Dunedin : Florida

What Dunedin is like for active adults

Dunedin is an old sailing town of about 36,000 with a spectacular setting on the west coast of Florida, just above Clearwater. Dunedin boasts at least a mile of unobstructed views of Gulf beaches including those on Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island State Park. The latter was named the best public beach in America. Its downtown is quaint but prosperous and serves as the model for other Florida towns looking to avoid the big box/corporate franchise look-alike sweepstakes. Dunedin was the early name of the Scottish city of Edinburgh - Dunedin was settled by Scots and retains many interesting Scottish traditions and festivals such as the Highland Games and Spring Clan Gathering each spring.

Here is what Southern Living Magazine had to say about Dunedin in its November, 2008 feature story on the town: "You could walk the 15 square blocks of downtown Dunedin in less than an hour. Still, odds are, you’d get lost within minutes. There’s just something—many things, actually—about this coastal town on the St. Joseph Sound that engulfs the unsuspecting as well as the willing. Just ask the locals."

Real estate has been impacted by the housing crisis, with average prices in 2009 falling back into the $150's after being in the low $200's just a few years ago.

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What is special about this retirement community

Unusually good access to beautiful beaches. Interesting downtown. Home to spring training for the Toronto Blue Jays. Many parks and an outstanding recreation program and resources. A 39 mile of bike/pedestrian trail that bisects downtown. Money Magazine named Dunedin 1 of "6 terrific towns on the water". Dunedin Highland Games is an annual celebration of Scottish music, dance and sports

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What is not special about this retirement community

Like a lot of popular places you might complain about traffic and congestion. Hurricanes are scary when you are this close to the coast in Florida. Home insurance rates are high.

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What kinds of people like retiring here

People who like vital small towns and being close to the beach love it in Dunedin.

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Local economy is driven by

Tourism, retirees.

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Climate and Physical Environment

Right on the Gulf of Mexico and west of Tampa Bay. Just a few miles from Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.

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Cultural environment

The Scottish roots of Dunedin provide some interesting festivals such as the Dunedin Highland Games, an annual celebration of Scottish music, dance and sports. Nature is a big passion in Dunedin, but if you are looking for culture you can find it in nearby Tampa, a very large city with every kind of cultural resource.

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Medical facilities

Mease Hospital Dunedin is a 143-bed facility that has every major specialty. In 2009 the hospital was having a major expansion. Mease Hospital won the Magnet Designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2008. Other large hospitals are nearby.

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Transportation

Nearby Tampa is a major transportation hub.

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Valuable Links

Florida retirement guide
6 Terrific Towns on the Water

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Facts about DUNEDIN

State: FL
Environment: Coastal,
City Population: 25,001-50,000
Median age of Population: 45-64
Avg Jan Temperature: 41-60
Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
Total Crime Index: 81-90 (low)
Cost of Living Index: 91-100 (slightly below average)
Culture Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: No
Name of the Guide: boomer1

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