By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Florida has been known as a retirement haven since the 1920s. But a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the Sunshine State’s reign is nearing an end—or at least heading downhill.
Rising costs lead to relocation
Real estate prices in Florida have started to fall, but property taxes have increased, especially for newcomers and part-time residents. And the recent bout of hurricanes has hiked property insurance rates up even higher than their already sky-high costs. Top it all off with a two-tier tax system, and you’ve got an undesirable destination for homeowners.
Florida’s population growth has slowed in the past few years as a result of “halfbacks,” retirees who moved there a decade ago and are now relocating to mid-Atlantic states like Maryland.
‘Half-back’ heaven
In August, Evelyn Boileau moved back home to Maryland after living in Florida for 23 years. “I have three sons who live in Maryland, so I moved back to be near them. I chose a one bedroom home at Oak Crest because my house and yard got to be too much work,” she says. But, she admits, now that she’s not doing maintenance on her house, she’s swimming four to five days a week in Oak Crest’s indoor pool.
Whether she’s swimming or just walking to the bank, she doesn’t worry about hurricanes or any bad weather, thanks to the climate-controlled walkways that link every building.
Other perks
Aside from avoiding devastating hurricanes, people are discovering other perks in Maryland that they’re not finding in Florida. In some cases, property taxes are cheaper and simpler. “Charlestown and Oak Crest pay property taxes in one lump sum, which makes up the aggregate expenses per community. That amount in total is divided up among each residential unit to create the monthly service package,” says Joe Harsel, Erickson’s director of community relations.