Florida as a retirement location...

Posted on August 19, 2026 at 10:12:49 AM by BigLake

I'm getting to the point in life where retirement planning is now a functional part of my life planning. Beyond my financial retirement plan, wills/estates and what-not, the plan is to move from where I am now. It will probably be back to CHI (in the city or a nearby suburb, e.g., Evanston, OP, other). Even though we have family in FL, it's not even remotely in the discussion. Never considered, will never happen, partly for many of the reasons crumbs points out.

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Florida as a retirement location... - By BigLake August 19, 2026 at 10:12:49 AM
- Rick Scott and HCA stole Billions of dollars from Medicare, maybe all those Florida seniors are independently wealthy*** - By FleetwoodDiner August 19, 2026 at 11:20:45 AM
- florida went to shit during covid - By tem August 19, 2026 at 11:05:05 AM
- It's all about the weather - By syrfan August 19, 2026 at 10:36:48 AM
  - My Mom was smart married old guy retired in FL from age 40-60 then divorced him and moved to Ohio* - By Cincywolve August 19, 2026 at 11:01:03 AM
  - Agree on the winter weather. I've been to south, now mid-Florida - By BigLake August 19, 2026 at 10:47:58 AM
  - Nov to April is elite* - By crumbs August 19, 2026 at 10:42:29 AM
  - I would argue that Scottsdale weather in winter is the best in the US. Zero clouds, low 70s, zero humidity.* - By Desertdweller August 19, 2026 at 10:39:16 AM
    - Way too cold at night* - By syrfan August 19, 2026 at 10:47:39 AM
    - Love Scottsdale. Even through late April. 90-95 there feels great* - By Rich August 19, 2026 at 10:45:44 AM
- Zero chance I retire in Miami. Just way too expensive.* - By crumbs August 19, 2026 at 10:23:11 AM
- IMO if you were to live in FL even part time, you'd want to be west of the Tamiami (if moving to the Gulf side)... - By Rich August 19, 2026 at 10:16:10 AM
  - I've spent my whole life visiting grandparents and now my mom in Sanibel, Anna Maria and Siesta Key. FL holds zero attraction to me outside of the beaches and water aside from an occasional trip to the Everglades or something like that. Maybe a little golf.* - By LewisBullox August 19, 2026 at 12:25:17 PM
  - We love Santa Rosa Beach in the winter. We get some "beach" weather and otherwise get a pretty good mix of warm and cool days. It is expensive but not really moreso than here in MI on most stuff and the beaches are goregeous. more ... - By EricP August 19, 2026 at 10:36:54 AM
    - Haven't been in that area but have heard great things about Destin, which is nearby - By Rich August 19, 2026 at 10:45:05 AM

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Florida as a retirement location...