Tallahassee as a Retirement Location
- Thread starter Frosty Frog
- Start date
If you don't need the beach scene for retirement, and I think it's a good choice.
https://www.choosetallahassee.com/
Low cost compared to most of the country. Can take your pick between urban-ish or rural housing. I like the low-cost plays and other performances from FSU that are really high quality.
https://www.choosetallahassee.com/
Low cost compared to most of the country. Can take your pick between urban-ish or rural housing. I like the low-cost plays and other performances from FSU that are really high quality.
And the beach really isn’t that far away. It’s a pleasurable and extremely easy commute.
I think its a great choice. Wonder if the school offers continuing education, this would be great for people who are retired and a way o make a little $.
FSU has the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute which is a way to keep educationally engaged without going through all the trouble of enrolling and papers and crap.
https://olli.fsu.edu/
https://olli.fsu.edu/
I've given it some thought, too, lately. But my grandchildren are here in Jax, as are all my family, and quality of medical care here becomes an important factor as you age. I'm healthy and very active now, but that can change overnight.
On the other hand, how does Tally rate in crime? It's becoming a real concern here in Jacksonville.
On the other hand, how does Tally rate in crime? It's becoming a real concern here in Jacksonville.
Thanks for sharing, goldmom. I've enjoyed many of your posts and opinions over the years. I think any metropolitan area has a known high crime area vs. small town USA. My daughter and her family reside in Tallahassee so that's another draw for us. I also love the parks and the university is very pedestrian friendly. Over Xmas break, I saw several senior citizens power walking in Governor Square Mall and that's great option to have in the summer. I recollect Tally being humid and sweltering during the dog day months.
There have been a good many small music venues opened up the last five years or so, adding to what’s been in place. Lots of local musicians including many from the very good FSU Music School. Can find music any night save some Sunday’s.
Decent enough restaurants, local ones stand out, though not big city style, for the most part. Access to the coast, thirty minutes to eat by the water, 90 to beaches. Traffic is considered bad by locals but if you come from a city of more size you’ll be fine with it.
Weather nice in my book. Very hot, but manageable July and August, somewhat cold in either January/ February. Afternoon Thunderstorms are common on hot days. Spring is beautiful, trees, blossoms, weather, festivals, etc. lots of outdoor parks and more and more trails. And then, of course, there’s any University sport or artistic performance you might want to watch almost year round.
Decent enough restaurants, local ones stand out, though not big city style, for the most part. Access to the coast, thirty minutes to eat by the water, 90 to beaches. Traffic is considered bad by locals but if you come from a city of more size you’ll be fine with it.
Weather nice in my book. Very hot, but manageable July and August, somewhat cold in either January/ February. Afternoon Thunderstorms are common on hot days. Spring is beautiful, trees, blossoms, weather, festivals, etc. lots of outdoor parks and more and more trails. And then, of course, there’s any University sport or artistic performance you might want to watch almost year round.
Living in Tallahassee as an "adult" is a very different thing than being here for a few years as a student. Most students live an isolated lifestyle within a few blocks of campus. It amazes me how many former FSU students think that Tally is a tiny town, like less than 30,000 not counting students, when it is ten times that size. It's a vibrant community with a diverse population.
There is a lot to do here. The things people have said in this post are all accurate. I like that the city, because of all the students, has a young vibe with a good amount of energy as opposed to many other "retirement communities" in Florida. The crime rate is mostly isolated to certain areas, which is true of most cities.
I'd also encourage you to look at Wakulla county if you like more of a rural lifestyle. Close to/on the water, beautiful land, short drive from Tally and a little cheaper than Tallahassee.
You are correct, though, summers here are really hot. Though that is true of most of the South.
There is a lot to do here. The things people have said in this post are all accurate. I like that the city, because of all the students, has a young vibe with a good amount of energy as opposed to many other "retirement communities" in Florida. The crime rate is mostly isolated to certain areas, which is true of most cities.
I'd also encourage you to look at Wakulla county if you like more of a rural lifestyle. Close to/on the water, beautiful land, short drive from Tally and a little cheaper than Tallahassee.
You are correct, though, summers here are really hot. Though that is true of most of the South.
Not sure if that would be a deal killer, just stay north of Tennessee after dark. Lived there thirty years, never a victim. I go to Tally on biz about once a month, stay with my brother, he lives on South Meridian. Had his house burgled a couple times before he got an alarm, also have heard more than my fair share of gun shots down there.
Got the h*** out of Tallahassee this year. Heat is oppressive. Mosquitos, gnats, and recently yellow flies suck. 3 years in a row hurricanes came close or hit the Tallahassee area. Did I mention the heat really really sucks. Fall is short, spring is short, summer runs 6-7 months now.
The Blue Ridge is awesome!
The Blue Ridge is awesome!
As I'm writing this, it's 4 PM and I'm at my little part time job at a car dealership which is situated on I-295. Traffic is already bumper to bumper as I look out the showroom Windows. I stay off the freeways because they're dangerous and useless most of the time.
Jax weather is maybe one degree warmer than Tally in winter. We can go to the beach on summer evenings and walk in the breeze, which I love.
Lived in Tally for ten years total and never thought I could live there again, but now I think about it more often.
Jax weather is maybe one degree warmer than Tally in winter. We can go to the beach on summer evenings and walk in the breeze, which I love.
Lived in Tally for ten years total and never thought I could live there again, but now I think about it more often.
Regarding Tallahassee crime, it's concentrated in the lower income areas, like any city, but the distance between where the higher income households live and the lower income ones live is fairly large. Drugs is most common. Theft from unoccupied households, especially during periods when college students are gone, is very common
Totally agree. We too moved to the Blue Ridge mountains. Loving it!
I love this city, warts and all. But y'all know that. Plenty of art, music, good to great food, with a college vibe. I'm 58, and this may sound awful, but I really do not want Tallahassee to become a retirement town. It's got a great vibe, with a small city feel. Thousands of blue hairs, telling me how they did it back where they came from, will mess with that balance.
Yes it's hot, but I'm liking that more and more. Plus, Doak and Howser are here.
Yes it's hot, but I'm liking that more and more. Plus, Doak and Howser are here.
I like walking in the breeze, too, but prefer to be upwind.
The ocean is very calming.
My parents retired in Tallahassee and love it. It has a lot to offer and it’s canopy roads with large Oak trees, and somewhat hilly topography lend to its Southern charm. They were active for years in the various ‘crews’ that put together floats for Springtime Tallahassee. The Springtime crews are basically social fraternities that provide excuses to get together several times a year for planning and partying. Many follow a network of Crews from other towns around Florida. Tallahassee also offers a lot of museums and arts that are typically enjoyed by Seniors. They love it there. They also have a beach house in Shell Point (due South of Tally) to enjoy boating and fishing desires (and a number of Springtime Crew members are down there, too).
I grew up in Tally and never left. Winters are short and mild, summers are hot, long, and seem to be getting longer.
It’s a friendly city and, unlike much of Florida, has rolling hills and clay soil. It’s more like Georgia than Florida in many ways, minus the state income tax!
The music and entertainment scene is growing here. Commercial construction is happening all over the place but I can’t help but wonder if the bubble is going to burst.
Sadly, crime is much worse here than it used to be. We’re even experiencing more crime in the northeast quadrant, which is the more affluent area in the county.
It’s a friendly city and, unlike much of Florida, has rolling hills and clay soil. It’s more like Georgia than Florida in many ways, minus the state income tax!
The music and entertainment scene is growing here. Commercial construction is happening all over the place but I can’t help but wonder if the bubble is going to burst.
Sadly, crime is much worse here than it used to be. We’re even experiencing more crime in the northeast quadrant, which is the more affluent area in the county.
It's all relative. There are pockets where crime is high but not necessarily violent crime. The NE side is pretty safe. Other then dumbasses who leave their cars unlocked and their stuff (purses and wallets) get stolen.
Lots of that car stuff in Jax. People scream about it but nearly 70% of thefts from cars are in unlocked cars in driveways. There are PSA's on local TV now at 9 PM from the Sheriff reminding people to bring in valuables and lock their cars.
Yea just proves the point that people are idiots. The TPD are always posting on The Facebook and The Twitter to remind people to lock their car doors to reduce crime.
Locking your car here in Atlanta just buys you a broken window. The key is leave nothing valuable inside--certainly not in plain view.
Wut?! Everyone knows a garage is just a Southern basement!! LOL
I do a lot of work in an active adult gated community… can’t believe what all people leave in their unlocked cars overnight. During the day it’s pretty safe. The blinds get a lot of wear and tear…
