Why Do People Retire in Florida? 9 Things You Must Know

Why do people retire in Florida? Besides the sunshine, sandy beaches and oranges, people approaching retirement age may crave a warmer climate to call home in their golden years, especially if they live in the snow and cold for most of the year. So, as you sit there mulling over a happy retirement in the Northeast or Midwest, thousands of others have already packed up their belongings and are on their way to Florida. And the facts back it up.

Florida saw its population surge by more than 467,000 people in 2025, the largest single-year gain in over a decade, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program. Not only is the state's weather a strong draw, but Florida also has no income or estate taxes, and property taxes are relatively low compared with other states.

But Florida has a lot more to offer than just beaches. Disney World, a wide variety of recreational activities, a lower cost of living, warmer temperatures, and a massive retirement community known as The Villages, all compete as top draws for retirees.

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However, you'll want to consider everything about the state before packing up and heading south. We recommend you "try before you buy" — spend an extended period in the Sunshine State to get to know the place before you make a move.

Here's what you need to know about retiring to Florida. So grab an OJ and dive on in. The water’s warm, but complex.

1. Bask in the warmth but prepare for rough weather

Sure, Florida has great weather. After all, it is called the Sunshine State for a reason. But don't expect every day to be sunny. Thunderstorms in Florida are frequent and intense. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts six months, from June 1 until the end of November, and peaks between mid-August and late October. Since 1850, all of Florida’s coastline has been impacted by at least one hurricane.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season saw fairly normal activity, with 13 named storms, five of which became hurricanes and four of which were major hurricanes. Tropical Storm Chantal brought tropical-storm-force winds and flooding to Florida's northern edges. The likelihood of harsh weather can affect the financial benefits of moving to Florida, as Florida residents pay much more for property insurance. More on that below.

2. You'll need plenty of insurance in Florida

The risk of hurricanes and tropical storms makes insuring your home in Florida much more complex and expensive than in many other parts of the country. In many hurricane-prone areas, insurance companies often require property owners to not only purchase homeowners' insurance but also flood insurance, and sometimes even windstorm coverage.

“The cost to insure a home without wind mitigation features could be four times higher than a home with wind mitigation,” says Chris Heidrick, founder of Heidrick & Co. Insurance in Sanibel, Florida.

Unfortunately, floods aren't covered by a standard homeowners policy, but you can get coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program. Costs vary, but tend to be high. For example, an average National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy costs about $899 per year, based on NerdWallet’s analysis of 2025 National Flood Insurance Program rates. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) puts that figure at approximately $926 per year.

However, many insurance companies in Florida are leaving the state entirely. Others are choosing to significantly raise rates, limit coverage and even cancel policies. Some companies, like Progressive, are not leaving Florida, but are making significant adjustments to their home insurance policies in the state. Allstate, another major insurer, has also significantly scaled back its operations in Florida. Farmers and AAA have also left or cut back coverage in Florida.

For this (and other reasons), the availability of coverage and cost of premiums can vary considerably. Plus, expect to pay a higher deductible for hurricane damage — generally, 5% to 10% of your coverage amount for damages caused by a hurricane. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has a great Rate Comparison Tool that provides premium estimates from insurers in your county.

Overall, it’s important to find out if a potential home can be insured and for how much before buying it, so you don’t end up with annual premiums that are several thousand dollars more than you are expecting to pay.

Read: Do You Need Home Insurance?

3. Florida’s a lot less taxing

Moving to the Sunshine State could save you a lot of money in taxes. Florida, one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees, has no state income tax. That means no state taxes on Social Security benefits, pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement income. It also has no inheritance tax or estate tax.

But snowbirds who maintain a second home in a colder state can’t just tap their heels together to establish residency in Florida for tax purposes. You’ll need to show that you spend more than half the year — 183 days — in Florida. And don’t expect state tax auditors to take your word for it. For starters, keep a diary or log showing the number of days you spend in each state during the year, says Tim Steffen, director of advanced planning for the private wealth management company, Robert W. Baird.

Here's what else to do:

• Register to vote in Florida, and if you receive a jury summons, perform your civic duty
• Apply for a library card
• Change your driver’s license and car registration
• Establish relationships with health care providers in your new location
• Open an account at a local bank, and keep receipts of ATM withdrawals
• Shop locally: State tax auditors sometimes review credit card records to determine where you were during the year
• File a Declaration of Domicile with your local county court

4. The state's population is growing fast

Retiring to Florida? Expect lots of company. Florida is already the third most populated state (with approximately 24.3 million residents), and just keeps growing, only second to California and Texas (#2) in population.

By 2030, the number of seniors in the Sunshine State is expected to increase by several million. So, depending on where you land, expect to be surrounded by people who look like you, grey hair and all.

“Everything is geared toward retired, older people,’’ said one resident, a January 2012 transplant from upstate New York who owns a home in Fort Myers Beach (Gulf side). “All the commercials are about things like walk-in bathtubs, insurance, Lifeline, i.e., ‘I've fallen and I can't get up.’ So many volunteer activities are during the workday. It's like they don't think people move down here to work.”

5. Florida’s tourists can slow you down

Don't underestimate the amount of tourists who pour into Florida every year. If you visited Walt Disney World when you were a kid, you probably marveled at the crowds. As a resident, you’ll probably only be annoyed by them. In 2025 alone, Florida welcomed a record-breaking 143.3 million visitors, according to Governor Ron DeSantis’ office. That's a lot of people converging on the state’s famous theme parks, beaches and destination spots, such as the Keys and Everglades National Park.

Think of all those tourists on the road as you try to run errands. Major headache.

6. Yes, there's such a thing as TOO much sun

Beach bums in the swingin' '70s knew nothing of SPF. It was baby oil, baby, slathered on your tender skin to enhance the rays of sunshine to deepen your tan. Little did we know the dangers.

The sun on exposed skin was dangerous then and is dangerous now, especially if you're a tenderfoot moving from the Midwest or Northeast to year-round sunshine in tropical Florida. Sunburn can cause premature wrinkling and uneven skin coloring. Too many sunburns or too much sun will cause your skin's texture to change.

"The skin can become tough and leathery," according to the Florida Institute of Neuroscience. "You may also notice more wrinkles. The sun can also cause brown, red, yellow, or gray spots in the skin called sun spots."

And the most serious result of too much sun, of course, is skin cancer. Your risk of getting skin cancer increases the more sun exposure and sunburns you have. So be careful. Per 2025 CDC data, Florida has the highest skin cancer rate in the U.S., with southern states like Georgia, Alabama and Texas 20% to 50% above the national average.

Sun worshippers are urged to stop sunbathing, avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm (when the sun's rays are most damaging), and use broad-spectrum sunscreens. And when you are on the beach, sit under an umbrella or some other shaded protection from the sun.

7. Housing supply is increasing

Previously, Florida, like elsewhere in the country, was low on home inventory in this seller's market. But recently, Florida has faced the opposite problem — an increase in building and inventory and not enough buyers. Redfin's early 2025 report shows a surge in homes for sale along Florida's Gulf Coast — part of a statewide 23% year-over-year increase in listings to a record high in January 2025.

Of the 10 metro areas that experienced the largest year-over-year increases in supply, six are in Florida. As mentioned, Cape Coral, FL saw the biggest jump in homes for sale (51%), followed by North Port-Sarasota, FL (48%), Fort Lauderdale, FL (30%), Tampa, FL (29%), Orlando, FL (23%) and West Palm Beach, FL (20%). The consequence of this? Sellers are slashing prices in these areas.

“Out-of-town homebuyers no longer see Florida as a place to get amazing value for a low price. Now they’re moving to North Carolina or Tennessee to get a good deal," Eric Auciello, a local sales manager, says in the report. He goes on to say: "My advice to sellers is to price your home fairly; the comps from six months ago don’t exist now. And if you’re a buyer, know that the odds of getting an offer accepted below market value are pretty high.”

Of course, you're still going to find luxurious waterfront homes for several million dollars in many Florida communities, but the average Florida home value is $370,112, according to the latest figures by Zillow. For comparison, the average United States home value is $357,445.

8. Life’s not always a beach in Florida

There’s often a major misconception about Florida as a retirement destination: Many think the state is one big beach or an easy-to-reach beach. Not so. Those world-famous theme parks? They’re in Orlando, in the middle of the state, an hour or so car ride to the beach.

“People who are thinking about a move to Florida should really explore the state,” says Dania Perry, a real estate agent with Century 21, Jim White & Associates in St. Petersburg. “Each of Florida's metro areas has its own vibe. The east and west coasts of Florida are very different, as different as the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. North Florida features vast stretches of rolling hills and countryside.”

You already know the big destinations: Orlando, home to Disney World, Universal Studios and their smaller ilk; Miami, if you want to live out your “Miami Vice” or “Golden Girls” fantasies (whatever floats your boat; we’re in a no-judgment zone); and the Florida Keys for a laid-back lifestyle as far south as you can go in the state.

But other Florida towns belong on your Florida Retirement Planning Tour. Fort Myers Beach, for example. You’re right on the Gulf (or close to it), there are plenty of 55-and-older communities, yet it remains youthful during the high season, with plenty of young people flocking to the resort area with its boardwalk and bars.

Sarasota has plenty of beaches, and the small city moves a bit slower than some of the larger towns in Florida. There is a wide array of restaurants and stores in St. Armands Circle, the island shopping center. Another bonus: access to the Sarasota Memorial Health Care system, which is one of the largest and highest-rated medical centers in Florida.

Is retiring to a college town — to teach part-time, take college courses (free for people age 60 or older), or just hang out with the young’uns — a must for you? Check out Gainesville, home of the University of Florida. But bear in mind that Gainesville is deep in the heart of Florida, 75 miles from any beaches.

9. Florida has lots of creepy, crawly things

Florida is its very own ecosystem, and the state’s various creatures may do more than make your skin crawl. They might also eat into your budget.

For instance, dealing with termites is just part of the routine for Florida homeowners. In 2025, Miami ranked #1 on Orkin’s Top 50 Termite Cities list for the second year in a row. Tampa is #3 on the list, with Orlando at #8 and West Palm Beach at #9.

A termite inspection by a pro ranges from about $50 to $325, with an average of around $150, according to Hoffer Pest Solutions. The average cost for tent treatment of termites can be anywhere from $1,500–$8,000, depending on the square footage and severity.

Then there are the rats — on the beach, in the trees, and perhaps on your roof, too. Yes, they are the same rats you know and loathe; they've just adapted to the climate and are called, among other things, palm rats and roof rats. Rat control can cost homeowners upward of $600 a year.

As a Floridian, you’ll also have to keep an eye out for alligators, panthers and pythons. Oh my. Florida has an estimated 1.3 million alligators, out of the approximately five million in the U.S., and you might encounter them slinking across a golf course or gliding in backyard swimming pools.

“Beware of Alligators” signs are posted at lakes, lagoons, parks, ponds, golf courses and elsewhere throughout Florida. Alligator attacks are rising partly due to rising temperatures, development and people visiting their habitat more frequently, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission experts say. Since 1948, there have been 453 unprovoked bites statewide, including 26 fatalities, most involving swimming, wading, or handling in known gator habitats. In 2025, the FWC documented two major bites, including one fatality.

Panthers, the state animal of Florida, are another tale. While there have been no documented panther attacks on humans, they do dine on pets and livestock. An estimated 120–230 adult panthers are living primarily in South Florida’s wild areas, such as the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve.

Besides panthers and other nasty pests, Burmese pythons, which aren’t native to Florida, are also growing in numbers in Everglades National Park — and showing up in homeowners’ pantries, cars, laundry rooms and other spots.

Is a Florida retirement right for you?

While Florida offers long lazy days of sunshine, sandy beaches, tax advantages, reasonably priced homes (at least for now), a low cost-of-living for retirees and a steady economy, the cost of insurance, sub-par health care (sadly, Florida ranks 36 out of 50 states regarding the quality of health care), urban crime rates and a heat index that can reach 110 degrees, may make you think twice about retiring in the Sunshine State. Before packing your bags, check out why some retirees are bypassing Florida for other states that offer a better quality of life.

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