Another Florida Question - Retirement location

[pb4uski]

I just stumbled across this. In short, if you have claimed Florida homestead and own property elsewhere, you need to make sure that any and all homesteading/residence benefits of any nature are not included on your property tax bill from elsewhere. If not, then by Florida statute the county MUST clawback all Florida homestead benefits that you have received even if the outside of Florida benefits that you received was a mistake and you were not aware of the mistake.

One example from the article:

...A Florida resident who had a homestead tax exemption in the state for 26 years. Bentley’s letter says a Wisconsin property appraiser “applied a $100 annual ‘Lottery and Gaming Credit’ on his tax bill without his permission.” The man owes $80,000 in back taxes and penalties in Florida. ...

I can easily see me seeing a $100 "Lottery and Gaming Credit" on my property tax bill and not understanding that it was some sort of homesteading/principal residence benefit and getting caught in such a trap.

Luckily, Vermont's homesteading benefit is an annual declaration that is filed along with your tax return, so if I don't file the homesteading declaration then the benefit automatically goes away.

 

[Freedom56]

People misunderstand Florida. We never really worried about hurricanes and we were not going to buy any property built prior to 2000. It's a lifestyle change for those who live in the North East. Palm Beach County, from from what we observed, are people transplanted from NY, NJ, and PA.

We never planned to buy property there either. It just happened by chance while I was on a business trip at Jupiter Florida during March 2011. People at the office were complaining how property prices had crashed in South Florida. While I was at the airport for my return flight, I browsed through many real estate listings and found that prices were in the once in a lifetime bargain range. I talked to my wife into looking at properties in Florida and we returned in June 2011 to look at properties in Miami Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Two other couples we know well, joined us and we all ended up buying properties in Palm Beach County. We knew that we could easily sell our properties to snowbirds when the market recovered. The condo market was a mess in 2011. Many condos built in 2006-2008 were only partially completed in 2011. Many speculators walked away from their properties causing the crash. Banks would only consider all cash sales and we needed to submit proof of funds with our purchase offers. Over 92% of the transactions in Palm Beach County in 2011 were all cash. Many Canadians were buying properties as the Canadian dollar was worth more than the USD in 2011. Just think how well those Canadian buyers are doing today given the appreciation of the USD and property prices since 2011. The market eventually recovered and the condos were completed by 2013-2014.

Yes it's humid and rains frequently. Some of those successive lightning strikes during storms are pretty frightening. I'm not too crazy about the growing homeless problem. But the beaches, sunrises, and sunsets are incredible. The beaches in Europe don't even come close to the beaches in Florida. The restaurants in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are incredible and so are the concerts and nightlife. When we look out the window of our condo into the beautiful marina and ocean, the last thing on my mind is worrying about the next hurricane.

 

[Sunset]

...

Luckily, Vermont's homesteading benefit is an annual declaration that is filed along with your tax return, so if I don't file the homesteading declaration then the benefit automatically goes away.

I know of 1 county here in IL that decided to help residents during covid, the yearly declaration would not be needed, if you had it the previous year, it continued automatically

 

[Bamaman]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment, a lot to consider here, for sure. Helpful comments. A big shout out to FLAGator - that type of information was exactly what I was hoping to receive. Capital areas and university towns do seem to fit my speed and interests.

Of course now I am thinking of other questions. Is anyone planning to leave Florida permanently on account of the predicted hurricane/storm risks? Do climate predictions impact real estate pricing in certain areas? Insurance I can see - what about local property taxes?

Throughout the South, some of the best places to live are in the major college towns. The universities provide culture, athletics and they're lively enough to keep a retiree more active.

If you've decided that Florida is the place, you should be quick to hone in on a city and make your purchase. With so many people leaving expensive highly taxed cities in the North, the real estate market in Florida is going to just get more expensive.

I've always wondered where Floridians go on vacation. And about every third car in the NE GA, NW SC, Western NC and East TN mountains have a Florida license plate. They are inexpensive places to live with 4 distinct seasons. It's those mountains calling me instead of retirement communities with so many "old" people in Florida.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I've always wondered where Floridians go on vacation.

We go to Mexico. (Or at least we used to)

 

[Lewis Clark]

... I've always wondered where Floridians go on vacation. ...

Perhaps to other parts of Florida? : )

We go to other parts of Florida. Pre-COVID, we also go to other parts of the country, and occasionally to other countries and cruises.

One of our goals is to visit all of the presidential museums and libraries. Visited about half of them so far and all have been very good experiences.

 

[Badger]

Throughout the South, some of the best places to live are in the major college towns. The universities provide culture, athletics and they're lively enough to keep a retiree more active.


Locating near a university was one of my major requirements when looking for a place to retire. Fortunately everyone of my other requirements were already fulfilled by staying where I am in Florida and there are already 2 universities and a college.


If you've decided that Florida is the place, you should be quick to hone in on a city and make your purchase. With so many people leaving expensive highly taxed cities in the North, the real estate market in Florida is going to just get more expensive.



Yes it does. I would not want to pay what my house would sell for today. It would cost about 60-70% less in another location in Fl or out of state. but the places where I could afford in Florida have too many down sides.


I've always wondered where Floridians go on vacation. And about every third car in the NE GA, NW SC, Western NC and East TN mountains have a Florida license plate. They are inexpensive places to live with 4 distinct seasons. It's those mountains calling me instead of retirement communities with so many "old" people in Florida.


I lived in NC for 5 years and almost moved back to NC after grad school. I like the 4 seasons but there were other aspects that I was not impressed with as a state to live in during a career or a retirement destination. However, we still like to take vacation trips there to enjoy the mountains. Otherwise we take off for Canada during the summer. Kind of the reverse of all the winter snowbird license plates I see from Quebec.

Cheers!

 

[Nick12]

Cheers!

Winter Park, FL has a good size ski club that go where the powder is at.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I would second the College town preferences mentioned by some. Keeps the downtown vibrant. We certainly have no complaints with our small liberal arts facility and the students seem to always be well behaved. We always enjoy walking around downtown.

Our homeless population is minimal compared to other southern town and cities we have visited. They seem to hang out around Walmart, never figured that one out.

I would personally not say the same for Gainesville. Not necessary a bad thing, but way to many students and scooters on the roads at all times for our liking. Again YMMV, just our preference.

We like to be within walking or biking distance from a nice clean not crowded beach. We lucked out that as that was not planned, we stumbled upon that.

 

[Badger]

Winter Park, FL has a good size ski club that go where the powder is at.

I lived in Winter Park and went to WPHS during the early/mid 60s. That was before Disney came to Orlando. What a great place! It still is. Unfortunately too much as grown up around it that spoils that European small town atmosphere.

Ski clubs in Fl are a good idea for those learning the great places to ski. We started by driving to Boone NC to ski then advanced to resorts around Salt Lake City and later to Lake Louise before we finally settled on Whistler/Blackcomb as our all time favorite. Unfortunately skiing is no longer possible but it sure was fun for a lot of years.


Cheers!

 

[richardf]

Ft. Myers

We have stayed several winters in Ft. Myers and have enjoyed it. Also know several couples that have stayed several different condos in Florida and they say that Ft. Myers is the best for weather, friendly people and getting around. Get a real estate agent and visit several places. Summerland Rd. South is a good area. Don’t buy, lease yearly. You will have about ten years to enjoy before you move back home to be with you kids.

 

[Paulz]

One way to start looking at over 55 communities in Florida is to use "55 Plus Places". It's a site that can be searched country-wide, and it provides community-specific websites.
There are also reviews by residents, as well as homes for sale. Contacting one of the realtors listed may lead you to rentals as well.

https://www.55places.com/

I like https://www.floridaforboomers.com/ . Lots of great info and comparisons between locations.

 

[Red Rover]

My wish list looks a lot like yours. I'm not ready to make a move yet but I'm looking at Solvita in Poinciana as I want a place with a lot of activities and it seems to have a more balanced mix of views than some of the other larger communities. I don't plan on driving a lot so I figure I can deal with the traffic a couple of times a month.

 

[carty1]

I think NE Florida fits all of your requirements. Jax-St.Augustine-Daytona area

 

[LXEX55]

I live in St. Petersburg and I think that matches what you are looking for pretty well

 

[firemediceric]

Where I currently work in Florida this is what they tell us to expect. Ground has been broken and roads are going in.
https://www.emeraldlakesflorida.com/gallery/#video-gallery-c9431b7-1

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Where I currently work in Florida this is what they tell us to expect. Ground has been broken and roads are going in.
https://www.emeraldlakesflorida.com/gallery/#video-gallery-c9431b7-1

No Way! Way too far inland. All Florida is fine but the Beaches are far better. YMMV.

 

[firemediceric]

No Way! Way too far inland. All Florida is fine but the Beaches are far better. YMMV.

Not on the beach but pretty darn close darn close to the beach.

 

[pb4uski]

No golf that I saw. I'm out.

 

[bookman51]

I lived in Florida for 12 years. I lived in St Petersburg. For me, I do not plan on moving back. I enjoy an occasional visit in the winter. I do not miss hot summers, tourists int he winters, fleas year around, huge cockroaches, traffic, constant change of neighbors, etc. I am glad I lived there for a time. People are people wherever, and there are plenty of things to do. The better retirement communities have activities, etc. I thought the traffic in the Tampa Pay area bad, as is the traffic in the Orlando area. If I were to do it again, I will pick a smaller town more inland. I never went and laid on the beach, and St. Petersburg beach has people coming all over the world to visit. Occasionally my wife would walk the beach on a Saturday or Sunday in the off season and eat at one of the places near the beach. Lots of touristy type things there. We had one hurricane in the 12 years we were there and not real bad, but they can be. Hurricanes can be widespread and impact a lots of people. Taste vary so much I cannot give you much advice beyond take a good long look at what you might want. I have friends in Florida and they enjoy it. I prefer to just visit in the winter and come back "home" for the other 9 months. So far, I have not even done that in my retirement, and may not. Wish you the best.

 

[Dtail]

I have lived in FLA for 3 years and never seen one cockroach or palmetto bug. I believe this mention is overstated.

 

[Ebendana]

My two cents

I have lived in Florida since 1991, and as a retired Sales rep, have spent time virtually in all parts of the state...we bought a modest home in a 55+ community in Flagler Beach, which is 30 miles S of St. Augustine, 1 hr south of Jacksonville, 1.5 hrs NE of Orlando...we LOVE IT. Palm Coast is the community right over the bridge on the mainland, another very nice area. I lived in Miami for 15 years, Clermont for 5, Sanford for 5 and have spent significant time on the west coast for work...the one "downside" is that we are in a mandatory evacuation zone when there is a named hurricane because we are across the street from the beach, but we just plan accordingly.

 

[bassdrum]

Living the Dream

I'm on the Gulf coast of FLA, snowbirding as transition to full retirement come this spring (April timeframe). This is a good temp stay, but don't see establishing myself on the Panhandle for various reasons.

I would really appreciate your suggestions as to areas, towns, retirement communities, whatever you suggest!

I would like to rent in FLA for a couple of years while deciding whether to buy a permanent home or even retire somewhere else...but I need a landing spot to begin with.

I am familiar with various parts of the state, but for short trips, no long hauls.

Here's my WISH list. I realize the final decision may be a compromise, but it doesn't hurt to dream lol.

(1) prefer to live in a retirement community, so I can be involved in activities.
(2) I'd like to live where it's at least close enough to drive for a day at the beach, but I don't need to live on a beach or in a beach town
(3) an area less prone to hurricanes
(4) an area with culture: live music, academics, performances, lectures, etc. (I realize its different now in he pandemic)
(5) good quality of healthcare nearby
(6) an area that is at least somewhat progressive
(7) some diversity would be good - I have lived rural and urban, so I am flexible and open minded.

Appreciated!

Have you looked at the Villages? We have been snowbirding here since 2015. Bought our first home here in 2018 and our second, our "Pandemic Paradise," in October of 2020.

Here is how the Villages stacks up to your "Wants":
(1) Over 3000 clubs. If you don't see one you like, you are welcomed to start one. There is every sport/exercise program possible from A to Z...archery
to zumba. More golf holes than anywhere in the world.
(2) Located in the middle of the state, almost equal distance to beaches on either coast. We frequently go out for the day.
(3)Again, being in the middle of the state helps.
(4) Yes, yes to all. Our home up north is in a cultural mecca, one which is rivaled by what the Villages has to offer.
(5) University of Florida on property, we are told another hospital is forthcoming in the Southern part of the Villages. Every medical specialty one could possibly need is located either in the plentiful medical complexes on property or within close geographic proximity.
(6) That is probably a personal definition, though we are in our 60's and consider it to be so.
(7) Here is where it may fall short. We have seen increased diversity over the years, but would like to see much more to enhance our population. Our hope is that all feel welcome to Florida's Friendliest Hometown.

To see if the Villages might be in your retirement future, would encourage you to participate in a Lifestyle Preview visit. Go to their website to learn more. Come join us in "Living the Dream."

 

[harley]

Where I currently work in Florida this is what they tell us to expect. Ground has been broken and roads are going in.
https://www.emeraldlakesflorida.com/gallery/#video-gallery-c9431b7-1

I have no knowledge of this community, but I've been living in FL for 7 years, and there have been plans to build this place in the open lot across the street from us since before we moved down there. I was thinking it might happen starting last year, but nothing yet. They've been asking for some pretty obnoxious variances that would affect us pretty significantly. But this past year the owner ran for Mayor and lost. I think the plan was to grease the variances on through, but now not only is he not the mayor, but the new mayor should be pretty pissed at him. I know this has nothing to do with anything, except this...only believe something will happen in FL after it has completed. There are still partially built condo buildings in the state from the 2009 crash. They are building new stuff, but you never know what will actually be done. I wouldn't count on it, and definitely wouldn't count on it looking anything like the artist's conception pictures.

No golf that I saw. I'm out.

I've lived on a golf course for 13 years, and never played a hole. I would have sworn I'd pick the game up, but it's never happened. But it make for nice scenery, and I can sit on the deck and watch people and say "I could have made that one".

I have lived in FLA for 3 years and never seen one cockroach or palmetto bug. I believe this mention is overstated.

We had one single palmetto bug in the house in 7 years. And it wasn't even that big. Now the fire ant infestation sucked, and DW wasn't too thrilled with the black racer that got in. But the gecko that made us think our smoke alarm battery had gone bad was pretty entertaining. There's definitely wildlife in FL, but nothing that came close to the racoon infestation in our attic in MD.

 

[shafer9]

I live in Pompano Beach and we like it. Plenty to do.
There’s an old joke here: there’s south Florida and there’s the Mouse (Orlando), and the rest is Georgia. Be sure the culture matches yours somewhat.