One of the most popular ways to retire to Central Florida is to move to one of the many age restricted communities in the area. One of the best examples is the Villages of Lady Lake, an 11,000 acre mini-city that straddles the Lake-Marion-Sumter county line. Home to more than 20,000 residents, The Villages features 162 holes of golf, two 32-lane bowling alleys, 16 restaurants and an 8 screen movie theater. Other examples include The Plantation in Leesburg, site of the Senior Olympics and home to more than 3,000 residents. Advida's Victoria Gardens, just beginning development in DeLand, King's Ridge near Clermont and Solivita in Polk County are typical examples of some of the newer enterprises, with such common selling points as 24 hour security, golf courses and large recreation centers. For those who prefer urban life, metro Orlando offers senior high-rises such as Orlando Lutheran Towers and Westminster Towers.

One of the latest and most exciting trends in the retirement community is a move to capitalize on desire for lifelong learning. The Florida State University system waives fees and lets people 60 and over audit courses on a space-available basis. The University of Central Florida in Orlando has the Learning Institute for Elders, a non-credit program offering classes in subjects ranging from sinkholes to musical theater history. In Winter Park, Rollins College's Hamilton Holt School specialized in classes for personal enrichment and continuing education. A favorite among seniors is the Master of Liberal Studies program designed for older students who want to get the degree they missed in their early years.