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Hi all! I am just new here!
Where are the best places (for retirees) to live in Florida? I would be very much grateful if you could give your suggestions. I am currently jotting down my plans for my retirement. Please help me finish my checklist. Thank you in advance! I am excited to read all your recommendations.
Florida is an enormous state. I don't know if there is some sort of template here as I know there is for some of the city forums, but it would be helpful if you could provide details on what you're looking for, what's important to you, where you're from (maybe you'll want to be in a place with folks from your area), etc.
What about the Atlantic Coast, say the northern half, where it's a bit more affordable? We have gotten mixed stories as to whether places like New Smyrna Beach, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral are nice spots for retirees? We thought it would be a good area since it's close to Disney but still has the beach, the better to entice future grandchildren to visit.
But then we are told it's a not nice, too gritty, too high crime. Getting up to St. Augustine I think is not warm enough in winter for me.
Anyone retire to the more affordable areas of the East Coast of Florida, north of the spendiest spots?
We also considered the northern gulf coast area--Port St. Joe and north. Anyone there now with feedback? Like the Cocoa Beach area, we've had some tell us it's great, while others say it's the "Redneck Riviera" and isolated from shopping and medical services.....
As I hijack this thread, lol, I'm also wondering if those retiring "to the beach" after dreaming of it for years actually find themselves ON the beach regularly, enjoying it as you ever did, or does it just become the background to everyday life?
Miracle Whip and Wonderbread wouldn't exist if enough people didn't really like them.
Quite so.
I love my fresh scallops with foie gras, but I also greatly enjoy the occasional white bread, Miracle Whip, and bologna sandwich. Ahhh, heaven. Judge away, if that's what you like to do! Apparently an awful lot of people like The Villages, and they are folks who apparently have more money than I do as it's not the most affordable place to be. There must be something pretty good about it, though a large retirement community like that isn't for me at this time.
Different people like different things thank God, or we'd all be crammed into one spot together.
We currently live in the D.C. area and are contemplating retirement in FL. We've been to many parts of the State (except for the northern gulf coast) and have come to believe that the southern gulf coast is the best for retirees -- laid back, less developed than the Atlantic side, relatively inexpensive costs of living, beautiful beaches, and with a high proportion of 55+ population.
The only thing holding us back from making a final decision is the fear of hurricanes and hurricane evacuations in particular. Having said that, I understand the north Atlantic coast is least likely to get hit by one.
We just got done with our "taste of Florida" tour as I called it. Two weeks each in Papano Beach, Belleair Beach (by St. Pete) and Ponce Inlet (Daytona Beach). Also got to Naples and Sanibel. For us, we came away with liking the Gulf coast more, for many of the same reasons, quieter, seemed more layed back, etc. We haven't decided exactly what we are doing yet but am pretty sure it will be in the Bradenton down to Englewood area.
Right now my biggest hang up is what type of place for snow birding. I see two options, a condo on or near enough to the beach so it's walking distance or a home in one of the gated type of communities with the amenities that go with it. There's pros and cons to each which we have to sort out.
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