There are lots of reasons retirees are ditching the Dakotas, jumping from Jersey, clearing out of Colorado – and fleeing to Florida.
And why not? They’re trading interminable gray winters for endless summers living by the beach in the Sunshine State. In addition to seeking a relaxing beach retirement, they’re relocating because of Florida’s cost of living and quality health care. And with home prices rising across the country, many older adults are selling their houses and getting out of Dodge City, Kansas, to live by the beach.
And the lure of living by the beach is attracting lots of older adults. In 2019 nearly 69,000 people 60 and older moved to Florida – almost 200 seniors every day.
So, should you join them? That decision depends on a number of personal and financial factors, of course. But let’s look at these seven universal reasons Florida remains such a popular retirement destination.
1. It’s not a very taxing state.
Florida is one of the most tax-friendly states in the country. It has no state income tax, which means no state tax on pensions, Social Security benefits, IRAs, 401(k)s or other retirement income. It also has no inheritance tax or estate tax. Florida also doesn’t have a state sales tax on food, which makes trips to the grocery store a bit more palatable.
Florida also offers homeowners something called a homestead exemption. This exemption reduces the taxable value of real property by up to $25,000 for an individual, and $50,000 for a married couple for qualified residents who own and live on the property as their primary residence.
2. There are lots of living options.
Florida has one of the highest number of retirement communities – including the country’s largest near Orlando that’s home to more than 100,000 seniors.
And having so many retirement communities in Florida makes a lot of sense: a February 2020 USA Today article found that just over 20% of state residents are 65 and older, the second highest share in the country after Maine.
Many of these older adults are seeking out retirement communities in coastal towns – like The Waterford in Juno Beach, Florida. Located in Palm Beach County on the eastern side of the state, The Waterford is as close to living by the beach as you can get while still enjoying all the perks a retirement community offers. But more on that later.
3. It’s the Sunshine State.
The state of Florida gets 237 sunny days annually, over a month more than the U.S. average.
The state’s temperatures rarely go below freezing; in fact, the average daily temperature is 70 degrees, making it the warmest American state.
And if we’re talking about a beach retirement, we have to talk about the beaches. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida has 8,436 miles of coastline, second only to – who’d have guessed it? – Alaska.
But not many people flock to Alaska to sunbathe on their sandy shores.
Incidentally, Florida also boasts nearly 200 beaches, with one of the finest, Juno Beach Park, less than a 10-minute drive north from The Waterford on Highway 1.
4. Enjoy outdoors year-round.
If you’ve got a beach, chances are pretty good there’s a body of water nearby. And along the eastern half of Florida, where Palm Beach County is located, that body of water is the Atlantic Ocean.
Palm Beach County also has numerous canals, rivers, lakes and the Intracoastal Waterway. All these are ideal for boating, fishing, jet-skiing, kayaking, pleasure cruising, canoeing and swimming.
And if natural bodies of water aren’t quite your thing, no worries. The Waterford lives up to its name, with two stunning outdoor pools and plenty of deck space to lounge in the sun.
Imagine scheduling a tee time in the middle of December. Well, in Florida you can, comfortably. The Palm Beach County area has 160 public and private golf courses, the most in the entire state. That includes several championship golf courses, one of which, PGA National Resort and Spa, is a neighbor of The Waterford. Residents enjoy membership privileges there, and a round of golf is a perfect way to enjoy the Florida weather.
5. It’s a tempting place to visit.
Florida has a well-known reputation for being home to a certain mouse and his goofy friends. Actually, Orlando has six major theme parks, but they’re not the state’s only draw. Far from it.
The state is also home to Everglades National Park, Kennedy Space Center, Daytona 500 National Speedway, the Florida Keys, Miami Beach’s renowned Art Basel art fair, a Salvador Dali Museum – the list could go on and on.
If you’ve ever had a hard time getting your family to visit you now, especially in the winter months, just imagine how much easier it will be when you tell them you’re retiring in Florida. You’ll have family visits galore from November through March.
6. There’s quality health care nearby.
If you’re thinking of the joys of living by the beach, you’re probably not wondering what the nearby health care situation is like. But if you do happen to need help, Palm Beach County has several county hospitals with 24-hour services.
And The Waterford offers several services to keep you healthy and safe. Like an emergency call system and 24-hour security. Transportation to medical appointments. On-site rehabilitation. And a comprehensive health and wellness program at the community to keep you in tiptop shape.
7. The Waterford is located here.
We’ve teased it a little bit already, but yes: Florida is also home to The Waterford. And while we don’t have Universal Studios’ roller coasters or The Everglades’ alligators (good heavens, no!), we do offer older adults an enriching, empowering retirement lifestyle, close to the beaches and shops and restaurants of the seaside town of Juno Beach. All with the security of Life Care.
So if a retirement destination like Florida and living by the beach really do intrigue you, maybe it’s time you learned more about us.
Get to know The Waterford.
We’d love to tell you more about everything: our heavenly little spot in Juno Beach, the beauty of retirement living in Florida, and the unmatched peace of mind of Life Care. Start the conversation by completing the form on this page, or by calling us at 1.888.672.7494.
