Senior Living Apartments in Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville, Florida, is one of the most popular cities in the United States for retirees. The River City sprawls out over 840 square miles, making it the largest city by land mass in the United States. The sheer size of Jax — as it’s also called — means there’s something for everyone in this city.
Active seniors flock to Jacksonville because of its gentle weather, young-at-heart culture, and affordability. These retirees often move into senior apartments where they can enjoy Jacksonville’s vibrant nightlife and outdoor activities. Jacksonville has many living options, and most seniors can find a senior apartment that suits their personality and needs.
In this guide, you’ll get an in-depth look into Jacksonville’s senior apartments. All of our data is from a 10-mile radius of Jacksonville city center, which includes the parts of the Northside, South Jacksonville, the Westside, and the Beaches. We keep it local as we walk you through senior apartment costs, how people pay, and how local seniors can access assistance, like Medicaid, Medicare, VA benefits, and more.
We also describe the types of senior apartments you can expect to find in Jacksonville, based on proprietary data and reviews from real residents. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Jacksonville’s senior apartments, so choosing your ideal living situation is easy.
Senior Apartments Facilities near Jacksonville, FL
Very comfortable, friendly place. Staff are attentive and work to please. Food could be more catered to residents taste but they have worked hard to provide food he enjoys. A few more activities and off site...
Brookdale Mandarin has been a wonderful place for my mom. The staff have been working hard on making improvements to be even better! We chose this facility initially because of the price for basic living ,...
It's absolutely great! I think it's the best that I have every seen for someone in a situation like my mother-in-law where she just has social security. The other people that live there, some have been there...
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Our methodology
How we rank order the Jacksonville community options above
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders Jacksonville community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
- Proximity to your search location
- Availability of recent, high-quality reviews
- The amount of detailed community information available
Where we source our information
14,000+ communities
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
350,000+ reviews
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
- Costs of senior apartments in the Jacksonville area
- What families are saying about senior apartments in Jacksonville
- How people pay for senior apartments in Jacksonville, FL
- Understand Florida laws and regulations for senior apartments
- What to expect from senior apartments in Jacksonville, FL
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with Jacksonville? Highlights for seniors
Costs of senior apartments in the Jacksonville area
Senior apartments are the most affordable senior living housing in Jacksonville. However, in Jax, there are far more independent living communities than senior apartments. While independent living communities are similar to senior apartments, they have more services, like housekeeping and meal plans, causing them to be much more expensive.
How much do senior apartments cost in Jacksonville?
A senior can expect to spend between $1,000-$1,600 a month for a two-bed, two-bath senior apartment in Jacksonville.[01] This is much cheaper than other similarly sized cities. Senior apartments function like other apartments, which means you can expect to pay the following additional fees on top of your monthly rent:
- Utilities, including water, electricity, and gas
- Trash services
However, maintenance, landscaping, and extermination services are usually included in the monthly rental fee.
How much does public housing cost in Jacksonville?
Seniors using Section 8 Housing Vouchers can expect to pay at most $885 a month in rent in Jacksonville. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Jacksonville’s annual income limit for Section 8 Housing is $35,400, and tenants are expected to pay up to 30% of their monthly income on rent. Keep in mind that most Section 8 Housing Vouchers are reserved for people making $22,150 a year or less.
Is Jacksonville an affordable place to live?
Jacksonville is one of the most affordable cities in the United States. The cost of housing is 14% lower than the national average and 15% lower than Florida’s average.[02] You’re able to get more for your money in Jacksonville than in most other places in the U.S.
Additionally, Florida’s tax laws help make Jacksonville an affordable place for retirees living on a fixed income. Florida doesn’t tax income, including Social Security benefits or pensions, and it doesn’t tax retirement plans like 401(k) plans or IRAs. Florida also doesn’t have an estate or inheritance tax, which benefits seniors and their families more than other groups.
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in Jacksonville, FL vs. nearby cities
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in Jacksonville, FL vs. the state and national average
Average monthly cost of Senior Apartments in Jacksonville vs. other types of senior living
Median monthly costs of Senior Apartments in Jacksonville, FL by room type
What families are saying about senior apartments in Jacksonville
Recent reviews for senior apartments in Jacksonville
Brookdale Avondale in Jacksonville, FL
The Atwater at Nocatee in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Florida Christian Apartments in Jacksonville, FL
How people pay for senior apartments in Jacksonville, FL
Most people pay for their senior apartments with private funds, such as income or retirement savings. However, there are other ways to pay for your senior apartment. Read on for a few smart methods to afford the apartment of your choice. We’ll also cover public benefits — like veterans benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, and public housing — that can offset some of your apartment or care expenses.
Most retirees pay for their senior apartments with income sources, such as personal savings, retirement accounts, pensions, and investment returns. Because senior apartments don’t offer care services, seniors usually have to rely on their own financial assets to pay. Long-term care insurance is another option, but seniors may need to cash it out to use the funds for senior apartments. Read on to learn about a few more ways to pay for your senior apartment.
Jacksonville calls itself the most veteran-friendly city in America, and with the third-highest military presence of any city in America, it very well may be. Thanks to its strategic location and its deep-water port, Jacksonville is home to multiple military facilities and the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. While 34% of Jacksonville’s veterans are over 65, veterans of all ages are strongly represented. Many came to Jacksonville during their time in the military and never wanted to leave.
Can I pay for my senior apartment with VA benefits?
You may be able to pay for some or all of your senior apartment costs with veterans benefits. Veterans and their surviving spouses may be eligible for a pension and benefits, like the Aid and Attendance benefit.
Veterans can use these funds to cover anything that betters their life, including rent for a senior apartment. How much a veteran or their surviving spouse receives depends on many things. It’s best to seek advice before you even begin the application process to best understand what you may qualify for.
Get help accessing your veterans benefits
Even eligible veterans often struggle to obtain their benefits. The application process is complicated and can sometimes change, making it especially difficult for veterans in the midst of their application process. The key to getting the benefits you deserve is to find help.
Use the resources below to learn as much as you can about which veteran benefits you could be eligible for. You can also find benefits counselors who can walk you through applying or even help appeal denied claims. You’re not alone in this process, and these resources can help you.
Veterans benefits counseling in Jacksonville
Living up to its title as the most veteran friendly city in America, Jacksonville has excellent veteran resources. The Jacksonville Vet Center can refer veterans to a benefits counselor that can help them understand and apply for their eligible benefits.
Local veterans and their families can access benefits counseling through a few different organizations, including the following:
- City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department. The City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department offers robust benefits counseling for local veterans and can even appeal decisions in court. The department employs Veterans Services Officers (VSOs) as the main resource for local veterans. In addition to offering benefits counseling, Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department also refers veterans to housing and employment assistance, and it organizes regular social events. Call the department directly to get in contact with a VSO.
- The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA). The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) offers virtual benefits counseling to veterans across the state. Benefits counselors can help you determine which benefits you’re eligible for, explain the application process to you, and appeal decisions. Call 727-319-7408 to set up a virtual appointment with a benefits counselor.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Jacksonville. Local chapters of veterans advocacy groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) also offer benefits counseling. They can be a helpful third party when appealing decisions because they’re unaffiliated with the city or state government.
There are 79,583 veterans living in Jacksonville, Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
About 34% of Jacksonville veterans are over 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Resources for Jacksonville veterans
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs
9500 Bay Pines Blvd., #214
St. Petersburg, FL 33708
Phone: 727-316-7440
Email: VSO@fdva.state.fl.us
Virtual benefits counseling
Jacksonville Vet Center
3728 Philips Highway, Suite 31
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-399-8351
Jacksonville Military Affairs and Veterans Department
City Hall
117 W. Duval St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: 904-778-7907
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7909
6204 Blanding Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32244
Phone: 904-778-7909
Sign up for the Jacksonville VFW Newsletter.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3270
915 8th Ave.
South Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone: 904-249-7366
Disabled American Veterans Jacksonville
1439 Parental Home Road
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Phone: 904-720-0244
Neither Medicaid nor Medicare will pay for rent in your senior apartment. Both are health insurance programs to cover care costs. And because senior apartments don’t provide any health or personal care, they can’t be paid for with Medicaid or Medicare. However, you should still be aware of how Medicaid and Medicare can help pay for in-home health care expenses in the event you require care in your senior apartment.
Florida Medicaid
Medicaid is a federally regulated health insurance plan for low-income individuals. Florida Medicaid is run by the Agency for Health Care Administration (the AHCA). In Florida, you can choose between a few different Medicaid plans:
- Managed Medical Assistance (MMA). This plan functions like all other insurance plans. It covers basic medical services, such as doctor visits, prescribed drugs, and hospital care. It also covers transportation to and from these services. Seniors living in a senior apartment in Jacksonville are likely to be on the MMA plan.
- Long-Term Care (LTC). This plan is specifically for people who need a nursing home level of care. Most people on the LTC plan reside in assisted living communities or nursing homes, although some use home health care.
Am I eligible for Florida Medicaid?
To be eligible for Florida Medicaid’s MMA program, you need to be a Florida resident, in need of health care, and qualify as low-income or very low-income as defined by Florida Medicaid. A single person living in Florida must make less than $18,075 before taxes annually to be low-income. You must also meet at least one of the following standards:
- Be 65 years or older
- Be responsible for someone under 18 years of age
- Be blind
- Have a disability or a household family member with a disability
- Be pregnant
Medicare: a federal health care program
Medicare is a federally run health care program for seniors. You need to be 65 years or older and have paid your Medicare taxes (or be married to someone who has) to receive Medicare benefits. Medicare won’t pay for your senior apartment, but it will offset any short-term and medically necessary medical expenses.
What does “short-term” mean for Medicare?
For up to 20 days in an inpatient setting, like a hospital or a rehabilitation facility, Medicare will cover 100% of the costs. This includes rent, meals, and all care services. From day 20 to day 100, Medicare pays some of the cost, and you also pay a daily copay. Medicare may also pay for some recurring procedures or medications, such as dialysis.
What does “medically necessary” mean for Medicare?
Whether or not a procedure, medication, or item is medically necessary depends on the individual. Some procedures, like coronary artery bypass surgery, are almost always considered medically necessary.
The general rule is that a doctor needs to state that a procedure, medication, or item is medically necessary in order for it to be covered by Medicare. You can get an idea of what Medicare covers by searching for individual medications, items, or tests on the Medicare coverage portal.
Can Jacksonville residents get help paying their Medicare premiums?
Yes, Jacksonville seniors can get help paying their Medicare premiums with local Medicare Savings Programs. You can find information about each of these programs on the federal Medicare website, but to apply, contact Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) directly. These programs have income limits of between $1,153 and $1,549 a month, although the income limits are updated every year.
Can I get Medicaid and Medicare benefits counseling in Jacksonville?
Yes, Jacksonville seniors can access Medicaid and Medicare benefits counseling through the Florida Department of Health. Human Services Counselors can help determine which benefits you’re eligible for and can walk you through the application process. Jacksonville’s Senior Services Division also provides benefits counseling. To sign up for benefits counseling through the Senior Services Division, call 904-255-5400.
Jacksonville Medicaid and Medicare resources
Florida Medicaid
2727 Mahan Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: 866-762-2237
SSA office — Jacksonville
1685 Dunn Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32218
Phone: 866-635-0789
Human Services Counselors
921 N. Davis St., Building A, Suite 251
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone: 904-253-1000
Jacksonville’s Senior Services Directory
Administrative offices, City Hall at St. James building
117 W. Duval St., Suite 280
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Gloria Crawford, Chief of Jacksonville’s Senior Services Division
Phone: 904-255-5400
Email: adultsvcs@coj.net
Jacksonville has a wide safety net for seniors in need. Whether you need help paying rent, finding affordable housing, or getting a nutritious meal, Jacksonville has compassionate and hard-working support systems available to you.
Section 8 housing assistance in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, Section 8 Housing is called the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Section 8 is a nation-wide program that helps low-income individuals pay their rent. It’s funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but income cut-offs vary by region.
In Jacksonville, you can make no more than $35,400 a year to qualify for Section 8 housing. However, most of the Section 8 vouchers are reserved for people making under $22,150 a year. You’ll never pay more than 30% of your pre-tax monthly income on housing. This means you’ll pay at most $885 a month on rent if you live in Section 8 housing in Jacksonville, Florida.
Can I pay for my senior apartment in Jacksonville with a Section 8 voucher?
If your senior apartment takes Section 8 housing vouchers, then you should be able to pay for your apartment with your voucher. However, you will always be asked to contribute some amount towards your rent. The amount is calculated based on your income.
Most apartment complexes that take Section 8 vouchers advertise this. If you’re not sure, ask the apartment manager directly.
Jacksonville Housing
The city of Jacksonville has its own low-income housing assistance program called Jacksonville Housing. This program owns and operates condos, apartments, and duplexes throughout Jacksonville for individuals or families in need. The income limit for Jacksonville Housing is higher than Section 8 Housing. To be eligible for Jacksonville Housing, individuals can make up to $42,000 a year and couples can make up to $48,000 a year.
Rent for Jacksonville Housing is approximately 30% of your pre-tax income, which means an individual will pay at most $1,050 a month in housing, and a couple will pay at most $1,200.
Can I pay for my senior apartment with Jacksonville Housing?
Jacksonville Housing isn’t a voucher program like Section 8. This means that if you’re enrolled in Jacksonville Housing, you will be placed in an apartment or duplex that’s already owned and operated by Jacksonville Housing. And, you’ll be asked to contribute about 30% of your gross monthly income towards rent.
Food assistance in Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s Senior Services Division offers one meal a day Monday through Friday of each week to local seniors. You can choose to get breakfast, lunch, or dinner on most days, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays, breakfast is the only option offered. To sign up for your meal and arrange a pick-up location, call 904-255-5400.
Social Security benefits
The Social Security Administration provides Social Security income that can help pay for costs of living, like rent. Eligibility for most Social Security benefits is based on meeting work credits and other factors, like having a disability or the loss of a spouse. You can learn what Social Security benefits you’re eligible for by taking the Eligibility Quiz on the Social Security website. We also give a quick review of those benefits below.
- Social Security Retirement benefit (also known as SSR). You’re likely eligible for this benefit if you’re between the ages of 62 and 70 and have paid Social Security taxes (have work credits) for more than 10 years. However, you cannot apply for this benefit once you’re over 70.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (or SSDI). This benefit is for individuals with a disability who have paid Social Security taxes, meaning they have work credits.
- Supplemental Security Income (or SSI). This benefit adds financial assistance to other Social Security benefits, like the SSDI or SSR benefits. It’s specifically for people with a disability or blindness who do not have work credits.
- Social Security Survivors pension. This benefit is for widows or widowers who were married to workers who paid Social Security taxes (had work credits).
Public assistance resources in Jacksonville
Jacksonville Senior Services Division
Administrative offices, City Hall at St. James building
117 W. Duval St., Suite 280
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Meal assistance
Phone: 904-255-5400
Understand Florida laws and regulations for senior apartments
Senior apartments are regulated like other apartment complexes. While they’re called senior apartments, they aren’t regulated or licensed like other senior care types, such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes. This is because senior apartments don’t offer personal care or health care services, and if they do, it’s through third-party services.
One difference senior apartments have from other apartment complexes is an age requirement. Most senior apartments in Jacksonville, Florida, have an age restriction of 55+, and some raise the age minimum to 62. That said, younger people can sometimes live in a senior apartment complex if they live with a senior who meets the age requirement.
Residents’ rights in Jacksonville senior apartments
As a resident of a senior apartment in Jacksonville, you’re a tenant and the apartment’s management is your landlord. You have the same rights as other tenants in all apartment complexes in Jacksonville. However, this may be the first time you’ve rented, or the first time in a while, so it’s important to understand your rights.
Florida laws tend to be friendly to tenants. Not all states have a governing body to mediate landlord and tenant disputes, but the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees all tenant and landlord problems. The Department also explains all landlord and tenant standards and expectations.
If the apartment complex doesn’t meet the standards listed below, the resident can break their lease within a week of informing the landlord. Similarly, if the tenant doesn’t meet tenant requirements, the landlord can begin eviction proceedings within a week if the problem isn’t resolved. Before breaking a lease, a resident or a landlord should provide several written notices and give the other party time to respond before taking action. As a tenant, it’s also a good idea to consult with a lawyer or housing association before breaking any lease.
Landlords in Jacksonville are required to follow these standards:
- Keep living areas up to code and in a livable condition
- Supply the residence with running and hot water, gas, and electricity
- Supply heat in the winter
- Offer extermination services
- Handle all repairs and maintenance
- Give tenants locks prior to move-in
- Notify the resident before entering the apartment
- Return the security deposit within 15 days of the tenant leaving or offer an explanation why some or all of the deposit was kept
Tenants in Jacksonville are required to follow these standards:
- Pay rent on time each month
- Don’t overuse water, electricity, or gas
- Don’t knowingly alter the apartment without permission from the landlord
- Keep the apartment in a livable condition
- Adhere to resident community guidelines, like quiet hours and picking up after a pet
Senior apartments for people with disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits any discrimination on the basis of disability. This means that you can’t be barred from renting a senior apartment because of a disability. While apartments themselves don’t have to be ADA compliant, all public areas around the apartment complex do.
Seniors with disabilities can also make reasonable accommodations to their dwelling to make it more accessible with permission from their landlord, according to the Fair Housing Act. Seniors also can’t be rejected from an apartment if they have a service animal, and their service animal should be permitted in all areas of the complex.
COVID-19 regulations for senior apartments in Jacksonville
Senior apartments in Jacksonville follow the COVID-19 guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control, Florida’s COVID-19 Response Team, and the City of Jacksonville. Residents are encouraged to mask if sick and test when exposed.
Jacksonville residents can find a list of COVID-19 testing sites, case updates, and more on the Jacksonville COVID-19 FAQ page.
What to expect from senior apartments in Jacksonville, FL
Because it’s so large, Jacksonville is unofficially split into four quadrants, known locally as the Northside, Westside, Southside, and the Beaches. While each neighborhood has its own distinctive personality, almost all of A Place for Mom’s partnering senior communities in Jacksonville are in the booming Southside and the laid-back Beaches.
Jacksonville is young-at-heart and attracts active seniors looking for an energizing city without the price tag of New York or Chicago. Not only is Jacksonville more affordable than most other cities in Florida, it’s more affordable than most other cities in the entire nation. Despite its affordability, Jacksonville has beautiful beaches, a thriving art scene, and plentiful senior centers.
Senior apartments are often overshadowed by independent living communities in Jacksonville, as they offer more services and amenity options. However, A Place for Mom’s partner senior apartments in Jacksonville are more affordable than independent living communities.
Lifestyle: Jacksonville’s senior apartments
Jacksonville’s senior apartments tend to be larger than senior apartments in other cities. Most have at least two bedrooms for the same price as a one-bedroom in other cities. Even though Jacksonville covers 840 square miles, it has less than 1 million residents. This means it feels more suburban, and apartment complexes tend to be on bigger lots — allowing for larger units.
You can expect your senior apartment in Jacksonville to have a full kitchen, closet space, and access to community amenities. Most communities have a laundry facility instead of in-unit laundry hookups, and many have a gym, community lounges, and outdoor picnic areas. Depending on where the community is located, you could be a short walk from the beach or a museum.
While senior apartments don’t typically have on-staff activity directors like most independent living communities, many have resident-run activities, like walking, birding, and other interest clubs. You can also expect social gatherings, like evening parties. And, if your community doesn’t offer your favorite activity, you can start your own!
Neighborhoods: Jacksonville’s senior apartments
Almost all A Place for Mom’s partnering senior living options in Jacksonville are in the Southside or the Beaches. The Southside, also called South Jacksonville, is a mix of large outdoor shopping centers, hospitals, and apartment complexes. The Southside also benefits from being geographically protected from some of the weather patterns along the coast. You’re less likely to have to evacuate if you live in the Southside.
The Beaches is an area right along the coast. Laid-back and relaxed, this area is made up of multiple independent towns, like Jacksonville Beach, that are part of the Jacksonville area. This is an ideal spot for seniors who love to spend their time sunbathing, fishing, and collecting seashells. This area is distinctly walkable and bike-friendly, and the boardwalk takes you along the water, shopping centers, and restaurants for miles.
Jacksonville’s senior community
Jacksonville has one of the fastest-growing senior populations in the nation. Known as Where Florida Begins or even South Georgia, Jacksonville has a distinctively Southern feel unique in Florida. It may be one of the few places where you can eat soul food on a white sand beach.
Seniors come to Jacksonville for a variety of reasons. Many are from Jax and see no reason to move in their retirement years. Others were stationed in Jacksonville while in the military and decided to move back. Many follow their children, who move to Jacksonville for finance, technology, and health care jobs. Regardless of why they came, most find Jacksonville to be a welcoming place for seniors.
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Unfamiliar with Jacksonville? Highlights for seniors
There are 139,311 seniors over the age of 65 currently living in Jacksonville
The median household income in Jacksonville is $58,236[05]
Health care for seniors in Jacksonville
Jacksonville has some of the best health care options in the United States. The world-renowned Mayo Clinic has one of its main campuses in Jacksonville, and the Southside has a high concentration of excellent hospitals.
Mayo Clinic — Jacksonville
The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville is a world-class hospital and is ranked as the best hospital in Florida by U.S. News and World Report. It’s one of the best geriatrics and neurology providers in the nation.
4500 San Pablo Road
Jacksonville, FL 32224
Phone: 904-953-2000
Find a doctor
Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville
The Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville is the central hub for the entire Baptist Health system and is considered one of the best hospitals in Florida, according to the U.S. News and World Report.
800 Prudential Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: 904-202-2000
Find a doctor
University of Florida Health Jacksonville
The University of Florida Health in Jacksonville is the region’s primary academic medical center. As a teaching hospital, it offers primary and specialty services across four different locations. The primary location is called UF Health Jacksonville.
655 8th St.
West Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone: 904-244-0411
Find a doctor
Transportation for seniors in Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s a driving city, although it does have somewhat reliable public transportation. The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (also called the JTAFLA) runs an efficient bus system throughout the city. You can view bus schedules, fares, and routes on the JTAFLA website. It’s affordable, but you may need to wait 30 minutes or more for your ride.
Many seniors in Jacksonville take advantage of affordable and reliable Amtrak fares from Jacksonville to surrounding areas for day or weekend trips. The ride from Jacksonville to Orlando takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and it will cost you only $26 each way.
Senior apartments in Jacksonville don’t provide transportation services like many independent living communities, but they do offer on-site parking.
Walkscore.com rates cities for their walkability, bike-ability, and public transit. Each score is out of 100. Jacksonville received the following scores:
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a city of multitudes. Locals know that each area of Jax has its own personality and popular pastimes. But one thing that doesn’t change regardless of where you find yourself in the Gateway to the South is the weather. Jacksonville’s average high temperature of 82 degrees and low of 57 degrees means this city is pleasant year-round.
There’s no shortage of outdoor and cultural activities in Jacksonville that are perfect for seniors (or anyone). Read on to find your next favorite hobby in the Bold New City of the South.
On-site activities at senior apartments
Your senior apartment in Jacksonville probably doesn’t employ an activities coordinator, but that doesn’t mean your apartment complex won’t have any social events. On the contrary, many residents develop their own social calendar. If you want a birding club, you can start one! And you’ll likely find other seniors who are just as enthusiastic about the roseate spoonbill as you are. Seniors will find plenty of social opportunities to make new friends and develop new interests at Jacksonville senior apartments.
Shop in South Jacksonville
South Jacksonville (or the Southside) is where most of A Place for Mom’s senior living partners reside, and for good reason. South Jacksonville is booming with exceptional health care, luxury apartments, and brand-new shopping centers. The Avenues is one of the largest indoor shopping destinations in the city, with a focus on family, fashion, and the military. You can find major department stores, high fashion, fun trinkets, and tasty treats.
St. Johns Town Center is the area’s premier outdoor mall. You can find anything you need or want in its many stores. Some seniors enjoy using the sidewalks around St. Johns Town Center as a regular walking path and often reward themselves with a new purse or a nice lunch after.
Enjoy the arts in downtown Jacksonville
Downtown Jacksonville is the artistic heartbeat of the city. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is the largest fine art museum in the Northeast region of Florida. Marvel at contemporary American artists and ancient paintings as you ramble through the expansive building. Tours are available for a $20 fee. You can also add a lunch option to your tour for only $40. If you’re looking for some intrigue, participate in the museum’s Mildred Thompson Escape Room! Make sure to spend some time outside the museum exploring the beautiful gardens.
The Florida Theater was established in 1927 and has been entertaining legions of Jaxsons ever since. With a different performance almost every night, you can enjoy anything from an ABBA tribute band to theatrical renditions of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad to symphony orchestras. The theater is also wheelchair accessible.
The Riverside Arts Market is a weekly vendor market in downtown Jacksonville. You can find artisan goods, fresh produce, and art by local artists every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A 20-minute walk from The Riverside Arts Market will take you to the Southbank Riverwalk, which is one of the best ways to experience Jacksonville’s downtown skyline.
Find exotic adventure in North Jacksonville
Catty Shack Ranch is a big cat sanctuary north of Jacksonville. It’s a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates big cats, and it provides a safe haven for many different endangered species. It’s an ethical sanctuary as it doesn’t sell, breed, or trade any of the resident animals. You can safely see tigers, lions, panthers, and more. Day tours are only $15 per person.
Fort Caroline National Memorial was originally a French colonial settlement from 1564. Its storied history includes Spanish conflicts, native Timucua people, and a free black population. Visitors can hike throughout the ecological preserve and watch historical reenactments.
Relax at the Beaches
The Beaches is the second most popular location for seniors living in Jacksonville. More laid back than South Jacksonville, the Beaches offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of commerce. Jacksonville Beach is the main beach in the area and is technically its own resort city with a population of about 24,000. The city sits on a wide sandy beach with a golf course, a fishing pier, and surfing spots. You can regularly see dolphins in the morning and evening hours.
Atlantic Beach is another popular destination for Jacksonville seniors. Also its own city, Atlantic Beach has miles of clean, sandy beaches. Neptune Beach is situated between Jacksonville Beach and Atlantic Beach. It has an upscale neighborhood community and plenty of palm-lined walking paths right on the water.
Huguenot Memorial Park marks the spot where the French Huguenots landed in 1562. Now, you can camp, picnic, or enjoy a leisurely beach day. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is an excellent place to kayak amongst hundreds of acres of rare coastal hammock groves. You need to pay a small fee for a day pass or you can buy a yearly pass for a discount.
Golfing in Jacksonville
Unsurprisingly, Jacksonville is a golf-lover’s paradise. Its year-round amenable weather means you’re able to hit the greens in June and February. If you crave the heady competition of a golf tournament — or simply want to meet new people — you can join the North East Florida Senior Golf Association. Senior members 50 and over congregate at the best golf courses around Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. To join, fill out the application on their website.
Sports
Jacksonville is loud and proud of its local sports teams: Jacksonville Jaguars football, Jumbo Shrimp baseball, the Armada soccer, Axemen rugby, Iceman hockey, Giants basketball, and Sharks arena football. Everbank Field is the home to the Jaguars, and while seniors may not always enjoy the loud crowds of an NFL game, Jacksonville’s other teams offer a great sporting atmosphere in smaller settings.
Day trips from Jacksonville
Jacksonville is conveniently located close to top-notch day trips. Sitting 17 miles northeast of Jacksonville is Little Talbot Island State Park, which boasts delightful sand dunes, open and clean beaches, and a barrier reef. On its sister island, Big Talbot Island State Park, you can camp and bird watch. In fact, Big Talbot Island State Park is one of the best bird-watching locations in the nation. You can walk through Boneyard Beach on your way to Spoonbill Pond to spy one of the eponymous birds in the water. Best of all, you can drive to both islands.
Two hours from Jacksonville is Blue Springs State Park, which has crystal clear water and a local manatee population. Ichetucknee Springs is another great option for swimming or playing in the water, and it’s also only about two hours away from the city.
Seniors in Jacksonville are known to use Amtrak to take day or weekend trips throughout the State. One popular trip is to take the train from Jacksonville to Orlando, which takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Local guides
Jacksonville’s local visitor’s guide outlines up-to-date information about events and activities. You can also find helpful tips about some of the best restaurants in the area and where to stay, from campsites to hotels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brookdale Avondale, The Atwater at Nocatee and Brookdale Mandarin are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near Jacksonville, FL. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in Jacksonville is $2,630 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
After55.com. (2023, February). Senior Living Communities in Jacksonville, Florida. Apartments.com
Rentcafe.com. (2022). Cost of Living in Jacksonville, FL.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran status (S2101): Jacksonville city [Data set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101): Jacksonville city [Data set].
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Median income in the past 12 months: Jacksonville city (S1903). [Data set]. American Community Survey.
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