Pair of Collier County hotspots rank in top 10 on national retirement list

Two parts of Collier County, Sarasota and Boca Grande are among the top places in Florida to retire, according to MarketBeat. The financial media company surveyed 3,000 retirees or people nearing retirement to come up with its list of the top 130 retirement destinations, and all three landed in the top 50.

While the Wilea neighborhood in Maui, Hawaii, claimed the top spot, Naples came in at No. 2.

Specifically, the Pelican Bay neighborhood in Naples was noted for its “environmental conservation efforts and luxury living,” complete with “private beaches, fine dining and active social clubs,” according to MarketBeat. Marco Island, south of Naples, was No. 9 on the list.  

Those surveyed were asked which neighborhood they would like to live in if money were not a concern.

Also on the list from the Gulf Coast were Sarasota’s Bird Key neighborhood, coming in at No. 29, and the Boca Grande community on Gasparilla Island, ranking No. 48.

The top retirement destinations spanned the country but incorporated many of the same themes, survey organizers say.

“Retirees are seeking locations that offer a blend of luxury, tranquility and active living,” Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat.com, says in a statement. “These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive financial planning and the desire for a high quality of life in retirement.”

Other Florida destinations on the list that were not on the Gulf Coast include Southeast Gables of Coral Gables (No. 3), The Villages (No. 5), Ponte Vedra Beach (No. 19), Golden Beach (No. 23), Palm Beach (No. 26), Orlando's Bay Hill (No. 27), Key Biscayne (No. 47) and Windermere (No. 55).

See the complete list of the 130 top places to retire from MarketBeat.