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    Feeling uninspired with your living situation? The Live Everywhere Newsletter is here to keep you in the loop on luxury real estate & travel trends so you can live here & there

      Why Florida is Still the Number One Second Home Destination In The United States

      Everything You Think You Know About Florida is Wrong!

      Florida gets a bad rap. It’s become the butt of many jokes, and rightfully so, it’s a wacky place. Florida can seem like an entirely different country…perhaps even a different planet. Between the panhandle, the Orlando parks, Miami, and the Keys, traveling in Florida feels like you’re journeying through vastly different worlds without ever leaving the state. Despite the constant string of “Florida man” headlines dominating news cycles, the Sunshine State is consistently ranked as the top US destination for second homes.

      If you’re considering buying a second home, Florida may just have everything you’re looking for and more. Much of the state has perpetual sunshine and tropical temperatures, even in winter, and there’s 1300 miles of coastline to explore. If you’re considering buying a second home, continue reading below for Why Florida is Still the Number One Second Home Destination.

      Warm Weather and Miles and Miles of Sandy Beaches

      With winters becoming increasingly erratic, many are looking for a more permanent warm weather escape in the form of a second home. Florida is nearly 500 miles long, so the weather in the stay varies significantly depending on your latitude. Still, the entire state sees over 200 days of sunshine. The northern part of the state mimics the weather of the rest of the southeast Gulf Coast with mild winters. The southern part of the state experiences Caribbean-reminiscent tropical temperatures for much of the year. In Miami, the average winter temperature ranges from 76 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while summers top off at 90 degrees. Beyond the weather, the state has over 1,000 miles of beaches. Making your beach house dreams a reality may be possible in the Sunshine State.

      No State Income Tax

      People flock to Florida for a lot of reasons, and saving money is at the top of many lists. Like Texas and Washington, Florida has no state income tax. So, if your primary residence is in Florida, you’ll save a pretty penny each April when taxes are due.

      Florida is a Retiree-Friendly

      Florida isn’t just an affordable place to work and live, it’s also perhaps the nation’s most affordable retirement destination. In addition to not taxing income, the Florida government forgoes taxing retirement income such as Social Security benefits. Florida is so popular amongst retirees that it holds seven spots in the US News & World Report’s Best Places to Retire: Sarasota, Naples, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Tampa, Fort Myers, Port St. Lucie, and Pensacola.

      Cultural and Ethnic Diversity

      When you land at the Miami airport and step off the plane, you’ll panic and think you’ve forgotten your passport when you don’t need it at all. Florida, and Miami specifically, is an international melting pot of Latin, Caribbean, and Southern culture that mixes with national transplants from both coasts, the Midwest, the Southeast, and more. Florida’s ethnic and cultural diversity makes it one of the most exciting places to eat and drink in the country.

      Florida is the Gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America

      The Florida Keys stretch out 120 miles from the state’s southern border and divide the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. While the keys aren’t technically part of the Caribbean, they’re just a stone’s throw from the Bahamas. The Keys offer residents and travelers world-class fishing, diving, and snorkeling in electric blue water. The Keys may feel like the Caribbean, but you can reach Key West in just over 3 hours by car from Miami.

      Florida is a Great Travel Hub

      Just because you’re retiring or buying a second home doesn’t mean you can’t explore other destinations, and Florida is a great jumping-off point. The Miami Airport has cheap, short, and frequent flights to the Caribbean, Central, and South America, making it one of the best airports to travel from in the entire country. Additionally, it’s easy to find affordable direct flights to Europe.

      Take Away

      Whether you’re shopping for a second home in Florida or on the other side of the planet, my team has global experience you can lean on to find your dream home. As a certified second home specialist, my job (and joy) is to help turn your travel dreams into an everyday reality. If you’d like to scan for some potential second homes, be sure to go to my Co-Ownership Page, scroll down to the “See More Properties Button”, and enter “Florida” as your search parameter. If you don’t see your cup of tea, then call me and we can discuss some of my favorite, lesser known second home spots!

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