Discover why more people are choosing to retire in Florida's capital city
One of the biggest reasons people choose to retire to the sunshine state is because Florida does not have a state income tax. So, you get to keep more of your hard earned dollars! But cost savings isn't the only benefit. When you choose Tallahassee, you enjoy award winning restaurants, state-of-the art healthcare, and a thriving arts and entertainment scene every weekend of the year.
3 Reasons to Retire to Florida
(and why Tallahassee is your very best option!)
Healthcare: There are multiple award winning hospitals.
Lifestyle: There are activities and senior communities for every step of your retirement journey.
Cost savings: No state income tax and low housing costs make for an affordable option.
Healthcare
Why do so many seniors choose to retire to Florida? Healthcare is one reason, and the options in Tallahassee are second to none. The city is home to a nationally recognized HMO (Capital Health Plan), and 2 award winning hospitals. In fact, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital has the panhandle’s most advanced neurosurgery program, and the region’s only structural heart program, as well as the most powerful cancer center in the Big Bend region.
Lifestyle
Tallahassee is the perfect place for Florida retirees who want to avoid the big city hustle and bustle but still get to enjoy all the activities a larger metropolis has to offer. With 2 universities, there’s always a game to attend – from football games at FAMU’s Bragg Memorial Stadium to baseball at FSU’s Mike Martin Field.
But sports aren’t the only boast worthy point the city has to offer. There are 88 city parks, offering plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking. Seniors also get to take advantage of lifelong learning opportunities through Florida State University’s senior program, Olli. For those looking for arts and cultural experiences, Tallahassee is home to one of the top Fine Art Shows in the nation, LeMoyne’s Chain of Parks Art Festival. All of these opportunities make the city one of the best places to retire in Florida!
Cost Savings
If you’re looking for value, Tallahassee is one of the best cities for retirement in 2022. It’s also one of the cheapest, unlike bigger Florida cities such as Orlando, Miami and Tampa where average housing prices are $275,000 and up, retirees can find homes for sale in Tallahassee around $175,000. Additionally, there are a number of new 55 plus communities for those looking for a personalized, less expensive alternative to The Villages.
Questions about retiring to Tallahassee? Reach out to our experts.
Click here to learn why Southern Living chose Tallahassee as Florida’s Ultimate Retirement Spot!
Venice, FL
Forbes recently ranked Venice, Florida on their top 25 places to retire list, and it’s easy to see why! This small town community of approximately 23,000 people boasts some of the prettiest white sandy beaches on earth. But that’s not all the town has to offer… the community was originally developed as a Florida retirement community, so all aspects of the town were planned with seniors in mind. From the palm-tree lined boulevard to the wide sidewalks and public parks.
With these amenities comes a price tag, however. The retirement community of Venice, Florida has a cost of living that is 9% higher than the national average.
The Villages, FL
The Villages, located in Central Florida, is best known for the world-class amenities they offer to their residents. This community got its start in the mid 1980s and has continued to grow into the sought after Florida retirement community it is today. Home to more than 110,000 people, some residents fondly refer to The Villages as “Disneyland for adults” since there’s always something happening around every corner.
Because of its relatively remote location (just over an hour’s drive from Orlando), it can be a difficult adjustment for some folks… but there may not be a need to go anywhere when the fun is at your doorstep
Sarasota , FL
Those looking for the finer things in life will love retiring in Sarasota, Florida. With more than 100 upscale stores, plenty of high end restaurants and a booming arts and culture scene, you get all the benefits of big city living without the traffic, which makes it one of the best Florida retirement communities.
Of course, being so close to the water can put you at a higher risk when it comes to hurricanes, so you may prefer something a bit more inland if you’re worried about the weather.
Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee is Florida’s state capital and a hidden gem when it comes to retirement. With a population of more than 200,000 and the home to 2 major universities (Florida State University and Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University), there’s always something happening downtown. Being inland, residents are protected from most major hurricanes but still have quick access to the gulf coast and white sandy beaches. Additionally, the city’s cost of living is 4% below the national average, which makes housing affordable.
Scroll down to view some of the retirement communities located in Tallahassee, Florida.
Camellia Oaks
If you’re thinking about retiring to Florida, this community is a must-see. Camellia Oaks (presented by Naumann Group) is one of the newest 55 and better communities in Tallahassee. The neighborhood features quaint cottages nestled around 100-year oak trees. As a southern-style porch community, all of the homes face “pocket parks”, which gives residents plenty of space to stretch out, relax and have fun! The community features a clubhouse, pool, walking trails and more.
The Grove at Canopy
The Grove at Canopy is a luxury senior living community in Tallahassee, Florida. They offer independent living as well as assisted living, memory care, respite, and day stay options. This upscale retirement residence provides ample opportunities for retirees looking to pursue new interests, as well as enjoy existing hobbies.
Westminster Oaks
Westminster Oaks is a Life Plan Community for seniors ideally located on 140 wooded acres in Tallahassee, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing care, rehabilitation and therapy, and home care since 1982. Residents choose from a variety of spacious villa homes and apartment homes, all offering maintenance-free living with an exciting and active lifestyle every day.
Services and amenities include home maintenance, inside and out, chef-prepared dining options with our exclusive seasonal menus, a heated, indoor swimming pool, fitness center, lifelong learning center and miles of walking paths meandering through our campus of rolling hills.
Tapestry Senior Living
Tapestry Senior Living – Lakeshore is located amongst the rolling hills and beautiful moss-covered live oaks in Tallahassee, Florida. The goal at Tapestry Senior Living is to meet each resident’s unique needs. At Tapestry Senior Living, seniors are provided with extraordinary assisted living and the reassurance of excellent care. Tapestry Senior Living – Lakeshore also offers memory care for residents requiring this service.
Azalea Gardens
Azalea Gardens is more than a memory care facility, they are a memory care community. Azalea Gardens offers a warm and welcoming community for those in need of assisted living, transitional assisted living, or memory care in Tallahassee, Florida.
Planning Your Retirement in Florida
If you’ve decided that Florida is the state to spend the best of your life, now you need to know “what next?”
First, go through your current expenses and figure out about how much you spend every month. Then, think about what items you are currently spending money on that you may not be when you move (for example, do you pay someone to shovel snow off your driveway in the winter? That’s an expense you won’t have in Florida). Then, think about any additional expenses that you may need to add to your budget (maybe beach chairs and sunscreen in the summer).
Also, think about what kind of community you are looking for – will you choose a neighborhood, a 55+ community or an all-inclusive community? These decisions will impact your budgeting, so it’s good to think about it before you retire to Florida!
Next, consider how much you spend a month on items like food, utilities, healthcare, and homeownership costs. You can use a cost of living calculator to get an idea of the difference in costs from where you’re living now versus where you plan to move in Florida.
We’ve also included a list of Moving Resources below. You can contact the companies or organizations on this list if you have questions about things like average housing prices, cost of utilities and more.
Your Dream Retirement is Within Budget
From traveling the world to exploring your own backyard, there’s so much fun to be had during retirement! At Choose Tallahassee, we will work closely with you and your family to help you determine if our community is the right fit for you.
Contact us today to get started, or download our comprehensive Tallahassee retirement relocation guide.
Moving Resources
Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Hartung
Email
(850) 386-6160
Premier Fine Homes
Email
(850) 933-5899
Christie Perkins
Email
(850) 321-2393
Property Management Companies
First Story Property Management
Email
(850) 727-0291
55+ Communities
Camellia Oaks
Email
(850) 325-1681
Tapestry Senior Living – Walden
Email
(850) 616-6339
Westminster Oaks
Email
(877) 457-5771
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida a good state to retire in?
According to research from Wallethub, Florida is one of the most popular states to retire in. There are many reasons for this, including no state income tax, proximity to beaches, airports, and other amenities, as well as a number of award-winning hospitals. For these reasons and more, Florida is an excellent state to retire in.
What is the best place to retire in Florida?
According to Southern Living Magazine, Tallahassee, Florida is the ultimate retirement hot spot. Download our Retirement Relocation Guide to learn more about Florida’s best retirement community.
What are the benefits of retiring in Florida?
Florida is best known for low taxes and no state income tax. For retirees, this is good news because it means social security benefits and income from IRAs and 401(k)s are not taxed. Other benefits include a lower cost of living (in Tallahassee, it’s 4% less than the national average) and easy access to award winning hospitals.
What is Tallahassee best known for?
Tallahassee is best known as the state capital of Florida. As a vibrant college town, home of the Florida State Seminoles and the Florida A&M Rattlers, there are plenty of art, cultural and sporting events year round. Lastly, Tallahassee is also known for its canopy roads, hiking trails and 88+ city parks.
Is Tallahassee a good place to retire?
With affordable home prices, two major hospitals, Capital Regional Medical Center and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, an international airport, and numerous lifelong learning organizations, Tallahassee has quickly become a top retirement destination in Florida.
Can I afford to retire in Florida?
Almost everyone can afford to retire in Florida! While there are some cities in Florida that are expensive to live in, there are a number of locations throughout the state that make retiring in Florida quite affordable. Also, no matter where you live, you won’t have to pay state income tax, which means that you will get to keep more of your income retirement. Typically, housing is the biggest expense when it comes to determining if you can afford to retire in Florida. Some cities, like Tallahassee, have a lower than average cost of living, yet are still within a close distance to the white sandy beaches the state is known for.