Florida is often mentioned as the best state for retirement. If you are thinking about moving to Florida after retiring, know that you’re not the only one. As you are reading this, about a thousand people are on their way and moving their houses there right now. Many people, when they approach retirement age, start hunting for a warmer climate to call home. Naturally, the mind often sets in Florida.

It is needed to stress that Florida isn’t all about the beaches, Disney world, and retirement community. There is a lot more that is required to learn about this sunny state if you have in mind to live there. So we prepared some tips on what you need to know when planning a relocation to Florida after retiring.

It’s not always sunny in Florida

If you never stayed in Florida for a longer period of time, you probably don’t know the full scope of Florida weather. Thunderstorms and rain showers are frequent and intense occurrences. In fact, it is proclaimed to be the lightning capital of the U.S.

There are also hurricanes in Florida. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30. That is almost half a year. Of course, that doesn’t mean that incredibly strong winds are blowing for this whole time. Most of the time, however, Florida is the sunny state with warm temperatures from the postcards.

You won’t be the only one

Expect lots of company when retiring in Florida. There are already over 3.5 million residents of Florida that are over 65. Estimations are that by 2030, Florida will have a population of about 24 million people, of which 6 million will be 65 and older. That means that senior population numbers will almost double until then. If you do want to live in a state where a lot of people are similar age as you, this may be your lucky state.

That being said, in Florida pretty much everything is geared towards retired people. There are always discounts for seniors and people are very friendly to the newcomers. You can be sure that you will be comfortable and treated with care after your move. And if you are not looking forward to the whole relocation process, learn how to make moving enjoyable.

No state income tax

Now we’re talking, right? Dependable on where you live, moving to Florida after retiring could help you to save lots of money in taxes. It is one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for individuals or couples in retirement. Florida has no state income tax and also has no inheritance tax or estate tax.

If you are planning to keep a second home in a colder state, you have to provide evidence that you spend at least 184 days, or more than half the year, in Florida to be able to claim it as your primary state of residence. Professionals suggest to keep the diary or log showing the number of days that you spend in each state during the year.

Things that you need to do after moving to Florida

• Register for voting in Florida
• When summoned for jury duty – perform your civic duty
• Change drivers license and ID when moving to Florida after retiring
• Register for health care in your new location
• Start using local banks – Be sure to keep the receipts of ATM withdrawals
• Shop locally – State tax auditors often check credit and debit card records to determine where you were throughout the year

Houses are affordable

There is a variety of choices when it comes to house shopping in Florida. Luxurious waterfront homes can be found for well over a million dollars in many Florida communities, but the price for an average family home is right at about $200,000. That is not particularly high price regarding that you almost live by the sea. And if you do want to live right by the shore, best values in waterfront property may lie in Tampa Bay.

Be sure to research everything and look into every house you come about that is for sale. You never know what your next home might be like. If you see good value in some property, don’t waste too much time. Call a local moving company like instamove.com as soon as possible, because the demand for real estate in Florida is very high. You don’t want to lose a good value for money as a result of hesitation.

You need insurance when you’re moving to Florida after retiring

The insurance process is much more complex and expensive in Florida than in many other states due to the risk of hurricanes. There are cases of denied insurance claims too. So, always keep enough money in your emergency fund as expenses can pile up in case of a hurricane.

It is crucial to find out about house insurability before you buy it. This way you’ll be able to avoid ending up with annual premiums that are several thousand dollars more than you thought they’ll be. Do the standard home inspection, and in addition, get a wind mitigation inspection. The inspector will check for special construction features that are built into the house to help it withstand strong winds. If the house doesn’t have these features, calling relocation experts from Daytona Beach to assist you with your move can wait. Insurance for a home that doesn’t have wind mitigation features can be as much as four times higher than for a home that has them.

There are lots of things to do

Moving to Florida after retiring won’t be an easy task, but when you finally arrive, there will be a lot of things that you can do. Florida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., and that’s not without a reason. You can go swimming in the Key West, golf, visit beautiful Wekiva Island, or simply enjoy a movie outdoors with your loved ones. As there is a Disneyland in Orlando, your grandchildren will love to come too. Your home in Florida can be the perfect vacation spot for the whole family to get together in the summer and spend some quality time together.