The Dream of a Florida Retirement Is Fading for the Middle Class

[question everything]

(snip)

The experiences of both couples reflect a new reality about the Sunshine State: Its older population is transforming as the state’s costs of living balloon. Wealthy individuals make up a growing share of people at or near retirement age arriving in Florida from other states, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, while many working-class and middle-class older people who feel priced out are moving elsewhere.

The new patterns of migration are helping reshape Florida’s identity, swapping its long-held reputation as a paradise for retirees of all stripes for one that primarily caters to the well-heeled. The decades-old promise of an affordable sun-drenched sanctuary is fading in the face of high home prices, insurance premiums and property taxes, among other costs.

The cost of owning even a modest condo has increased because of recent laws aimed at shoring up condo safety and finances in the wake of the 2021 building collapse in Surfside, Fla.

Mobile-home parks that once provided a cheap option are becoming pricier, as large companies acquire them and raise rents on the land beneath, according to advocates for residents. Or they are disappearing altogether when builders buy them and convert them to costlier housing.

More..

https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/luxury-homes/the-dream-of-a-florida-retirement-is-fading-for-the-middle-class-a29a5687?st=H6Hvdj&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink


free

[dem4decades]

1. Florida, one of the last places i want to go to.

[Skittles]

2. it has never appealed to me, either

nope

[ms liberty]

3. I grew up in Tampa. I love Florida and would have gone home in a heartbeat. But.

They would have to make some serious changes for me to go home now.

[OldBaldy1701E]

13. That is exactly my position on my home state.

I love it, I miss it, and I wish I could live there.

But, certain elements are making that impossible. They would destroy it all rather than have to live with a single thing that they do not like.

[dameatball]

17. I grew up just outside Tampa in the 50's and 60s. The change has been immense for sure.

[RockCreek]

4. What about all the Canadians trying to sell their second homes?

Any effect on real estate?

[carpetbagger]

15. Hard to say how much, can't be helping.

There's a depressed real estate market. Part of it is national trends, part insurance/regulatory, part climate, part overcrowding which is making some areas less attractive. adding reduced foreign demand is the topper.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

5. The Repukes have ruined it here

Overdevelopment, crowding, impossible traffic with endless road repairs, hedge fund landlords, unattainable mortgages so that we can’t afford rentals *or* mortgages, and fascists everywhere you turn.

And yes, the Canucks have bailed and won’t be back, but it’s not helping the housing situation.

I hate to say it, but no state income tax was always a big plus—but the fact that it attracts the oligarchs negates that several times over.

I’d love to run to Scotland (family ties, but third-generation doesn’t give me a free pass), but I’d sure as hell run to Canada if I could. Should’ve trolled the singles groups when I was still young enough to snag a guy. *sigh*

[Buddyzbuddy]

6. Unless you're MAGA/Republican why would you consider it?

Something's been very wrong ever since Bush v. Gore.
No offense to the sane Floridians intended.

[Marie Marie]

7. Never been my dream.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

18. mine either... but here in California, we get the sun without the humidity

[BigmanPigman]

8. I'm reminded of a Murphy Brown episode

when the staff went to a retreat in FL. Murphy said, "I've never been to Florida and I always prided myself with this fact". That's how I feel. I still have family and friends there but I will NOT visit them, ever. Been there, done that and it was always a "blah" experience for many reasons.

[flvegan]

9. Ah yes, the Wall Street Journal.

It's nice that they basically isolated all their "findings" to Sarasota, Miami and Naples. Three of the most expensive places to live in Florida. Don't really expect much more from such a shit rag as the WSJ.

I live here (obviously). Property prices are coming down, thankfully. Insurance is high, yes. Taxes are high if you buy a home at that escalated price. HOA and Condo Assn fees...well, that's your fault for choosing to live there. Positives, no state income tax, no Florida estate tax. Yes, the comparison of hard costs (gas, milk, eggs) certainly doesn't have the chasm it used to between a lot of other areas. When I moved here I was legit shocked at the difference and how cheap it was to live here. Regardless of the WSJ, you can still buy acreage here for $6k-7500/acre if you look for it, and Realtor shows a couple hundred thousand listings under $300k. Um, hmm. Hold on...

Actually, you know what, on second thought, the WSJ is right. Everyone should just forget Florida and stay out. Nothing to see here. We have the worst drivers on the planet. All of them. They all live here. Yes, our government is largely bootlickers and asskissers of the Cankles McTacotits party. And yes, hurricanes are a real threat every single year. And the gators and snakes! Spiders as big as your hand! And the beaches suck, too many sharks and the crowds are bad. Oh, the parking! And the heat. Did you know that if you so much as go outside 6 months of the year, you'll just drop dead. Instantly. Bad place! Bad place!

[flamingdem]

10. I love it too but mostly the nature aspect

Wading birds, gators, crocs, otters, so much to see.
Manatees, panthers, beautiful landscapes.

It has grown on me in spite of Magats.

[Conjuay]

16. While you're trying to convince people to stay away

Mosquito County is the historic name of an early county that once comprised most of the eastern part of Florida. Its land included all of present-day Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Marion, Martin, Seminole, Osceola, Orange, Lake, Polk and Palm Beach counties.

The only part that retains this link to the past is "Mosquito Lagoon".

[Chemical Bill]

11. The dream of any retirement is fading...

Florida or no.

[Chemical Bill]

12. Of course, the middle class is fading.

Or disappearing.

[Jughead]

14. Florida

I remember an old friend telling me years ago that Florida is shaped like a penis for a reason…lol