Coasting to a Better Life

About 40% of Florida's nearly 22 million residents are age 50 or over, the nation's second-largest senior population. Many are active-lifestyle retirees, but many others are extending their working careers or donating their time as volunteers in a state with an average life expectancy of 80.2 years. The Tax Foundation's 2022 State Business Climate Index ranks Florida as the best state in the South for private enterprise and fourth in the entire nation. Florida businesses created a total of 479,300 new jobs in 2021, about 20% higher than the national rate of employment growth.

0%

State tax on any type of income, including wages, pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, and Social Security

Groceries and medications exempt from 7% state sales tax

0.93% Average effective property tax rate

Up to $100,000 in homestead exemptions for residents age 65+

“When we were looking for houses, I instantly fell in love with this area. It wasn’t overcrowded and over trafficked, it still had a lot of convenience. We just saw so much potential. Wildlight has the most amazing neighbors we have ever had. The Florida Lowcountry living combines two things that we really love— porch swings and rocking chairs. It’s a combination of Florida living and that Lowcountry living from Savannah and up along the coast. We couldn’t have picked a better neighborhood.”

Brett & Sean Aiken Wildlight

Resources and Recreation

Water, Water Everywhere State of Health Unique Attractions

Floridians are serious about maintaining their good health, consuming more locally grown fruits and vegetables, and getting more outdoor exercise than most Americans. And when they need some professional assistance, Florida has more than 50,000 licensed doctors, 250,000 registered nurses, and 300+ hospitals that are often hubs of extensive regional provider networks.

World-famous theme parks aren't the only one-of-a-kind attractions in Florida, where you can swim with manatees in the Crystal River, snorkel and dive on tropical coral reefs, and ride an airboat through the Everglades wetlands. Florida is also home to the Kennedy Space Center, where NASA regularly launches unmanned rockets and SpaceX crews. The 127-mile Overseas Highway takes drivers above the waves down to Key West.

No location in Florida is more than an hour's drive from the beach, and along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, there are more than 660 miles of beaches that can all be enjoyed in every season. The same year-round schedule applies to off-shore fishing on both coasts, while kayakers and canoeists have 11,000 miles of Florida rivers, streams, and waterways to explore.

Climate

Florida has the mildest winters of any state except Hawaii. The relatively warm and dry days during that season make the state popular for visiting snowbirds and locals who enjoy outdoor recreations. Temperatures and humidity begin to climb in the late spring and peak during the summer, although frequently cooled by brief but intense afternoon showers. During July, August, and September, tropical storms can roll in off the Atlantic or rumble up the Gulf Coast.

JACKSONVILLE Blending Culture and Commerce

Jacksonville is Florida's biggest city, both in population and area. Set along the banks of the St. Johns River, Jacksonville features America's largest urban public park system with more than 330 locations covering 80,000+ acres. The city's deepwater port and financial-services companies have spurred economic growth in recent decades. At the same time, Jacksonville's cultural attractions include unique museums of history, science, and art, plus the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. Two of Florida's top-rated health care providers serve area residents—the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and Baptist Medical Center. Nearby Amelia Island features 13 miles of oceanfront and upscale golf resorts, while Jacksonville Beach is conveniently accessible for city residents.