At 55places.com, Mike Gerrard makes the case for Arizona as a destination for retirement, pitting it against Florida. He writes:
Arizona and Florida are two of the top choices for retirees looking to settle into a 55+ active adult community. Both states boast warm climates, abundant sunshine, and a vibrant lifestyle tailored to retirees. They also offer a lower cost of living compared to many other states and have well-developed health care services to accommodate their large retiree populations. But which one is the right fit for you? Let’s compare what each state has to offer.
Arizona
Arizona has a very pleasant climate, with mild winters and the opportunity to play golf or go hiking pretty much all year round. The downside is that it gets extremely hot, especially in central and southern Arizona, for several months over the summer. People adjust their daily routines so that chores and recreation take place early in the morning before the mid-day heat builds up. But the good news is that it’s a dry heat, as Arizona’s predominantly desert climate sees very little humidity.That said, Arizona is a big state and Northern Arizona is very different from Southern Arizona. In the north, you’ll see trees rather than cacti and you’ll see snow in the winter, but the summers are much more pleasant.
Florida
While Florida can generally match Arizona in terms of temperatures, it does also have that humidity. Summer temperatures in somewhere like Miami come nowhere near the searing heat of Phoenix, but against that is the high humidity, which makes the heat seem more oppressive. Even in winter, Miami will see daytime temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s.The bad news is, of course, the risk of hurricanes. Devastating hurricanes have been increasingly frequent in recent years, and this is a risk that you have to be prepared to live with.
He continues by analyzing the taxes, amenities, healthcare facilities, and other factors that are important to retirees and people in general.
You know Your Survival Guy is a fan of both Arizona and Florida. Both are in the Top 10 in my annual Super States rankings for 2025. If you’re looking for a better America, both states deserve your attention. But remember, if you are planning a big move for the remainder of your retirement life, consider renting for a year or so to get a good feel of a place before you plunk down a lot of money to buy. You want to be sure.
Action Line: If you’re planning a big change for retirement, let’s talk about a plan to get you there. Email me a ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com, and click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
