Florida Retirees Trade Sunshine for Savings as Insurance Costs Rise

Retirees who sold Florida homes say a rising cost of living—especially escalating property insurance and condo assessments after structural-inspection reforms—has overshadowed Florida's tax advantage. Fixed incomes are stretched by insurance, taxes, utilities, and healthcare, forcing many to relocate inland or to cheaper states like Tennessee or Texas. The insurance bill was the visible trigger, but the full annual cost of staying proved too high, leaving some condo units unsellable due to looming assessments and changed tax bases.