Florida is no longer the retirement haven it once was, according to a recent Bankrate survey that placed it eighth on a list of the According to the New York-based financial services company's annual rankings, Delaware is the best state for retirees to thanks to its high-quality healthcare, light tax burden, affordable homeowner insurance and good weather. Bankrate's analysis, which considered affordability, overall well-being, the cost and quality of health care, and crime rates for each U.S.
state, found that Florida, often considered a retirement hotspot, ranked eighth for the second year in a row. It was behind Delaware, West Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri, Mississippi and Pennsylvania. "Ten years ago, Florida would've been a no-brainer for retirement.
But with skyrocketing home prices, property taxes and homeowners insurance, it's worth taking a pause to make sure you can afford the retirement lifestyle you want in Florida," Bankrate analyst Alex Gailey told . While Florida is no longer in the top five, it's still number eight in Bankrate's ranking—meaning that it's still among the most appealing states for American retirees. "Florida is a warmer state with several beautiful beaches and golf courses, which are attractive for retirees.
It also ranks well in terms of overall well-being and crime," Gailey said. "A big perk of flocking to Florida for retirement is that there is no state tax on retirement income like Social Security, pension funds, 401(k)s or I.
