About Florida Area
Retirement Living in Florida
The Sunshine State – Florida is popularly known for its long stretches of beaches, most especially, in Miami, plus the amazing theme parks in Orlando.
This state is home to thousands of Active Adult Communities which provide various housing options to retirees from all over the country. Florida is truly one of the Top Retirement Destinations in the U.S. Most of the age-restricted communities here offer world-class amenities and a vibrant lifestyle that caters to the special needs of its 55+ residents.
Furthermore, active adults love the fine, summer climate in Florida because they can have more opportunities to try out different outdoor activities like sports and leisure.
Florida Climate and Geography is Ideal for Active Retirement
Florida is the southernmost state in the U.S. A big part of it is situated on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean and the Straits of Florida.
The climate here varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. On average, there are 237 sunny days per year here and the average temperature is around 71.80°F making this place the warmest state in the country. The highest temperature in July is 91°F while the lowest temperature in January is 45°F.
Florida offers Plenty of Recreation, Culture and Entertainment for Active Adults
Florida is famous for its hundred miles of gorgeous beaches and beach towns which is a popular tourist destination during winter and spring break. For example, the city of Miami, aside from its upscale South Beach that’s world-famous for its perfect golden sand, it’s also well-known for its diverse Latin-American cultural influences and famous art scenes.
At the Everglades National Park, visitors can see the amazing flora and fauna along with the abundant wildlife that’s thriving in this place. A lot of visitors would go on a wildlife spotting boat trips here.
Retirees can bring their grandkids down to Orlando – the city that’s teeming with different theme parks, including the Walt Disney World and the Universal Studios.
Traveling to the Tampa area, Busch Gardens will entertain nature lovers with opportunities to get up close and personal with a variety of wild animals living there.
And when it comes to parklands and nature preserves, this state also has plenty like the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, the Myakka River State Park Birdwalk and the St. Sebastian River State Park.
Here, active adults won’t ever feel bored since this state offers a plethora of exciting things which they can do all day, every day – all throughout the year. In addition, 55+ Neighborhoods in Florida are found near some of these local attractions so it’s easy for them to visit these places anytime.
Cost of Living and Taxes to Consider when Retiring to Florida
Fortunately for active adults, Florida is a very tax-friendly state. The average cost of living index here is 100.50, which is just 0.50% higher than the U.S average. Also, residents don’t pay a lot in their taxes since they do not impose personal income tax here and property tax rates are only at 1.1%. So active adults who’re not ready to give up their jobs, can still continue to work here without thinking about the costly personal income tax.
This also brings good news to those who’d like to move into one of the 55+ Communities here. Also, the Senior Citizen Exemption provides retirees (65 and up) with tax reductions up to $50,000.
Florida Healthcare
When it comes to health care, Florida residents can feel at ease since there are 303 hospitals and medical centers scattered in this state. In fact, the average ratio of physicians to patient is 206.
The Lake Wales Medical Center is a hospital owned by health care provider Community Health Systems, which provides general medicine, emergency treatment and various outpatient services to residents in Lake Wales.
The Fresenius Medical Care at Florida Hospital offers a variety of health care services and treatment for dialysis patients and those with kidney failure and other chronic diseases.
Aside from these, there are plenty more hospitals located here like the Oceola Regional Hospital, the Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center and the Bartow Medical Center.
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