Living in Northeast Florida

For a lot of people, yes. Florida has no state income tax, so Social Security and pensions aren't taxed by the state. You get beaches, golf, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, and plenty of 55+ and master-planned communities, and everyday prices in the Jacksonville area are right at the national average. The trade-offs are hot, humid summers, hurricane season, and higher insurance costs than many states.

It depends on what matters to you. St. Johns County, including Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, and St. Augustine, has the top-scoring schools and newer communities, with a typical sale price around $499,000. Duval County, including Jacksonville and the Beaches, is the most affordable of the four main counties at about $310,000 and has the most to do. Nassau County has Amelia Island, and Clay County gives you more house for the money. Compare the counties.

On a $500,000 home with a homestead exemption, expect about $6,200 a year in unincorporated St. Johns County and about $8,100 in Jacksonville, at 2025 rates. Many newer communities also charge a CDD fee of about $2,000 to $5,300 a year on the same bill. See the full cost breakdown.

St. Johns County earned the most school-grade points of any Florida district in 2026, and its graduation rate was 97.1%. Nassau, Clay, and Duval also earned A's. See every school's grade.

There are several, from Del Webb Ponte Vedra inside Nocatee to communities near World Golf Village and Del Webb Wildlight in Nassau County. My free 55+ guide covers every one, county by county, and you can see every 55+ home for sale in St. Johns County.

Yes. I'm a U.S. Army veteran, and I help service members moving to NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, and Kings Bay, including buyers using VA loans. Veterans with a service-connected disability can also qualify for Florida property tax exemptions, from $5,000 off their assessed value to no property tax at all.