Sebastian, Florida

What It Is Like to Retire in Sebastian

Sebastian is one of the fastest growing areas in Florida. The town on the east (Atlantic) coast is just north of  Vero Beach and is considered warm in winter.  It is on the shores of Indian River Lagoon on Florida’s Treasure Coast.  People in retirement make up one of the most important demographic groups in Sebastian which has an estimated population of 26,118 in 2019. The town is mostly residential and quiet - suitable for golf, fishing, tennis, and relaxing.  It is filled with retirement communities and over 55 developments. The Sebastian waterfront along Indian River Drive hosts a full service resort, restaurants, entertainment venues, deep sea fishing facilities and eco tours on the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River. The City has a "working waterfront" facility to show the public a real fish processing operation, fishing museum and related businesses. The City of Sebastian operates a championship 18 hole golf course where the fees are low. The golf course is located adjacent to its "boutique" City Airport (X26) with two 4,000 lighted runways, full aircraft servicing/fueling facilities and a world famous sky diving operation, The City operates a new web site, www.sebastianretirement.org, which details the many retirement benefits here in Sebastian.

Where to Retire in Sebastian and Home Prices

According to the National Association of Realtors the median sale price of a home in the Sebastian-Vero Beach area was $375,400, during the 3rd quarter of 2023.

What Is Special about Sebastian

Quiet and still undiscovered. Right on the Atlantic and the Indian River. Sebastian is home of "Pelican Island", the first National Wildlife Refuge. Along the waterfront there are all types of water sports, boat docks/moorings, repair, and storage facilities, deep-sea fishing, eco-tourism, surfing, miles of beaches and a direct outlet to the Atlantic Ocean.

What Is Not Special about Sebastian

Hurricanes walloped this area twice in 2004, which has recovered and improved much of its infrastructure.

Who Will Like Retirement in Sebastian

Retired people looking for a coastal town with low crime and a low cost of living.

Local Economy Is Driven by

Construction, retirees, and tourism drive the economy.

Climate and Physical Environment

Sebastian is located on the Indian River and the Atlantic Coast, just below the half-way north south point of Florida.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Sebastian has a branch library which is part of the Indian River County Library system.

There are several museums in the local area including the Sebastian Historical Society Museum, The Mel Fischer Treasure Museum and the Sebastian Inlet Fishing Museum. Nearby Vero Beach also has several museums.

There is a branch facility of Indian River State College located in Sebastian.

Crime

Crime in Sebastian is near the national average. The rate of violent crime is much lower than the Florida rate.

Medical facilities

Sebastian River Medical Center is located in Sebastian. Nearby Vero Beach is home of the Indian River Medical Center which is associated with the Duke University Heart facility.

Transportation

Sebastian is located six miles east of Exit 156 off US I-95. US Route 1 runs through the center of Sebastian. Melbourne is 20 miles to the north and Vero Beach is 10 miles to the south of Sebastian.

The City is some 70 miles from the Orlando International Airport and 20 miles from the Melbourne Airport. the West  Palm Beach Airport is 80 miles to the souith.

Valuable Links

City of Sebastian Retire in SebastianSebastian Golf CourseSebastian Airport Guide to Florida retirement and retirement communities