Retirement in Florida...recommendations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

Actually you don’t pay much in taxes if you’re broke, because you’re broke.

But the more money you have, the more Florida makes sense.

See, I can figure this out because I’m relatively smart.

Unlike you.

I can't imagine being in a position of having to take state taxes into account in deciding where to retire or move.

Our last year in DC, DH and me paid around $100k in state taxes. Now we live in Florida, same jobs, higher salaries, and don’t pay state taxes. We didn’t move here because of that, but it sure as hell helps.

Except you have to live in Florida. And if you paid that much in DC income tax then you earned well over a million. And if you make that much money and are choosing Florida, then I feel even more sorry for you.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The area walkable to Southside Village in Sarasota could be an option for OP. But it’s pricey.

We live in the next neighborhood a couple blocks south of southside in sarasota and its heavenly here. Neighbors of all ages (but typically 40+ because the neighborhood is pricey), people are crazy nice and DH and I were just discussing that the nyt showed everything west of Tamiami in sarasota voting blue in November.

Ds goes to a public school that’s on several top 15 lists in the country.

We can bike to the beach in five mins. My Saturday bike ride is a one hour loop through siesta key and back home.

Weather is fine.... summer is no hotter than dc, and did I mention the beach?

Sarasota has a zillion theaters, orchestra, opera, ballet and a ton Of other random local cultural institutions. If you have Friday night 7:30 tickets, you leave home at 7, park at 7:15 for free and walk right in in five mins. It’s so easy.

Traffic increases in season, but unless you’re living on a barrier island (requiring a bridge to get to the mainland), the traffic isn’t so bad that it makes you not want to go out.

When I first moved to Florida from a super liberal place, I thought I’d hate it. Four days later, while watching a manatee swim by while I ate my lunch, I told DH I might never want to leave.

I’m a Bostonian who’s wintering nearby. And I too was happy to see the NYT election map. But Desantis still looms large (Lakewood Ranch vaccine controversy) and the Sarasota city council just shot down the mask mandate. Things like that give me pause for a permanent relo here. But Morton’s, Libby’s and Veronica are great!

I’m the pp you’re responding to, and agree the politics in Florida suck. I’m originally from a socialist country, and I find the politics particularly difficult and contrasted with my values. That said, it’s no different to me than when I lived in DC. The people in my immediate sphere are liberal or anti political. But Immediately outside my bubble, I’m aware there are horrifying, closed minded, bad people. In Florida, it’s the larger city around me. In dc, it was the larger country around me. I’ve been in the Us for twenty years and it never sits right how backwards this country is politically and culturally. I had to make my peace with it a long time ago, just like I make my peace with the fact that there are politically bad people in Florida.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

Actually you don’t pay much in taxes if you’re broke, because you’re broke.

But the more money you have, the more Florida makes sense.

See, I can figure this out because I’m relatively smart.

Unlike you.

I can't imagine being in a position of having to take state taxes into account in deciding where to retire or move.

So, you can’t imagine being rich?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

Actually you don’t pay much in taxes if you’re broke, because you’re broke.

But the more money you have, the more Florida makes sense.

See, I can figure this out because I’m relatively smart.

Unlike you.

I can't imagine being in a position of having to take state taxes into account in deciding where to retire or move.

Oh, baby child, when you grow up, you’ll learn that nearly all retirees take state taxes into account when deciding where to retire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

actually it's the opposite, moving to no tax states is very common for rich people.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/02/01/taxes-driving-wealth-out-of-massachusetts-and-into-florida-new-hampshire-report/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trump, DeSantis, and Gaetz. Ewww...

As someone who’s wintering down here, yes. You have to be okay living in a place where your government officials don’t believe in government. And for many, that’s a big adjustment.

This is OP. Let's take the politics out of the conversation please. I would like to identify a place that is reasonably family friendly, walkability for elderly parents; nature for young children who love the beach/biking/fishing; access to museums/good restaurants. I'll look into the areas recommended. Appreciate the feedback thus far.

OP, are you looking to retire and raise your own kids? Or are you looking to retire to a place that your grandkids can visit?

OP here, am looking to winter in Florida and also a place for my parents to retire if they want to stay there more permanently. I don't want to leave the DMV but the winter here is not amendable for my parents. This makes me think that I could buy a second home in Florida--my parents could live there when the weather isn't to their liking, I can winter there with my children as well as vacation there during the summer if the children want to spend the summer months at the beach. I don't want a location with all retirees. I want to location where my kids could enjoy the beach and water sports, fishing, biking, and other outdoorsy activities. Thanks again for all the great ideas so far.

OP, how are you planning to winter in Florida if you have school-aged kids? Distance learning won't last forever. Make sure you have realistic expectations for how frequently you'll stay there before you buy. You could spend the Summer there assuming work isn't a factor, and visit during school breaks, but you can't winter there if your kids go to school in the DC area. Also how old are your kids? Once they start school sports and other activities, you'll be tied to your DMV home many weekends during the school year.

I say this as someone who owns a beach house about 2.5 hours from DC. I don't work so I spend the Summer there with the kids. When I worked, I could take vacation time to be there with them. Even working remotely means you're not available to take them to actually go to the beach. It's just them sitting around the house waiting for you to finish your work day unless the grandparents are willing to be babysitters and take them to the beach without you.

You could pick a more family friendly area, but it might not be easy to make friends if you don't live there and your kids don't go to school there. I would pick a beach community so there's stuff for your kids to do when you visit. It's also easier to make friends if you're always on the same part of the beach together.

I recommend renting for a year somewhere before buying. You can use that place as your base to visit other beach communities, and also see how much you and your parents actually use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

actually it's the opposite, moving to no tax states is very common for rich people.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/02/01/taxes-driving-wealth-out-of-massachusetts-and-into-florida-new-hampshire-report/

Talking specifically about moving for retirement: If you're a high earner then you'll presumably have a good amount of wealth by the time you retire. State and local tax on the income from your wealth won't have a big impact on your financial situation, relative to total assets. For people without a lot of savings, who have to live on Social Security and pensions that may be taxed, state and local tax can make a big difference.

[Anonymous]

TBH, if I'm worried about taxes in retirement, I'd rather spend half the year (or more) overseas rather than in Florida. A number of states won't charge you state income tax if you are a resident overseas - California is such a state.

US Virgin Islands is a great place for retirement if you want to play tax games. Much nicer than Florida. Lots of folks there have a summer house in the Northeast and are in USVI the rest of the year.

[Anonymous]

Can hardly wait to get back to beautiful Florida. Most people there are more polite than here. I just need that even more than the sun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

Actually you don’t pay much in taxes if you’re broke, because you’re broke.

But the more money you have, the more Florida makes sense.

See, I can figure this out because I’m relatively smart.

Unlike you.

I can't imagine being in a position of having to take state taxes into account in deciding where to retire or move.

Our last year in DC, DH and me paid around $100k in state taxes. Now we live in Florida, same jobs, higher salaries, and don’t pay state taxes. We didn’t move here because of that, but it sure as hell helps.

Except you have to live in Florida. And if you paid that much in DC income tax then you earned well over a million. And if you make that much money and are choosing Florida, then I feel even more sorry for you.

And you don’t how to use “I” vs “me”

[Anonymous]

We’ve come down to sarasota for several family vacations and there is a ridiculous amount of great stuff to do with the kids other than beaches. Seriously am awed by the amazing outdoors here. But I have never thought about it in terms of living here so I have no idea what the schools are like. I will say that right next to Sarasota is Bradenton and we had an interesting experience with the locals pre covid. Badically learned that Bradenton is endearingly called “bradentucky” by the locals because of its politics and religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

actually it's the opposite, moving to no tax states is very common for rich people.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/02/01/taxes-driving-wealth-out-of-massachusetts-and-into-florida-new-hampshire-report/

Talking specifically about moving for retirement: If you're a high earner then you'll presumably have a good amount of wealth by the time you retire. State and local tax on the income from your wealth won't have a big impact on your financial situation, relative to total assets. For people without a lot of savings, who have to live on Social Security and pensions that may be taxed, state and local tax can make a big difference.

I'm so confused. I'm a fed on a special pay scale with a healthy TSP balance, and my understanding is that I will be taxed on both. So yes, the tax rate matters. And the PP who hates FL and keeps posting incessantly is sick in the head. Maybe their SO ran away with someone else to FL, otherwise I can't explain this amount of hate on a state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’ve come down to sarasota for several family vacations and there is a ridiculous amount of great stuff to do with the kids other than beaches. Seriously am awed by the amazing outdoors here. But I have never thought about it in terms of living here so I have no idea what the schools are like. I will say that right next to Sarasota is Bradenton and we had an interesting experience with the locals pre covid. Badically learned that Bradenton is endearingly called “bradentucky” by the locals because of its politics and religion.

I love the Sarasota area. Bradenton is gross, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I had the money, I'd live there November-February. But having two homes is probably not in the financial picture for me.

I think I could handle the politics for four months a year. I could b wrong, though.

My former in laws spend 4-5 months there every year and they don’t have much money. They rent a house in Naples. You can winter there without having to buy a house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In a word: don't. Retiring in Florida is so cliche. And Florida sucks.

But sun, sand and [b]most importantly no state taxes.

First, you get what you pay for. Second, if not state taxes is that important to you, then I feel sorry for you. You must be broke.

Actually you don’t pay much in taxes if you’re broke, because you’re broke.

But the more money you have, the more Florida makes sense.

See, I can figure this out because I’m relatively smart.

Unlike you.

I can't imagine being in a position of having to take state taxes into account in deciding where to retire or move.

Our last year in DC, DH and me paid around $100k in state taxes. Now we live in Florida, same jobs, higher salaries, and don’t pay state taxes. We didn’t move here because of that, but it sure as hell helps.

I am not a big fan of excessive taxes, but I recognize a modicum of taxes are important for the overall society. I lived in p years in Florida and the retirees would always vote against taxes, especially for schools. Their reasoning was they had paid enough taxes and their children were now grown. They did not care about the public schools and libraries. Of course those taxes were paid in states they left behind such as Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Kansas, Connecticut, etc. Florida works out very well for the affluent, but not so great for those in need of help.