Vero Beach

Indian River County is a nature lover’s paradise with miles of protected oceanfront shoreline and wide bodies of the river dotted by isolated islands. Pelicans, turtles, porpoises and manatees are commonly seen along the Indian River and at Pelican Island, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. The Sebastian Inlet State Park is one of the most scenic inlets on the east coast of Florida and is known for superb fishing and championship surfing. For decades, retirees and folks searching for a more laid back way of life have found paradise in the Treasure Coast. The Treasure Coast's nickname is derived because of the number of Spanish galleons that shipwrecked on the coast during the 17th and 18th century hurricanes. Mel Fisher and other shipwreck salvagers continue to find gold coins and priceless treasures in the blue waters of Vero Beach beaches. 

Once a predominately citrus producing region, new neighborhoods are taking over the landscape offering award winning golf courses, deepwater marinas and a pristine beach lifestyle. The Indian River itself is lined with waterfront homes reaching out into the river with their boathouses and fishing docks. Vero Beach City Marina is located on the Intracoastal Waterway at ICW 139 and caters to the Indian River boating community. 

There most popular suburbs in Indian River County are:

• VERO BEACH - Not much different than it was in the early 1900‘s, this beach retirement area has two large oceanfront parks and many more along the Indian River. Old and new swanky oceanfront hotels, eclectic boutiques, ice cream shops and a long wooden boardwalk overlook the Atlantic Ocean, the unspoiled sandy beaches and wild dunes. Luxury oceanfront homes and older classic Florida neighborhoods can be found east of the Intracoastal Waterway. For those who have heard of Johns Island, this is the name of an upscale 1,650 acre gated community with three championship golf courses. Folks with kids and grandchildren most likely know about the Disney Vero Beach Resort, located on the north end of the barrier island, south of Orchid Island Vero Beach. Locals refer to the beaches as Central Beach, the Riomar area or South Beach.

• SEBASTIAN - Just north of Vero Beach and on the mainland, the fishing village of Sebastian borders the Indian River and stretches west to Interstate 95. The boardwalk along the river provides expansive views of the river, the isolated islands and Sebastian waterfront homes. On the south side of Sebastian is the Wabasso Bridge leading to Orchid Island Vero Beach, the Sebastian Inlet State Park and the famous Disney Vero Beach Resort.

• FORT PIERCE - On the southside of Vero Beach is Fort Pierce, one of Florida’s oldest communities on the east coast. Modern educational and research facilities like the top-ranked Indian River State College, the Smithsonian Institution Research Center, the Manatee Observation and Education Center and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute now call Fort Pierce home spurring a new nickname for the region - The Research Coast.

Indian River County is Florida's 6th wealthiest county and one of the top 100 wealthiest in the United States. The Treasure Coast continues to attract more retiring CEO's of fortune 500 companies than anywhere in the world. Vero Beach is one of Florida's best kept secrets!

If you’re searching for where to retire in Florida, here are reasons to consider neighborhoods near Vero Beach beaches:

ARTS AND CULTURE

One of the finest community art schools, the Vero Beach Museum of Art offers art classes in painting, ceramics, sculpture, glass infusion and thought provoking international lectures at the Riverside Theatre. The museum's gallery showcases traveling art exhibitions and is home to a permanent art collection. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is located on the east side of the Indian River and is the center piece of the award winning 26 acre Riverside Park. The 136 seat Riverside Theatre hosts musicals, dance and contemporary plays. In Fort Pierce, the Sunrise Theatre for the Performing Arts is one of the grandest historic theaters on the Treasure Coast. Concerts, comedies, touring broadway performances and headliner entertainers perform year round at the Sunrise Theatre for the Performing Arts. As you get to know Vero Beach better, you're likely agree, the Treasure Coast has one of the Best Art Towns in Florida filled with Vero Beach activities.

CLIMATE

At an elevation of 14 feet, Vero Beach’s average winter temperature is in the mid 60’s and the water temperature is about the same December through February. Vero Beach boasts more than 200 clear sunny days. May through September, the average temperature ranges in the high 70’s and the water temperature rises to 84 degrees. Winters are warm and the summers are hot and humid. The average relative humidity is 70%. Hurricanes and tornados are Vero Beach’s weather hazards.

LIFELONG LEARNING CENTERS

In addition to classes offered at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, the Indian River County Main Library offers health and wellness classes, line dancing, book clubs and courses in writing. The Indian River State College - Mueller Center offers degree seeking students continuing education courses. The Vero Beach Adult and Community Education School offers personal development courses in floral design, language and water aerobics. The Senior Bulletin Board Newsletter produced monthly by the Indian River Recreation Department lists the latest fitness, life enrichment and computer classes specifically designed for mature adults. Vero Beach activities include classes in quilting, senior softball, wood carving, gardening and more. 


MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE

The award winning 335 bed Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach is a partner with the Duke University Health System specializing in heart care. The hospital has 41 specialties and was voted the #1 heart program in Florida by Florida Magazine. The hospital’s cancer care program offers the latest in radiation therapy including the $1.5 million Brilliance CT Scanner at the Cancer Center. The 166 bed Sebastian River Medical Center recently completed a $25 million expansion near Orchid Island Vero Beach. Specialties include implant devices, spine surgery, heart care and diagnostics. Folks searching for where to retire in Florida can find peace of mind with the quality medical care available in the Treasure Coast.

RECREATIONAL SPORTS

For more than 50 years, Dodgertown in Vero Beach FL was the spring training site of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2008, they moved their training camp elsewhere. A comprehensive training facility, we look forward to seeing which Minor League Baseball teams utilizes this impressive Sports Village going forward. The Polo Grounds Fields at Vero Beach were established in 2000. On every Sunday from mid January to April 1, match games are played leading up to the polo championship tournaments. The award winning Riverside Racquet Complex offers 10 hard tennis courts, two racquetball courts and a half a mile walking and fitness trail under mature oak trees. Vero Beach is also one of the dog friendly cities in Florida. The Vero Beach Dog Park is located at 3449 Indian River Drive East. The park has 5 acres of green space along the Indian River Lagoon. Sebastian Bark Park is located at 245 Keen Terrace. It has 7.5 acres of play area with a drinking fountain, pond, benches and walking trail around the lake. 

Whether your pace is fast or slow, the Indian River is a great place to kayak, jet ski or sail slowly along to observe wildlife both in the water or perched up into the trees on the protected islands in the middle of the Indian River. Some folks make a night of it camping along the shores of the isolated islands. Salt water sports fisherman can easily access the Atlantic Ocean via the Fort Pierce Inlet on the south side of Vero Beach or the Sebastian Inlet on the north side. Both inlets are about 30 miles apart framing out the Vero Beach beaches. The Sebastian Inlet area is a popular surfing competition venue.

SHOPPING AND DINING

The Indian River Mall on Highway 60 is Vero Beach’s largest shopping mall. Department stores such as Macy’s, JC Penney’s, and Dillard’s are the anchor tenants. Indian River Commons and the Vero Beach Mall are additional shopping centers. The Vero Beach Fashion Outlets located on the west side of Interstate 95 is where bargain hunters shop for discounted brand name labels. There are 218 rated restaurants in Vero Beach according to Yelp. Along the Indian River, fresh seafood restaurants and waterfront tiki bars are the most popular dining choices. Lemon Tree, Scampi Grill, and Ocean Grill are among the best-rated restaurants. Along the beach in Vero, the Humiston Park Farmer’s Market is open year-round on Saturdays. Still a citrus-producing region, Mom & Pop roadside produce stands are still common to see in the area.

 There are plenty of Vero Beach activities to enjoy at retirement.

HOME AFFORDABILITY AND TAXES

Vero Beach FL homes average $145,000 and the city is located in Indian River County. More affordable neighborhoods are located west of Highway US 1 and in the smaller town of Sebastian or city of Fort Pierce. The estimated property tax milage rate is 16.25 per $1000. Visit our library to find help and to learn how to calculate property taxes in Vero Beach Florida.