One Of Florida's Best Counties To Retire To Is An East Coast Escape With Charming Towns And Less Crowded Beaches

Florida routinely tops lists of the best retirement states. Although part of that is probably due to sheer momentum, it's been the most popular retirement state for decades. With so many seniors already there and a culture built around them, it makes sense that more people keep flocking there, but retiring in the Sunshine State still offers clear advantages. There's no state income tax, so Social Security benefits, pensions, and 401(k) withdrawals aren't taxed at the state level. Its property taxes are also below the national average. And although heat overwhelms much of the year, the warm winters are sublime, especially for anybody sick of shoveling snow. Of all the retirement hot spots in Florida, there's one overlooked Atlantic coast county that offers the perks seniors expect, with a laid-back, old-fashioned culture that evokes a long-gone Florida: Martin County.

Roughly halfway between Orlando and Miami, with President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT) about 40 miles away, Martin County ranks No. 10 on Niche's list of the best counties for retirees in America. Its criteria include the number of retirees, weather, and access to health care, giving Martin an A+ for retirees. About 33% of Martin's residents are 65 or older; add in those between 55 and 64, and almost half its residents are at or near retirement age. The Florida weather's what you expect: warm (eight months average a daily high above 80 degrees Fahrenheit) and wet (it averages 53 inches of rain a year), with virtually no snowfall. Health care is another plus. Cleveland Clinic operates two full-service hospitals in Stuart, both with 24/7 emergency services.

What really makes Martin work for seniors is its style of life. Martin's cluster of small towns, with Stuart as the biggest city, is a charming throwbacks that retain a slow pace despite ample activities. Its tourism office touts the county's 22 miles of beaches as a less crowded alternative to busier Florida beach destinations. Martin is easy, and isn't that what you want from retirement?

Martin County has nearly a dozen communities, including five incorporated municipalities, and only Stuart has more than 7,000 residents. Just under 20,000 people live in Stuart, while Indiantown claims over 6,000, Sewall's Point tips the scale at about 2,000, and the rest, like Jupiter Island and Ocean Breeze, are specks on the map, with fewer than 1,000 residents each. This small scope is a plus for retirees; it fosters a relaxed atmosphere the county has intentionally cultivated, which is ideal for your golden years. Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound add to that charm with quaint shops, galleries, and a laid-back beach-town feel.

That low-key vibe persists despite Florida's rampant growth over the decades because Martin wants it to. There's a county-wide restriction on buildings over four stories tall, so you won't find the towering hotels and condo developments common on many Florida beaches in Stuart or Martin's other towns. One potential drawback, however, is the cost of buying a home. A 2025 SmartAsset study ranked Martin County the fourth-most expensive county in Florida for homebuyers, just ahead of the retirement haven of Sarasota, which can make it a challenge for the average retiree. If you can afford the high housing costs, though, Martin's focus on keeping its towns at a manageable size is a perk.

Low-rise development also helps preserve the uncrowded, small-town old Florida atmosphere the county promotes. Stuart is full of historic buildings, with the St. Lucie River just beyond downtown. You can soak up that old-school atmosphere at the various special events held downtown throughout the year, and getting around is a snap, as free trams run seven days a week. 

Florida's famous collection of beaches is a major reason to retire to the state, and fortunately, Martin County promotes its own as a less crowded alternative to many of Florida's better-known beach destinations. It's another by-product of the county's restrictions on tall buildings; without the big towers full of rooms for tourists to fill, Martin's miles of beaches are used primarily by locals, keeping the crowds down. Martin has over a dozen beaches, including popular ones like Jensen Beach, Stuart Beach, and Bathtub Beach on Hutchinson Island. To make its beaches more accessible to seniors, Martin offers free beach wheelchairs at three locations: Hobe Sound Beach, Jensen Beach, and Stuart Beach. Just talk to a lifeguard at one of their stations, and they should be able to hook you up with one.

The beaches are among Martin County's most notable recreational options. No matter your activity level, retirees can explore Martin's nature. Ecotourism is a big focus in Martin, with over 115,000 acres of conservation land, plus five state parks, including the under-the-radar Atlantic Ridge Preserve State Park. Its Explore Natural Martin program offers birding tours, low-intensity "interpretive" hikes perfect for seniors, nighttime sea turtle nesting walks, and more. Best of all, they're all free — perfect when you're living on a set budget. The county also has several fine golf courses, including The Shores of North River Golf Club and Jensen Beach Golf Club, both rated 3.9 by GolfPass users. Anglers know Stuart as "the Sailfish Capital of the World," and you can find over 800 species of fish in its waters; Sandsprit Park and the Jensen Beach Causeway Park are two popular places to cast your line. For a quiet county, Martin has a lot to keep you busy during your retirement.