By Donald H. Sepulski – Architect/Planner 

Donald H. Sepulski is a Registered Architect in the State of Florida and a Charter Member of The American Institute of Certified Planners.  He has been a resident of Florida since 1974 and has been involved in hundreds of building projects throughout Florida, and is Director of Architecture and Planning for Giler Urban Design, Inc.

Florida has been a primary retirement location since the end of World War II. With the unprecedented number of baby-boomer retirees beginning a change of life in the next few years, should Florida expect to be impacted?  To decide yourself, consider this:  Are the factors that originally made Florida so attractive to retired people still in play? 

Factor 1:  Warm Winters Are Healthier Than Frigid Ones.

Not everyone agrees about global warming, but everyone seems to see that weather patterns have become strange and unpredictable.  It is a fact that warm air is beneficial for arthritis pain and those with breathing ailments; it is a fact that bright sunlight suppresses mental depression. Cold temperatures and less daylight in the northern states during the winter exacerbate illness.    Conclusion:  Florida Will Always Be A Solution To Chronic Pain and Illness. 

Factor 2:   It Costs Less To Build In Florida.

Traditionally, homes cost less to build in Florida because they do not need basements, heavy insulation, steep roofs to shed snow and costly furnaces.  They also do not need an outer layer of brick or rock to fit the aesthetic of a northern neighborhood.  New, more stringent building codes call for storm-resistant construction that has added about 20-percent to the cost of building in Florida, about the same as building the basement of a northern house.    Conclusion:  Building Costs Are Still Competitive In Florida. 

FACTOR 3:   It Costs Less to Maintain a Home In Florida.

Retired people will largely be dependent upon fixed incomes, so it will always be a benefit to have lower utility bills, manageable property taxes and fewer repair bills.  Traditionally, Florida’s single-story homes with smaller floor areas and low-maintenance materials (stucco masonry, tile roofs) provided the necessary savings, as did the mobile home. Today the answer lies with the condominium.  Condo’s make life more predictable than owning a free-standing home because property taxes are a concern shared with other owners and many homeowners share the financial burden of a pool, roof repairs, landscaping and other maintenance costs. Home heating up north is an energy expense that will continuely rise; it alone has caused many retirees to move south. With the Florida legislature and Governor working to get property tax and insurance costs under control, these expenses should be of less concern than in recent years.    Conclusion:  Homeownership, particularly in condominiums, will be affordable in years to come. 

Factor 4:   I Can Move To This Comfortable State, and it’s Close Enough For Family & Friends to Visit.

Mexico, Central American and the Caribbean have recently attracted developers of retirement communities marketed to Americans. Since the 1990’s when this market was identified land costs have skyrocketed in such countries.  Political turmoil in Mexico and Latin America shows no sign of diminishing leaving American ex-patriots with doubts about residing or investing outside of the United States.    Conclusion:   Florida’s Attractiveness Will Not Be Diminished By Foreign Retirement Locations. 

Factor 5:  It Is Fun Living In A Retirement Community.

The baby-boomers will be the most physically fit, active, educated and financially-empowered retirement generation in U.S. History.  It is more likely that boomers will take the opportunity to do things they had only dreamt about, such as traveling, starting a business and focusing on fitness and longevity. They will want to live among retirees with common interests and group support.    Conclusion:  Retirement Communities With Planned Activities Will Flourish. 

Factor 6:  The Old Neighborhood Up North Just Isn’t The Same As It Was.

Although urban revitalization is noticeable within cities it must always compete with the attributes of suburban lifestyles.  Cities remain; however, more dangerous to live in, and as long as gang activity continues to grow, this will be so. With family moved away, the elderly are left vulnerable.    Conclusion:   Retired People Who Lose Daily Family Contact Will Seek The Safety And Support That Retirement Communities Provide.