Best Florida retirement communities

Pelican Sound - active adult retirement community in Estero FL

Overall
Florida is where many people instinctively look for a retirement community - it probably has more top retirement communities of anywhere in the world. Its climate is warm all year round and you are never too far from water. Living costs can vary a great deal within the state; inland and northern towns tend to have more inexpensive options, while high-end communities like Naples have real estate prices and a cost of living that are significantly higher. Recreational activities are exceptional in this state with a double coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. The 2007 household population was 18,000,000. Median age is 39.8, 3.4 years higher than national average. This site will acquaint you with some basic facts about the best retirement places in Florida.

Best retirement towns in Florida
Florida is so big that is likely to have the perfect retirement lifestyle for just about anybody. Some obvious picks include places like Venice, Key West, and Tallahassee. Other towns to investigate include: Stuart, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, and Gainesville. Two other popular retirement towns that are very different but close geographically are Abacoa and Vero Beach. Many people are interested in a Central Florida retirement. For more ideas, see the list at right.

Climate
The Florida climate is characterized as humid subtropical. Summers are hot and wet, winters are warm or mild. Marine air from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic controls the climate.Key West is the only frost-free location in the continental U.S.

Economy
In 2007 the Florida per capita income was $26,125, near the middle for all states. Median home value in 2007 was $217,800, which is above the national average of $181,800. Prices have declined since then in Florida, particularly south Florida, where home values have been cut in half. In Cape Coral/Ft. Myers, for example, the median selling price had fallen to $87,300 by 1st Quarter of 2009.

Taxes
Florida is one of the few states with no income tax, which automatically makes it a tax bargain. It recently dropped its tax on intangibles. Sales tax is 6%, one of the higher rates compared to other states. Florida`s successful Save Our Homes law has attracted tens of thousands of permanent residents from other states. The Florida law caps increases in a home`s assessed value at 3% a year for full time residents. Local communities in Florida can change mill rates at will, but at least the most volatile component of the property tax, wild swings in appraised values, are moderated. Florida's total state/local tax burden is 47th, one of the lowest of any state (Source: The Tax Foundation). In 2009 the state is considering radical budget cuts to avoid an enormous deficit.

Certified Retirement Communities
Florida does not have a certified retirement community program.

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Reviews of best retirement cities

Park near downtown Venice FL - a popular retirement community

Click on the Florida Retirement Community reviews on the right. Or to find information about what retirement is like in different states for example to retire in Kentucky, retire in Georgia, retire in North Carolina, and retire in Tennessee.

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