Why Florida is the Best State for Retirement

Do an online search for the advantages of retiring in Florida and a huge list of resources for seniors pop up, from tax-friendly to quality medical care, to agencies, services, and communities that specialize in home and health care.

It’s not only the beaches and the weather anymore, even though Florida’s called “The Sunshine State” for good reason. No snow to shovel, no ice on the roads to navigate. Try not to call your family back north from a golf course in February!

So, why is Florida the best place to retire and what are the benefits of retiring in Florida?

The statistics speak for themselves:

There’s no personal income tax. Social Security isn’t taxed here. Florida doesn’t tax pensions, any retirement income, estate or inheritance taxes. That means 401Ks and IRA payouts aren’t taxed either.

There’s more than 130 55+ active adult communities in Palm Beach County alone. So, retirees have their choice of a lifestyle in a private, gated community with amenities from a large clubhouse with activities, hot tubs and swimming pools.

There’s a Homestead Exemption on your property tax when you buy a home or condo in Palm Beach County. Your Lang Realty agent always has the latest real estate on the market in cities, towns and suburbs from Boca Raton to Jupiter and further north in Port St. Lucie.

Residents tend to be frequent flyers for visits and travel. Three airports serve South Florida from Miami International to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Palm Beach International in West Palm Beach. And you don’t even have to drive to Orlando anymore to take the kids to Disney or Universal when they visit. Now there’s a private, high-speed railroad, Brightline, with stations in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach to Orlando.

And it’s not hard to get used to discounts at retailers and restaurants for military veterans and everyone at least 55 years old, a decade younger than 65 and older back north.   

So, why do older people move to south Florida? 

South Florida has matured into a 24/7 sophisticated area with entertainment venues, culture from theater to ballet to orchestras, celebrity concerts on tour, golf, tennis, pickleball, parks and nature trails and centers. Even happy hours. Why wouldn’t you move here?