Many people all over the world dream of retiring and moving to Florida, but for military veterans specifically, there are numerous benefits to living in The Sunshine State. According to FloridaVets.org, Florida is commonly referred to as one of the most veteran-friendly places in the United States, and it’s not hard to see why. In addition to its warm climate and beautiful scenery, Florida offers a number of veteran-friendly programs, resources, jobs, and educational options. Below are several of the important benefits veterans enjoy while living in Florida:
A Large Veteran Community
According to FloridaVets.org, the Sunshine State has the third-highest population of veterans in the country. As a result, the veteran community has been building a strong presence in the area for the past several decades. Being surrounded by other veterans, both in the neighborhood and workforce, allows individuals to share experiences and build a sense of community. This high level of veteran infrastructure means many Florida communities offer a higher level of acceptance and respect for veteran community members.
Numerous Education Options
With over 40 public colleges all offering GI bill eligibility and military-related scholarships, Florida presents numerous education options for veterans of all ages. Additionally, all veterans are eligible to receive in-state tuition rates at public schools. Whether you’re looking to start a new career or simply wanting to continue your education at an older age, Florida offers some of the best educational institutions in the country.
A Strong Job Market
Florida is home to over 250 international corporations and also has the fourth-largest economy in the United States. This bodes well for veterans who are looking to start a career or even find part-time work. With such a diverse economy that spans dozens of industries, it’s easy for veterans to find a job in any career area and apply skills they obtained during their service. Building a custom home in an area with a strong job market helps ensure veterans will have an opportunity to establish a solid foundation for themselves and their families.
An Unbeatable Climate
Florida sees an average of 237 sunny days per year, which significantly exceeds the US average. Not to mention Florida’s average annual temperatures range from 61 degrees to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you’ll enjoy nice weather at all times of the year. In addition to weather, Florida residents are in close proximity to numerous beaches, shorelines, lakes, and state parks, so you’ll have ample opportunities to catch some rays and enjoy the great outdoors.
Tax Breaks And Entrepreneurial Resources
Many veterans dream of starting their own business, and Florida is just the place to do it. Not only are there numerous entrepreneurial programs and start-up incubators, but Florida is also a very tax-friendly state. As far as business taxes are concerned, S corps, LLCs, and sole props are all tax-exempt organizations. Florida’s standard corporate tax is 5.5%; however, there are numerous exemptions that can help companies achieve a lower rate. As a result, Florida is often regarded as one of the best places for entrepreneurs to start a business. Tax benefits aren’t exclusive to businesses either. Every Florida citizen is also eligible to receive a $25,000 Homestead Property Tax exemption. This exemption is generally applied to the first $50,000 of assessed property value on your owned property.
There are several property tax exemptions specific to veterans as well. Some veterans with a VA-certified service disability may be entitled to a $5,000 property tax exemption. Also, veterans who are paraplegic, totally disabled, or legally blind might be exempt from real estate tax altogether.
Why Custom Homes Are A Great Option For Veterans
While the decision to retire to Florida is often an easy one for many veterans, deciding where to build a custom home is not always an easy choice. Buying an existing property often requires a significant amount of upkeep, and usually requires buyers to make tradeoffs between location, size, and amenities. As a result, finding an existing home that meets all of your needs can be challenging, especially for older veterans. On the other hand, building a custom home gives you the flexibility to build a living space that meets your needs. Not only that – many people don’t realize building a custom home is a lot more affordable than it was in the past. Below are several reasons why more veterans are building custom homes:
Opportunity To Downsize
Many veterans who move to Florida are ultimately looking to downsize. When buying an existing home, it can be challenging to find a home a single-story home that is the perfect size and meets all of your living preferences. On the other hand, building a custom home allows veterans to build a house that is the perfect size for their individual lifestyle without sacrificing the features and amenities that are important.
Special Accommodations
Veterans living with disabilities often need special accommodations or living arrangements, which leaves many with no choice but to live in a senior center, personal care home, or nursing home. However, some custom home builders actually specialize in ADA compliance and handicap accessibility. Veterans with disabilities have the option to include open floor plans, large hallways, wheelchair ramps, shorter countertops, and a large variety of ADA-compliant features into their custom homes.
Energy Efficiency
Retired veterans often experience changes to their income, and it’s common for them to try to cut down on recurring monthly expenses when possible. Building a new custom home is a great way to reduce monthly utility costs. Open floor plans, as well as energy-efficient windows and fixtures, can really cut down on cooling costs. A custom home also means brand new energy-efficient appliances which will consume significantly less electricity than many of those found in older homes.
Less Maintenance
Building a custom home means you likely won’t need to worry about things breaking or issues popping up for quite some time. Many retired veterans decide to build a brand new custom home simply for the convenience of avoiding maintenance and upkeep.
Building a new custom home isn’t just an option for young families, it’s a great option for retired veterans. By building a custom home in Florida, you can create the best house for your specific lifestyle and place it in the perfect location. At Atlas Homes, we specialize in single-story, ADA-compliant, custom homes that are a perfect fit for retired veterans. We use high-quality materials on every project, so our custom homes are built to last. For more information on our customer-friendly, custom home building process, contact us today.