Your Florida retirement and ours is very different. We are from Florida, so no visitors. We live in the country about twenty minutes from a college town, not a retirement area. We exercise more when traveling in our motor home out of state than we do when at home. We have not made new friends because we do not live in the Villages or other retirement community. We have a fantastic hospital system that is associated with the local university. Retirement in Florida can look very different than what you portray.
My wife and I purchased in Florida during the housing crisis about 14 years ago. We bought into an adult retirement community because we wanted the community life in our retirement years. We have lived here for almost six years now. Our community is sort of a co-op. We all own our own land. Our HOA fees are set by us. Our monthly fee is $54 and has never changed. That includes maintenance of our common areas, our beautiful heated pool and our wonderful club house. We are also a gated community. I don’t believe we could live anywhere cheaper even a campground. We recently went back home to visit family and friends, we would never move back, we love Florida. Everything is close by and the beach is 10 minutes away. There is so much to do if you want or just enjoy all our freind here in our community. Retirement here is a dream come true. We count our blessings everyday.
We bought a condo in boynton beach. LOTS of visitors. You are 100% correct, you’re on their vacation. Fun and all but we liked our little retirement routines. I don’t want to go to dinner on Monday because I’m not on vacation. Wierd
I always say you know who your true friends and family are, they will visit no matter where you. If they never visited you until you moved to a warmer vacation spot, you need to think are they coming to truly visit you or are they just using you hospitality for their benefit.
We snowbird on Florida’s east coast. I had a medical emergency and was in Boca Raton Regional Hospital for four days. The care was outstanding and I have nothing but praise for them! For follow up after the visit I went to an urgent care facility and also experienced great care. For a separate issue I went to a pain management doctor in Pompano Beach and again an excellent experience. I’m on Medicare and only had to pay my deductible and copays.
I am from FL (since grade school) and it is very diverse. I know Fort Myers and Naples well. I would describe Marco as a place with a very urban feel. Very planned. Ultra expensive. Contrast it to Sanibel Island with a very traditional Florida vibe. There are so many areas in FL that provide differences in lifestyle. We moved from Fort Myers to St. Augustine to experience more temperate climate and the lifestyle is more country, Georgia-like. Jacksonville is great and close, Mayo clinic is 40 minutes. It all depends on what you like. I used to travel and sing all over in churches during college and the south is very different than the north in the way people interact at least in church. The southerners clapped and sang and smiled and the northerners sat stiff with no smiles. It was amazing to observe this over the years. We visited nearly 100 churches- same basic observation. I relate that too with your comments of people and environment.
My parents are now 79 and 81, and are finally in the process of downsizing from a waterfront property to an apartment. They have so many things to sell and sort through that the entire family has to be involved. Elderly people who live in mansions need to think of their kids. They don't want their weekend time taken up with having to trim their trees or continuously fix or move things because the father is too old to do it. If they're too old to take responsibility for their property, then they have to move to a smaller, more manageable property. There's also the issue of hazards elderly people face when they live in a gigantic house with stairs and a steep driveway that becomes slippery when wet. What suits you in your fifties will not nessessarily suit you in your 80's. And make the switch by your mid 70's while you still have your faculties. Don't wait until your 80's to prepare for life in your 80's and 90's.
It is hot. Old people like the heat. No snow. No ice. Mostly single level homes with no stairs. The bad is the house insurance. Check it before buy. Taxes decent if not in big city. Water warm. Beaches great. Gators and bears be aware. Tourist drivers stop in the middle of the road and run across the road without looking. Be aware. Shopping good. Grass cutting six months of the year. Growth of plants easy. Housing cost and food cost average. Ease of getting to large cities number #1. Things to do lots and lots.
The city where I live is a major tourist destination. My visitor situation has gotten completely out of control. I feel like I’m running a bed-and-breakfast at times. Please share any additional suggestions as you navigate through this challenge.
Just learn to gently tell the truth .“We’re taking time from having guests right now (or this year) as we have some other things going on. We’ll get back to you when we are able to have guests again.” Then keep repeating it without further explanation. You don’t owe anyone any details.
We are new at this and are constantly learning. Many people we know have a four day rule. Visitors can stay for four days and if they want longer they can go to a hotel. Easier said than done.
Have family and friends contribute to the electric bill!!! It's pretty high here in SWFL. Anyone that wants to come visit me has to commit to some chores. My son is a handyman jack of all trades and he will be doing some of that. Another will go shopping with me and help me pick out some new things since I have no sense of decorating. If they have no skills I will give them an errand or chore I don't have time for. Cleaning the pool. Grocery shopping. Something like that.
Marco Island is nice and a tourist and snowbird spot, so obviously more expensive. Basic healthcare is ok, but the system hasn’t been able to keep up with the population increase.
A more accurate title would be we moved to Marco Island, not Florida. You're experiencing a lot of first world problems. Marco is an expensive vacation destination, no wonder everyone wants to stay with you for free. Housing is probably double the average of the state. Don't get me wrong, you deserve the lifestyle you can afford, it's just a little misleading.
Good point. It is a bit more expensive here than other parts of Florida. We chose it partly as a destination for our six kids and grand kids. We love having them around and always try and give them a wonderful experience while they are here.
We are living this phase of life differently than what traditional retirement has been taught over the years. We will drop everything too if visitors come. We also carve out 15-20 hours a week to work on our TH-cam channel.
Well I guess everyone does things their own way. My wife and I just got back from a four month trip so we haven’t been home to have guests anyway. Sorry if I came across badly.
@@johnscott2746 No, not badly at all. The beauty of this phase is that it can be whatever works for you individually and as a couple. But we believe our four core pillars are key to a successful retirement. Physical wellness, mental wellness, relationships, spouse or partner relationships, and finally, doing some form of wisdom sharing that brings you fulfillment.
I am surprised that Florida is at 36 th! I have lived in Fla over 30 years. Depending Where you go , ie Mayo in Jax is fantastic; but others areas could be ranked 50 th. We are looking to move to another part of the country, health care being one of the reasons.
Yes, there are so many choices. We are always thinking of where the best places are. Its important for us to be near our children, or a major airport so we can see them We have six and they are all over the country.
Too funny. I’ve lived in Ft. Myers my entire life. The cost of living due to the snowbirds moving here is ridiculous. And the traffic is enough to put you over the edge. One daughter has moved to Minneapolis, another to Chicago and I’m on my way to NY. Florida ain’t all that.
Oh wow! It is expensive living here. But as we travel we find prices for almost everything are higher. Did, lodging, flights, etc. For us we justify the higher cost with quality of life. Being active and outside is important to us. Sorry the prices have moved your family away.
there are no state taxes but they get it other ways. when you said marco island and country club that's all i need to know about you. and yes the health care is poor. you have to know you are sick 4 months before you are.
Yes home insurance rates are going up And not just in Florida. Many states in the USA are having increases.. But in hurricane zones it's even more if you want that coverage.
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
Your Florida retirement and ours is very different. We are from Florida, so no visitors. We live in the country about twenty minutes from a college town, not a retirement area. We exercise more when traveling in our motor home out of state than we do when at home. We have not made new friends because we do not live in the Villages or other retirement community. We have a fantastic hospital system that is associated with the local university. Retirement in Florida can look very different than what you portray.
they picked the expensive area to move to..
We are working hard at making friends with others in the same boat as us.
My wife and I purchased in Florida during the housing crisis about 14 years ago. We bought into an adult retirement community because we wanted the community life in our retirement years. We have lived here for almost six years now. Our community is sort of a co-op. We all own our own land. Our HOA fees are set by us. Our monthly fee is $54 and has never changed. That includes maintenance of our common areas, our beautiful heated pool and our wonderful club house. We are also a gated community. I don’t believe we could live anywhere cheaper even a campground. We recently went back home to visit family and friends, we would never move back, we love Florida. Everything is close by and the beach is 10 minutes away. There is so much to do if you want or just enjoy all our freind here in our community. Retirement here is a dream come true. We count our blessings everyday.
This is a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks for sharing. Which part of Florida? We are interested in a retirement community.
@@JosieG1102 We are about 35 miles northwest of Tampa, near Tarpon Spring and New Port Richey
We bought a condo in boynton beach. LOTS of visitors. You are 100% correct, you’re on their vacation. Fun and all but we liked our little retirement routines. I don’t want to go to dinner on Monday because I’m not on vacation. Wierd
I always say you know who your true friends and family are, they will visit no matter where you. If they never visited you until you moved to a warmer vacation spot, you need to think are they coming to truly visit you or are they just using you hospitality for their benefit.
Managing visitors is a new thing for us. But we love having people come, especially our kids. We are getting better at it
We snowbird on Florida’s east coast. I had a medical emergency and was in Boca Raton Regional Hospital for four days. The care was outstanding and I have nothing but praise for them! For follow up after the visit I went to an urgent care facility and also experienced great care. For a separate issue I went to a pain management doctor in Pompano Beach and again an excellent experience. I’m on Medicare and only had to pay my deductible and copays.
Yes, if you look for it, I think there can be good care around most larger cities.
Well yeah, Island life is ALWAYS more expensive, regardless of where.
Yes it is.
I am from FL (since grade school) and it is very diverse. I know Fort Myers and Naples well. I would describe Marco as a place with a very urban feel. Very planned. Ultra expensive. Contrast it to Sanibel Island with a very traditional Florida vibe. There are so many areas in FL that provide differences in lifestyle. We moved from Fort Myers to St. Augustine to experience more temperate climate and the lifestyle is more country, Georgia-like. Jacksonville is great and close, Mayo clinic is 40 minutes. It all depends on what you like. I used to travel and sing all over in churches during college and the south is very different than the north in the way people interact at least in church. The southerners clapped and sang and smiled and the northerners sat stiff with no smiles. It was amazing to observe this over the years. We visited nearly 100 churches- same basic observation. I relate that too with your comments of people and environment.
Thank you!
My parents are now 79 and 81, and are finally in the process of downsizing from a waterfront property to an apartment.
They have so many things to sell and sort through that the entire family has to be involved.
Elderly people who live in mansions need to think of their kids. They don't want their weekend time taken up with having to trim their trees or continuously fix or move things because the father is too old to do it. If they're too old to take responsibility for their property, then they have to move to a smaller, more manageable property.
There's also the issue of hazards elderly people face when they live in a gigantic house with stairs and a steep driveway that becomes slippery when wet.
What suits you in your fifties will not nessessarily suit you in your 80's.
And make the switch by your mid 70's while you still have your faculties. Don't wait until your 80's to prepare for life in your 80's and 90's.
Very good advice. Thank you
It is hot. Old people like the heat. No snow. No ice. Mostly single level homes with no stairs. The bad is the house insurance. Check it before buy. Taxes decent if not in big city. Water warm. Beaches great. Gators and bears be aware. Tourist drivers stop in the middle of the road and run across the road without looking. Be aware. Shopping good. Grass cutting six months of the year. Growth of plants easy. Housing cost and food cost average. Ease of getting to large cities number #1. Things to do lots and lots.
Thank you for the helpful insights!
The city where I live is a major tourist destination. My visitor situation has gotten completely out of control. I feel like I’m running a bed-and-breakfast at times. Please share any additional suggestions as you navigate through this challenge.
Just learn to gently tell the truth .“We’re taking time from having guests right now (or this year) as we have some other things going on. We’ll get back to you when we are able to have guests again.” Then keep repeating it without further explanation. You don’t owe anyone any details.
We are new at this and are constantly learning. Many people we know have a four day rule. Visitors can stay for four days and if they want longer they can go to a hotel. Easier said than done.
So helpful!
Glad you think so!
Have family and friends contribute to the electric bill!!! It's pretty high here in SWFL. Anyone that wants to come visit me has to commit to some chores. My son is a handyman jack of all trades and he will be doing some of that. Another will go shopping with me and help me pick out some new things since I have no sense of decorating. If they have no skills I will give them an errand or chore I don't have time for. Cleaning the pool. Grocery shopping. Something like that.
That’s a good way to approach things with guests.
Marco Island is nice and a tourist and snowbird spot, so obviously more expensive. Basic healthcare is ok, but the system hasn’t been able to keep up with the population increase.
You are right. But we keep working through it. The nice weather and chill atmosphere keeps us happy
A more accurate title would be we moved to Marco Island, not Florida. You're experiencing a lot of first world problems. Marco is an expensive vacation destination, no wonder everyone wants to stay with you for free. Housing is probably double the average of the state. Don't get me wrong, you deserve the lifestyle you can afford, it's just a little misleading.
Good point. It is a bit more expensive here than other parts of Florida. We chose it partly as a destination for our six kids and grand kids. We love having them around and always try and give them a wonderful experience while they are here.
So what I’m hearing is that you are not retired yet. My wife and I are retired and if anyone stops by we drop everything to spend time with them.
We are living this phase of life differently than what traditional retirement has been taught over the years. We will drop everything too if visitors come. We also carve out 15-20 hours a week to work on our TH-cam channel.
Well I guess everyone does things their own way. My wife and I just got back from a four month trip so we haven’t been home to have guests anyway. Sorry if I came across badly.
@@johnscott2746 No, not badly at all. The beauty of this phase is that it can be whatever works for you individually and as a couple. But we believe our four core pillars are key to a successful retirement. Physical wellness, mental wellness, relationships, spouse or partner relationships, and finally, doing some form of wisdom sharing that brings you fulfillment.
I am surprised that Florida is at 36 th! I have lived in Fla over 30 years. Depending Where you go , ie Mayo in Jax is fantastic; but others areas could be ranked 50 th. We are looking to move to another part of the country, health care being one of the reasons.
Yes, there are so many choices. We are always thinking of where the best places are. Its important for us to be near our children, or a major airport so we can see them We have six and they are all over the country.
Where do you go in June?
We head to Connecticut for the summer right now. Then back to Florida in October
The whole state is shocking. Glad i left years ago.
Where did you move to?
The Housing Market, particularly the HOA's are out of control.
Florida the Sunshine State,Have a Look at Grassroots Health Nonprofit Information about Vitamin D3.Greetings from Germany!
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Thank you for this and thank you for being here.
Too funny. I’ve lived in Ft. Myers my entire life. The cost of living due to the snowbirds moving here is ridiculous. And the traffic is enough to put you over the edge. One daughter has moved to Minneapolis, another to Chicago and I’m on my way to NY. Florida ain’t all that.
Oh wow! It is expensive living here. But as we travel we find prices for almost everything are higher. Did, lodging, flights, etc. For us we justify the higher cost with quality of life. Being active and outside is important to us. Sorry the prices have moved your family away.
there are no state taxes but they get it other ways. when you said marco island and country club that's all i need to know about you. and yes the health care is poor. you have to know you are sick 4 months before you are.
Thank you for leaving your comment. We are happy you are here.
I would not retire there. The politics! If people there are voting like they are, forget it!
Yes - politics can be polarizing for sure. We try to keep it off the table.
Please do not move here if you are liberal crazy person. Stay in Detroit.
Other parts of Florida are less expensive than Marco Island.
You might be right. But right now we are really enjoying it there.
to solve the healthcare problem.... all you need to do is stop eating ga SAD diet
Don't fully understand the last part of your comment. But yes nutrition is so important
The oppressive politics?
No matter where you end up living politics can be an issue based on your beliefs.
Home Insurance cost? …maybe you talked about it, but I didn’t hear it.
Yes home insurance rates are going up And not just in Florida. Many states in the USA are having increases.. But in hurricane zones it's even more if you want that coverage.
Ridiculous. And some condo fees are crazy in 2024. Check before buy.