For a very long time, Florida has been a mecca for seniors – a reputation it has well earned. There are plenty of good reasons why, you too, would find Florida an ideal place to spend your golden years. Here are just some of them.
1. Say Goodbye to the Winter Chill
Undoubtedly, the weather is one of those things on top of your list when you are looking for a retirement spot. And Florida takes the day. It has even earned the nickname “The Sunshine State”, with an impressive average of 230 days of sunshine. Summers are warm, winters are mild, and the springs and falls are temperate.
Therefore, you can spend your retirement days outdoors all year round and enjoy patio dining. Although that means maintaining your lawn and garden continuously, it’s a fair bargain.
2. Tax Friendly for Seniors
Besides the sunshine, you also get to enjoy low taxes. It is one of those states without income tax, helping you get more out of your fixed income. Besides, the state does not tax Social Security benefits, not to mention the friendly property taxes. That also means your heirs won’t struggle with state inheritance and estate taxes.
3. An Active Lifestyle
Going into retirement doesn’t warrant adopting a sedentary lifestyle. But you need a conducive environment to lead an active one. That’s Florida for you. For starters, most second homes in Florida have swimming pools, and the weather is ideal for swimming frequently. If you feel like maintaining a backyard pool is too much for you in your retirement, you can still enjoy the community pool.
Besides swimming, Florida also boasts plenty of sports action. For instance, Florida is home to two NBA teams and three NFL teams. Other options include golfing, water sports, boating, and biking. And not just you. Even when your family –especially grandkids – come to visit, they can turn off their digital toys and enjoy the mysteries of Florida.
4. White Sand Beaches
It’s hard talking about Florida without the white sand beaches coming up. The beaches spread for over 1,200 miles from the Gulf Coast all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Beaches like the Sanibel Island are well known for calm shores and lots of shells.
Once you retire in Florida, you can enjoy beach walking. And if you have grandkids, you can play in the sand with them. If you’d like a full-fledge beach life, you can settle in a beach town, like Destin, which is known as one of the most affordable beach towns in the state.
5. Make Friends with Ease
It would be nice to keep growing your social circle even in your golden years. And Florida helps you do that. The reason being, Florida attracts quite a big number of retirees each year, from different parts of the country. You can meet with such people, talk about things like culture shock, and create new memories together.
You can also find exclusive adult communities. They go a long way in giving you a sense of belonging as you strive to settle in your new home away from home.
6. Accessibility
For most people, retirement is an opportunity to spend more time with family. Luckily for you, Florida has several international airports, making it easy for your loved ones to come to you. It also means you can tour the world with ease. Some of the common airports in Florida include Dayton Beach International Airport and Tallahassee International Airport. What better way to create the adventure of a lifetime? If you’d like to take the train instead, there are several options.
7. Pet-Friendly Cities
As you enjoy the good times of your retirement days, you also want your furry friend to have a great time. You can make this dream come true in Florida since many cities here welcome pets. For instance, you can easily find dog parks. And some restaurants here will allow you bring your dog if you call ahead.
8. Lower Cost of Living
Everyone would love to save some money, especially when they are living off a fixed income. But that can be hard for you to do if you retire in a place with a high cost of living. Fortunately, the opposite can be said about Florida. Here, your overall costs of living can be lower, without foregoing fun activities. If you have some left to spare, you can spend it on travel, or philanthropy, or anything else that puts a smile on your face.
However, the low cost of living doesn’t cut across the state. You want to be extra careful when choosing the city. For instance, a city like Miami is in the costlier category.
9. Health Care
Old age can come with health complications that need constant medical attention. Therefore, accessibility of health care is a crucial factor when making retirement plans. In Florida, there is a wide range of high-quality health services and medical care catered to seniors.
Even better, it’s incredibly easy to find geriatric professionals in Florida, since they all know it’s home to many seniors.
10. The Music and Theater Scene
Who said music and fascinating shows are a reserve for the young and energetic? Even in your retirement days, you can take a break from the sound of waves crashing on the beach. A good opera performance or a rib-cracking comedy show would be a worthy substitute.
If history and culture is your thing, Florida spoils you for choice. Starting with sceneries like the architecture in St. Augustine’s historic district. Did you know that St. Augustine was once believed to have the fountain of youth? People would travel from far and beyond to drink from it and regain their youthful radiance. Maybe if you retire in Florida, you might get the chance to test how true the St. Augustine theory is.
Your retirement years should be full of rest, relaxation, and a chance to do everything you love. That’s why choosing a state to retire in is not as easy as it sounds. But going by all standards, Florida definitely checks off all of the boxes.
