After years of hard work, careful planning, and spending long hours in the workforce, it’s time to enjoy the moment of truth that people have looked forward to for decades: retirement! It’s time for you to celebrate your life’s successes. After all, you deserve it!

When most people begin their initial phase of retirement, they start to think about how they can get the most out of life. From planning trips to picking up new hobbies, it’s an exciting and adventurous time. But lots of people ultimately decide what they crave the most after spending so much time in the same routine is a change of scenery. A new location where they can enter this new journey and start fresh.

At HarborChase Senior Living, we’re proud to have senior living communities across the U.S., so we know a thing or two about retiring in style. Whatever location or environment you’re searching for, we guarantee you’ll find a HarborChase community perfect for your retirement journey.

While we can’t pick a favorite location, there’s one city we believe to be among the best when it comes to retirement living: Gainesville, Florida!

Why Retire in Florida?

It’s a common idea seen in media, entertainment, and even jokes: most seniors eventually retire to Florida. But there’s an excellent reason behind it. Florida is a beautiful state with so much to offer; tropical climate, gorgeous beaches, exhilarating attractions, and plenty of sunshine – they don’t call it the “Sunshine State” for nothing!

Weather aside, becoming a full-time resident in Florida can also save retirees some major dollars. One of the biggest advantages of residing in Florida is the state’s lack of an income tax; the only personal tax that Floridians need to pay is the federal tax. Since there’s no income tax, retirement costs are completely tax exempt. With no state taxes on Social Security, pension income, or inheritance and estate, making the move to Florida could do wonders for your wallet. 

Senior Living in Gainesville

Now that you know some of the benefits Florida residents reap yearly, it’s time to think about specific city locations. Senior living in Gainesville is perfect for those looking for thriving arts and culture, Southern charm, and a laid-back feel.

A College Community of Tradition and Pride

Gainesville is home to the University of Florida (Go Gators!), which was ranked one of the top 25 schools in the Southeast. If you’re a sports fan, you can catch plenty of football games at The Swamp and enjoy the fantastic traditions that make this SEC team so special. The Gators have one of the strongest college football fanbases in the country. Here are a few pro-tips to get you gameday ready:

• Albert and Alberta: Perhaps the best-known (not to mention the most school-spirited) dynamic duo in Gainesville, Albert and Alberta are the beloved mascots of the Florida Gators. Albert was first introduced during the 1970 football season, and Alberta was brought on in 1986 as Albert’s loyal friend and sidekick.
• Orange and Blue: The official school colors for the University of Florida are orange and blue, so be sure to add some vibrant shades to your wardrobe! Gainesville takes great pride in its school, and these colors run deep for locals, students, alums, and national fans alike. 
• The Swamp: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was first affectionately called “The Swamp” by former coach Steve Spurrier, and the name alone can leave goosebumps on the arms of opponents and rivals. The stadium holds 90,000 fans, is the 6th largest stadium in the SEC branch of college football and has been called one of the most intimidating stadiums in American athletics. As Coach Spurrier once said himself, “Only Gators get out alive!”

Arts and Culture 

Another significant aspect of living in a college town is the ever-changing culture of Gainesville. With over a dozen local theaters and auditoriums, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy productions and shows! The Hippodrome Theatre is a first-class regional theatre founded in 1972 with one mission: to promote and present the community of Gainesville with the best that contemporary theatre has to offer. 

The Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is an essential part of campus life at the University of Florida, showcasing the immense talent of the school’s performing arts programs and allowing students to display their artistry on a diverse, world-class stage. 

Gainesville boasts an incredible art community as well. The Harn Museum of Art is one of the largest university-affiliated art museums in the country. It hosts breathtaking exhibitions drawn from the museum’s collection of over 13,000 works of art – many of which have toured extensively throughout the United States.

Rich History

Like our community at HarborChase, people have been calling Gainesville home for centuries. In fact, ancient burial grounds were discovered about 50 years ago by archaeologists, who determined that they were nearly 2,000 years old! The area itself was first discovered by explorer Hernando de Soto in 1539 and was founded as an official town in 1853. 

The Florida Museum of Natural History is an excellent spot to immerse yourself in exciting collections of discovery within anthropology, biography, and even paleontology. 

Retire in Luxury at HarborChase of Gainesville

With all of the attractions, traditions, and fascinating antiquities that senior living in Gainesville has to offer, it’s time to decide to retire in luxury with HarborChase.

Our resort-style community in Gainesville provides the perfect setting for a worry-free retirement, so each resident can enjoy and celebrate every day. Our convenient amenities include transportation (to keep you involved in Gainesville’s bustling community), housekeeping (so you don’t have to worry about maintenance or upkeep), and much more!

Experience and develop meaningful relationships with fellow residents and participate in our ongoing special events and activity groups schedule. Our elevated dining experiences ensure you can live the high life. Unparalleled hospitality, exceptional chefs, and different dining options for every palette set us apart from traditional, basic cuisine. When you get a taste of HarborChase, you’ll fall in love with the unique difference.

We invite you to discover luxury senior living in Gainesville by visiting our website and scheduling your personalized tour!