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Originally Posted by Michael G.
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I always take these articles with more than a grain of salt, mainly because the interpretation is so subjective. Really, the only way any of it makes any sense is to compare these "points" to where you came from. I come from Minnesota so that is my "ruler". For instance:
FLORIDA IS CRAWLING WITH BOOMERS
Yeah. But it is also crawling with the money and purchasing power these boomers bring with them. Far better moneyed geezers than indigent ones. A huge number of retired Minnesotans live off the dole. In Florida, it appears that they put far more money INTO the economy than they take out.
FLORIDA IS CRAWLING WITH CRITTERS, TOO
True. But then again it is true for wherever you call home in America--just the critter faces change. In any case you aren't going to be encountering the bulk of the Florida critters unless hiking in the Everglades is your idea of a relaxing afternoon.
FLORIDA HAS AN EXCESS OF WEIRDNESS
Maybe true. I prefer to see that as "colorful". In any case "weird" in all too many parts of the country consists of riots and tens--sometimes hundreds of millions--of dollars in damages. I prefer the colorfulness of Florida.
NO STATE INCOME TAX? FLORIDA MAKES UP FOR IT
Trust me. When you hail from the third-highest taxed state in the nation, the Florida taxes are a breath of fresh air. Minnesota is one of only three states--maybe the the only one by now--that fully taxes ALL forms of retirement income. Plus my property taxes in Minnesota were twice what I am paying now, on property here that is valued at approx. 140% of my Minnesota home.
YOU'LL SWEAT. A LOT.
So what? Three months of sweat is a small price to pay for freedom from chest-high snowdrifts, -30 to -40 degree temps and not seeing the sun for sometimes weeks at a time. In any case, I actually LIKE Florida summers. Take a walk every afternoon. My joints have never felt better.
YOU WON'T BE OUTSIDE AS MUCH AS YOU THINK.
Untrue in my case. There's a disease back where I'm from called Cabin Fever. Cabin Fever is caused by being snowed in for half a week at a time, with virtually the only time you venture outside is to clear away the drifts to make room for more snow. No Cabin Fever in Florida. My wife and I LIVE outside down here.
SWIMMING POOLS ARE EXPENSIVE.
The ones at the rec. centers are free. In any case I far prefer swimming pools to ice rinks.
THE SUN CAN TAKE A TOLL ON YOUR SKIN
Maybe, but in my mid-70's now I'll take a chance. Better a suntan than frostbite.
HURRICANES ARE A REAL MENACE
I suppose. But driving around The Villages, especially in the "historic" (how's THAT for a pretty euphemism?) section I see manufactured homes and mobile homes that have been here for decades and are still standing. The coasts are different--I understand that. But I haven't had to adopt the fetal position in a closet since we're moved here.
HURRICANE INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE A MENACE, TOO.
Again, I suppose. But we don't pay 'em--at least judging by our Home insurance premiums back home. Ours here are about 1/3 less than what we paid there--and according to our agent here, we have cadillac "hurricane" coverage.
YOU'LL MISS YOUR FAMILY
Odd thing: we've seen more of some of our family in one year here, than we've seen them in the five years preceding that. Lots of daily flights between Minneapolis and Orlando--and, I daresay, between Orlando and just about every other major U.S. city. Nobody sane decides to take a vacation in Minnesota in January.
Okay. In all seriousness I realize that "The Bubble" does not represent all of Florida. But I don't live in all of Florida. I live here. And I haven't regretted it for a minute.