9 Reasons to Retire in Winter Garden Florida

The entire state of Florida has built up quite the reputation as a hot spot for retirement! However, in this article, we are going to highlight why our charming little city of Winter Garden, Florida is a great place to retire.

You’ve worked long and hard for many years to get to this point in your life and deciding where to retire is a BIG deal. When you retire in Winter Garden, Florida you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the golden years. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor adventure, that small-town feel, a convenient location, or a tight knit-community, that’s just what you’ll get when you retire in Winter Garden.

As Central Florida’s hidden gem, our city has it all. Regardless of the reason, you won’t be disappointed when you decide to retire in Winter Garden, Florida! All of us here at the Erica Diaz Team are so sure you’ll LOVE retiring in Winter Garden, Florida, we gathered the top 9 reasons people retire here, and once you’ve read the article we know you’ll be ready to retire here too!

Top Reasons People Retire in Winter Garden, Florida

1. Natural Beauty

When retirement time comes around, we know one of the top things on the list to do, is to SLOW DOWN. Life is fast-paced enough when you’re working and raising a family; now it’s time to breathe and take in nature’s beauty. When you retire in Winter Garden nature is around every corner. Winter Garden is full of nature preserves, lakes, trails, and more, there are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had. Locals have many favorite spots to step away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy Florida at its most natural state.

West Orange Trail

Retiring in Winter Garden will allow you to take full advantage of the popular West Orange Trail. The West Orange Trail is a paved rail trail that stretches 22 miles from Winter Garden to Apopka. The trail is a local favorite place to visit because it has something for everyone. From the avid nature watcher to the local foodie, there’s something along the trail for everyone to enjoy. Want to know more about why there is so much hype around the trail? Click here to read our article ALL about the West Orange Trail!

Lake Apopka

Enjoy all of your favorite lake adventures at Lake Apopka. With multiple public boat docks and parks alongside the lake, it’s easy to access it from many different spots in Winter Garden. Here you can spend the day boating, fishing, bird watching, or alligator spotting… Just to name a few of the fun things to do. And if living on the lake is your style, that’s a possibility too!

2. Strong Community

If you want to become part of a strong community, you should retire in Winter Garden. Neighbors here are more than friends. They are family. From weekend BBQs to evening chats while you’re out for a walk, you’ll quickly find “your people.”

The strong community vibes don’t end with fantastic neighbors. Winter Garden is flourishing with small local businesses that thrive because of the support from those who live here. Our wonderful town has a small business option for anything you may be looking for. While some small businesses operate out of individuals’ homes, many have storefronts in the historic downtown area.

3. Preserved History

Although much of the downtown area has been modernized, Winter Garden continues to hold on to parts of its history. Thanks to the community’s efforts, the town’s rich history persists. The Winter Garden Heritage Foundation plays a huge role in the town’s preservation. They dedicate their time to teaching residents and visitors about the town’s history and preserving its past. The foundation continues to be very active in revitalizing and preserving the historic downtown Winter Garden.

One of the most noticeable examples of Winter Garden’s preservation of history is the Edgewater Hotel. After almost being toppled, the residents band together and formed the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation to preserve and renovate the building, making it a historic structure. To this day it’s still an active hotel with local restaurants and an ice cream shop on the bottom floor. Other historical places rich with Winter Garden history are: Central Florida Railroad Museum, Heritage Museum, and Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve.

Historical Downtown Winter Garden

Downtown Winter Garden is full of local history, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It has also developed quite a reputation and trust us… It lives up to it! The whole downtown area plays a huge role in giving Winter Garden that small-town feel. The streets have locally owned restaurants, boutiques, specialty shops, and more. You can head downtown any time of the day for a good time. Enjoy a morning bike ride and breakfast, or head out for an evening of dinner and drinks.

4. Tax Benefits

You’ve earned all the money you’ve made, and it’s time to enjoy it! Florida has relatively low property taxes and no state income tax. When filing taxes, you can even deduct property taxes and interest on the mortgage from your second home.

5. Community Events

The people of Winter Garden LOVE to join together for community events. There’s a local event for every holiday, season, and more! Most of the events are held in the downtown area and at community parks. Some of Winter Garden’s most loved events are:

• Fridays on the Plaza – Guests can enjoy live music in an open area while touring the many restaurants and stores in the surrounding area.
• Cars and Cruise—This is a show in downtown Winter Garden. During this event, teams can show off cars built before 1987, including cruisers and muscle cars. The Cars and Cruise event happens every year in January, April, June, and September.
• Downtown Winter Garden Farmers Market is a community staple for local foods and handmade items. It’s held every Saturday morning, rain or shine.
• Spring Fever in the Garden—The Bloom & Grow Garden Society hosts this festival annually. It’s the perfect opportunity to find locally grown plants for landscaping your yard!

* Due to unprecedented circumstances with COVID-19, many of Winter Garden’s events have been canceled or postponed. Please double-check all event details before going. Click here to see how Winter Garden has come together as the strong community it is during these times.

Downtown Winter Garden Farmers Market

Rain or shine, the Downtown Winter Garden Farmers Market is a weekly event every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is known for bringing the whole community together. Shop for fresh produce, plants, flowers, herbs, baked goods, artisan crafts, and local food and beverages. The Farmers Market will quickly become one of your favorite weekly routines!

6. Retire in Winter Garden, A Central Location

Talk about the perfect location! If you want to retire in Florida and take full advantage of everything it offers, Winter Garden is a great spot to call home. Living in Winter Garden puts you in the middle of it ALL! Living here, you’re just minutes away from Central Florida’s hot travel spots. Walt Disney World is literally down the road. Universal and SeaWorld are also just a short drive away. Longing for a beach day? The West and East Coast beaches are only slightly over an hour away.

Top Things to Do Near Winter Garden, Florida

• Walt Disney World
• SeaWorld
• Aquatica
• Universal
• Bush Gardens
• Kennedy Space Center
• Wekiwa Springs State Park
• Lake Apopka Wildlife Trail
• West Orange Trail
• Clearwater Beach
• Cocoa Beach

7. Home Sweet Home

Winter Garden offers charming old Florida-style homes and more modern homes. Whether you prefer a townhome with an HOA that guarantees low maintenance or a home on the lake with a large yard where you care for everything, it’s all possible here. Maybe a luxury apartment is more your style—Winter Garden has that, too.

While Winter Garden has homes that have been there for decades, that has not stopped them from developing modern-day homes, either. The town thrives on having a balance of historical buildings while growing with the times. Neighborhoods like Heritage at Plant Street and Lakeshore in the Horizon West community are only a few examples of the newfound town growth, which is something to get excited about. Click here for some amazing areas to live in or near Winter Garden.

8. Ideal Weather

Florida has ideal weather all year round, making it a prime place to retire. Living here, you won’t find yourself shoveling snow, and that’s a huge plus. Instead, you’ll be able to enjoy both indoor and outdoor activities all year long. Afternoon rain showers are common but cool things down during the hot summer months. All in all, the weather here is delightful.

9. Life of Fulfillment when You Retire in Winter Garden

Winter Garden offers more than friendly neighbors and a fun surrounding area. It’s a place where one can call home and retire. This is a place where you can enjoy the many attractions and discover what you truly love about life. The city has a small-town feel that offers quiet, calmness, and beauty to spend your time the way you’ve dreamed of living. While the area gives you the freedom to explore other options that may not have been possible before. Lastly, Winter Garden’s history can inspire you to make your mark on the world.

If the history, people, homes, beautiful views, or incredible experience haven’t convinced you yet, come see for yourself! Come enjoy the year-round sunny weather and the small-town atmosphere. If you want to stay, we would be pleased to have you.

Erica Diaz Team – 9 Reasons to Retire in Winter Garden, Florida

If you want to retire on a lake in a town with a rich history, then Winter Garden, Florida, might be suitable for you. Residents here have a strong connection with the community; neighbors are more than friends; they are family. The weather is beautiful all year round, and there’s always an adventure nearby.

If you are ready to retire in Winter Garden, the Erica Diaz Team can help you find your DREAM home. Contact us today!