4 Major Reasons to Retire in Florida Instead of Arizona

4 Major Reasons to Retire in Florida Instead of Arizona

First thing’s first. We all know that the gorgeous weather here in The Sunshine State is one of the primary reasons why retirees—most people, no matter their age—fall in love with Florida and choose to make it their home. But consider these four other wonderful reasons why you should retire in Florida, instead of in another appealing state like Arizona, when you’re looking to begin the next chapter of your life.

Reason #1. Safer Neighborhoods

Everyone wants to come home to a neighborhood that feels safe. One where they can walk without worries, bike without break-ins, and travel without concern for trespassers. Although no state or neighborhood is completely crime-free, Florida has a lower rate of violent crimes than Arizona, with 2.59 incidents per 1,000 residents, according to data from Thetravel.com—a site that offers trending information about lifestyle and travel throughout the U.S. and abroad.

On the other hand, Arizona’s violent crime rate is 4.51—a little over 27 percent higher than Florida.

Reason #2. Better Options for Retirement Communities and Senior Living

When it comes to options for retirement communities, Florida is by far the better choice. The Sunshine State has a plethora of communities from which to choose—much more than Arizona—with over 650 senior living communities statewide, as opposed to Arizona’s approximately 140. If you retire in Florida, you’ll have seemingly unlimited possibilities for your future residence.

Here in Naples, we’ve got so many options for senior housing that you may not know where to start!

If you’re a mature adult who is not a senior, a 55-Plus Community, also known as an Active Adult Community—where you can live with people of a similar age—may suit your lifestyle!

With a variety of choices for your new community, you’ve likely got tons of questions. It’s best to trust your Florida home search to a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), which is an agent who caters to the needs of mature adult clients who are looking to purchase a new home or to sell or refinance one.

Reason #3. More Tax-Friendly

Isn’t it nice when you can keep more of your money? Well, here in Florida, you can look forward to paying no state individual income tax. This can mean that your funds will stretch much farther to cover expenses for everyday life, as well as for leisure and entertainment.

Arizona, however, has a state individual income tax that ranges from 2.59 percent to 4.5 percent.

Reason #4. A Lower Cost of Living

Nobody wants to pay more than what they have to. Florida’s cost of living is 5 percent lower than that of Arizona.

In Florida, the average annual cost of living is $50,689 per person, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. For a single adult the average cost of transportation is $5,477 a year. You may save some dough when it comes to the average monthly cost of food for a single adult, which is $284, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In essence, Florida can be a more economical place to live for retirees than Arizona.

REALTOR® Alexandra Janz is Your Premier Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®)

At Alexandra Janz Premium Real Estate Naples, principal broker, REALTOR® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Alexandra Janz helps clients realize their dreams of purchasing a luxury home and basking in the glow of the Naples and Southwest Florida luxury lifestyle. Alexandra is not only an expert in the real estate market in Naples and Southwest Florida, but in international markets as well.

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Alexandra loves to help and support mature adults, seniors, and the elderly as they embark upon new journeys in their lives. She has always had an affinity for seniors and loves to be regaled with stories about their lives and adventures. After having cared for her ailing parents at a young age, Alexandra understands how physically and emotionally challenging it can be to have them downsize to smaller, more suitable homes, or to find high-quality assisted living. She brings that level of understanding, care, and concern to each and every client.

Alexandra’s personal philosophy: “I believe the role as your Seniors Real Estate Specialist® is to guide you safely through the buying and selling process, to take the time to understand your needs, and to make sure you understand every step of the transaction.”

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