Florida isn’t just about Disney World or the huge retirement community called The Villages. For tips and advice on moving to Florida, I spoke with residents and experts. Grab a cold one and get started. The water is warm but complex.
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Florida Goes Boom(er)
If you’re looking to retire in Florida, expect plenty of company. More than 3.5 million Floridaans 65+ are looking out for the newcomers. The 2010 U.S. Census showed that Florida had 18.8 million residents, with 3.5 million of them 65 years and older. By 2030, Florida’s population will be 23.9 million. 6 million of these people will be 65 or older. This is nearly twice the current senior population.
Florida is Not Always the Sunshine State
You may not be familiar with the extent of Florida’s weather if you have only visited Florida for a few times. Thunderstorms can be intense and frequent. Florida is almost tied with Oklahoma for the title of lightning capital in the United States. Oklahoma has 83.4 flashes/square kilometer and Florida, 82.8 flashes/square mile.
Seminole County and Orange County in Florida are home to Orlando. They average 160 flashes per square kilometer of lightning — the highest in the U.S. – while three of the 17 lightning deaths that occurred in the U.S. in 2020 happened in Florida. This category was shared by Texas.
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Florida has a lot less tax
You could save a lot on taxes by moving to the Sunshine State. Florida is one of the 10 most tax-friendly state for retirees. There is no income tax in Florida. This means that there are no state taxes on Social Security benefits and pensions, IRAs, 401ks, or other retirement income. It does not have an inheritance or estate tax.
- Retirees can prove Florida residency by following these steps
- Register to vote in Florida and, if summoned, do your civic duty.
- Get a library card
- You can change your driver’s licence and car registration.
- Establish relationships with local health care providers.
- Register at your local bank and keep receipts for ATM withdrawals.
Local shopping is also a smart idea. State tax auditors may review credit card records in order to determine where you are during the year.
- You can file a Declaration of Domicile at your local county court.
- Ten States with the highest sales taxes
- Florida’s homes are in short supply
Florida Insurance: You Will Need Plenty
In Florida, the risk of hurricanes can make it more difficult and costly to insure your home. You will need to pay a higher hurricane deductible — typically 2% or 5% of the coverage amount for damage caused by a hurricane. You should have enough money in your emergency fund for these potential expenses.
Florida has a lot of creepy and crawly things
Florida has its own ecosystem. The state’s diverse creatures can make your skin crawl. They could also be a drain on your budget.
Florida homeowners are used to dealing with termites as part of their daily routine. According to Terminix, Florida is among the top 25 U.S. cities that will have the most termites by 2021. It has five: Miami (West Palm Beach), Jacksonville, Orlando and Tallahassee. Perry, Century 21 says that termite treatment or a termite program is valuable for wood-framed homes because there is no winter season in Florida. The cost of treatment for termites in a 2,500-square foot house is $1,250 to $5,000, and a professional termite inspection costs from free up to $350.
Florida is not always a beach.
Florida is often mistakenly viewed as one large beach. A beach that is easy to reach.
But not so. The world-famous theme park? They are located in Orlando, a middle of Florida, about an hour’s drive from the beach.
“People thinking about moving to Florida should really investigate the state,” Dania Perry, a realty agent with Century 21 Jim White & Associates St. Petersburg says. “Each area in Florida has its own vibe. As different as the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean, the east and west coasts of Florida have very distinct vibes. North Florida is home to vast expanses of rolling hills and country.
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Florida’s Tourists can slow you down
According to Visit Florida, Florida saw approximately 87 million tourists in 2020. This is the lowest number of visitors since 2010. However, this was in the midst of the pandemic when tourism was at its lowest point since 2010. Florida was home to 131.42 Million tourists in 2019. The state also saw more than 100,000,000 visitors per year between 2010 and 2019, with many people visiting the state’s popular beaches, theme parks and other destinations such as Keys National Park and Everglades National Park.
Florida Sunshine can be a drain on your health
SPF was a new concept to many beach-goers in the 1970s. Baby oil was slathered onto your skin to increase the sun’s rays to deepen your tan. Little did you know.
Sun exposure to the skin was dangerous in the past and it is still dangerous today, especially for those who are tenderfoots moving from the Northeast or Midwest to tropical Florida year-round sun. Sunburns can lead to uneven skin color and premature wrinkling. Sunburns can cause skin texture changes. According to the Florida Institute of Neuroscience, “The skin can become hard and leathery.” You may also notice more wrinkles. Sun damage can also result in skin spots, such as brown, red, yellow or gray spots. Skin cancer is the most severe result of too much sunlight. The more sunburns and sun exposure you get, the higher your risk of developing skin cancer.
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Scammers like Florida as much as retirees
Scammers can be spotted, but you cannot run. You can retire and move to Florida but you can’t hide your identity from scammers. The Sunshine State is ranked No. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network report, the Sunshine State is ranked No. 3 for fraud in the United States with 1,123 fraud reports per 100,000 residents in 2020.
