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Florida, once celebrated for its affordable living, has shifted dramatically. Retirees seeking cozy beachside condos are confronted with eye-popping prices that have skyrocketed beyond their wildest expectations. Properties that once cost a fraction of their current value are now priced in the hundreds of thousands.
Renting has become no picnic either; rents in major cities have surged by up to 40% in recent years. A modest one-bedroom apartment now commands upwards of $2,500 a month, with groceries costing nearly as much as they do in New York, yet with greatly diminished quality. This shift in economic viability has prompted many retirees to reconsider their options.