10 Florida Waterfront Towns Where You Can Retire on $2,000 a Month (Or Less)

Have you always dreamed of retiring to a cozy seaside town with year-round sun? What about a sleepy lakeside city with a sturdy dock and fishing spots aplenty? If you think this dream retirement is outside your budget, think again.

FinanceBuzz's recent study on the best towns for snowbirds revealed multiple temperate, waterside towns with a low cost of living where seniors like you can comfortably retire.

Keep reading for our list of 10 lake and beach towns in Florida where you can retire on $2,000 a month.

Homosassa Springs is a manatee haven on Florida's Nature Coast, a quieter stretch of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico where Florida retains its rustic, wild feel.

Along with its low median monthly rent of just $1,109, Homosassa Springs also has below-average food costs (11% below the U.S. norm) and healthcare costs (over 20% below the U.S. norm), ensuring you keep more of your monthly benefit in your wallet.

Wildwood is almost exactly midway between Orlando and Tampa, so if you want big-city access without big-city prices, it's a great choice. The city is close enough to the ocean for a weekend trip, but you can also boat and fish at any of the four major lakes in the area.

Wildwood's median rent runs just $1,155, leaving you with plenty to spend at the downtown farmers' market or any of the four nearby golf courses.

The Villages is an entire area dedicated to individuals age 55+. The population of more than 125,000 people makes it easy for new residents to find a community. And, like Wildwood, the median monthly rent is $1,555.

With 50 golf courses, plenty of waterfront bars and restaurants, and over 2,500 community activities and clubs, The Villages is the ideal spot for anyone who spent their career dreaming of the ideal Florida retirement.

Located on picturesque Lake Jackson, Sebring is a verdant gem with a rich history. Its vibrant downtown is centered around a circle, and the town radiates outward from there.

Sebring's median rent is under $1,200 per month, but the savings don't stop with housing. Thanks to its 10 budget-friendly golf courses, Sebring is also known as "America's Value Golf Capital" with prices starting at $25 a round.

Pensacola's gorgeous public beach is its main selling point. The fine white "sugar sand" and strikingly clear sea make a scenic backdrop for a quiet beach walk, but the mild temperature means you can swim, kayak, fish, and sail year-round.

Median rent sits at $1,481. Housing costs are a stunning 31.7% below the U.S. average, and the area is cheap even for budget-friendly Florida: Miami, on the other side of the state, is 24% more expensive.

Lakeland is just an hour to an hour and a half away from the Gulf Coast, but as you can tell from the name, you can enjoy plenty of time on the water without leaving the city boundaries.

Apart from waterfront activities, Lakeland has plenty of unique opportunities for fun with family (especially grandkids). The median rent of $1,484 frees up your budget so your family can explore the two-story children's museum to the exotic-animal-filled Safari Wilderness Ranch.

Vero Beach might be known as the Hamptons of Florida, but it's far from pricy. The median monthly rent is $1,509, and since the city has around 26 miles of beach along the Atlantic Ocean, you won't have to spend money to travel to a dream destination since you already live there.

This quaint North Central Florida town is known for its world-class horse farms, but if you're not interested in the Kentucky Derby or horseback riding, you'll still find a lot to explore in Ocala.

The median rent is just $1,523, and the area's myriad freshwater springs make for unique outdoor experiences, including tours in glass-bottom boats that allow you to see manatee, alligators, turtles, and other Florida wildlife while you float.

Panama City, as well as its next-door neighbor, Panama City Beach, are just a quick ferry ride away from Shell Island, an undeveloped, seven-mile-long park where you can snorkel while keeping an eye out for dolphins.

The median rent is $1,543, which hopefully means you'll have some leftover cash to enjoy fresh seafood downtown every month.

Deltona is a short drive from the Atlantic Ocean, but since it's located right on the 8,000-acre Lake Monroe, you might not have much reason to drive out to the coast. Consider relocating to Deltona if you're a Disney fan: it's just 30 minutes away from Orlando but with much lower prices, including a median monthly rent of $1,614.

If you relocate to one of these Florida cities, you really can have it all: temperate weather all year long, easy access to your favorite beach, and enough money in your pocket to keep you financially stress-free.

And if you're still a few years out from retirement, now is the perfect time to consult with a retirement planner who can help you get your finances in order and facilitate this change.