Independent Living in Florida
SeniorAdvisor has the most comprehensive information on Independent Living in Florida
Top Cities in Florida
Saint Petersburg
Tampa
Sarasota
Tampa
Jacksonville
Clearwater
Orlando
Miami
Naples
Fort Myers
Fort Lauderdale
Bradenton
Lakeland
West Palm Beach
Tallahassee
Pompano Beach
Boynton Beach
Melbourne
Pensacola
Boca Raton
Venice
Winter Park
Delray Beach
Ocala
Vero Beach
New Port Richey
Palm Beach Gardens
Altamonte Springs
Bonita Springs
Largo
DeLand
Lauderhill
Cape Coral
Hollywood
Apopka
Lake Worth
Lady Lake
Lehigh Acres
Tavares
Port Charlotte
Sun City Center
Port Saint Lucie
Margate
Kissimmee
Spring Hill
Leesburg
Rockledge
Gulf Breeze
Dunedin
The Villages
Florida is a large state found in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Alabama, Georgia, the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most popular states for retirement in the country, and it is no surprise as to why. The state boasts beautiful beaches, a warm climate and no one is ever too far from the water. The population of Florida is almost at 20 million people, but you would hardly notice with all the space that is found in the state and surroundings. This is a thriving hub of tourism, and there are activities galore for nature lovers and city slickers alike. If you choose to retire in Florida, it is guaranteed that you will never be bored. It is a family friendly city that should be on any golden ager's map.
Florida at a Glance
Florida's GDP is the fourth highest in the whole of United States at about $748 Billion dollars in 2010. The main contributors to the economy have been tourism, industry, international banking and construction among many other things. Tourism is by far the largest contributor to the economy and 60 million visitors a year flock to the state to partake in its warm weather, hundreds of miles of beaches and great entertainment value, such as amusements parks like Walt Disney World Resort. Agriculture is the second biggest contributor towards the state's economy, with citrus fruit being in the highest production. It actually produces the largest amount of citrus fruit in the United States.Florida offers some of the best outdoor experiences for those who love to appreciate nature. The beaches and rivers that encompass the state are full of marine life, and dugongs are a particular favorite for locals to spot. Florida is also home to the Everglades, which offer a plethora of animal and bird watching opportunities. Florida is not called the Sunshine State for nothing, and the warm, sunny weather means that the lifestyle is suited to spend a lot of time outdoors. However, it is also not short on entertainment value and is home to several amusement parks such as Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Universal Orlando Resort. The architecture in Florida is also interesting with Spanish and Mediterranean Revival type architecture interspersed among the numerous Art Deco buildings.
Not only is Florida a nature lovers paradise, while also offering the choice of the city life delights, but it is also a very good place to go to for tax reasons when you retire. Florida is one of the few states that has no income tax, and the residential tax for full time residents is capped at only 3%, although sales tax is at 6%, which is one of the highest in the country. The cost of living in Florida is also marginally less than average in the United States, and therefore as a retiree, your money will go further here.
The senior healthcare in Florida is second to none, and there are hundreds of different communities to choose from. If you are still fit and fully active, there is a choice to live in an independent living community where you get limited amounts of care, but if your health starts to deteriorate there are options for more intensive skilled nursing care. The elderly will find free bus rides to and from town from their communities, and the facilities themselves often organize daytrips or social gatherings to try and get the golden agers out and about. There are also seven nationally ranked hospitals in Florida, including the Florida Hospital, Tampa General Hospital, UF Health Shands Hospital, Baptist Medical Center, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Moffit Cancer Center and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital. This ensure that if you or your loved one have a medical problem that you will be able in reach of the best care possible.
Florida is one of the most popular retirement states in the US for good reason. It offers a unique mix of low taxes, below average living costs, mild weather, beautiful beaches and a well represented entertainment industry for all ages. Florida is one of the most family-friendly states in the country and makes a perfect place for your kids and grandchildren to come and visit you for their holidays. With all of these factors in mind, it is easy to say that Florida should be a very serious consideration for anyone looking for a place to retire.