Travel + Leisure put Ponte Vedra Beach on its list of the best coastal towns in the country to retire.

Travel + Leisure has released its roundup of the best coastal towns in the country to retire, and Ponte Vedra Beach made the cut. The list, compiled with input from local real estate experts and on-the-ground reporting, looked at towns across the country for the kind of lifestyle retirees actually want: ocean access, mild weather, walkability, and a real sense of community. Ponte Vedra Beach earned its spot alongside eight other coastal destinations, from Maine to California.

It is not hard to see why. Ponte Vedra Beach sits on the Atlantic coast about 32 miles from Jacksonville International Airport, close enough for easy travel without living in the middle of a big city. Retirees here get mild, mostly warm weather with just enough seasonal change in fall and winter to keep things interesting, along with beaches, golf courses, restaurants, nightlife, nature reserves, and cultural venues like the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, which hosts more than 140 shows and events a year. Nearby St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the country, adds history, art, and a steady calendar of festivals just down the road.

The area's outdoor access is a big part of the draw too: kayaking, biking, bird-watching, fishing, and hiking are all within easy reach, alongside the kind of natural beauty that comes with living on the water. Northeast Florida gets just enough of a seasonal shift in fall and winter to feel like a change of pace, while staying mild enough to spend most of the year outside.

For retirees who want resort-level living built into everyday life, Ponte Vedra Beach delivers that in a way few coastal towns can match. The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club both hold Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond distinctions, offering spas, oceanfront dining, and private beach access just minutes from home. Golf is woven into the community just as deeply, with Marsh Landing Country Club, TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship, and Sawgrass Country Club all within the area, giving residents access to some of the most recognized courses and clubs in the country without leaving town.

There are practical advantages as well. Florida has no state income tax, which matters for retirees living on a fixed income, and health care access is strong, with Mayo Clinic and Baptist Health both nearby.

Thinking about making the move?

If a national list like this has you thinking about what retirement near the ocean could actually look like, or you are already considering a move to Ponte Vedra Beach or Northeast Florida, we would love to help you figure out what that move looks like. Reach out any time to talk through the area, the market, or what your next step might be.

Where Ponte Vedra Beach ranked among the other 8 towns on the list:

• St. Simons Island, Georgia

• Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Fort Myers, Florida

• Ogunquit, Maine

• Freeport, Maine

• Ventura, California

• Astoria, Oregon

• Carlsbad, California

List originally published by Travel + Leisure and republished by AOL: 9 Best Coastal Towns to Retire in the U.S. for Ocean Views and a Relaxed Lifestyle