Which Tampa Bay counties are the best to retire to in Florida?
TAMPA, Fla. (STACKER)  Buyers and sellers of real estate alikewhen asked what are the three most essential considerations about a propertywill nearly always reply location, location, location. While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and perhaps raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible. When seniors aged 65 years or older decide on where they want to live out their golden years, they consider very specific factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more. Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to retire in Florida using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, healthcare, recreation and weather. Location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities; however, its a very unique decision based on a multitude of preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these counties recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like homeno matter the location. Read on to discover the best counties to retire to in Florida. #25. Gulf County   Population: 15,576   Median home value: $160,700 (74% own)   Median rent: $1,037 (26% rent)   Median household income: $47,712  #24. Nassau County   Population: 83,098   Median home value: $230,900 (80% own)   Median rent: $1,046 (20% rent)   Median household income: $69,943  #23. Levy County   Population: 40,403   Median home value: $105,700 (78% own)   Median rent: $720 (22% rent)   Median household income: $37,326  #22. St. Johns County   Population: 244,674   Median home value: $304,700 (80% own)   Median rent: $1,312 (20% rent)   Median household income: $82,252  #21. Franklin County   Population: 11,811   Median home value: $166,000 (75% own)   Median rent: $802 (25% rent)   Median household income: $46,643  #20. Flagler County   Population: 109,801   Median home value: $217,500 (76% own)   Median rent: $1,255 (24% rent)   Median household income: $54,514  #19. Pasco County   Population: 524,602   Median home value: $162,100 (72% own)   Median rent: $1,062 (28% rent)   Median household income: $52,828   Top places to live: Wesley Chapel (A), Land O Lakes (A), Odessa (A)  #18. St. Lucie County   Population: 312,947   Median home value: $186,900 (73% own)   Median rent: $1,185 (27% rent)   Median household income: $52,322  #17. Marion County   Population: 353,526   Median home value: $139,900 (75% own)   Median rent: $896 (25% rent)   Median household income: $45,371  #16. Palm Beach County   Population: 1,465,027   Median home value: $283,600 (69% own)   Median rent: $1,398 (31% rent)   Median household income: $63,299  #15. Volusia County   Population: 536,487   Median home value: $175,000 (70% own)   Median rent: $1,046 (30% rent)   Median household income: $49,494  #14. Hernando County   Population: 186,313   Median home value: $142,500 (78% own)   Median rent: $984 (22% rent)   Median household income: $48,812   Top places to live: Brooksville (B+), North Brooksville (B), Spring Hill (B)  #13. Manatee County   Population: 384,213   Median home value: $238,500 (73% own)   Median rent: $1,144 (27% rent)   Median household income: $59,009   Top places to live: Whitfield (A-), South Bradenton (B+), West Bradenton (B+)  #12. Collier County   Population: 371,453   Median home value: $360,800 (73% own)   Median rent: $1,317 (27% rent)   Median household income: $69,653  #11. Lake County   Population: 345,867   Median home value: $181,400 (74% own)   Median rent: $1,084 (26% rent)   Median household income: $54,513  #10. Citrus County   Population: 145,169   Median home value: $131,500 (82% own)   Median rent: $843 (18% rent)   Median household income: $44,237   Top places to live: Citrus Hills (B+), Sugarmill Woods (B+), Homosassa Springs (B)  #9. Brevard County   Population: 585,507   Median home value: $196,400 (74% own)   Median rent: $1,068 (26% rent)   Median household income: $56,775  #8. Sumter County   Population: 125,044   Median home value: $258,600 (90% own)   Median rent: $914 (10% rent)   Median household income: $57,226  #7. Martin County   Population: 159,065   Median home value: $273,700 (78% own)   Median rent: $1,111 (22% rent)   Median household income: $61,133  #6. Pinellas County   Population: 964,666   Median home value: $201,200 (67% own)   Median rent: $1,112 (33% rent)   Median household income: $54,090   Top places to live: Euclid-St. Paul (A+), Crescent Heights (A+), North Shore (A+)  #5. Charlotte County   Population: 181,067   Median home value: $195,400 (80% own)   Median rent: $1,032 (20% rent)   Median household income: $51,499  #4. Lee County   Population: 737,468   Median home value: $224,800 (72% own)   Median rent: $1,154 (28% rent)   Median household income: $57,832  #3. Highlands County   Population: 103,437   Median home value: $108,100 (75% own)   Median rent: $816 (25% rent)   Median household income: $40,942   Top places to live: Lake Placid (B), Avon Park (B-), Sebring (B-)  #2. Indian River County   Population: 153,989   Median home value: $202,300 (79% own)   Median rent: $959 (21% rent)   Median household income: $54,740  #1. Sarasota County   Population: 419,496   Median home value: $251,600 (75% own)   Median rent: $1,277 (25% rent)   Median household income: $62,236   Top places to live: South Sarasota (A+), Osprey (A), Siesta Key (A)