Best Places to Retire in Florida
Profile
Vero Beach (population approximately 18,000) is the county seat for Indian River County. It is located on Florida’s east coast, about 200 miles south of Jacksonville and 85 miles north of Palm Beach. The community has unspoiled ocean beaches and straddles the Indian River, which flows along the coast and is part of the Intracoastal Waterway. It offers great ocean vistas, and has a great deal of greenery and open space, which add to its attractiveness.
The lands in this area, along the Indian River, are well known for producing outstanding citrus crops. Surprisingly, this region is 100 miles farther east than Jacksonville and therefore benefits from the warmth of the Gulf Stream currents. http://www.covb.org/
Vero Beach is the primary commercial and cultural center for Indian River County. It offers all of the amenities, including good shopping and plenty of fine dining. There is both professional and community theater, and there are dozens of choices for outdoors activities, including the many water-related sports and activities, golf, following the L.A. Dodgers training activities, and much more. For those concerned about having state-of-the-art communications technology, Vero is served by three digital electronic switches and all are linked by fiber optic cables to ensure high quality service.
Just north of Vero Beach is Indian River Shores, which is an exclusive residential community with an estimate population of 3,440 people. Many are retired business executives. The community of Sebastian,13 miles to the north, began as a fishing community and is today a community of 16,000 people. Much like Vero Beach, it is an oceanside community with many water-oriented activities. It has the friendliness of a small town.
Arts & Culture
Vero Beach museum of art offers a variety of educational opportunities in the visual arts and humanities, both the members and the general public.
Riverside Theatre is a professional theater offering live stage performances, celebrity appearances, distinguished lecturers and special events.
Vero Beach Community Theater, operated by the Theatre Guild, offers a season series of five productions running from September through March. http://www.riversidetheatre.com/
Indian River Main Library has a collection of over 165,000-catalogued items. http://www.irclibrary.org/.
The law library is located within the Indian River County Courthouse and is open to the public.
Historic attractions include the Vero Beach Train Station built in1903. It also houses the Indian River County Historical Society. The Heritage Center/Citrus Museum preserves artifacts and memorabilia from the citrus pioneers. Jungle Trail Greenway, built in the 1920s, is a scenic drive along the Indian River. The Hallstrom House is a Swedish farmstead citrus and pineapple plantation from 1918. The Laura Riding Jackson House is an original cracker-style house built in 1910.
Recreation
Indian River County manages 41 parks, including eight full-service ocean beaches with facilities such as boardwalks, picnic tables, grills and restrooms. Sebastian Inlet State Park (also within the County) is one of the best surfing sites on the Eastern seaboard. It also has a fishing pier, fishing equipment, a bait shop, nature walks, and camping. There are also riverfront, inland, and regional parks offering exceptional facilities and opportunities for residents of all ages.
Gifford Aquatics Center is a family-oriented public swimming pool owned and operated by the county. The center has a walk-in activity pool and children’s spray/play deck. It is heated and six lanes are available for lap swimming. http://www.ircrec.com/GAC/Index.htm
Holman Stadium, seating 6,500, is the spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There are six public golf courses and 12 private or semi-public courses in Indian River County that accommodate all levels of play. Sandridge Municipal Golf Course has received national acclaim as one of the top public courses in the country.
Education
Paris Air, Inc., operates an FAA-approved computerized pilot testing center, charter reservation center, full service pilot shop and more. Enrolled students have use of computers, satellite weather center and free Internet access. http://www.parisair.com/
SeniorNet computer training (see Senior Programs below)
Senior Programs
The Council on Aging serves more than 10,000 residents through its programs and facilities. Its facilities include the Vero Beach Senior Center and the Sebastian Senior Center. It also has a county-wide transportation program.
SeniorNet of Vero Beach is one of over 220 independent, non-profit organizations located throughout the U.S., whose mission is enhancing and enriching the lives of adults over 50 through the use of personal computing and communications technology.
SeniorNet, which provides personal computer training at its learning center in Vero Beach.
Hospitals
Indian River Memorial Hospital, Vero Beach, is a 335-bed community, not-for-profit hospital. http://www.irmc.cc/gui/content.asp
Sebastian River Medical Center is a 129-bed hospital operated by health Management Associates, Naples, Fla.
Holmes Regional Trauma Center, located in Melbourne, is a 468-bed Level II trauma center.
Airports
Vero Beach Municipal Airport has three runways.
Orlando International Airport is 90 miles from Vero Beach. http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/main.htm
Weather
January temperatures are an average high of 73 degrees, and low of 54 degrees. July temperatures average a high of 90 degrees and a low of 73 degrees. August and September are the rainiest months with 5.0 to 7.1 inches of rain.
Property Taxes
Chamber of Commerce
The Indian River Chamber of Commerce serves Vero Beach. http://www.indianriverchamber.com/
Distances
Ft. Pierce – 14 miles (nearest ocean inlet) Sebastian – 13 miles Melbourne – 34 miles Stuart – 33 miles Daytona Beach – 125 miles West Palm Beach – 87 miles Jacksonville – 212 miles Orlando – 107 miles