1. Miami Beach
This tropical city is located at the southern tip of Florida. Miami combines the sunny weather and sandy toes of a beach retirement spot with the amenities only a large metro area can provide. Miami retirees have a variety of quality health care options, including the Cleveland Clinic Florida, and are eligible to ride the public transit system for free. Beachgoers can choose to see and be seen in flashy South Beach or find some peace at an undeveloped beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne. Monthly housing costs for those age 60 and older are $1,529 for homeowners with a mortgage, $589 for mortgage-free homeowners and $998 among renters.
Population: 4,86,388
Median House Value: $292,200
Median Monthly Rent: $1,529
Happiness Index: 6.94 (Country rank 18)
Miami’s tremendous growth has been driven by internal migration from other areas in the country through the 1980s, along with immigration. Immigration to the city has slowed a great deal in the last decade, and now Miami’s growth is due to a fast urbanization rate and high-rise construction, which has increased its population densities in inner-city regions, most notably Downtown and Brickell. In one area of Downtown Miami, there was a 2,069% increase in ten years.
This beach has it all! Stunning waters, great shopping, delicious restaurants, and busy nightlife. It’s the perfect vacation location!
- Accessibility: 9/10
- Atmosphere: 8/10
- Sand and Water Quality: 8/10
- Annual Days of Sunshine: 248
- Average Annual Temperature: 24.5