[Charlie&Rose]

Leaning towards SC for retirement. Would like to hear thoughts, from those who have lived in both states after retirement. What state did you finally settle down in, and why. Which state did you find more affordable, and was there a big difference?
If we decide Fla, it would be in the Venice area. SC leaning towards the Bluffton area. Thanks!

[mpafr012]

SC may tax your retirement. SC is more expensive than Florida. Florida has no income tax, vehicle tax (other than 1st reg in Fl). Weather is better in Florida. I lived in SC for less than a month after I retired and moved back because it would have cost me to much to live there.

[Charlie&Rose]

Originally Posted by mpafr012

SC may tax your retirement. SC is more expensive than Florida. Florida has no income tax, vehicle tax (other than 1st reg in Fl). Weather is better in Florida. I lived in SC for less than a month after I retired and moved back because it would have cost me to much to live there.

Nope SC does not tax your retirement. Less then a month?, I wouldn`t call that living there....but thanks for your input

[lluvia]

Looks to be splitting hairs as far as cost of living according to this index.
https://www.missourieconomy.org/indi...ost_of_living/

If you're into water sports, theme parks, etc then Florida is your state.
If you hate heat, humidity, traffic and tourists then it's not.

[stumble]

Originally Posted by marcandme

Nope SC does not tax your retirement. Less then a month?, I wouldn`t call that living there....but thanks for your input

If you are relatively low income, SC does not tax retirement. If you have substantial investment income, or retirement income outside of SS of more than $15K, you are taxed.

[Elbig]

A big difference is winter weather. Depends on your preferences , of course, but SC is much colder in winter.

Bluffton, SC

Month avg High/Low
January 60° / 40°
February 62° / 42°
March 69° / 49°
November 69° / 50
December 63° / 43°

Venice, FL

January 72° / 52°
February 73° / 54°
March 77° / 58°
November 79° / 60°
December 74° / 55°

[kyle19125]

SC would tip the scale for me given it's not prone to out of control unplanned growth and insufficient transportation infrastructure like FL is generally. While there is a change of seasons which many would find attractive, do remember also that summer isn't hot as the hinges of hell for 7 months in SC like it is in FL. From another standpoint consider Venice like many other parts of FL has a very sizable snowbird population that arrives in Oct/Nov, which pretty drastically changes the living conditions in the area for 5 to 6 months whereas in SC it's pretty consistent year-round.

[Jimrob1]

I briefly looked in SC, in the Greenville area. I decided against SC, not because I felt it was a poor choice for many retirees. I just felt I wasn't suited for the state. I would feel out of place there.

I ended up with Fla. I think with this state. Your better off thinking beyond climate and no income tax. Believe me there is much more to consider in where we retire. Many seem to focus only on those two issues.

I feel Fla is not all that cheap anymore. It can be quite expensive in many regions. Housing cost is definitely rising. Insurance both home and auto is very high. Food is high and not nearly as many selections for major grocers. I'm sorry Wal-Mart, Aldi, A few Winn Dixie and fewer Whole Foods are not my idea of major Grocers. Publix dominates, and is basically a monopoly in the state.

Most of all and I can't stress this enough. One really needs to face reality in moving anywhere, especially Florida. Will they be comfortable with the overall quality of life here. Believe me it is not all life under a Palm tree. The state has serious population growth, and poor infrastructure. It also has a huge amount of people that leave the state after living here awhile.

I think your better off if you base your decision on
How much you can tolerate of the overall environment. Florida in this day and age can overwhelm a person. Its populations and crime statistics are not to take lightly. Ones neighborhood can quickly become, what it was not when you moved in. If you can afford Venice, then you can probably have an enjoyable lifestyle. The population there can afford to keep it Venice.

I will sum it up like this. Think way beyond sunshine and no income tax in your decision. In today's USA. One has got to consider a lot more. The overall quality of life. What type of people make up the population. How much effort does a state put into its infrastructure. What laws are in place that protect me where I retire. Or am I in a state, that just feels unsafe just to get gas or groceries. I feel that way in Central Fla. What is the overall quality and access to medical care. Can I easily find a doctor and make timely appts. Or is it a continuous battle, to get appts. Or lots of miles to find specialist.

A lot to consider. So don't fall for the its warm there, and there is no income tax. That is just plain foolish.

You know yourself, and what you like and don't like. No one on here can really tell you much, you probably don't already know.

I think you will get it right, and make the right decision based on your needs.

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by mpafr012

SC may tax your retirement. SC is more expensive than Florida. Florida has no income tax, vehicle tax (other than 1st reg in Fl). Weather is better in Florida. I lived in SC for less than a month after I retired and moved back because it would have cost me to much to live there.

South Carolina has an income tax.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Carolina Knight

South Carolina has an income tax.

Which wouldn't apply most likely in a retirement scenario...