Florida may seem like the ultimate retirement dream destination, but not everyone should settle here. Therefore, it is vitally important that before choosing one of Florida’s stunning spots as home for retirement.
Naples should be top of your list if you seek year-round warm temperatures, waterfront living and an array of attractions.
1. It’s Getting More Expensive
Florida is often at the forefront of retirement discussions, as a popular retirement state and regularly appears on “best places to retire” lists.
Florida may no longer be considered the ideal state in which to retire, according to research conducted by WalletHub. Indeed, it dropped out of the top five this year due to other states offering lower living costs.
Though Florida remains an attractive retirement location, rising living costs have become harder for people to afford living there due to increased housing prices – which contributed most to this problem according to WalletHub study results.
Retirees who have invested their savings in real estate could face serious challenges with inflation threatening fixed incomes and increasing prices of goods and services, both of which pose risks to retirees.
Rising costs of daily life are making it harder for seniors to take advantage of new opportunities during retirement, such as traveling. They may be less inclined to do so because it might cost too much; additionally, some may become disinclined to try out new hobbies and pastimes altogether.
When considering where to retire, it is essential that you consider all factors which could have an effect on your quality of life. Along with cost, be sure that the area offers excellent healthcare systems, social activities and proximity to family. Visit various seasons so you can get an accurate sense of what living there year-round would entail.
At the core, it all boils down to what matters most for you – be it climate or amenities. Whatever it may be, taking time and doing research will ensure that you find your dream retirement location.
2. It’s Getting More Crimey
Florida is well-known for its beautiful beaches, tropical climate and laidback lifestyle; however, recent crime rates in the state have raised safety concerns that have prompted many retirees to reconsider moving there or seek alternatives.
Home Bay recently conducted a new study showing how Florida cities are losing appeal among retirees as costs increase and crime rates grow. Their comparison included property taxes, cost of living resources, healthcare resources and happiness scores among many others like air quality, job opportunities and crime rates.
The company used data from several sources – including AARP, Zillow and Yelp – to rank Florida cities. After normalizing each city’s performance against others in its category, their final rankings were calculated using weighted average of the five categories.
Florida still offers plenty of advantages for retirees, though some cities no longer hold as much appeal as they once did. Here are some popular retirement destinations in Florida and why they might no longer be as desirable:
Clermont in central Florida offers a tranquil retreat just west of Orlando. Its downtown has a charming small-town charm with restaurants and parks; plus, lakes, preserves, and golf courses surround this tranquil destination – making Clermont ideal for retirees seeking an enjoyable retirement without crowds of Orlando.
Sarasota offers retirees who wish to remain active an ideal environment, boasting one of Florida’s highest concentrations of senior centers and golf clubs per capita. Furthermore, its outstanding hospital offers first-rate care while its low property tax rate makes Sarasota one of Florida’s most cost-effective cities.
Pensacola in Florida Panhandle is an attractive retirement location for beachside living and a laidback atmosphere, although summer crowds might increase during that time of year. Still, this choice offers people looking for an easygoing retirement in close proximity with nature an ideal environment.
3. It’s Getting More Humid
If you are considering retiring in Florida, several factors must be taken into account. While its beaches, mild climate, and low taxes might make it an appealing option, its increasing humidity could present challenges that reduce energy levels while increasing heart disease risk and increasing mosquito bite sensitivity – an issue often experienced by retirees.
Many retirees find their perfect coastal towns like Jensen Beach and Cape Coral attractive as retirement living destinations, offering easy access to water activities, great schools and an inviting, laid-back lifestyle. Not only are these communities cost-effective; many also boast plenty of culture in terms of music venues, restaurants and art classes – perfect options for retirees on a budget!
Sarasota and Naples, Florida’s other popular retirement spots, offer plenty of luxury shopping and fine dining experiences while remaining reasonably affordable and featuring plenty of sandy beaches for beachgoers to enjoy. In addition, both cities boast excellent healthcare facilities – something particularly appealing to retirees.
Pensacola is another small coastal town offering excellent quality of life at an economical cost of living, boasting beautiful parks and landmarks, close proximity to hospitals, as well as boasting its own natural spring. There’s even an area protected coastline to call home!
Jacksonville is an excellent option for retiring on a tight budget, boasting all of the attractions found throughout Florida – sandy beaches, mild weather, low costs of living and even Latin American-influenced cuisine! Furthermore, Jacksonville boasts some of the highest public healthcare levels available in Florida.
Florida remains a great retirement location, though not necessarily for everyone. If you’re considering moving there, do your research first and visit during various seasons – this will give you an accurate representation of life there.
4. It’s Getting More Flooded
Florida has long been revered as an excellent retirement location. Boasting beautiful beaches, delectable local cuisine and diverse culture – Florida makes an attractive option to spend your golden years. However, before making the leap and deciding to relocate there for retirement purposes it’s essential that adequate research be performed beforehand.
Before making any significant financial commitments to an area, it’s wise to visit it several times during different seasons and conditions in order to gain an accurate sense of life there. Also consider renting a home for one or two years prior to making any important financial decisions – this will allow you to become better acquainted with its locals while meeting them personally; they could offer insights, both positive and negative, that you wouldn’t find elsewhere.
Florida offers an abundance of picturesque retirement locations, but not all are equally ideal. To help you narrow down the best place for you to live during retirement in Florida, Home Bay analyzed five popular Florida cities on various metrics such as health care access, affordability and recreation and entertainment offerings – the results are shown below.
Sarasota stands out as an ideal retirement location due to its expansive retiree community, quality health care access and abundance of recreation and entertainment activities. With top-rated senior living communities available and Florida’s highest concentration of theaters, botanical gardens and golf options per capita – not forgetting a low cost of living and access to grade A hospitals – Sarasota stands as an unrivalled place for retirees to settle down.
Naples, Florida, is another top Florida retirement destination due to its beautiful waterfront views and sunny climate. Although more expensive than some of the other locations on this list, Naples still provides retirees with an excellent array of facilities, restaurants and recreational activities – some of which rank among Florida’s finest!
Pensacola, Florida is an ideal retirement location if you love the Panhandle region. Boasting miles of federally protected beach as well as an inviting downtown district, this area is known for excellent schools and low property taxes.
