Florida is a favored retirement spot for Americans due to factors like pleasant climate, favorable taxation, and beautiful coastlines. However, choosing the ideal city within this vast state can pose quite a challenge. Delray Beach stands out as an option worth considering.
one of Florida’s best towns for beach-filled fun, parks, and art
, and
Rand McNally and USA Today
has dubbed it the “Most Enjoyable Small Town in America.” Nestled along Florida’s eastern coastline, Delray stands out as an ideal spot for older adults due to its acclaimed medical services and numerous retirement-friendly neighborhoods. The town offers myriad activities that strike a balance between relaxation and excitement across only 15 square miles. Its central location ensures ease of access for relatives and grandchildren visiting from afar. Located in South Palm Beach County on Florida’s east coast—approximately ten miles above Boca Raton and around 55 miles away from Miami—the nearest airport, Palm Beach International Airport, lies less than 20 miles northwest. Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport can be found some 30 miles southeast.
Originally an agricultural community that produced tomatoes and pineapples, in the 1920s artists and writers, including famed poet Edna St. Vincent Millay, started wintering in Delray and formed the Artists and Writers Colony, establishing an arts-forward cultural community there. By the 1970s, the U.S. interstate highway expansion had connected Delray with the rest of the country and started attracting more people who wanted to spend their winters in a culturally-minded beach town. Today, Delray Beach has evolved into a thriving small city and destination for retirees with more than 30 communities that cater to ages 55 and older, 18 golf courses, a thriving arts scene, and, of course, beautiful beaches.
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The 60-Year-Old Farmer’s Market, 18 Golf Courses, and the Art Trail Contribute to Delray’s Charm
Florida is
one of the best states to retire
Partly due to the climate, which allows for constant engagement in outdoor pursuits such as farmers’ markets, golf, bird watching, and art strolls throughout the year. Every Saturday morning, the Delray Beach Green Market takes place downtown outside the Old School Square—a cultural center listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Since 1996, this weekly, open-air market has been hosting numerous sellers offering items ranging from fruits and locally made pastries to freshly cut blooms and various crafts. During June and July, the GreenMarket operates between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.; however, from October to May, it stays open longer until 2 p.m.
Delray Beach emphasizes remaining active after turning 50. Here are some of the
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Located in Delray, the Wakodahatchee Wetlands Park offers local attractions. Additionally, Delray Beach hosts the yearly “Senior Games,” a qualifying event for the Olympic-style Florida Senior Games, including activities such as pickleball and powerlifting. Within a radius of 20 miles, you can find around 100 golf courses, with 18 situated specifically in Delray Beach. These include several private or age-restricted options, such as the Boca Delray Golf & Country Club in Delray Beach, which features an 18-hole layout winding through a 450-residence retirement community; another example is Kings Point Golf & Country Club, boasting an exclusive clubhouse within the Kings Point retirement complex.
Proud of its artistic heritage, Delray Beach organizes a monthly First Friday Art Walk on the initial Friday evening of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. During this time, local galleries and studios remain accessible for visits, featuring performances by musicians and various activities. Additionally, visitors have the opportunity to delve into Delray’s vibrant arts culture daily by following the city-provided art trail map, which showcases an array of murals and galleries across town.
Delray Beach Highlights Quality Cuisine, Community Spirit, and Compassion
Retirement feels like savoring every sip of coffee and lingering for an extra moment. Located in downtown Delray Beach, just steps from the shore, Atlantic Avenue serves as the city’s primary thoroughfare, surrounded by more than 120 eateries, most offering a distinctly European blend of indoor-outdoor seating where patrons can unwind with one or two drinks. Deke’s is a casual, pet-friendly café known for handpicking and roasting its own coffee beans. A short distance down the road lies Coffee District, a local hotspot where you can enjoy an espresso alongside a cold brew and a croissant.
Following your coffee, head east along Atlantic Avenue until you reach the coastline at Delray Beach Municipal Beach, which stands as the largest among the city’s trio of beaches. This expansive area features ample sand, volleyball nets, and facilities for renting chairs or cabanas. Further south, you’ll find two more parks: Anchor Park and Atlantic Dunes Park. Delray Beach distinguishes itself by having its vibrant downtown situated directly beside the sea—a feature that significantly shapes the town’s atmosphere—and it remains highly pedestrian-friendly. Just off this public beach lies Caffe Luna Rosa, an outdoor café perched next to the waters offering a predominantly seafood-focused evening menu alongside a casual brunch selection and a curated wine list.
In Delray Beach, focusing on healthcare and particularly senior health is crucial. The city boasts Delray Medical Center, which ranks among the best 250 hospitals in America and stands within the top 5% for providing excellent pulmonary care across the country. Additionally, Delray’s medical network includes specialized centers dedicated to elderly patients. There are more than 25 memory care facilities here designed specifically for individuals coping with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and various forms of cognitive decline.
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