Florida’s Population is Booming
If you plan on retiring to Florida, expect lots and lots of company. At the moment, Florida already has over 3.5 million residents 65 and older, all waiting “patiently” for others to join them. In the 2010 U.S. Census, Florida’s overall population was 18.8 million, of which 3.3 million people were 65 and older. By 2020, the number is projected to grow to 21.5 million, with 4.5 million age 65 and older. By 2030, Florida is expected to have a population of 23.9 million, including 6 million people aged 65 and older. That’s almost twice the size of the current senior population.
The good thing, for you anyway, will be that no matter where you decide to “build your nest”, you’ll see people like you: seniors, that is. Restaurants, grocery stores, bars and more are all filled with seniors.
“Everything is geared toward retired, older people,’’ says Molly Elliott, 63, who moved from upstate New York and owns a home in Fort Myers Beach (Gulf side). “All the commercials are about things like walk-in bathtubs, insurance, Lifeline, i.e. ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.’ So many volunteer activities are during the workday. It’s like they don’t think people move down here to work.”
2 thoughts on “8 Things You Should Know Before Retiring to Florida”
Which city or town in Florida has the most job opportunities with good salaries?
I relocated from Indiana to SW Florida 2 years ago because of the nicer weather year round, but I have decided to leave the state for many reasons:
1. Summers are HOT and living indoors with AC is a must! People may venture out at night if it’s cool enough.
2. Hurricanes are horrible!
3. Property taxes are outrageous!
4 Home owners and vehicle insurance is extremely high.
5. Healthcare is 10 years behind the North and good luck finding a physician! Also, I work in healthcare and pay is much less in FL.
6. Traffic is terrible and drivers do not obey the laws, especially speeding and blatantly running red lights.
7. People are just plain RUDE!
8. The area is dirty, trash along the roads, etc
9. For those who are older and retired and living in SW Florida, if you are in need of elder care,be prepared to pay heavily for nursing home care in poorly staffed facilities. I suggest that you have family members check on your care often and advocate for you.