Volusia County
Volusia County is on the coast of Florida northeast of Orlando. The popular tourist destination of Daytona Beach is located in Volusia County and is well-known for its hard-packed sand that visitors are allowed to drive on. But there are other great towns in this part of Florida so be sure to read the descriptions below to learn more. However, if you are looking for a retirement location where you can swim in the winter, you may find Volusia county a bit colder than you had hoped for.
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Living in
Daytona Beach
If you are a serious NASCAR racing fan you may want to consider Daytona Beach as a possible retirement location. In addition to being the home to the prestigious Daytona 500 race, Daytona Beach is well know for its wide, car-friendly, hard-packed sand beaches. What many people don’t know is that racing got its start in Daytona in 1902 with car racing on the beach. But Daytona Beach offers much more than racing. Here you will find a wealth of cultural opportunities as well as outdoor activities such as golfing, fishing, hiking, and boating. And Daytona Beach touts that it is the “festival capital” of Florida due to the large number of diverse festivals it holds throughout the year.
Living in
Daytona Beach Shores
Photo Courtesy of: Volusia County Florida
If the activities in Daytona Beach interest you but you’d like to retire in a quieter, less touristy area, consider Daytona Beach Shores. With only around 4,500 residents you’ll find a slower pace of life yet you’ll still be within a short drive to all of the activities in Daytona Beach.
Living in
Ormond Beach
Located just north of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach offers quiet beaches and is a great option for those who want to get out and enjoy nature on a regular basis. Ormond Beach is home to two state parks (Tomoka State Park and Bulow Creek State Park) that each offer historical sites and great hiking. And if you really want to get out into nature, just head west on State Road 40 where for the next 70+ miles you will traverse state forests and wildlife management areas, ending up at the Ocala National Forest.
Living in
New Smyrna Beach
Photo Courtesy of: Canal Street Historic District NSB
New Smyrna Beach has 17 miles of sandy beaches and is a great retirement option for those that love to surf and fish. The nearby Mosquito Lagoon (don’t let the name scare you) is renowned for being an excellent spot to catch redfish year-round. And New Smyrna Beach is considered to be one of the best surfing beaches in Florida. But there are so many more activities to enjoy here, both outdoor and cultural. New Smyrna’s charming, historic downtown area is great for shopping, galleries, festivals and dining. There is no shortage of unique locally-owned restaurants to try.
Living in
Ormond-by-the-Sea
Photo by: Matthew Gane
If you are looking for the quiet, small-town beach life, Ormond-by-the-Sea might be for you. It’s a 2 square mile town on a narrow barrier island just over 1/2 mile wide with a population under 8,500. While Ormond-by-the-Sea is made up almost completely of residences, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t places to go nearby. The town of Ormond Beach is directly to the south and Flagler Beach is a short drive to the north. But the main attractions you will discover just steps from your front door are the distinctive orange sand beaches the extensive variety of wildlife.
Living in
Deland
Photo Courtesy of: City of Deland
Deland is a quaint, historic college town that offers plenty of opportunities to appreciate the arts. Enjoy a performance at the beautiful Athens Theater, join or listen to the Volusia Community Orchestra, visit the Deland Museum of Art and the Stetson Mansion, and attend one of the many events put on by Stetson University. And Deland is centrally located just 35 minutes to the Beaches of Daytona and New Smyrna and approximately 40 minutes to downtown Orlando.
