Retirement should offer you more than the freedom to sleep late or a discount at the movies. Retirement is newfound freedom that can inspire you to live the life you’ve always imagined with as much energy, excitement, and connection as you choose. In other words, greater longevity with all the ingredients of healthy aging. Retirement in Palm Harbor offers this and so much more!

At St. Mark Village, we are excited to share why so many forward-thinking older adults have chosen Palm Harbor as their retirement address. Here you can truly live the good life, and live well—and retire without worry.

What Makes Retirement in the Tampa Bay Area a Perfect Choice?

When it comes to having what you need for healthy aging, retirement in the Tampa Bay area goes above and beyond with advantages you won’t find anywhere else. In upcoming articles, we’ll examine these in more detail.

But first, here’s a snapshot of what makes the Tampa Bay area so popular with retirees.

• Great Location for Getting Where You Want to Go

Located north of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, in the Tampa Bay area, Palm Harbor is ranked one of the best places to live in Florida. Surrounding communities include Tarpon Springs (to the north), Dunedin and Clearwater (to the south), Oldsmar (to the east) and Ozona (to the west). Clearwater/St. Pete Airport and Tampa International Airport are within driving distance. There’s lots to do and explore in every direction, including the renowned Innisbrook Golf Resort, home of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship.

• A Bounty of Fresh Food and Exceptional Dining

Foodies adore retirement in Palm Harbor. That’s because year-round, you can find an array of farmer’s markets with everything from fresh eggs and produce to roasted peanuts, homecrafted jewelry and live music. A few examples are The Dunedin Downtown Market, Keystone Farmers Market, and Safety Harbor Market on Main.

And when it comes to dining out, you can’t go wrong with Palm Harbor restaurants. Everything from Hawaiian barbecue to fresh seafood to Italian and Greek cuisine to sandwiches and locally made ice cream. (In our next article, we’ll give you some names!)

• Learning and Exploring is Easy to Do

There’s lot to discover when you choose a retirement in Palm Harbor. There’s our historical Palm Harbor Museum, if you’re interested in exploring town history and architecture. Or you might visit the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, rated one of the finest in the country, to learn more about life under the sea. There are two Osher Lifelong Learning Centers (Tampa, St. Petersburg) that offer classes and events and opportunities to teach. Arts classes and workshops are regularly held at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

• Getting Together with Others is a Snap

Festivals, celebrations, holiday events, parades, farmer’s markets, art fairs, concerts…even a festival honoring pirates…retirement in Palm Harbor makes socializing a breeze. And that’s good news, since everyone, including introverts, needs the company of friends now and then.

Sports fans will love knowing the Tampa Bay area is home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (MLB,) and hockey’s Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL). The Tampa Yankees play minor league ball in Tampa (affiliate of the NY Yankees) and in Clearwater, the Clearwater Threshers (Class single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies) play as well. Springtime visitors can catch some Grapefruit League action.

• The Benefits of Natural Beauty

Palm Harbor’s climate is perfect for getting all the benefits of being outdoors. You can expect 80 in the summer and 60 in the winter. And no snow!

Due to its direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Palm Harbor offers facilities for fishing, boating and diving. For land recreation, the Pinellas Trail offers 34 miles of jogging, biking, strolling and other forms of outdoor activities. Birders love the Largo Central Park Nature Preserve, home to more than 130 species of birds with a two-story observation tower and a .75 mile trail. And of course beautiful beaches are close by, including Honeymoon Island, considered one of Florida’s top beaches.

• A Culture of Health and Wellness

It’s not just the sea breeze and good vibrations that make retirement in Palm Harbor good for you. (Several studies have reported that people living within a short distance of a beach have lower blood pressure, less stress, and a stronger feeling of wellbeing. But you probably already guessed that.)

HealthCareInsider ranks the Tampa Bay area in the nation’s Top 20 Metro Areas for Healthcare.

Residents of Palm Harbor have access to several nearby hospitals including Mease Countryside Hospital, Florida Hospital North Pinellas, Morton Plant Hospital, and Medical Center of Trinity. All of these are located within 10 miles of Palm Harbor.

Retirement in the Tampa Bay Area: Live Well Without Worry!

At St. Mark Village, our residents love that everything they need is right here—and so much more. They’re enjoying a carefree retirement that inspires them to be as active and involved as they choose, knowing they are supported in every way. In fact, seamless access to higher levels of care is just one of our unique benefits. But there’s so much more—and we’d love to tell you all about it.

As you consider the future, consider retirement in Palm Harbor at St. Mark Village. We think you’ll be very glad you did.

New to Palm Harbor? Download our free guide, A Guide to Living Well During Retirement in Palm Harbor, Florida. Or contact us today.