Is North Palm Beach a Good Place to Retire? Country Club, Pickleball and Waterfront Living

If you want to retire in North Palm Beach, you are in good company. In the 2020 census, about one in three residents of this small village was 65 or older. North Palm Beach sits along the Intracoastal Waterway between Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, with canal homes, older condos and a village-owned country club. This guide looks at the club and its golf, tennis and pickleball, the types of homes retirees buy, local tax breaks, healthcare access and how the village compares with its larger neighbors.

Key takeaways

• North Palm Beach had 13,162 residents in 2020, with a median age of 55.5. About 32.6% were 65 or older.
• The village owns the North Palm Beach Country Club. Its golf course is one of only two municipal courses in the U.S. designed by Jack Nicklaus.
• Golf memberships were sold out when we checked, but residents can buy a Resident Card for special rates. The club also has 10 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts and a 50-meter pool.
• Indoor pickleball at the community center costs $2 a day for residents and $4 for non-residents. Osborne Park adds 3 outdoor courts.
• Qualifying low-income seniors get a $25,000 village exemption on top of the county's $25,000.

Why retirees look at North Palm Beach

The village is small, about 5.29 square miles, and more than 2 square miles of that is water. It was incorporated in 1956. Developer John D. MacArthur bought the land in 1954 and laid it out as a planned community, and the National Association of Home Builders named it the best planned community of 1956.

That planning still shows. Streets are quiet, and many homes back onto canals with access to the Intracoastal. Also, the village has its own library, open since 1969, and runs its own country club. For many retirees, that mix of small-town feel and quick access to larger cities is the main appeal.

The village also has a well-known golfer as a resident. Our post on where Jack Nicklaus lives covers his long ties to the area.

The country club when you retire in North Palm Beach

The North Palm Beach Country Club sits on U.S. Highway 1 and is owned by the village. It offers four types of membership: social dining, pool, tennis, and golf with a Resident Card option.

Golf

The course was designed by Jack Nicklaus. According to the village, it is one of only two municipal courses in the country with his design. When we checked, golf memberships were sold out. However, village residents could still buy a Resident Card for special rates. Ask the club about waitlists and current fees before you count on a membership.

Tennis and the pool

The tennis center has 10 lighted Har-Tru courts, with clinics and private lessons. Next, the pool is an L-shaped, 50-meter pool with lap lanes, diving boards and a splash pad. It offers classes for all ages, which helps when grandchildren visit.

Dining and social life

The social dining membership includes member pricing, early reservations and member events, plus pool access. For many retirees, this is the easiest way to meet neighbors. The club's 2025-2026 fee brochure lists current prices.

Pickleball and other activities

Pickleball has grown fast among retirees, and the village offers both indoor and outdoor play. Per the village's pickleball page, the community center at 1200 Prosperity Farms Road has indoor courts. Daily play costs $2 for residents and $4 for non-residents. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and it is closed Sunday.

In addition, Osborne Park has 3 outdoor courts. For beach days, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park sits close by. And for boaters, the canals and the Intracoastal are the main draw.

Homes for those who retire in North Palm Beach

Most housing falls into a few groups. Each one fits a different retirement plan.

Canal and waterfront homes

Many single-family homes date from the village's early decades and sit on canals with docks. They suit boaters and buyers who want a yard. However, older waterfront homes call for close inspections of the roof, seawall, dock and electrical systems. Flood zones also vary by street, so check the FEMA map and get an insurance quote early.

Condos

Condos along the water and near U.S. 1 give retirees less upkeep and a lock-and-leave option for travel. Since 2022, Florida has required milestone inspections for condo buildings three or more stories tall. Associations also face rules on structural reserves. So read the milestone inspection summary, the reserve study, the budget and recent meeting minutes before you buy. Ask about any planned special assessments too.

55+ options

Some retirees want an age-restricted community. Under federal rules, at least 80% of occupied units in a 55+ community must have at least one resident 55 or older. North Palm Beach itself is mostly an all-ages village, so ask your agent which nearby communities carry the 55+ label.

Prices and the market

We do not quote a village-only median here, because the small number of sales makes it swing. For context, the Palm Beach County single-family median was $650,000 in August 2026, with 40 median days to contract and 3.5 months of supply, per Miami Realtors. Condos and townhouses had a $300,000 median, 69 days to contract and 6.7 months of supply.

That split matters for retirees. If you are selling a larger home, you sell into the tighter single-family market. If you buy a condo, you shop in a calmer one with more room to negotiate. Waterfront homes in the village usually sell well above inland homes, so ask for recent closed sales on the canals you like.

Taxes and senior breaks

Florida has no personal income tax, which helps retirees with pensions and investment income. For property taxes, homestead can cut your taxable value by up to $50,000 and caps yearly increases in assessed value.

On top of that, the Property Appraiser lists North Palm Beach among the cities with a $25,000 limited income senior exemption. A qualifying owner 65 or older also gets the county's $25,000. For the 2026 exemption, household income must be no more than $38,686. By comparison, Jupiter grants $50,000 at the city level, so a qualifying senior there saves a bit more on the city's share.

Healthcare access if you retire in North Palm Beach

Healthcare is a top concern when you retire anywhere. North Palm Beach is close to the medical centers in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, including Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and Jupiter Medical Center. Drive times depend on where you live and the traffic on U.S. 1 and PGA Boulevard, so time the trip to your doctors before you buy.

Also check which doctors and hospitals are in network for your Medicare plan. Networks differ by plan and can change from year to year.

Is it better to retire in North Palm Beach, Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens?

Each place suits a different retiree.

• North Palm Beach is small and quiet, with a village-owned club, canal homes and a large share of older residents.
• Jupiter is larger, with more new construction, more beaches and a $50,000 city senior exemption.
• Palm Beach Gardens has many gated golf communities, major shopping and a $25,000 city senior exemption.

Many buyers tour all three on the same weekend. Then they decide based on the house, the club and the drive to family and doctors.

Pros and cons of retiring in North Palm Beach

Pros

• A village-owned club with Nicklaus-designed golf, tennis, a pool and dining
• Low-cost indoor and outdoor pickleball
• Canal homes with water access for boaters
• Many residents in the same stage of life
• A $25,000 village senior exemption for those who qualify

Cons

• Golf memberships were sold out when we checked
• Many older homes and condos that need careful inspections
• Flood and wind insurance costs on waterfront property
• Limited new construction inside the village

Planning your move to retire in North Palm Beach

Most retirees who move here follow a similar path. First, they decide whether to sell their current home before or after they buy. Selling first gives a firm budget, while buying first avoids a second move. Either way, talk with a lender or financial advisor about the cash you will need.

Next, rent or visit during different seasons if you can. Traffic, club activity and the weather feel different in February than in August. Then narrow your list to a home type: a canal house, a condo or a home in a nearby 55+ community.

Finally, file for homestead by March 1 after you buy, and ask about portability if you are moving from another Florida homestead. If you qualify, file for the senior exemption at the same time. Our North Palm Beach page has more on the village and its homes.

Frequently asked questions

Is North Palm Beach a good place to retire?

For many retirees, yes. The village has a large share of residents 65 and older, a village-owned club and water access. Still, the right answer depends on your budget, health needs and family.

Can I join the country club if I do not play golf?

Yes. The club offers social dining, pool and tennis memberships in addition to golf.

Where can I play pickleball when I retire in North Palm Beach?

Indoor courts are at the community center at 1200 Prosperity Farms Road, and Osborne Park has 3 outdoor courts. Residents pay $2 a day for indoor play.

Do seniors get a property tax break in North Palm Beach?

Qualifying low-income seniors can get a $25,000 village exemption plus $25,000 from the county. They must have homestead and file an income statement by March 1 each year.

Sources

• Village of North Palm Beach, Country Club memberships
• Village of North Palm Beach, pickleball
• Wikipedia, North Palm Beach, Florida (census and history summary)
• Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, limited income senior exemption
• 24 CFR 100.305, 80 percent occupancy
• Florida Statutes, s. 553.899 milestone inspections
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 home sales

Selling a larger home before you retire? Start with a free home valuation from Pure Equity so you know what you can spend next. Ready to look in North Palm Beach? Request a curated 55+ community shortlist, and we will match homes and condos to your budget and lifestyle. Talk with our team.