Gainesville: Most Affordable Places To Live In Florida
Home to the University of Florida and Santa Fe College, Gainesville is one of the safest and cheapest places to retire in Florida. It is a large city and located in Alachua County.
Gainesville is an ideal destination when youre searching for that affordable big town feel. Offering all the necessary amenities for a low cost of living this city doesnt break the bank with its affordable median home price.
Why It is Cheap?
The cost of living in this sunshine state city is 2% lower than the national average. Housing costs are lower as well as grocery and healthcare. Only the utility cost is higher than the national average.
Job opportunities are skyrocketing in Gainesville. Top employers in the area include the University of Florida and UF Health, followed by the Alachua County School Board and Shands HealthCare and North Florida Regional Medical Center.
Gainesville
Nearby Sightseeing
The city features several family-friendly attractions including public parks, lakes, scenic walking trails. You must visit Ichetucknee Springs State Park during the summer months and enjoy the cool activities in this popular Florida springs to beat the heat. Florida Museum of Natural History is also a popular tourist attraction in Gainesville.
Cost of Living in Gainesville
Food cost can be slightly pricier, but overall you will see a significant reduction in cost while living in Gainesville. The monthly budget comes in at less than $1700 a month in Gainesville.
Plenty Of Water And Beaches
The Fernandina Beach area has 13-miles of beach, much of which is accessible to the public simply by parking off the main road .
Guarded beaches with amenities can be found at:
- Main Beach Park
- Peters Point
- American Beach
Folks looking for other water activities away from the ocean will have plenty of options. Fernandina Beach offers excellent kayaking opportunities on the Amelia River, Cumberland Sound, Lofton Creek, Egans Creek, and more. Get an up-close view of the birds and wildlife along these protected shores.
The rivers, inlets, and sounds surrounding the Fernandina Beach area offer great fishing opportunities for redfish, sea trout, and flounders. Walk to the jetties of Fort Clinch State Park and enjoy some surf fishing for flounder, sheepshead, and speckled trout. At the south end of the island is a 1-mile long fishing bridge that spans the Nassau Sound, giving you a chance to catch whiting, jack, drum, and tarpon. You can also hop on a boat and do some deep-sea fishing for wahoo, marlin, tuna, amberjack, and shark.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Retiring In Florida
To make your life even easier, here are the 3 advantages and disadvantages of living in Florida.
Pros:
- 20.9 % of the Florida population is 65 years old and even more. Therefore, a large senior population and a great chance to make new friends.
- Fixed income groups can easily find affordable homes ranging from $170,000 $210,000.
- 300 days of warm weather and beautiful climate to enjoy during your retirement years.
Life without cons is incomplete. So, lets know the cons of retiring in Florida.
Cons:
- The healthcare system in the state is below average.
- There is too much traffic in the state which is challenging to navigate all time.
- Florida is home to snakes, alligators, and other dangerous critters.
To know more about the pros and cons of living in Florida, you can .
Final Words
What are you waiting for? You have now reached a stage where enjoying life and balancing time between relaxing on the beach and spending quality time with family matters. Florida is home to pleasant cities, and towns on both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and inland. Pack your bags and lets settle here!
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Themarket At Lakewood Ranch
Finding fresh produce is never a problem thanks to The Market at Lakewood Ranch, which is a farmers market held in the parking lot of the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center every Sunday morning from 10 am to 2 pm.
The Market at LakewoodRanch usually features more than 50 local vendors, so there is never a shortageof delicious options and healthy produce.
Is Destin Florida Expensive To Live
Yes, consistent with most Florida beach towns, the cost of living in Destin is 18% higher than the US average, driven mostly by the fact housing costs are a whopping 62% above average .
As mentioned in Pro #5, average income levels in the area are 25% higher in Destin versus the national average, which helps offset the increased costs a bit. However, the expensive housing is still going to be stretch for many of the residents.
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Where To Retire In Tampa:
Valencia Del Sols convenient Tampa location makes it easy to enjoy having fun in the sun along Floridas Gulf Coast. Offering a robust and extraordinary 55+ lifestyle, Valencia del Sol caters to residents looking to socialize and stay physically active. Active adults will enjoy the 25,000 square foot Clubhouse offering an array of resort-style amenities including a fitness center, grand social hall, a relaxing pool and spa, tennis and pickleball courts as well as a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. A full-time, on-site lifestyle director will be dedicated to organizing a wide variety of fun events, clubs and opportunities for making new friends all year-round. This amazing new community features a stunning selection of twin villas and single-family homes starting in the $400ks that provide the ultimate in 55+ living at an incredible value.
Cape Coral Is One Hurricane Away From Complete Destruction
The coastal wetlands of Florida, held strong by the roots of mangrove trees, are designed by nature to absorb the impact of storms. The original developers of the Cape destroyed that swampland and its mangrove trees, leaving the homes of Cape residents unprotected from a major storm.
The land of Cape Coral is 5.5 feet above sea level. A Category 2 hurricane can bring a storm surge of 6-8 feet, while a Category 5 storm surge can be above 20 feet .
Given this simple math, it is no wonder that flood studies show Cape Coral has more properties at substantial risk of flooding than any other place in the nation:
- Studies show that 87% of Cape Corals 120K homes are currently at risk
- and by 2050, that number will increase to 97% of properties.
The Cape is literally the worst place in America when it comes to a risk of a devastating flood. As climate change increases sea levels and strengthens hurricanes, the chances of the Cape being wiped off the map get worse every year.
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Best Neighborhoods In Clearwater
Choosing the “best” neighborhood is of course all subjective but there are some that have homes that sell faster than others, have more amenities, more affordably priced, or more high-end. The Mandalay subdivision is close to North Clearwater Beach and is a more luxurious single-story community full of elegant shops, restaurants, and hotels. The Carlouel Beach & Yacht Club and famous Pier 60 is all located in this area making shopping, dining, and entertainment very attractive to potential homebuyers or condominium buyers. This is also a great location to consider investing in Clearwater real estate as a lot of people consider renting in this part of the city because of those amenities.
The Bayside Subdivision is another beach property with modern designs and waterfront homes on the Intercoastal Waterway. It’s a great place to consider owning a boat with three recreational activities, and access to the Gulf of Mexico. It has some awesome restaurants all close by as well.
Island Estates is one of the luxury communities between Clearwater Beach and downtown Clearwater. It has its own post office, shops, and restaurants and is home to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Honeymoon Island State Park. Nearly every home on Island Estates is waterfront and features a dock perfect for the boating enthusiast.
Valencia Cay At Riverland In Port St Lucie
U.S. News & World Report ranked Port St. Lucie as the third best place to retire in 2021. Valencia Cay features an opulent 4,000-acre pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. The average home starts from $288,450.
Active adults will enjoy the 34,000square foot Clubhouse or the Grand Social Hall offering an array of resort-style amenities including a café, community garden, functional gym, and other facilities.
The options are endless and you will find several affordable retirement communities in Florida of your choice! Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers, Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, Cypress Village in Jacksonville, and many more.
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Cresswind At Victoria Gardens Deland Fl
Located about 30 miles north of Orlando, Cresswind at Victoria Gardens is a community of 1,070 single-family homes that combines the feel of a small town with the amenities of a large master-planned community. Those amenities include a large clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness center, heated outdoor pool, hiking trails, and an 18-hole golf course.
New construction homes here are available in a wide range of models that start as small as 1,430 square feet and can get as big as 3,236 square feet. Those homes can cost anywhere from the mid-$200s up to the high-$400s.
What Is Clearwater Famous For
You might’ve heard that Clearwater is the global headquarters for the Church of Scientology. Nearly 10,000 Scientologists live in the Tampa Bay area with 22 facilities in downtown Clearwater. It’s the largest property taxpayer in Clearwater with a church staff of over 1500. 8.2% of Clearwater’s population are Scientologists
But that’s not our only claim to fame. We are home to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, one of the leading rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs in the state of Florida. We offer conservation and research, multiple marine and aquatic animal care, Manatee and whale research, expeditions, and multiple education and environmental programs.
THE BEACH – Need we say more? Okay, maybe we do. Clearwater is probably best known for having some of the best beaches in the world. And not just the beach but the SAND! “It feels like clouds around your feet. Clearwater Beach is the best when it comes to that and I have been all over the place from the Caribbean to South America” – Quora
There are so many great beaches around the area that you don’t have to travel far to enjoy all that Clearwater Beaches have to offer!
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Florida Retirement Relocation Tip #:
I very recently spent years as a caregiver for 2 close family members who developed cancer.
I always assumed that healthcare in the US was top notch at all hospitals.
However, those years of actual experience with loved ones who relied on that care, has led me to believe that the quality of medical care can vary wildly, depending upon which hospital/healthcare system where treatment is received.
This is especially important to consider, because the quality of healthcare overall in Florida is a very mixed bag according to Medicare itself.
This is why all of my best places to retire lists will now only include cities/towns with average or better hospital systems as rated by Medicare, who is the primary health insurer for most people 65 and better.
Warning: A lot of hospitals in Florida only received 1 or 2 stars out of 5, by Medicare on quality.
How We Determined The Best Places To Retire In Florida
To determine the best places to retire in Florida, we weighed a number of factors. We looked at the tax burden, figuring out how much of your retirement savings would be eaten up by taxes each year. Knowing that quality medical care is always important for retirees, we also considered the number of medical centers in a particular city.
Many seniors look for a good community of fellow retirees in their new home, so we also looked at the number of recreation centers and retirement communities in each city. Finally, we looked at the percentage of senior citizens in each community. After all, a city with a lot of fellow retirees is likely to be a good destination for retirees. We compiled all of that data to rank the cities in the state.
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Where To Retire In Fort Myers:
Offering easy access to everything Southwest Florida is famous for, GL Homes is proud to introduce Valencia Bonita a new standard of 55 plus living on Floridas beautiful Gulf Coast. With an exciting vacation-inspired lifestyle that rivals the finest resorts, Valencia Bonita features an opulent 45,000 sq. ft. clubhouse and carefully designed single-family and villa home designs that are tailored to those looking for spacious layouts and sophisticated style. Valencia Bonita is located just minutes from pristine beaches, tranquil nature preserves, chic shops and fine dining. Plus, everyday conveniences including banks, grocery stores and top rated medical facilities are also just a short drive away. Homes start in the $600ks.
The 10 Best Places To Retire In Florida In 2021
Florida is an iconic retirement destination with abundant attractions and outdoor activities. Drawn by great weather, unbeatable golf courses, swaying palm trees and white sand beaches, retirees love the simultaneously exciting, active, and relaxing lifestyle perks that Florida has to offer residents.
Thinking of an appealing yet reasonable destination where you can enjoy your golden years? Consider starting the next chapter of your life in the Sunshine State. With the amazing amenities geared towards retirees, its no wonder that some of the best cities to retire in America are in Florida.
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Ready To Move To One Of These Cities
To learn more about these Florida cities, check out Moving.coms City Profile Report feature. Our reports include city demographics, real estate information, quality of life factors and more. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move to get a free report at the click of a button. If you think you want to make one of these cities your new home, you may need to hire professionals to handle your relocation. Fortunately, Moving.coms extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.
Besides The Weather Here Is Another Reason Why Naples Florida Is The Best Place To Retire
Florida is tax-friendly to senior citizens.
Florida has no income tax, which means all forms of retirement income ) are tax-free at the state level. While most income-tax-free states make up for the lost revenue with high taxes on property or sales, Floridas sales and property tax rates are close to the national average.
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Cresswind Palm Beach At Westlake Westlake Fl
Cresswind Palm Beach at Westlake is an active adult community located in Westlake, FL between Wellington and Palm Beach Gardens. The clubhouse offers residents a place to gather and participate in social activities facilitated by a full-time Lifestyle Director.
Here’s a look at the clubhouse:
Outdoor amenities include pickleball & tennis courts, walking trails, resort-style pool and spa, resistance pool, dog park, event and entertainment areas.
New homes at Cresswind Palm Beach range from 2 to 4 bedroooms and start in the $300k’s.
Where To Retire In Jacksonville:
Del Webb eTown is a new, smart-living, 55+ gated community in Jacksonville centrally located near prestigious St. Johns Town Center off I-295.
Meet friends at the private clubhouse and amenity center with recreational activities including tennis, pickleball, bocce courts, walking trails, outdoor pavilions, fire pits and so much more.
Single-Family Homes start from the upper-$200ks.
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Cape Coral Traffic Is Bad
Considering the Cape is a town with limited commercial real estate, it is no wonder that Cape residents are highly dependent on vehicles to meet their daily needs.
The town was originally built without sidewalks, though the town has made a large investment to build them in the last two decades. Currently, the southern area of town is well covered with sidewalks. However, the north, where all of the new development is occurring, has few pedestrian walkways. Bike lanes are also lacking, covering only the major arteries in the south. This has earned the Cape a dismal walkability score of just 17 out of 100, and a bike score of only 39 out of 100.
All residents need cars and they all want to drive over the bridges into St. Meyers. As a result, the traffic in this 120 square mile town is the 7th worst in the nation, up there with San Francisco and Miami, and worse than Tampa Bay and Orlando.
To get to their jobs, Cape residents have the longest commute time in the state of Florida, at 28 minutes each way. For comparison, the average New York City worker travels 35 minutes each way.
And an insurance analysis of traffic incidents puts the Cape at the 4th worst driving city in Florida.
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What Is The Coolest Thing In Florida
Of course, the coolest thing in Florida is a matter of opinion. Some think the theme parks are the best places ever while others are more amazed by the states nature and wildlife.
Many Florida residents believe that the coolest places to visit in Florida are the lesser known destinations. The coolest things to do in Florida are the attractions that are unique to the state. Here are some of Floridas hidden gems:
- Bioluminescence Kayak Tours near Titusville
- Swimming with Manatees at Crystal River
- Rocket Launch at the Kennedy Space Center
- Snorkeling at the Devils Den in Williston
- Airboat Tours in the Everglades
There are many destinations that have theme parks and beaches. So, if youre looking for something thats special to Florida, the natural waterways and parks are your best bet. Those who live in Florida will often argue that these less popular events are the coolest things to do in the state.
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