Florida has every reason to consider itself the retirement capital of the U.S.; its warm, temperate climate and excellent health care draw senior citizens from all over. Many retirees moving to the Sunshine State decide to live in mobile home parks; the hassles and costs incurred are not as pejorative as those involved in buying a regular house. Florida citizens often make the same choice for similar reasons, and snowbirds also buy mobile homes to live in during the winter months. Few parks are directly on the ocean, but many are located close by, and a few parks are representative of the choices available.

Location, Location, Location

The Atlantic Ocean marks Florida's eastern coast -- Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico mark the south and western shores respectively -- and south Florida is usually considered to abut central Florida along a line that runs through Lake Okeechobee. The Florida Keys begin at Key Largo. South Florida on the ocean, then, describes the length of coastline between West Palm Beach to the north and Kendall to the south. Locals usually consider anything east of U.S.-1 to be near the ocean, but this is a rule of thumb only; the road parallels the shore for long stretches where places to live are only on its western, inland side.


Mobile home parks are different from regular neighborhoods in that most carry out security checks of prospective residents before allowing people to move in. Parks that are near the ocean are typically better equipped, better maintained and more expensive to live in than those further inland, so park managers take their responsibilities with these checks seriously. The assessments serve to confirm that applicants are who they say they are and are the age they purport to be, as well as running criminal background and credit checks. Some parks go much further, for instance, requiring personal references. Contracts also typically mandate a maximum number of vehicles and pets that can be associated with any residence, and restrict the areas where alcohol can be consumed. If any of these restrictions is likely to cause a problem, it is better to consider alternative parks.

Adults Only

In the world of mobile home parks, "adults only" seldom means applicants older than 21 will be accepted; the phrase usually indicates that prospective residents must be over the age of 55. This restriction is intended to exclude persons with children still living at home. Park operators and neighbors are typically happy to have grandchildren visit occupants, but teenagers living full-time in such confined quarters are another matter. Again, parks closer to the ocean tend to be more strict in enforcing these controls.

Local Facilities

A prime consideration when debating where to settle down is the level of local provision. If you need specific medical treatments, you might want to concentrate on parks close to a big city such as Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale or Miami. If you travel frequently, access to the major east/west and north/south interstate highways may be desirable. Perhaps proximity to an international airport would be a plus, if you intend to visit more remote destinations or expect -- and it is reasonable to expect -- numerous visits from friends and relatives who still live in areas with less attractive climates. Certainly, easy access to shopping malls, restaurants and vehicle service providers is desirable. Parks near the ocean are almost certain to be in or close to built-up suburban areas, so local facilities tend to be abundant.


Most mobile home parks have a range of on-site amenities intended to make life easier for their patrons. Decide whether laundry facilities, a convenience store with a supply of propane or an office that is staffed full-time would be assets. Many parks are gated, having a barrier that only opens for people with a code or a swipe card. Many have a social center where book clubs, exercise clubs and hobby-centric groups meet; such facilities often also host pot-luck diners, coffee mornings and game afternoons. Because parks close to the ocean tend to be more costly, their levels of provision are typically more comprehensive.

Specific Communities

You can find a plethora of good advice on Internet resources that specialize in evaluating mobile home parks. As a representative sampling, Best Retirement Community Guide (bestguide-retirementcommunities.com) recommends Walden Woods (waldenwoodssouth.com); Florida Parks (floridaparks.com) recommends Del-Raton Travel Trailer Park in Delray Beach (no website: 2998 South Federal Hwy.; Delray Beach; 561-278-4633); and Retirement Homes (retirementhomes.com) recommends Magic City Trailer Park (no website: 6005 NE 2nd Ave.; Miami; 305-759-0336).

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
Suggest an Article Correction