Top 10 Best Places to Retire in Florida - Experts' Opinions

The publication known as 55-Alive! suggests a number of places they feel are better than average for retirement living. These include a number of US States and Mexico, but many locations are in Florida

The recommeded Top 10 Best Florida Retirement Cities are the following:

1. Melbourne - Also named as one of the "most affordable" retirement cites by WalletPop.com . This organization also states that Palm Harbor and Jensen Beach are among the Top 20 Most Affordable .
2. Gainesville
3. Naples
4. Jupiter
5. Vero Beach
6. Marco Island
7. Jacksonville
8. Ocala
9. Kissimmee
10. Tallahassee

An additional 5 cities that also offer good retirement living are:

• Orlando
• Clearwater
• St. Petersburg
• Tampa
• Palm Beach

Other Recommendations

• Money.com adds one more: Dunedin.
• US News and World Report suggest Punta Gorda for the health factor.
• Forbes.com adds all of Brevard County.

Melbourne may be the best place to retire in Florida for a number of reasons. it's been names one of the most affordable cities in the nation for retirement and retirement jobs are also available for those that wish to continue working. It is located about an hour's drive south of the Kennedy Space Center and is convenient for watching NASA liftoffs in the exciting 21st century of proposed Lunar and Martian exploration. In addition, this is the center of the Florida Space Coast, a high-tech hub in Southeastern USA.

The city is a little over an hour east of Disney World as well and has easy access to highway I-95. Part of the city lies off the mainland and two causeway bridges provide access to this scenic area. At over 78,000 population, the city is not overly large and lends less stress than large urban metroplexes, as well as its enjoyable sightseeing attractions.

Melbourne is nicknamed the Harbor City as a reflection of its location on the eastern coast of Florida, about 24 miles south of Cape Canaveral. Beeches, waterfronts, and harbors offer numerous recreational activities to residents and visitors. Several State Parks and Conservation Areas are located within half an hour's drive time as well. In case of severe inclement weather and hurricanes, the city is well prepared with a system of services that offer Hurricane Preparedness.

Within an hour's journey to Kennedy Space Center, Melbourne makes the ideal retirement spot for hobbyists that enjoy astronomy and space exploration events. The research division of the center is involved in remarkable projects that include wildlife and agriculture as well as weather and space travel. For Baby Boomers that grew up on Walt Disney shows about space exploration and were hooked on the subject - like Tom Hanks - Melbourne is a dream come true. At one time, NASA operated a short project that studied seniors and space travel and wtoday, privatized space travel is in the grasp of seniors in the near future. Kennedy offers attractions for all ages, making it a comprehensive educational and recreational complex for the community as well a center for NASA projects.

Melbourne city officials are joined by NASA, Disney, Higher Education, and local businesses in order to promote the development of new jobs and new career fields to boost the city and state economy. Research and employment internships (inlcuding at Disney) help to expand the workforce and increase the quality of living in Melbourne. Retirees that want to work can also find employment in the area.

The most frequently listed job opportunities are in Healthcare, Finance, and IT (Information Technology/computers).

1. Physical Therapists and Assistants
2. Occupational Therapists and Assistants
3. Registered Nurses (RNs)
4. Home Care Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists
5. Speech Therapists
6. Financial Advisors (especially for JP Morgan Chase)
7. Senior Software Engineers
8. Licensed Financial Sales Consultants
9. Pizza Hut Managers, Assistants, and Team Members
10. Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs)

The system of Higher Education in and around Melbourne includes many community opportunities for classes and trips in conjunction with NASA, Kennedy Space Center, and other attractions.

• Barry University; 1333 Gateway Drive, Melbourne, FL‎ - (321) 409-5553‎
• Brevard Community College: Melbourne Campus
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University‎
• Everest University at Melbourne
• FIT Aviation
• Florida Ballroom Dance Teachers Academy‎
• Florida Institute of Technology College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
• Herzing College - a Career Academy. 1270 N Wickham Rd Ste 51, Melbourne, FL, 32935 (321) 255-9232
• Keiser University
• Rollins College
• Warner Southern College

A number of online colleges are also available in Melbourne.

• Lower cost, good housing off I-95: Windwood Apartments. This complex offers laundry facilities, a Clubhouse, and High Speed Internet and fomr 300 to 900 square feet of living space.
• Hibiscus Court
• Kisco Senior Living - The Fountains at Melbourne
• Quail Run Retirement
• Senior Lifestyles - This location includes wellness programs and the School of Culinary Arts that provides experience and ongoing training for chefs.

Check additional locations and related resources at One Senior Place.

The following link discloses all state tax information:

http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/forms/2009/gt800025.pdf

Excerpt:

Other Taxes and Fees

Florida does not impose personal income, inheritance, gift taxes or intangible personal property taxes. However, there are other taxes and fees that, in certain counties or circumstances, Florida residents may be required to pay, such as: convention development tax, local option tourist tax, fuel taxes, communications services tax, gross receipts tax, lead-acid battery fee, new tire fee, motor vehicle fee (Lemon Law), or rental car surcharge.