Right now you might be feeling cold and tired of working. You’re checking your 401(k) balance and keep looking at Social Security calculators.
You’re thinking about laying on a warm beach and relaxing, golfing, fishing, or just not having to shovel snow or set your alarm every day.
People 65 and over make up almost 21% of Florida’s population, and there’s a reason so many people retire to the Sunshine State.
Florida does not tax Social Security benefits, pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s, or other retirement income. Florida also has 1,350 miles of coastline—more than any other state except Alaska—and a climate suited to enjoy all that sand and sea.
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What You Need to Know About Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south by the Straits of Florida and Cuba; it is the only state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Spanning 65,758 square miles, Florida ranks 22nd in the area among the 50 states and, with a population of over 21 million, is the third-most populous. The state capital is Tallahassee, and the most populous city is Jacksonville.
The Miami metropolitan area, with a population of almost 6.2 million, is the most populous urban area in Florida and the seventh-most populous in the United States; other urban conurbations with over one million people are Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Jacksonville.
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Benefits of Retiring in Florida
Florida is known for retirement. It is a mecca for seniors searching for rest, relaxation, white sandy beaches, and luxury retirement. It has been this way for years, and the truth is, its reputation is well-earned.
According to the 2010 census, the Sunshine State reported the highest number of people over 65 (17.3%), more than any other state.
Florida has attracted seniors for decades. Learn why you may want to consider retiring in Florida and why so many retirees pursue a Florida retirement.
Retiring in Florida may sound cliche, but there are some great reasons to commit to retirement in the Sunshine State.
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1. Sunshine
For starters, the state’s nickname is actually “The Sunshine State.” Boasting an average of 230 days of sunshine, Florida’s subtropical climate brings warm summers, mild winters, and temperate springs and falls.
Even with a defined rainy season from May through October, retiring in Florida means abundant sunshine.
Winter temperatures range across the state, from lows in the low 40s in Tallahassee to lows in the mid-60s in the Keys. However, no matter where you choose to retire in Florida, winters are mild and still have a lot of sunshine, helping retirees enjoy the great outdoors year-round.
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2. Tax Breaks for Seniors
Florida is tax-friendly for retirees and retiring in Florida means you will get to keep more of your income.
There is no state income tax in Florida, and the state also does not tax retirement income or Social Security benefits.
There are no estate or inheritance taxes, and property taxes are reasonable, making the state financially appealing to seniors looking to save their money in retirement.
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3. World-Famous White Sand Beaches
There’s no place in the world like Florida beaches. With over 1,200 miles of coastline from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Ocean, Florida’s beaches are known for their soft, white sand, gentle breezes, and sun.
Sanibel Island is the number one ranked beach in Florida by U.S. News and World Report, known for its calm shores and abundance of shells.
Retirees in Florida will enjoy beach walking, playing in the sand with their grandchildren, or exploring Sanibel Island’s 19th-century lighthouse.
For a more active beach, Floridians flock to Destin. One of Florida’s most affordable beach towns, Destin also has shopping, dining, and water sport for visitors to enjoy while spotting dolphins and sea turtles.
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Retiring in Florida is sure to keep seniors active and social. Because Florida attracts seniors from all over the country, retirees will likely make friends fast, bonding over shared new experiences and setting out on a retirement adventure together – away from their home state.
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5. Active Lifestyle
While a Florida retirement brings plenty of rest, the state also offers active outdoor opportunities.
Explore the Everglades National Park on a high-octane airboat ride, Dive with manatees at Crystal River, see amazing coral at Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, or take in the stunning beauty of Amelia Island on a horse riding expedition.
The climate, the beaches, and the national park all lend themselves to an active lifestyle, encouraging seniors to take advantage of hiking, surfing, running, swimming, and more, helping retirees age well.
6. Active Adult Communities
Because Florida has such a large senior population, retirees in the state can choose active senior communities.
Many seniors move to Florida before a move to a senior living community because of the 55 and overactive communities.
Moving to a community exclusively for adults 55 and over can help new Florida transplants make friends and find a strong sense of community before moving into a senior living community.
Florida beckons seniors worldwide with its promise of options, choice, and adventure for retirees.
7. International Airports
Florida is home to several international airports, making visiting loved ones easy for the family and seniors.
There are 13 international airports in the state and several smaller regional airports to make it easy for seniors to continue traveling.
From Dayton Beach International Airport to Tallahassee International Airport and Ft. Meyers – Southwest Florida International Airport, retiring in Florida gives seniors easy global access. Additionally, Leisure Care communities in Florida offer
Travel by Leisure Care to help residents create the adventure of a lifetime.
8. HealthCare
Retiring in Florida provides access to world-renowned high-quality health services and medical care.
The high concentration of seniors in the state has led some of the world’s best geriatric professionals to Florida, giving seniors some of the best medical care in the world.
9. Arts and Culture
The tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and stunning scenery have drawn people worldwide, making Florida a melting pot of cultures.
From art museums, galleries, concerts, and restaurants, Florida offers residents a global experience while staying right at home.
10. Disney World
Where everyone feels like a kid again is in Orlando, Florida.
Disney World attracts millions of visitors annually and is a great place to take grandchildren when they visit – which you can be sure they will!
Retire in Florida and spend your best years at the Happiest Place on Earth.
20 Best Places to Retire in Florida
Here are 20 of the best places to retire in Florida.
1. The Villages
Located about an hour north of Orlando, The Villages reclaims the top spot on this list for 2023. It’s not for everyone, but more retirees moved to The Villages last year than any other place in Florida, so it at least deserves a look from anyone retiring in the Sunshine State.
Because of its sheer size and scale, The Villages is unlike any other place or community in Florida.
Residents have access to a fantastic collection of golf courses, recreation centers, town squares, and an unprecedented number of clubs covering just about any topic you can imagine.
Perhaps best of all, nearly everything is golf cart accessible.
2. Sarasota
Located along the Gulf Coast just an hour south of Tampa and a little under two hours north of Fort Myers, you will find the town of Sarasota.
This city combines the historic Old Florida feel with vibrant cultural districts to create one of the perfect atmospheres anywhere.
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3. Ocala
Earning a solid place in the Top 3, the Ocala area represents a unique combination of history, horses, and culture, surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural environments you will find anywhere.
Sprinkle in the collection of interesting shops and restaurants in Ocala’s downtown district, and you will find Ocala where no one struggles to find something to do.
4. Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie and other neighboring towns in St. Lucie County promote themselves as offering “the real Florida,” which they describe as a perfect atmosphere for golf lovers or anyone looking for a small, friendly beach town.
5. Watersound
Watersound is located near Panama City Beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast and is a place that you will hear A LOT about in the coming years.
That’s because it’s the location of the 3rd Jimmy Buffett-inspired Latitude Margaritaville retirement community, after Daytona Beach (1st location) and Hilton Head (2nd location).
Watersound is located in the Florida Panhandle, right off Scenic Highway 30-A in the heart of South Walton county, about 17 miles northwest of Panama City Beach and 30 miles east of Destin.
6. Tampa
As the third largest city in Florida, Tampa offers residents all of the big city amenities they are looking for, combined with the fantastic climate that draws people to the Sunshine State in the first place.
In addition to many amenities and great weather, Tampa is located right on the water and filled with outstanding shopping and dining options.
7. St. Cloud
Located along the southern banks of East Lake Tohopekaliga near Kissimmee and just south of Orlando, St. Cloud is a quiet city initially known as a retirement destination for Civil War veterans.
In addition to having a rich history, the area offers a type of small-town living that is getting harder and harder to find here in Florida.
Combining that small-town atmosphere with access to all the fantastic amenities just north of Orlando makes St. Cloud a perfect mixture of old and new Florida living.
8. Naples
Like many southwest Florida communities, Naples brings together the best of shopping, recreation, and beautiful white sand beaches. But residents here would argue that Naples offers the best versions of all three.
Historic downtown Naples is filled with high-end shops and boutiques. The surrounding areas are littered with championship-level golf courses.
And this location along the southern Gulf Coast of Florida boasts some of the most stunning beaches you will find anywhere.
9. Palm Coast
Located along the Atlantic Coast, about halfway between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, Palm Coast offers the perfect combination of nature and golf for anyone who enjoys both simultaneously.
Whether you focus more on golf or nature, you will be happy to have both rights in one of Florida’s best-kept secrets!
10. Ft. Myers
Known for offering the perfect combination of recreation and relaxation, Fort Myers offers endless options, including white sand beaches, first-class golf courses, exciting deep-sea fishing, and outstanding shopping.
11. Palm Beach
Palm Beach County is the largest county in Florida by area and has 47 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
Cresswind Palm Beach at Westlake is an active adult community between Wellington and Palm Beach Gardens in Westlake, FL.
The clubhouse offers residents a place to gather and participate in social activities facilitated by a full-time Lifestyle Director.
12. New Smyrna Beach
You will find New Smyrna Beach, just 15 miles south of Daytona Beach.
This quaint little beach town offers the atmosphere that many Boomers are looking for but it also brings quite a few unique amenities to the table.
13. Amelia Island
Located in the state’s far northeast corner, just north of Jacksonville, Amelia Island is stunningly beautiful and filled with history, culture, great shopping, championship-level golf, world-class resorts, and incredible restaurants.
14. Clermont
Sitting right in the heart of Central Florida, just 20 miles west of Orlando, is where you will find the impressive little city of Clermont.
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It has sometimes been ranked as one of the Top 25 Best Places to Retire by Forbes and Money Magazines and was also voted the #1 Florida Bicycle-Friendly Community.
15. Boynton Beach
Located just about halfway between West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, Boynton Beach offers residents a lifestyle far removed from all of the popular Florida tourist destinations without actually being all that far away from those places.
16. The Florida Keys
Some places are nice to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live there. The Florida Keys is perfect whether visiting for a weekend or deciding to make it a permanent home.
An idyllic tropical setting at the tip of the United States, combined with many recreation, entertainment, and cultural opportunities, creates the ideal place to spend the next stage in life.
17. Daytona Beach
Because of its popularity among race fans, motorcycle enthusiasts, spring breakers, and summer vacationers, Daytona Beach is often overlooked by many boomers searching for a Florida retirement destination that will fit their ideal lifestyle.
However, those popular reasons for visiting Daytona Beach are just scratching the surface of what residents enjoy here throughout the year.
18. The Nature Coast
Located along the inside curve of Florida’s coastline, the Nature Coast region connects the Sun Coast counties with the areas located further west along the Florida Panhandle.
It comprises nine counties: Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and the city of Dunnellon, which is part of Marion County.
This area of Florida is known for being a nature lover’s paradise, with some of the best collections of state parks and wildlife populations you will find anywhere in the country.
19. St. Augustine
Famous for being the oldest city in the country, St. Augustine is the perfect place for anyone who appreciates history.
The city is located along the east coast of Florida, just about 45 minutes south of Jacksonville and a little over an hour north of Daytona Beach.
In addition to being a great location for history buffs, St. Augustine is also filled with tons of culture, great shopping, unique places to eat, and two wonderful retirement communities.
If you are passionate about any combination of those things, the Nation’s Oldest City could be a great option for your retirement.
20. Venice
Located just south of Sarasota but not quite as far south as Fort Myers or Sanibel Island, Venice sits in a sweet spot along Florida’s southern Gulf Coast, making it the perfect destination for anyone looking to make the most of 14 miles of stunning white sand beaches.
Conclusion
Now that you know Florida is the state to spend your golden years in, what next? First, comb your current expenses and determine how much you spend each month. You may not have to once you move to a community because so much of senior living is all-inclusive.
Consider how much is spent monthly on food, utilities, healthcare, house maintenance, and homeownership costs.
Once you understand how much it costs to live on your own, you will have a more comprehensive understanding of the cost of senior living.
FAQs
Florida, one of our ten most tax-friendly states for retirees, has no state income tax. The good news is that because there is no state income tax in Florida, retirement income is tax-exempt.
Living in Florida takes approximately six months before you can be granted a residency.
Florida allows for reduced property taxes if the homeowner meets specific requirements.
A person can own multiple residences but can only have one domicile. A domicile is your true home, which you intend as your base.
References
- https://www.floridaforboomers.com/25-most-popular-retirement-cities/
- https://www.leisurecare.com/resources/reasons-retire-florida/
- https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/30-best-places-to-retire-in-florida-2021
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