Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Gulf Breeze, Florida
Across from Pensacola on the Florida Panhandle, Sun-Drenched, Summery Gulf Breeze Boasts a Zoo and is Close to White Sand Beaches
Idyllic Gulf Breeze sits at the end of the Fairpoint Peninsula on the western Florida Panhandle and is considered a suburb of Pensacola, which is just six miles away across Santa Rosa Sound via the Pensacola Bay Bridge. Pristine beaches and azure waters are next door in the Naval Live Oaks Preserve, which is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and on Pensacola Beach, just across the water.
Aside from the beaches, the major attraction is the Gulf Breeze Zoo, with 50 free-range acres and hundreds of animals, including ostriches, wildebeests, chimps, zebras and more. It has an elevated observation boardwalk to make spotting the inhabitants easier. The town also maintains a recreation center, and 53% of its land, which equals 517 acres, is devoted to parks and green spaces. This includes Shoreline Park South, which has a boat ramp, a fishing pier and swimming area. Lovely Tiger Point Golf Club has views of the Gulf. Homes are fairly similar, mostly brick or stucco ranch ramblers. Retailers and restaurants not in Gulf Breeze are usually found in Pensacola.
Restoration of beautiful Deadman's Island, once a ship graveyard but now a migratory bird stopover and a recreational paradise, has been a focal point for the city since 2007. The island's current uses include paddleboarding, crabbing, and kayaking.
Gulf Breeze has about 7,000 people, with 51% of residents age 45 or better. The population has grown 9% during the last decade. Fifty-six percent of residents hold a four-year college degree.
The cost of living is 10% above the national average, and the median home price is around $500,000. Real estate prices have increased 5% from last year.
The area has a humid subtropical climate with two main seasons—one hot and humid and the other less so—and receives about 63 inches of rain annually. Hurricanes have caused damage in the past.
Gulf Breeze Hospital provides medical care. Public transit is available, and there is a public library. The crime rate is below the national average. Politics lean to the right.
The western Florida Panhandle stretches from Pensacola to Panama City and is known for its gorgeous sugar-white beaches, emerald-green waters, and laid-back coastal lifestyle. The region blends Southern charm with a strong Gulf Coast influence, offering a slower pace of life compared to Florida’s larger cities.
Pensacola, with its historic downtown and naval air station, anchors the western edge, while smaller communities like Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin provide a mix of beach towns and family-friendly neighborhoods, many popular with military personnel.
While hurricanes remain a risk, the western Panhandle continues to attract those seeking scenic beaches, cultural heritage, and a relaxed coastal environment.
Florida is considered tax-friendly for retirement.
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