15 Best Places to Retire in Florida Without Hurricanes
In this article, we will take a look at the 15 best places to retire in Florida without hurricanes. If you want to skip our detailed analysis of Florida's insurance market and the best places without hurricanes, go to the 5 Best Places to Retire in Florida Without Hurricanes.
Florida’s Insurance Market
The insurance industry in Florida is on the verge of failure, with insurers losing out on their money fast. According to an Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) analysis, the average Florida homeowners' insurance policy has witnessed a stark rise to $4,231 in 2022, up from the U.S. annual average of $1,544 in 2019. These rates are already triple the national average, and it’s unclear how things will unwind for insurance companies in the state.
The severity and rising frequency of hurricanes is one reason insurance costs are driving up fast. Hurricane Matthew (2016), Hurricane Irma (2017), Hurricane Michael (2018), and now Hurricane Ian (2022) have all been very catastrophic. The latest hurricane, Ian, landed as a powerful category 5 Atlantic hurricane. The catastrophic hurricane yielded it the title of the third-costliest weather disaster on record. It has compounded the challenges of an already struggling insurance market in Florida, with insurer losses already soaring due to litigation booms and carrier exits.
United Insurance Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:UIHC), a property and casualty insurance holding company, reports having estimated catastrophic losses of approximately $36.4 million before income taxes during the third quarter ending September 30, 2022. The total gross loss from the company is estimated to surpass $1 billion. Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HRTG), another property and casualty insurance holding company, has also witnessed its losses rising to $48.2 million for Q3 2022 from a net loss of $16.1 million in Q3 2021.
However, United Insurance Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:UIHC) and Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HRTG) have assured their financial health during such disasters. The two companies have reinsurance, or backup coverage for insurance companies, that they bought earlier to help handle the hurricane aftermath. The hurricane Ian, they say, did not cause as many claims as Hurricane Irma. United Insurance Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:UIHC) received about 18,000 claims, while Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:HRTG) had an estimated 12,000 claims.
Meanwhile, UPC Insurance witnessed significant claims, including a $20.1 million impact on its captive reinsurer. After the company’s rating was withdrawn in August, one of its reinsurers also ended their agreement. As such, spectators agree that Florida’s insurance market will remain hard in the foreseeable future due to a difficult reinsurance market, rising litigation levels, and increased catastrophes.
Sunshine State of Florida
Retirees have been drawn towards the sunny state of Florida forever. Pristine beaches, ideally warm weather, and lack of an income tax lure them into coming here. However, the best part of the sunshine state, along with beautiful beaches and great weather, is that it is also pretty affordable. Many places can easily help retirees live comfortably on their fixed incomes. Some of the best places to retire in Florida on a budget include Sarasota, Tampa, Gainesville, and Melbourne.
Those who come here for the coast like to retire in beach towns in particular. The best beach towns in Florida to retire include Daytona Beach, Naples, Key Largo, Bal Harbor, and also Jacksonville. Beach towns often offer retirees a laid-back atmosphere, scenic views, and plentiful leisure activities. Retirees can choose to buy a home to live independently or enjoy the perks and amenities of beach retirement communities. Top retirement communities in Florida on the beach include Lakewood Ranch at Sarasota Beach, Southshore Falls at Apollo Beach, and Sugar Sands in Riviera Beach.
Florida is also one of the most popular states to retire to, with 21.2% of seniors living in the state. The state's popularity among seniors means numerous retirement communities and social clubs are tailored to their interests. Some of the best retirement communities in Florida for singles include Venetian Bay, On Top of World Communities, and The Villages.
Smart retirees must steer clear of places that have high costs of living, as well as increased chances of hurricanes. As such, the worst places to retire in Florida include Palm Beach, Miami, Key Biscayne, Key Largo, and Parkland. These areas have crazy living expenses, and many have a high chance of getting hit by a hurricane. For those who wish to avail the best of Florida and avoid hurricanes of all sorts, the best places to retire without hurricanes in Florida include Lake City, Orlando, Kissimmee, and Sanford.
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Methodology
To ascertain the best places to retire in Florida without hurricanes, we used a total of 7 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) sources. Each time a place was mentioned in the source, we gave it one point. Points were added for each place to get a total Insider Monkey Score.
For places having the same scores, tie-breaking was done on the basis of the number of hurricanes and storms recorded over the years. Out of 2 places with the same scores, the least-susceptible place would be awarded 0.1 points. In the case of 3 places, 0.2 points would be awarded to the least susceptible place, 0.1 to the second least-susceptible place, and so on.
Places were ranked in ascending order from the lowest to the highest scores. It is important to note that Florida is generally susceptible to hurricanes due to its location. Moreover, the degree of susceptibility can vary across different regions within the state. While no place in Florida is "hurricane-free," certain places in the state may have a lower frequency of hurricane impacts or be less prone to direct hits compared to others.
Even after you retire to one of the safest places in Florida without hurricanes, it's important to remember to be prepared and stay informed about weather conditions during hurricane season (June 1 to November 30).
Here are the best places to retire in Florida without hurricanes:
15. The Villages
Insider Monkey Score: 2
One place in Florida enjoying a lower susceptibility to direct hurricane hits is The Villages. The census-designated place in Sumter and Marion counties in Florida was spared the brunt of the latest Hurricane Ian as well, holding up incredibly well during the disaster. Its inland location has played a pivotal role in escaping the worst of hurricanes. Lt. John Longacre, the emergency resource specialist with The Villages Public Safety Department, states "The further you go inland, the more likely the winds will decrease."
14. Wekiwa Springs
Insider Monkey Score: 2.1
Located north of Orlando, Wekiwa Springs is a small city that offers seniors a high quality of life. Its inland position in Central Florida is ideal for reducing the impact of direct hurricane hits. However, since no place in Florida is entirely "hurricane-proof," retirees should avoid creeks or rivers, as these areas have an increased potential for flooding. Besides that, Wekiwa Springs is a bit pricey, yet an ideal destination for those looking for safe areas to live in Florida. Since the 1930s, only 77 hurricanes have hit the city.
13. Doctor Phillips
Insider Monkey Score: 2.2
Another one of the best places to retire in Florida without hurricanes is Doctor Phillips. Located southwest of Orlando, the low-risk hurricane zone has had a total of 76 hurricanes recorded since the 1930s. Even though Doctor Phillips is comparatively hurricane-safe, the cost of living in the city is 15% higher than the national average, and housing costs are higher than average as well. The higher expenses explain the convenient access to world-class amenities, such as classy shopping centers, renowned golf courses, and fine dining restaurants that suit retirees' preferences.
12. Minneola
Insider Monkey Score: 2.3
This small town located west of Orlando has had only 72 storms since the 1930s. It is one of the best places to retire in Florida without hurricanes, as it is an inland city in Central Florida. Retirees find living costs in the city to be reasonable relative to many other cities in the state.
11. Lakeland
Insider Monkey Score: 2.4
Lakeland is considered a low-risk hurricane zone as it is located inland and further away from the coastal areas. Its proximity to the Tampa Bay area can be a plus for retirees who wish to enjoy the serenity of an inland sanctuary and the appeal of nearby beaches. Lakeland is home to 38 lakes providing plentiful recreational opportunities for seniors. It is important to note that while the city is safe from direct hurricane hits, storms crossing the state can bring in large amounts of destructive wind and rain. Since the 1930s, Lakeland has recorded a total of 72 hurricanes.
10. Fernandina Beach
Insider Monkey Score: 3
Fernandina Beach is located in the north of the Atlantic coast, and its placement on the Amelia island lowers its susceptibility to storm surges and winds. Moreover, it is part of a chain of barrier islands, with others acting as a buffer before they reach Fernandina Beach itself. So far, the island has witnessed 85 hurricanes. Coastal beauty, small-town ambiance, and a relaxed lifestyle make it an appealing choice for many retirees. However, the cost of living in Fernandina Beach is higher than the national average.
9. Sanford
Insider Monkey Score: 3.1
Another one of the "hurricane proof" cities in Florida to retire to is Sanford. Being slightly inland and away from the coast, the city is usually spared from direct hurricane hits. It has witnessed 78 hurricanes over the years, and is a beautiful city to consider for retirement. The cost of living in the city is also reasonable, being 1.3% lower than the national average. The city boasts picturesque parks, golf courses, and lakes that seniors can enjoy.
8. St Cloud
Insider Monkey Score: 3.2
Another low-risk hurricane zone in Florida is St. Cloud, with 77 hurricanes experienced since the 1930s. Located in Central Florida, its inland positioning grants it a certain level of protection from hurricanes. The city also tends to experience less winds -- they tend to weaken as they move inland. The cost of living is well below the national average, making it an attractive destination for retirees.
7. Palatka
Insider Monkey Score: 3.3
Palatka, Florida, enjoys a low-hurricane risk, with only 77 hurricanes being recorded since the 1930s. Although the small town is closer to the coast than other places on our list, it is still spared the brunt of hurricane hits. Located on St. Johns River, the city enjoys some elevation above sea level, while the river acts as a natural barrier against storm surges. The city also enjoys very reasonable living costs that are 21.3% lower than the national average.
6. Orlando
Insider Monkey Score: 3.4
Retirees looking for big-city amenities on top of hurricane safety should consider retiring to Orlando, Florida. The city has experienced only 77 hurricanes since the 1930s, with Hurricane Jeanne being the largest one back in 2004. Any hurricane that hits Florida can take hours to reach the city, weakening by the time it gets there. The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average in Orlando. However, a desirable climate, abundant activities, and world-class attractions make it a top retirement destination.
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Disclosure: none. 15 Best Places to Retire in Florida Without Hurricanes is originally published on Insider Monkey.