Florida is often considered one of the most desirable retirement destinations in the United States, and for good reason. With its warm climate, low cost of living, and abundance of recreational activities, it’s no wonder many retirees choose the Sunshine State as their retirement haven.
Florida offers some great health care and living arrangements. According to Hall & Rheingans, most senior Americans will need some support after the age of 70. Florida can check off all the necessities of senior living nicely.
Healthy Living in Retirement
As we age, protecting our health becomes more important than ever. One of the first things you should do when preparing to retire to Florida is ensure that you have arranged to have a healthcare team ready to transfer your medical records.
The continuation of health care is essential in retirement.
Florida’s warm climate offers plenty of opportunities to stay active outdoors in retirement. Whether you love playing golf, strolling through parks, or water sports on the ocean, Florida has something for you.
Keeping up with your health can be easier in Florida if you have the right healthcare team and take advantage of the warmer climate. Before you move to Florida, make sure you have found a provider that can take you on as a new patient.
Plan a Financial Safety Net
Retirement usually means a change in finances. Protecting your finances in retirement is essential. Florida enjoys wonderful weather most of the year. However, Florida is also known for hurricane risks that can result in flooding.
According to the National Weather Service, about 25% of severe flood damage occurs in areas not designated as flood zones. It is strongly suggested you consider flood insurance when you retire to Florida.
As a matter of fact, before you retire to Florida, it is a good idea to evaluate all your insurance needs.
Do a little research to learn more about insurance in Florida. Consider researching homeowners policies, auto policies, and health insurance policies to better understand how to better protect your finances. Insurance is a great financial safety net.
Ensure you have all the insurance you need before retirement to protect your financial health.
Housing Options in Florida
One of the most important considerations before retiring to Florida is housing. There are a lot of housing options in Florida. For example, there are retirement communities, there are single-family homes, there are rural properties, apartments, condominiums, and more.
Most people think of beaches when they think of Florida, and there are plenty of beaches, but there are other areas to live in.
Investing in an older home can save you money. You can do some renovation work on an older home and get great value.
For example, according to the Department of Energy, replacing the old single-pane windows with Energy Star Rated windows can save about 31% on cooling costs. Of course, you can buy a brand-new home in Florida to retire to and not have to do any work.
Choosing where you will live is an entirely personal choice. Consider your budget and what you want to do in retirement before you decide. Planning can go a long way in ensuring you have the retirement you always dreamed of.
Retiring to Florida is a goal for many Americans.
The Sunshine State has a lot to offer to retirees including a great community support system. People who retire to Florida report good health both physical and mental and find that their golden years are truly golden thanks to the retiree-friendly laws.
Learn more about what you should do before you retire to Florida.