The plain-English guide that cuts through the noise — real costs, every 55+ community selling new homes in 2026, and the insurance and tax realities nobody else explains.
"If you're a baby boomer thinking about buying a home in Florida, this is your blueprint."
What's inside
Updated for 2026 with current community pricing, the tax and insurance realities shaping today's market, and two decades of Florida retirement expertise in one place.
See all newest 55+ communities across Florida's seven regions, with amenities, floor plan sizes, and starting prices — so you can stop guessing where to even start looking.
Real pricing data, a primer on builder incentives, and a walkthrough of lot premiums, contracts, and where your leverage actually is.
No state income tax, how the homestead exemption and Save Our Homes cap actually work, and how property taxes vary by county — so you can put a real dollar figure on what relocating is worth to you.
How HOA dues, CDD bonds, and maintenance assessments actually work, what drives the fee differences between communities, and the red flags to watch for before you sign.
A line-by-line monthly budget built around an actual Florida home — mortgage, insurance, amenities fee, property taxes, CDD, utilities, and more — so you can plug in your own numbers.
Hurricanes, flood zones, sinkhole coverage, and the insurance market headaches nobody warns you about — plus how to think through all of it before you sign, not after.
Reader reviews
From couples just starting to think about it, to people who moved within months of reading.
"The book is very informative, especially for people looking to retire and make a move. Well written and a fantastic guide to help navigate the decision to move."
"This is an awesome book! It's full of information and has helped guide my husband and I to areas that we want to visit before retirement to make our final decision. I highly recommend it."
"My husband and I are in our early 60s and thinking about retiring to Florida. This book gave us a solid foundation and helped narrow our search considerably."
Choose your edition
Both editions include digital formats. Start reading the moment you buy.
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If the book doesn't teach you what you hoped to learn about retiring in Florida, email for a full refund — no questions asked. This handbook is meant to save you money and prevent costly mistakes. That's the whole point.