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Four Good Reasons for Seniors to Move from New York to Florida

Whether you spend the winters in Florida or bravely face them in New York, now might be a good time to consider moving down south.  Why spend more years of your life dealing with cold weather, snow, and ice?  Why wonder how the other half lives?  You’ve retired.  You don’t have children at home to worry about.  Now’s the time to make the move.

In case moving to Florida has crossed your mind, here’s some additional motivating factors:  Florida has no state income tax; the cost of living is more reasonable than in New York; you’ll be able to explore and engage in more recreational activities; and you could end up seeing more of friends and family from across the country.

In this blog post, we’ll expand on these topics to help you think about why you might want to move to Florida soon.

Florida Residents Do Not Pay State Income Tax

In New York, we pay state taxes at a rate between 4% (if your taxable income is $16,000 or less) and 8.97% (if your taxable income is $500,000 or more). Even though government pensions and Social Security benefits are not taxable, and income from a private pension up to $20,000 could possibly be excluded, state taxes can get hefty for people in high income brackets.

The good news?  In Florida, there is no state income tax. If you’re going to work part-time, if you’re collecting money from your pension, if you’re taking money out of your IRAs and 401(k), if you’re receiving Social Security benefits – wherever your income is coming from – you won’t be taxed by the state of Florida.

The Cost of Living Is Reasonable

The cost of living in Florida is also much more reasonable than in New York.  According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, which uses data from the Council for Community & Economic Research (C2ER) survey to compute states’ cost of living index, Florida ranks 30th in cost of living, whereas New York ranks 48th.

Undoubtedly, your retirement dollars will go much further in Florida than in New York.  A 2018 report on the relative purchasing power of residents of different states, compiled by 24/7Wall St. using Bureau of Economic Analysis data, showed that the relative value of a dollar in Florida is $1.01, whereas in New York it is $.087.  Moreover, in Florida you can get a lot more house or a lot more luxurious house for a lot less money.  The median home value in Florida is $197,700; in New York, it’s $302,400.

Florida Offers Numerous Year-Round Leisure Time Activities

 

Florida is a mecca for seniors.  You don’t have to live in The Villages to benefit from being in a state that seems developed for retirees.  Age-restricted retirement communities for people of all income brackets are prevalent throughout the state, along with social, recreational, and athletic activities to suit just about anybody.

If you prefer living outside of a planned community, you will still find plenty of opportunities for socializing and enjoying your leisure time.  You’ll be able to play golf or tennis outside year-round.  You can enjoy boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding most of the year, and the outdoor swimming season is much longer than it is up north.  Even if you don’t want to be physically active most days, you can enjoy sitting outside on your lanai, eating lunch outside at a local café, or taking a leisurely stroll on the beach. When planning your move, consider seeking professional senior relocation advice to ensure a smooth transition and to help you find the best community or location that suits your lifestyle and needs.

You’ll Have Company

People who move to Florida find that they often have company.  Friends and family members who live in northern states will probably want to come visit you during the winter months.  Wouldn’t you do the same?

If you love having visitors or if you want to see your children and grandchildren more often, the move to Florida could be very beneficial.  If you’d prefer being left alone, you could try living in a small house or apartment without any room for visitors, or you could just set limits on visits and visitors.

Trust Your Move to the Best New York Movers for Seniors

If Florida living sounds good to you, maybe it’s time to get moving.  Contact the best New York movers for seniors so we can walk you through the moving process, making every step as simple and convenient for you as possible.  We have over forty years of experience with local and long distance moves and want to help you get started enjoying your new home in the Sunshine State.

By maffuccimoving April 02, 2019