charlotte, North Carolina at No. 9, and Fort Wayne, Indiana at No. 10.
ICI Homes in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is northeast Florida’s booming residential, business and outdoor recreational hub. Our division here is developing our own master-planned communities and serving as preferred builders in other new communities. Amelia National Golf & Country Club in Fernandina Beach is one of our signature properties with its Tom Fazio-designed golf course — perfect for soon-to-be-retired duffers intent on everyday play!
Other ICI Homes communities include Tidewater, Middlebourne and Tamaya, We’re preferred builders in the Seven Pines, Nocatee and SilverLeaf communities, and we’ll even build your retirement home on your lot in the Jacksonville area.
ICI Homes in Sarasota
Cited near gleaming Gulf beaches, Sarasota exudes a welcoming vibe that includes fast-growing arts, business and foodie scenes. While our Tampa division contributes to that area’s residential construction, we’re also tackling new projects further south. Sarasota is a new region for ICI Homes, and we’re beginning in the master-planned community of Wellen Park near Venice, only minutes south of Sarasota. Find us in the Palmera at Wellen Park neighborhood.
And, as mentioned above, there’s also the potential to build the custom retirement home of your dreams.
Ready for your new custom Florida home? Talk to ICI Homes here.