LAKE MARABELLE, Fla. It used to be the kind of place that fell off most maps. A small waterfront town lined along the glistening shores of Lake Apopka, it was more recognized for its fishing piers and peaceful streets than for any national renown. All that has changed today.
The U.S. Census Bureau this week revealed that Lake Marabelle has been rated the nation’s fastest-growing retirement community, with 14 percent more residents over the age of 60 living there in just the last year, beating out even Florida’s renowned The Villages.
The boom has turned this former-secret hideaway into a destination of choice for retirees across the country. With houses painted pastel colors, a refurbished lakefront promenade, and sunshine all year round, Lake Marabelle has become the model for what Americans think is the perfect retirement.
A Shift Years in the Making
City leaders and longtime residents note that this was not a case of overnight success. The Lake Marabelle City Council passed a sweeping waterfront redevelopment plan in 2018, adding public park space, rehabilitating historic structures, and providing tax breaks for small enterprises. Skeptics at the time feared the town would lose its relaxed persona.
“Everybody was thinking we were going to turn into a tourist trap,” said Mayor Linda Vasquez, who enjoyed a cup of coffee at the Dockside Café, a staple in the town since 1964. “But what we got is a community that remained the same and became more livable and vibrant. It’s precisely what we wanted.”
With those changes came a flood of private investment. Builders constructed single-story lakeview residences with screened-in porches, walking paths, and golf cart–accessible streets. Healthcare professionals followed, with the development of a state-of-the-art medical facility in 2022 that offers geriatric services, orthopedics, and wellness programs.
Why Retirees Are Flocking to Lake Marabelle
Experts cite three primary reasons for the city’s explosive growth: affordability, quality of life, and community spirit.
Cost of living is still a big attraction. Although housing costs have increased over the past few years, the median home value here is still around 18 percent less than the Florida average. Retirees from higher-cost states, especially New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and California realize they can sell their properties up north and purchase a bigger home in Lake Marabelle and have some cash left over.
Natural scenery is a draw too. The 12-mile waterfront provides boating, fishing, and sunset tours, and there are nearby nature preserves with shaded walking paths and birding. “People come out to the docks every evening just to see the sun set,” said Henry Thomas, 72, who relocated from Ohio last year. “It’s as if the entire town takes one big deep breath.”
Social interaction also comes into play. Transplants frequently comment on how simple it is to make friends here, thanks to a busy schedule of activities from weekly farmers markets to pickleball tournaments to concerts by the lake.
A Downtown Renaissance
Most of the town’s new vitality can be experienced in its small downtown area. Ten years ago, vacant stores and worn awnings graced Main Street. Now the neighborhood buzzes with life.
There’s Bay & Birch, a breezy bookstore café with live music performances; Marabelle Mercantile, which offers locally produced soaps and crafts; and The Skillet House, a breakfast restaurant renowned for blueberry pancakes. Retirees aren’t customers alone, many are owners or operators of these businesses, applying their skills and interests honed in previous careers.
“We didn’t want to sit around,” said Susan Leigh, 68, who started a pottery studio with her husband after relocating from Vermont. “This town gave us room to be creative again.”
Challenges Behind the Growth
But rapid growth also comes with challenges. Housing demand has risen and fueled fears of overdevelopment. Local infrastructure: roads to water systems; is strained.
Some long-time residents are also concerned that Lake Marabelle’s distinct personality might be lost. “We welcome the new vitality,” said Don Harris, a retired fireman who’s lived here since 1980. “But I hope we don’t lose the small-town atmosphere that made us unique to begin with.
Mayor Vasquez recognizes the concern but states the city is moving actively to balance development with conservation. New zoning regulations restrict building height along the waterfront, and a new ordinance just passed directs a percentage of property tax revenue into environmental conservation projects.
Healthcare: A Major Draw for Retirees
One of the strongest influences behind Lake Marabelle’s success is its dedication to elderly care. The Lake Marabelle Medical Center — a shiny, glass-walled building — provides specialized care from cardiology to rehab, with a focus on preventive care.
“We’ve built programs around wellness, not just treatment,” said Dr. Anthony Li, the center’s director. “Our fitness classes, nutrition workshops, and mental health programs are helping people stay active and engaged well into their seventies and eighties.”
This healthcare access, combined with Florida’s lack of a state income tax, makes the area especially appealing to retirees living on fixed incomes.
National Attention
The Census Bureau’s announcement placed Lake Marabelle in the national limelight. Travel bloggers, real estate agents, and lifestyle magazines have started promoting it as “Florida’s Best Kept Secret” — although people in the area laugh about it being a secret anymore.
Large developers already are looking at surrounding land for expansion, causing excitement as well as concern. The city recently voted in a 300-unit retirement complex on the outskirts of the town, opening in 2026, that will consist of assisted living and memory care facilities.
For the time being, there is an overwhelmingly positive mood in Lake Marabelle. Retirees such as Henry Thomas aver they have no regrets about relocating. “I wake up every morning and look out at the lake,” he explained. “I’ve gained more friends here in a year than I did in the previous decade where I used to live.”
Local officials are wagering that strategic planning will make Lake Marabelle’s development sustainable. “We want to be able to say that this is a place where you can really live life after 60 — without losing the things that make it worth living,” Mayor Vasquez stated.
As the sun fell over Lake Apopka that Friday night, golden light danced off the surface of the lake, and couples walked hand in hand along the promenade. The air was scented ever so slightly with the smell of orange blossoms from surrounding groves. It was the kind of scene that speaks for itself — and perhaps the most obvious reason why Lake Marabelle’s time in the limelight is just around the corner.
