Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Eastpoint, Florida
On a "Forgotten Coast," Eastpoint, a Secluded Little Village, Sits Next to a State Forest, Across From a Barrier Island and Close to Pristine Beaches
Florida's "Forgotten Coast" is a stretch of relatively undeveloped land along the state's eastern Panhandle. It is here, across the bay from St. George Island, a barrier island, that the secluded little coastal village of Easpoint makes its home.
The town is a gateway to the rural Apalachicola River and its popular paddling trail. The shoreline is lined with docks where tonger oystermen bring in their daily catch, and the fishing pier extends toward St. George Island. Charters help visitors discover the bay's teeming wildlife. The 246,000-acre Apalachicola National Estaurine Research Reserve is based in Eastpoint, and its visitor center has fish tanks and interactive displays. The massive Tate's Hell State Forest surrounds the northern edge of the town, and although the forest has 12 different ecosystems, it is best known for its wildflowers and thick swamp. The St. George Island State Park, reachable via a bridge (State Road 300), has nine miles of unspoiled oceanfront beach and two natural boat ramps.
Most of the basics are here, including a few gas stations, a couple of banks, hair salons, a natural foods store, a farmers' market, a supermarket and the like. Neighborhoods are mostly in their natural state. Housing includes brightly colored bungalows, average ranch ramblers and modest manufactured homes. Many properties sit atop posts.
Population: 2,500 (city proper)
Percentage of Population Age 45 or Better: 42%
Cost of Living: 18% above the national average
Median Home Price: $510,000
Climate: This area has a humid subtropical climate, meaning two seasons a year. Summer and early fall are hot and humid. Late fall and winter are less humid and cooler.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients: No, but Apalachicola, about six miles away, has a hospital that accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Accredited by Joint Commission: No. The nearest accredited hospital is in Port St. Joe, about 26 miles away.
Public Transit: No, but there is a transportation system for Medicaid patients.
Crime Rate: Meets the national average
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Conservative
College Educated: 28%
Is Florida Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: Hurricanes and tropical storms are always a possibility. Hurricane Michael in 2018 brought significant flooding.
Notes: More shopping and services are in nearby St. George Island. Eastpoint's population has increased 10% over the last 10 years. Home prices have increased 3% since last year.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes, although the distance to an accredited hospital should be considered.
Florida:
Named Pascua Florida by Juan Ponce De Leon, the Sunshine State did not enter the Union until March 3, 1845. Balmy mild winters began attracting snowbirds to the state in the late 19th century. Retirees continue to flock to the state. It's not hard to see why tourism has become the leading industry.
International trade and citrus are also major contributors to the state's economy. Eighty percent of the nation's oranges and grapefruits are grown here, and 40 percent of all U.S. exports to Latin America flow through Florida.
Florida's landscape includes uplands and coastal plains. It contains more than 11,000 miles of waterways and about 4,500 islands spread across 10 acres.
The state has 1,250 more golf courses than any other state in the Union. The 47 mile Pinellas Trail is the longest urban trail on the east coast. Orlando theme parks attract more visitors than any other theme parks in the U.S. The only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist is in National Everglades Park.
Florida, particularly the Keys and the Gulf Coast, were struck by Category 4 Hurricane Irma in early September, 2017. Towns will rebuild, perhaps this time with climate change in mind, making them safer and better equipped to handle major hurricanes going forward.
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