In the 1970s, thousands of retirees from the Northeast started migrating to Florida for warmer weather and stress-free living.
Developers quickly realized the opportunity and started building retirement communities like Century Village in West Palm Beach.
The "Gray Wave" of the 1970s resulted in a construction boom in the state, created a new industry of catering to the retired population, and made Florida a key political state.
Photographer Flip Schulke was commissioned by EPA to document the rise of retirement communities in Florida in the mid-1970s as part of the Documerica project. He captured the active lives of retirees in West Palm Beach, Miami and Key West.
From riding bikes to hanging at the pool to playing shuffleboard, retirement in Florida was the epitome of the American dream.
Tricycle Club of the Century Village Retirement Community (West Palm Beach)
Riding Three-Wheelers.
Tourists at the Public Beach Pier (Miami Beach)
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