[Charlie&Rose]

Everything I read about the best place to retire financially...is Florida. I have been searching all areas, except central. It seems to me to be expensive. The property taxes are high, there are CCD fees, and HOA~S seem to be higher......then say the Carolinas. What am I not seeing??

[Sandsam]

Not every community has a CDD or high HOA.

There is no state income tax in FL.

[FLKitties]

As Sandsam pointed out, not every community has high CDD and/or HOA fees. Those fees can vary greatly by individual community based on any amenities the community the might offer. HOA fees are paid to the association while CDD fees are bundled in with your property taxes. Property taxes vary from city to city, too. For example, Fort Myers and Cape Coral are in the same county but Cape Coral has a lower rate.

The no state income tax can be huge for people. Check https://taxfoundation.org/2019-state...ates-brackets/ and scroll down to the US map which shows all the rates in one spot.

In addition, Florida temperatures are generally much warmer than you'll find in the Carolinas so we have much milder winters. Plus, you can get from one side of the state to the other in a matter of hours so you can enjoy Gulf Coast and/or Atlantic Ocean waters easily from most anywhere in the state. In the Carolinas, you only get the one coast and the states are wider resulting in more travel time to the beaches.

Plus, it's all relative to where you're coming from whether things are higher or lower here in FL. People in some states may find they are getting a huge break while you feel it's more expensive.

[logybogy]

No State Income tax is major. Let's say you are from New York and have millions in capital gains. You automatically save 12+% in city and state income taxes by moving to Florida. You do the math on that. It can easily be hundreds of thousands to millions in tax savings if you are extremely wealthy.

Also, Florida has no state inheritance taxes unlike NY and others. That's another huge benefit to living to Florida if you are very wealthy.

These benefits don't necessarily benefit the middle class retirees as much but it's huge for the very wealthy.

[Charlie&Rose]

Planning a trip at the end of summer. Hope to get recommendations for over 55 communities to visit. We are open to all areas, except central.....we are beach people. We are looking in the price range of up to 300K, but less would be better. We would like some activities in the community, such as bocce, shuffleboard, and some clubs. We are not shoppers, so that is not important......close to medical is.
Low HOA`s, (under 300.00) along with no fees, such as CCD`s, are important. Some property taxes seem very high to me. Is there a discount, for those over 65?
Appreciate any communities that you could recommend, as Florida is to big a state, to visit every thing. Oh, yes, house size would be about 1500sq ft, 2-3 beds, and 2 baths. Thanks!

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by marcandme

Planning a trip at the end of summer. Hope to get recommendations for over 55 communities to visit. We are open to all areas, except central.....we are beach people. We are looking in the price range of up to 300K, but less would be better. We would like some activities in the community, such as bocce, shuffleboard, and some clubs. We are not shoppers, so that is not important......close to medical is.
Low HOA`s, (under 300.00) along with no fees, such as CCD`s, are important. Some property taxes seem very high to me. Is there a discount, for those over 65?
Appreciate any communities that you could recommend, as Florida is to big a state, to visit every thing. Oh, yes, house size would be about 1500sq ft, 2-3 beds, and 2 baths. Thanks!

Why not Central FL?


Central West Coast far less crowded and excellent beaches.


Central East Coast nice beaches and lots to do, but lots of traffic as well.



Central, like Orlando, no thanks.

[PamelaIamela]

Originally Posted by logybogy

No State Income tax is major. Let's say you are from New York and have millions in capital gains. You automatically save 12+% in city and state income taxes by moving to Florida. You do the math on that. It can easily be hundreds of thousands to millions in tax savings if you are extremely wealthy.

Also, Florida has no state inheritance taxes unlike NY and others. That's another huge benefit to living to Florida if you are very wealthy.

These benefits don't necessarily benefit the middle class retirees as much but it's huge for the very wealthy.

I found the benefits to be HUGE for a middle class, or upper middle class person.
Health care costs are, like the rest of the country, a wild card.
BUT...

Coming from Long Island, the auto insurance was about the same but the roads are much better down here.
Plus, we don't shovel heat.

The RE taxes are absolutely MINISCULE by comparison! Like $18,000 on LI vs $1800 for the same size (and way cheaper) house!!

If you are retired your clothing costs drop off a cliff once you don't need business or winter clothing.

Plus no income tax does make a difference to everyone who has a reasonably decent income.

Also, electricity is cheaper here as well. Finally, factor in lower sales tax and lower entertainment costs (like opera, sporting events, jazz clubs, stand-up comedy and small but quite excellent theater venues) and there is no question that Florida is a bargain.. at least if you come from Hawaii, Alaska or either coast.
Iowa or Tennessee, not so much.

[Charlie&Rose]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Why not Central FL?


Central West Coast far less crowded and excellent beaches.


Central East Coast nice beaches and lots to do, but lots of traffic as well.



Central, like Orlando, no thanks.

Central like Orlando, no thanks for us to

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by FLKitties

it's all relative to where you're coming from whether things are higher or lower here in FL. People in some states may find they are getting a huge break while you feel it's more expensive.

This

[Charlie&Rose]

Originally Posted by expatCA

Why not Central FL?


Central West Coast far less crowded and excellent beaches.


Central East Coast nice beaches and lots to do, but lots of traffic as well.



Central, like Orlando, no thanks.

Central like Orlando, no thanks for us to. Can you recommend communities in Central West Coast????