How to Retire to Florida in Palm Harbor

Palm Harbor has been ranked as a top retirement community in Florida. It is appealing, because Florida has no state income tax and Palm Harbor is not incorporated and therefore, levies few or no taxes of its own in Pinellas County other than by local referendum.

In addition, Palm Harbor sits approximately half way down the western coast of the state and on the Gulf of Mexico. Local restaurants serve not only American and regionally Floridian cuisines, but also Tex-Mex with the influence of Florida and diverse cultures, as in FloriMex Cuisine.

Prior to the Civil War, people migrated southward to Florida to take advantage of citrus groves and mineral springs that gave rise to health resorts in a mild climate where the temperature is usual in the mid-60 degrees F all winter. Fishing was good in the Gulf of Mexico and farming was successful. The area was settled more extensively by individuals moving in roughly between 1860 and 1878.

Local unincorporated neighborhoods beside Palm Beach today include East Lake, Crystal Beach with its long-time Live Oak City Park, and Ozona; all of which combine to form the larger community. Palm Harbor is governed by the Pinellas County Commission and the three smaller neighborhoods have some form of community organization of club that acts as government. Some have their own online newsletters and meeting place as well.

In 1985, the Florida Legislature protected Palm Harbor officially form annexation by surrounding villages and towns and allowed a system of local voting to be effected for special taxes from time to time, by local referendum.

ACTIVITIES

The Palm Harbor Community Services Agency is a non-profit with a Board of Directors that serves to govern local operations, programs, and public library and recreation facilities. The Palm Harbor Library is especially active, with a total of 150 active volunteers beyond their 24 staff persons. it is a cultural center and meeting place for the community that provides many educational and entertaining programs and events, including concerts and a lively book club.

The Palm Harbor Community Center adds additional entertainment and classes, so there is always something to do at the Lobrary or the Center. In addition, green space is located in a dozen local recreational parks and outdoor sports are provided for adults, youth, and children. Hiking, biking, and fishing are still popular.

Countryside Mall is 15 miles south of town along Route 19 and for tennis and golf, Innisbrook Resort is in town.

HOUSES OF FAITH

For retirees to whom faith is a part of life, then a number of denominations are available in Palm Harbor: Abundant Life Baptist, Berea Baptist, Bible Baptist, Christ Church, Crossroads Chapel, Curlew Baptist, East Lake United Methodist, Grace Covenant Church, Jehovahs Witnesses Palm Harbor, LDS Church,  Lutheran Church of the Palms. Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, New Life Church, New Purpose Community Church, Palm Harbor Community Church, Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor, St. Alfred's Episcopal, St. Luke Catholic, S S Helenix Orthodox Church, Temple Ahavat Shalom, Unity Church of Palm Harbor, and Word of Faith. Some smaller congregations are amassing in the area as well.

The historic region of Palm Harbor's downtown district is preserved and developed by the Old Palm Harbor Main Street organization. This is a non-profit corporation working in partnership with county government since 1999 to provide business and communty services as well as such events as

• First Fridays celebrations
• Palm Harbor Days founders' festival
• Christmas & Holiday Parades
• Palm Harbor Parrot Head Party
• Palm Harbor Bike Fest and Car Show
• Citrus Festival
• Craft Fairs

Further, improvements to infrastructure were completed in 2006 and ongoing development is likely.

From January 2010 - January 2011, job listings began to increase again (by nearly 15,000). The highest demand openings listed below within 25 miles of the downtown district.

Hot Jobs in Palm Harbor

35,500+ Jobs in May 2011

1. Registered Nurses (RNs)
   
2. Physical Therapists
3. Occupational Therapists
4. Salespeople
5. Pharmacy Technicians
   
6. Assistant Managers
7. Landscapers and Helpers
   
8. Restaurant General Managers
9. Delivery Drivers
10. Casual Dining and Fast Food Team Members and Crew Members

Other High Demand Jobs

1. Financial Advisors
2. Sales Managers
3. Speech Therapists
4. Customer Service Reps

Bay Care Health System was named to the Top 100 Best Places to Work In Florida during the summer of 2009. Bay Care placed at #22 out of the best 100 large sized companies in Florida on the list. This employer happens to be the largest community-based healthcare system in Florida West Coast Region, or Tampa Bay Area.

The system of hospitals and clinics serves Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor and surrounding communities across the Tampa Bay market area. The hospitals that are government by this system include

• Mease Countryside
• Mease Dunedin
• Mease Morton Plant
• Mease Morton Plant North Bay
• St. Anthony’s
• St. Joseph’s
• St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
• St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital
• St. Joseph’s Hospital North - new facility for 2010 that will add new jobs to the area.
• South Florida Baptist Hospital

• Bay Tree Rehab and Nursing
• Bay Area Medical Center
• Countryside Health Care Center
• HCA West Florida
• Manor Care of Palm Harbor
• North Pinellas Childrens’ Hospital