Florida’s reputation as a retirement destination has taken a bit of a hit lately. However, as always, it pays to do your homework. For many, retirement in Florida may not be what it once was, but there’s still a lot to love about the Sunshine State as a retiree that might be worth keeping on your short list.
However, the dangers of climate change and natural disasters, as well as associated soaring insurance costs, are also factors. Concerns about health care are also growing. Still, many of the characteristics that contribute to Florida’s retirement-friendly reputation remain. Here are five reasons why retirees who skipped or fled the state may want to reconsider.
1. Top cities and communities
Consider the latest rankings from senior living website Seniorly. The Sunshine State ranks 18th in the United States, well behind Washington, D.C., which ranks first. Montana, Wyoming, Alaska and Pennsylvania round out the top five states in Seniorly’s rankings, which are based on affordability, quality of life and health care options. While some retirement ratings across Florida are declining, some of its cities are soaring.
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Naples, a city of about 20,000 residents on Florida’s southwest coast, climbed from No. 28 to No. 1 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The publication evaluated 150 U.S. cities based on happiness, retiree tax burden, affordability and other factors. Part of a metropolitan area of ​​approximately 400,000 residents, Naples calls itself the “Golf Capital of the World” and has some of the highest-rated beaches in the country.
Naples isn’t the only Florida city rated highly by U.S. News & World Report. Sarasota, another Gulf Coast city with about 58,000 residents, ranked fourth. Jacksonville, Florida’s most populous city, ranks seventh in the nation for retirees. “Jax” is located in northeastern Florida and has about 1 million residents, with a lower cost of living than many other areas of the state.
2. There’s a lot to like about the weather
Yes, parts of Florida are more prone to natural disasters, especially hurricanes, than many other areas. The humidity in parts of the state can be difficult to deal with, especially for the uninitiated.
But if your retirement dreams include constant warmth and sunshine, Florida is still hard to beat.
3. Beach
Florida is home to a wealth of natural beauty, including some of the top-ranked beaches in the country. In general, there are a lot of beaches there too. Florida has nearly 8,500 miles of coastline, the most in the continental United States.
The Sunshine State included three beaches on Beach Doctor’s latest list of the nation’s top 10 beaches: Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin and Clearwater, Delno-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples and Ft. DeSoto Park in St. Petersburg. Another Florida beach — St. George Island State Park — topped the list last year.
4. No state income taxes and other financial factors
There are several reasons why Florida may be less attractive to some retirees today. Once a strong point in the state, the cost of living is rising as more remote workers settle in the state. However, don’t forget to weigh other financial aspects. You may find that fees in other states are not as cheap as they seem.
For example, Florida has no state income tax. Other states, such as New York, California and Oregon, have high state income taxes that can eat into retirement savings. You should also weigh the costs of housing, food, and transportation before giving up on Florida in favor of another destination. The Sunshine State isn’t the only place where prices have risen in recent years.
5. Access to health care
In some ways, Florida was built for retirees—even though recent growth has created infrastructure challenges. In addition to numerous retirement communities, the Sunshine State also has a high concentration of top-tier hospitals and medical facilities.
The same level of quality health care may not be available in other states, which may be a major concern for people over 65. That said, access to and quality of health care depends on which part of the state you live.
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed reporting to this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Reasons Many Retirees May Soon Regret Leaving Florida in 2026
