2008 Hot Retirement Towns

Cocoa Beach, Florida
IF EVER THERE WAS A TOWN THAT OFFERED watching dolphins leaping out of the water.
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everything to everybody, it must be Cocoa Beach. While In spite of being a major tourist destination–the
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it might not have mountains or distinct seasons, it offers population swells to 30,000 during the peak season and
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up the best of Florida. another 2.4 million people are “day visitors”–Cocoa
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Situated in the middle of Florida’s Atlantic coast, Beach is home to almost13,000 residents who care
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Cocoa Beach caters to the young and the young at heart. deeply about their tropical paradise. As space exploration
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It’s all there: sun-drenched beaches, the historic pier, advanced, the town has grown from the small beach
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championship golf courses, ﬁne dining and shopping, community it was in the 1920s to a vibrant yet laid-back
and, every once in a while, the town. The population is a blend of
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magniﬁcent sight of the space shuttle “This location, so locals, retirees and vacationers.
launching from Cape Canaveral. While there are more than 2,400
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Just six miles long and barely hospitable to wildlife, is single-family homes and 5,500
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a mile wide, Cocoa Beach is on condominiums, only about 40 percent
a barrier island bounded by the
a natural playground for
are year-round residences. The rest are
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Atlantic to the east and the Banana second homes or rental properties. i
River Lagoon to the west. It’s a hot
humans, too.”
For permanent residents, life is d
surﬁng spot and the home of the good in Cocoa Beach. There are
world’s largest surf shop, but waves aren’t the only lure. plenty of ﬁne shops and boutiques–including the
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Located where two climatic zones–the subtropic and world-famous Ron Jon Surf Shop–and dining options, .
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temperate–meet, Cocoa Beach attracts wildlife that from fast food to upscale fare. A 27-hole golf course
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is indigenous to both, in addition to the coastal and lures duffers to the Cocoa Beach Country Club, which
migratory species you might expect to see. is open to the public and includes an Olympic-sized
This location, so hospitable to wildlife, is a natural city pool and tennis complex. But Cocoa Beach’s most
playground for humans, too. It’s perfect for swimming important asset is the friendly locals, who are happy to
in the ocean, kayaking the Banana River or just share their place in the sun.
At A Glance
Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Population: 12,880
Average Temp: 79 F
Average Age: 53
Nearest Hospital:
Cape Canaveral Hospital
Nearest Major Airport:
Melbourne International Airport
Cocoa Beach Info:
Cocoa Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce
(321) 459-2200
www.CocoaBeachChamber.com
Pilots arriving for the breakfast ﬂight staged by the
Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce were met by
these chauffeurs at the airplane parking area. • 1951
www.RetiringToFlorida.com I www.RetiringToGeorgia.com I www.HotRetirementTowns.com
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