Discover the Sunny Coastal Town Where Retirees Are Flocking for a Walkable Lifestyle

An ideal retirement locale depends on whether you prefer sun or snow, and what you can do to pass your newfound time in your favorite weather. South Beach, Florida, is one of three small-town neighborhoods that make up the barrier island of Miami Beach, and it offers plenty of sunshine. Nestled at Miami’s south end, it stretches from 23rd Street to South Pointe Park. Locals affectionately refer to it as “SoBe.”

South Beach’s citizens are a balanced blend of youthful spirits and retirees. More than half of its residents are age 65 or older, spending their nonworking days waking up to sunshine and the subtle roar of the sea. South Beach scored high on our list of the best retirement destinations to call home in 2026.

What Will It Cost You to Live in South Beach?

South Beach’s sun and sand come with a somewhat significant price tag. Your home is likely to cost you 119.6% more than the national average if you choose to purchase rather than rent your new abode. A two-bedroom rental will run you about $1,850 a month. That’s just 29.4% more than the national average.

Energy costs tend to run high because of South Beach’s Florida climate. Think air conditioning throughout a healthy portion of the year. Then there’s insurance. You may want to invest in flood and weather-related coverage because Florida weather can take severe turns during hurricane season.

Now here’s the good news: Florida does not impose an income tax on its residents. Your Social Security and other retirement income are tax-free at the state level, as are capital gains. Florida doesn’t impose estate or inheritance taxes, either, and its sales tax rate isn’t prohibitive. Neither prescription nor nonprescription medications are taxed.

Florida’s property tax rate is about 0.74% of your home’s assessed value, but the state offers a property tax break to those ages 65 and older, subject to a few qualifying rules. Widows and widowers are eligible for a $5,000 property tax exemption.

Getting Around South Beach

You can save money on transportation as well if you choose to retire here. The South Beach Local bus route will cost you just 25 cents. Yes, you read that right, and it stops at 20-plus locations of interest along its path from West and Washington avenues to the Convention Center located on 17th Street. The service is available six days a week from 8 a.m. until 1 a.m. and from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. on Sundays and holidays.

South Beach has also offered a trolley service since November 2017. The vehicles are low-floored to make access and departure easier, and they’ll deliver you to a wide range of restaurants, stores, and other enjoyable places to visit. They include Lincoln Road Mall, the New World Symphony, Bass Museum, Fillmore Theater, and the Miami City Ballet.

Comfortably taking a stroll to get where you want to go isn’t out of the question, either. The Sunset Harbour neighborhood is home to two grocery stores that are easily accessible on foot. The Lincoln Road Mall area has been dubbed as one of the most “pedestrian-friendly” locations in the Miami area.

Fifth Street south to the Atlantic Ocean is renowned for its walkability as well. The South Pointe Beach and Pier, a favorite among pet walkers and exercisers, is only a stride or five away. Lincoln Road Mall is notably pedestrian-only. It’s largely outdoors and is South Beach’s primary shopping area.

What To Do with Your Newfound Free Time?

South Beach is famous for its Latin culture, offering numerous Cuban “cafecitos.” Many of them are quiet and laid-back if that’s what you’re looking for. Plus, South Beach DJs are said to be masters of Cuban music, and the town provides an extensive range of restaurants as well. They offer a variety of cuisines from around the world. The South Beach area south of Fifth Street is celebrated for its restaurants and nightclubs, all easily reachable on foot.

You won’t want to miss out on the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, or you might consider visiting nearby Coconut Grove for its Arts Festival that draws visitors from around the world. The city offers numerous walking tours of area architecture provided by the Miami Design Preservation League’s Art Deco Welcome Center if you want to wander into Miami.

South Beach Weather Is (Mostly) Kind

They call Florida the Sunshine State for a reason. Winters here are notoriously mild. It can be an ideal climate for you if you enjoy outdoor activities like golfing or gardening. South Beach is said to boast 277 sunny days each year with average temperatures in the upper 70s year-round. Daytime highs in winter run from about 65 to 77 degrees.

Summers tend to be humid and very hot, however, and this is something you might want to keep in mind if you like the outdoors. This weather can prompt heat-related illnesses and dehydration in retirees if it’s not handled with care. The months of November through April offer lower humidity, however, so you can always wait to do your golfing or walking tours in the winter. Otherwise, you might want to time your activities for the early morning or late afternoon, when the humidity tends to ease up a bit.

And then there’s hurricane season from June through November. Severe storms can mandate evacuation. Miami-Dade County offers an Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program in a worst-case scenario, if you have specialized transportation needs in an emergency, or just want a wellness call to make sure you’re OK after an event.

Healthcare Availability

Other emergencies you might encounter have little to do with South Beach’s nearly perfect weather. Health considerations become more common in your golden years. The state of Florida is retiree-friendly in this respect and is known for its communities that offer in-house healthcare support. And South Beach offers the proximity of Miami’s top-notch hospitals and healthcare providers.

As for paying for your health needs, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers the Alliance for Aging’s SHINE Program in cooperation with the Local Area Agency on Aging. SHINE stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. The program provides trained volunteers who can help navigate you through issues related to health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid if you encounter a problem. The service is free, confidential, and one-on-one.

The Bottom Line

You can do far worse than South Beach, Miami, if you’re considering places to retire. It scored well in our research into the best places to live after you reach retirement. The weather is warm and welcoming, and transportation options are inexpensive and innovative. Florida is also taxpayer-friendly.