| While it is easy to understand why people | | | | advise people whose medical conditions are |
| vacation in Florida, some people move to Florida | | | | aggravated by cold weather to move to Florida |
| for the entire winter. Areas of Florida, including | | | | and get relief. Balmy temperatures and a relaxed |
| Miami, are so popular that they appeal to those | | | | lifestyle promote healthy living in Florida, also |
| wanting to escape the cold and wintry weather in | | | | known as "the sunshine state". There isn't a need |
| states where temperatures often fall - or stay | | | | to drag along heavy winter coats or sweaters |
| -below freezing for much of the year. Because so | | | | and stress is kept to a minimum. Cars don't have |
| many people move to Florida for a good part of | | | | to winterized, snow shovels or snow blowers |
| the year, there is an actual term, snowbirds, for | | | | don't have to be kept ready and the heating bill is |
| these people. Snowbirds want to flee the snow | | | | low. No more shock at opening an electric or gas |
| and be somewhere warm. And why not? | | | | bill and seeing the figures mounting into the |
| In addition to warm weather, Florida has much to | | | | hundreds per month just to keep the chill away! |
| recommend it as both a tourist attraction and a | | | | When it comes to those of retirement age, |
| place to live in the winter. One of the most | | | | Florida is often the first choice for a winter |
| appealing features? Tax benefits...Florida has no | | | | location. Tired of maintaining a home in the winter, |
| personal income tax. This means that people can | | | | dealing with higher taxes and other irritations, |
| still keep their homes in another state, as long as | | | | many retirees are ready to make their vacation |
| a home or condo in Florida is a primary residence. | | | | destination their permanent one. So they move to |
| In many cases, they need to spend the majority | | | | Florida in the winter to "test drive" their |
| of they year, at least 9 months, living in Florida. | | | | retirement plans. Often, they end up living there all |
| Of course, much of that time covers the winter | | | | winter long and start making arrangements to |
| months. If Florida is going to be a primary | | | | stay there even longer. They may have to work |
| residence, there isn't much point in spending part | | | | in another state for part of the year but ease |
| of the year in a cold climate. To make the most | | | | themselves into the Florida lifestyle as quickly as |
| of Florida, people move there for the winter and | | | | possible. |
| smile when they think of all that they are | | | | Florida, including Miami, has a wide variety of free |
| escaping, from slippery roads to icy or snow | | | | attractions. This makes Florida a relatively |
| covered roofs and sidewalks. | | | | low-cost place to live, depending on location. When |
| By moving to Florida for the winter and most of | | | | real estate prices are at a low, many lovely |
| the year, people can save a great deal on taxes. | | | | homes are rented or sold for bargain prices, |
| Florida's tax advantages are so great that only a | | | | making it easy to find gorgeous living spaces for |
| handful of states have lower taxes. If the warm | | | | low rates. It costs nothing to walk along the |
| weather in Miami and other parts of Florida | | | | waterfront, gaze out over a scenic ocean or |
| weren't reason enough to move there, the tax | | | | bicycle down sidewalks or bike paths. For those |
| savings can be the deciding factor. | | | | who want easy living, Florida is a natural |
| Then there are the health benefits. Doctors | | | | destination for winter. |