Healthy Living, Fitness

Vero Beach - A Haven for Wellbeing and Fun

Vero Beach Beaches
Published on June 30, 2015

TOP FLORIDA RETIREMENT CITIES

Folks looking where to retire in Florida should consider exploring one of the best small beach towns, Vero Beach.  Baby Boomers and families of all ages are flocking to the Treasure Coast that boasts 30 miles of unspoiled white sandy beaches for the healthy lifestyle and low cost of living. The mainland is separated by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Indian River Lagoon that stretches across 5 miles at the widest part of the river. Indian River Lagoon is a protected estuary and is home to more than 2,000 bird species and nearly half of Florida’s manatees pass through the river during migration season.  With ocean water sparkling emerald green and coral reefs so close that folks can see the submerged Spanish shipwrecks from the shoreline, no wonder this is a destination location for Vero Beach golf communities at retirement.

Early risers owning Vero Beach luxury homes on the barrier island enjoy watching dolphins frolicking and schools of fish leaping enticing anglers at sunrise to head out to Sebastian Inlet which is known as the best fishing in Florida.  Game fish the likes of Snook, Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel running through the inlet make Vero Beach the perfect place to enjoy fishing, especially when the tides shift.  Sebastian is also known as the best place to surf in Florida and annually hosts an exhilarating surfing competition.  Water sports abound and provide the ultimate entertainment for active Boomers and their families.

For discerning Boomers, the world class $2.5 million Riverside Theatre is where off Broadway performances, comedy headliners and the Distinguished Lecture Series are held. Concerts on the lawn and art festivals are held on the grounds between the Vero Beach Art Museum and Riverside Theatre. While strolling through the streets of Vero Beach, residents can enjoy the life size collection of painted sea turtles that accent the city’s sidewalks. Rating Guide to Cities named Vero Beach as the “best small city” in Florida and is one of 4 Florida towns included in “the 100 Best Art Towns in America”.  The Vero Beach Art Club has 600 active members and the best annual art festivals include Art in the Park, Under the Oaks and Art by the Sea.  On the first Friday of every month, art lovers can check out the latest exhibits in historic downtown during the evening Art Gallery Stroll.

With 30% of the population in Vero Beach over 65, city services cater to seniors.  Indian River Medical Center has been ranked as the number one Heart Program in Florida and is affiliated with Duke University Health Care System. 

Staying active is the key to good health and a fulfilling retirement.  You may be surprised to discovery the Indian River County Library System offers a variety of fitness programs for seniors.  There are 2 libraries to highlight, the Main Library and Brackett Library.

At the Main Library residents can enjoy:

  • Yoganites at 5:30pm Monday nights.  Designed for beginners, all levels are welcome.  Donations are suggested and no registration is required.
  • Chair EZ Fit is offered at 12:00pm offering techniques for breathing, balance, focus, stamina and stress relief.
  • ABC Tai Chi is offered at 5:30pm and focuses on overall well-being. A=Alignment, B=Balance, and C=Control.  Benefits of Tai Chi include improved relaxation, sleep habits and increased focus.

At the Brackett Library folks will find the following:

  • Breath Blends is offered at 1:00pm using blended techniques which include deep yoga breathing, balance exercises, muscle control and stretching utilizing chairs.
  • Craft n Chat is offered on Tuesdays at 5:30pm.  The instructor presents the YANG style of Tai Chi, known as the gentle art of Self Defense.
  • Beyond Balance is offered at 12:30pm and is excellent for seniors.  This class was created for those wanting improved fitness, focus, toning, better balance, stamina and a weights workout.

In addition to living “in paradise”, retirees and couples raising a family can live comfortably in homes found under $150k.  On the opposite extreme, Johns Island and Windsor are Vero Beach’s wealthiest addresses with estates valued as much as $30 million. With no state income tax, the state continues to be very appealing to Boomers searching for where to retire in Florida.

There are several Vero Beach golf communities for golf enthusiasts and year round sunny weather permits the perfect environment for Boomers who enjoy the sport.  While most golf courses in Vero Beach are located in private gated communities, in the summer there are 17 Indian River private clubs that open up their courses to full golf club members at reciprocal clubs.  Here are a few:

  • Bent Pine Golf Club
  • Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club
  • Riomar Country Club
  • The Moorings Club

There are also 2 public golf courses:

  • Sandridge Golf Club
  • Sebastian Municipal

Golf is a great way to enjoy the exquisite surroundings found here while staying fit. Here’s a few places to find Vero Beach luxury homes, low maintenance condominiums, and deepwater property:

The Moorings in Vero Beach is a community offering specious luxury homes and condominiums on the deepwater finger islands connected to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Indian River Lagoon.  Buyers here have the option of private boat docks along 7.5 miles of Indian River Lagoon frontage.  The Moorings golf course designed by Pete Dye is exceptionally beautiful as it borders the Indian River Lagoon and ends at the community’s impressive 58,000 square foot clubhouse where there is a pro shop, a heated resort-style swimming pool, poolside grill and fine dining in the club restaurant. Active Boomers will enjoy the community’s 6,500 square foot state of the art fitness center.  Other amenities include:

  • Attractive Entrance
  • Pete Dye designed 18 Hole Golf Course
  • 58,000-square-foot Clubhouse overlooking the Indian River
  • 6,500 square foot Fitness Center
  • Tennis Facility with Nine Fast-Dry Courts
  • Resort-style swimming pool

The Yacht Club is the community’s largest social club and is only $200 a year.  Established in the late 1970’s this ideal location is the definitely one of the places to retire in Florida and enjoy the sunset views.  

Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club is yet another community to checkout when looking for Vero Beach golf communities.  The community won Community Finder’s 2015 Bliss Award for Best Florida Community of the Year. Grand Harbor has it all: 2 championship golf courses, a tennis center with 10 Har-Tru courts, a 32,000 square foot clubhouse, beachfront clubhouse, a deepwater marina with 144 boat slips and a staffed fitness center.  Both clubhouses have first class restaurants and private poolside cabanas adorn the Olympic-sized swimming pool.  Other amenities include:

  • Gated Entrance
  • Two Championship Golf Courses - 
    • The River Course designed by Joe Lee
    • The Harbor Course designed by Pete Dye
  • Private Beach Club with Oceanfront Olympic-sized Swimming Pool and Dining
  • Protected Marina with 144 boat slips off the Intracoastal Waterway
  • 32,000 square foot Golf Clubhouse with Dining
  • Modern Fitness Center staffed with Personal Trainers
  • Tennis Center with 10 Har-Tru Courts and 2 Stadium Courts
  • 3 Bocce Ball Courts

There is a variety of home choices found here in neighborhoods such as Harbor Pointe, Harbor Island and Harbor Village.  Whether shopping for a condo, townhome or single family homes, Grand Harbor Golf and Beach Club provides an excellent active lifestyle.

More Vero Beach luxury homes can be found at The River Club at Carlton on the barrier island. Located just north of Johns Island and established in early 2000, this gated community features luxury homes with lavish tropical landscaping and breathtaking views of the Indian River.  Many of the estate size homes are located on the Indian River Lagoon.  When shopping for true elegance, the River Club is a good place to start.  Here are the amenities found here:

  • 24 Hour Manned Gated Entrance
  • Two Community Clubhouses & Fitness Center
  • Two Swimming Pools and Jacuzzi
  • One Har-Tru Tennis Court
  • Fishing Pier and Community Boat Dock
  • Nature Preserve

Active Boomers will be thrilled to know that there is a safe bike path along A1A which spans the entire length of the barrier island. 

Another Vero Beach gated community is The Island Club. Developed around cascading lakes, this charming neighborhood is located on a barrier island and is within walking distance of pristine beaches and the 8 mile Historic Jungle Trail bordering the Indian River Lagoon.  Nine miles north of The Island club is the well-known Sebastian inlet which is known for both fishing and awesome surfing.  There are 2 gated neighborhoods, Oceanside and Riverside with a Mediterranean Revival architectural style accented by tropical landscaping and tranquil lakes.  The amenities found here include:

  • Gated Entrance
  • Two Clubhouses
  • Two Resort-style Swimming Pools
  • Riverfront Fishing Pier
  • Tennis Court 
  • Beach Access

If you’re considering where to retire in Florida that revolves around the great outdoors, we highly recommend you begin with exploring Vero Beach on the Treasure Coast. Ask us for our free Vero Beach relocation information to help you learn more about the area.