Florida, a state in the USA, is a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean sea.

Presentation of the country:

 Americans call it the “Sunshine State” for its year-round great weather. It’s also one of the most popular retirement destinations for Americans, and you’ll find retirees here from all over the country.

Florida has beaches as far as the eye can see, from remote sandy beaches to busy urban beaches, to exclusive resort beaches. Florida also has an extremely diverse culture – its population has adapted to a combination of Southerners, immigrants from South & Central America and the Caribbean, and its diverse population of retirees from all over. It also hosts hordes of tourists, coming to experience the nightlife in Miami and to visit Disneyland in Tallahassee, as well as other attractions.  

HDI ranking: 12/196 countries

HDI 0.924 = high

The human development index is based on 3 criteria health, education, and longevity

Average journey times:

Paris – Miami: 9 hours 41 mins

London – Miami: 9 hours 21 mins

New York – Miami: 2 hours 41 mins

Los Angeles – Miami: 5 hours 12 mins

Sydney – Miami: 18 hours 18 mi

Currency and cost of living:

USD 1: EUR 0.88

Big Mac Index: USD 5.58

Restaurant Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course: USD 70.00
Market – Milk (regular, 1 liter): USD 0.96
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment in Miami: USD 115.34
Monthly Rent for Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre of Miami: USD 1841.09
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre of Miami: USD 4,100.58

How can you live in Florida – residency requirements:

Obtaining residency in Florida is not easy, there are no visas available for foreign retirees. These are some of the options available:

• Tourist visa for a 3-month stay. Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a tourist visa.
• Tourist visa for a 6-month stay, subject to application and fees
• Investor visa: for foreigners who would like to create a company or invest in the US
• The permanent residency also called a Green card. In order to apply for a Green card, you will need to be sponsored by someone in the US, usually an employer or a family member

Housing in Florida:

In Florida, it is easy to find accommodation whether for rent or for purchasing a property.

Florida still hasn’t fully recovered from the real estate crash of 2005, and there are many real estate bargains to be found. Accommodations can include apartments, resort-like developments, co-ownership houses or apartments (either co-ops or condos), villas, etc.

Taxation:

Florida residents are required to pay federal income tax, but there is no state tax. Florida has the fifth-lowest tax burden compared to other states in the US. The sales tax in the state is 6%.