Retirement - Senior Living

With a median age of 36, Jacksonville doesn’t have a huge senior citizen population like some South Florida cities do. Still, many people across the country are discovering what we locals learned a long time ago: Jacksonville is a great place to retire. The weather is warm, outdoor recreation is plentiful, housing is affordable, and the number of resources and opportunities for seniors grows every day. In short, Jacksonville helps seniors maintain active, independent lifestyles for as long as they are physically able.

One of the best things about retiring here is that the city of Jacksonville really appreciates its seniors, especially for their volunteer contributions.

In the late 1980s Jacksonville established a Special Events for Senior Citizens program that hosts events such as The Forever Fit 50 & Beyond Jacksonville Senior Games, MOB advisory meetings (Mayor’s Older Buddies), the Mayor’s Holiday Festival for Senior Citizens, the Jacksonville Senior Games, the Mayor’s Walk for Senior Wellness, and the Mayor’s Fish-a-Thon, to name only a few.

After talking with a number of senior citizens, we came up with a top-10 Insiders’ list of why it pays to be a senior in the River City. By no means is this list exhaustive, but it does contain some of the city’s star programs.

Top 10 Reasons for Seniors to Live in Jacksonville

1. Senior discounts. From a round of golf to a round of food, Jacksonville seniors have it made when it comes to discounts. Check below for some of our favorite discounts.

2. Learning never ends. Jacksonville University and UNF both host stellar continuing education programs. So do the city’s museums, hospitals, and libraries.

3. City programs. City Hall takes care of Jacksonville’s seniors with programs and events, from the mayor’s annual Christmas party to an annual volunteers’ luncheon.

4. Senior centers. The City of Jacksonville operates 19 senior centers throughout the city where seniors can socialize, play games, and get a hot midday meal for just pennies. Several locations even have weekly dances with live bands. Transportation is available Monday through Friday through the Senior Services Transportation Coordinator at (904) 630-0801.

5. Volunteer opportunities. City Hall will match volunteers over age 55 with their ideal volunteer opportunity.

6. Travel and wellness clubs. Local hospitals and tour companies take regular seniors-only bus trips to nearby points of interest.

7. Health care. From physicians who make house calls to the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville offers a full range of health care options for seniors.

8. Retirement communities. Jacksonville’s retirement communities, both upscale and moderate, offer a full range of services for the elderly, from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing.

9. Senior publications. Jacksonville offers a variety of free publications for seniors that are chock-full of information and articles.

10. The beach. No top-10 list of anything in Jacksonville is complete without a listing for the beach, our greatest natural resource.