Not sure where to retire? For many seniors, an idyllic retirement lifestyle includes swaying palm trees, balmy evening breezes, and year-round beach fun. That’s why more older adults choose Florida to fulfill their dreams of retirement. In 2021, more than 78,000 seniors moved to Florida from other states—more than three times as many as the second most popular state. In 2023, Florida remained the number one destination for retirees, netting more than 11% of the total population of seniors who moved that year.
While the impressive scenery and beautiful weather certainly provide enough reason to migrate to the sunshine state, seniors retiring to Florida are finding a host of additional benefits that make the move suited to their goals. To help you understand if retirement living in Florida is right for you, we’ve compiled the top reasons seniors love this tropical haven.
1. Florida Is Among The Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees
Florida is one of the most tax-friendly states in the country. It has no state income tax, which means no state tax on pensions, Social Security benefits, IRAs, 401(k)s or other retirement income. It also has no inheritance tax or estate tax. Florida also doesn’t have a state sales tax on food, making grocery store trips a bit more palatable.
Florida also offers homeowners something called a homestead exemption. This exemption reduces the taxable value of real property by up to $25,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a married couple for qualified residents who own and live on the property as their primary residence.
2. Florida Senior Living Communities Are Plentiful
Florida has one of the highest numbers of retirement communities, with a variety of senior living types available to suit your lifestyle and healthcare needs.
Having so many retirement communities in Florida makes a lot of sense—just over 20% of state residents are 65 and older, the second highest share in the country. Many of these older adults are seeking out resort-style retirement communities in coastal towns, where luxury senior living merges with easy access to dazzling beaches.
3. It’s the Sunshine State
If you’re looking for adventure in retirement, few places offer better weather for exploration. Florida gets 237 sunny days annually, over a month more than the U.S. average.
The state’s temperatures rarely go below freezing; the average daily temperature is 70 degrees, making it the warmest American state. And if we’re talking about a beach retirement, we have to talk about the beaches. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida has 8,436 miles of coastline, second only to – who’d have guessed it? – Alaska. Florida also boasts nearly 200 public beaches, each with a unique atmosphere and gorgeous views.
4. Active Senior Living Is Easier With Year-Round Outdoor Fun
If you’ve got a beach, chances are pretty good there’s a body of water nearby. And along the eastern half of Florida in Palm Beach County, that body of water is the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the most popular vacation destinations in the state, Palm Beach County also has numerous canals, rivers, lakes, and the Intracoastal Waterway. All these are ideal for boating, fishing, jet-skiing, kayaking, pleasure cruising, canoeing, and swimming.
And if natural bodies of water aren’t quite your thing, no worries. Some luxury senior living communities in Palm Beach County offer enviable amenities like stunning outdoor pools with plenty of deck space to lounge in the sun.
Imagine scheduling a tee time in the middle of December. Well, in Florida, you can—comfortably. The Palm Beach County area has 160 public and private golf courses, the most in the entire state. That includes several championship golf courses, including the renowned PGA National Resort and Spa.
5. Your Family and Friends Will Love Visiting
Florida is known for being home to a certain mouse and his goofy friends. Orlando has six major theme parks, but they’re not the state’s only draw—far from it.
The state is also home to Everglades National Park, Kennedy Space Center, Daytona 500 National Speedway, the Florida Keys, Miami Beach’s renowned Art Basel art fair, a Salvador Dali Museum – the list could go on and on.
If you’ve ever had difficulty getting your family to visit you now, especially in the winter months, just imagine how much easier it will be when you tell them you’re retiring to Florida. You’ll have family visits galore from November through March.
6. Florida Offers Quality Senior Healthcare
If you’re thinking of the joys of living by the beach, you’re probably not wondering what the nearby healthcare situation is like. But if you need help, Palm Beach County has several county hospitals with 24-hour services. More than this, when you choose to live in a high-end senior living community with continuing care services and supported living options, you’ll gain the assurance of knowing you’ll have professional expertise at the ready, should you ever need it.
7. The Waterford Offers Premier Senior Living Here
Best of all, Florida is home to The Waterford. The Waterford is a resort-style senior living community equipped with the amenities, services, and healthcare options you need to live a life rich with passion and adventure. Our location in Juno Beach, Florida, provides easy access to gorgeous beaches, shops, and entertainment. Here, you’ll have all the benefits of retiring in Florida, with the added bonus of joining a community dedicated to empowering seniors to pursue their best lives.
Get In Touch
We’d love to tell you more about everything: our heavenly little spot in Juno Beach, the beauty of retirement living in Florida, and the unmatched joy of choosing a community that feels like home. Start the conversation by completing the form on this page or calling us at 1.888.672.7494.
