The Real Marigold on Tour S01E01 - Florida

In this episode they travel to Florida, one of the retirement capitals of the world, with low taxes and yearlong warm weather. Visiting two different retirement villages at either end of the scale, the group join the millions of Americans who are seeing out their golden years in Florida's vast gated communities - a new kind of suburbia for the over 55s, with healthy activities, 24-hour security and no children.

The famous four start their trip north of Orlando in Oak Run, an affordable community for 7,000 residents enjoying daily exercise, hundreds of clubs and weekly bingo. Keen to know the locals, Wayne decides to start a dance class, Rosemary throws a party for the neighbours, and Miriam takes Bobby to the local gun shop, to learn that despite living in fortressed ‘Leisurevilles', retirees are in fact their best customers.

The group's second destination is an hour north of Miami. The Polo Club, marketed as the height of retired living and home to some of the richest senior citizens in the states, charges $85k per year to be a member. But arriving at their new luxury home soon divides opinion in the group, and their experience of what many residents here consider to be the idyllic lifestyle is not for everyone.

Barely an hour in to their stay a heated exchange ensues and Miriam learns that talking politics and real life with a bunch of blissfully happy retirees is never a good idea. Meanwhile, Rosemary is intrigued to know how the Polo Club members appear to look so young, and she decides to visit a local cosmetic surgeon in a bid to hold back the years.