Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Retire in Indian Shores, Florida?
Overview: The small barrier island community of Indian Shores is just west of Largo and less than an hour from Tampa on Florida's Gulf Coast. A balmy, relaxed place, it started in the mid-1800s but still does not draw the tourist crowds of nearby communities.
The island on which Indian Shores sits is barely three blocks wide and in some areas is only one block wide. Gulf Boulevard (FL 699) runs through the center of town and is lined on either side with condos, resorts (including Barefoot Beach Resort, which has units for sale), a grocery store or two and Tiki Gardens, an Indian Shores Beach access point with parking. The sand, which is caressed by tourquoise waters, is sugar white. Managed town facilities include an emergency center, community gardens, parks, tennis courts, and fishing docks. Mahuffer's Bar, a historic dive bar filled with salvage, is famous for its "warm beer and lousy food." The Salt Rock Grill is the spot for fine dining.
The Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary quarters more than 100 permanently disabled birds. Residents include cormorants, gulls, hawks, cranes, and herons.
Population: 1,500 (city proper)
Percentage of Population Age 45 or Better: 70%
Cost of Living: 34% above the national average
Median Home Price: $400,000
Climate: This area has a humid subtropical climate, meaning two seasons per year, one hot and humid and one less hot and less humid. On average, Indian Shores receives 54 inches of rain per year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? No, but Sun Coast Hospital, three miles away in Largo, accepts Medicare patients.
At Least One Hospital Accredited by Joint Commission? No, but Sun Coast Hospital, three miles away in Largo, has an accredited hospital.
Public Transit: Yes, a trolley, the Suncoast Beach Trolley, that runs along the main road and travels to towns north and south.
Crime Rate: Well below the national average
Public Library: Yes, on the third floor of the modern municipal center.
Political Leanings: Liberal
Is Florida Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Cons: Hurricanes and tropical storms are always a possibility.
Notes: Indian Shores has grown by 5% in the last decade or two. Racial diversity is but a concept. Single family homes are nearly non-existent.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes
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 golf courses, more 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.
Stats:
Population - 20,612,439
Persons 65 years old and over - 20%
High school graduates, persons age 25+ - 87%
Bachelor's degree or higher, persons age 25+ - 27%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin - 24%
White persons, not Hispanic - 58%
Median household income - $47,525
Median home value - $159,900
Social Security taxed? No
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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