12 Things Florida Retirees Wish Were Different About Living in the Sunshine State
Florida has the second-largest population of Americans 65+ years old in the country. And it’s not just by chance: warm weather and no state income tax are some of the benefits that draw retirees to the Sunshine State.
The problem? Florida isn’t always the paradise retirees expect it to be.
During my five years living in Florida, I encountered many native Floridian and transplant retirees who were happy with their choice to live there and many who weren’t. These are some of the top reasons retirees cited for no longer wanting to call Florida home.
1: Climate Woes
Blood circulation slows as a person ages, contributing to feeling colder more easily. While some retirees may move to Florida thinking they’ll love the heat, the sweltering, humid temperatures are an overcompensation for some residents.
2: Snowbirds
Floridians have a different struggle during the months between October and April when the weather isn’t as hot: Snowbirds. Native Floridians who’ve spent their whole lives battling with extra traffic and crowded supermarkets during snowbird season are sometimes ready to retire in an area where snowbirds are less common.
Meanwhile, a percentage of Florida transplants, some of whom may have been snowbirds themselves once upon a time, realize that living in Florida during those months loses its charm real quickly.
3: For the Rich
Retirees who don’t have a large nest egg may find themselves struggling financially by remaining in Florida. Although the state doesn’t tax any income they receive, Florida residents pay one of the highest full coverage car insurance rates in the nation, averaging $2,947. Property taxes can also add up, as do water and utilities.
4: Don’t Bug Me
Excessive bugs are another reason why some Florida retirees are choosing to leave their state. Lovebug season is particularly brutal, with the mating insects squashing themselves onto every part of a car’s surface when Floridians drive down the highway.
And let’s not even get started on mosquitoes. Florida ranks the worst in the nation for the state with the highest concentration of them.
5: Eyesore
Up until 1957, Florida consistently ranked as the state with the fastest growth. Its growth rate slowed until 2022 when the U.S. Census Bureau declared Florida as the year’s fastest-growing state. While state growth comes with its positives, some Florida retirees feel development is getting out of control, turning Florida’s coastline into a sea of buildings, making it harder for them to enjoy the nature that was once there.
6: No Mountains
Florida has no mountains, although some people mistakenly label the hills in the panhandle as such. So, outdoorsy folks who love hiking sometimes view retirement as their chance to flee Florida and settle down in an area surrounded by mountains and hiking opportunities.
7: Sinkholes
The threat of sinkholes might not push many Floridian retirees out of the state entirely. But one thing is certain: Dealing with losing a part or all of one’s home isn’t how one wants to spend their retirement. Sinkholes occur more frequently in Florida than in any other state due in great part to the limestone composing Florida’s bedrock, which dissolves over time with water.
8: Poor Water Quality
Florida ranks in the bottom-five tier for the worst quality water. The reason is that the state relies on groundwater, and the limestone bedrock that holds it can only do so much to keep it clean and filtered. In part due to Florida’s rising population and the pollution that comes with it, agricultural runoff and septic tank leakage negatively impact the state’s water. Florida also has to battle with saltwater intrusion in its freshwater.
9: Danger Lurks
Depending on where one lives in Florida, the state may feel dangerous. According to FBI data, Daytona Beach, Homestead, and Miami Beach are the top three most dangerous cities in the Sunshine State. Daytona Beach alone has nearly 1,230 violent crimes per 100,000 residents each year.
10: Expensive HOAs
Florida is the second-most popular state for homeowners associations (HOAs) in the country. It’s easy to see why, given that a large older population means many people don’t want to deal with outdoor home and lawn maintenance. However, HOA fees can be exorbitant in Florida.
The average HOA fee in Florida is $389. Compare that to the $291 national HOA fee average, and it makes sense why some people leave Florida in search of more affordable HOA fees.
11: Environmental Damage
The number of people living in Florida is taking a toll on the environment, and some Florida retirees are choosing not to add to it. The Environmental Integrity Project found that Florida has the highest number of lake acres that are too polluted for swimming and to foster healthy aquatic life. Its estuaries aren’t much cleaner, ranking second-worst in the country.
12: Hurricanes
The country holds its breath for coastal states during hurricane season. But can you imagine holding your breath year after year, knowing you could lose your home? Some Florida retirees are tired of it, choosing to leave the Sunshine State for an area where there’s less of a chance of a major natural disaster.
Reality Check
Although it may seem to Floridians that retirees are leaving their state in droves, data shows that Florida is one of the top states that people are moving to. It ranks in second place, with Texas ranking in first place.
Cali Non-Dreaming
Floridians may have noticed an uptick in Californians moving there, for California is one of the states that Americans are leaving the most. New York, Illinois, and Pennsylvania are the other states that Americans are also leaving in droves.
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