Floridas Gold Coast
Finding our spot for retirement?
A Nature Conservancy site. Blowing Rocks preserve near Jupiter Florida
From the time we enter this world, our infant brain cries out. It’s food and comfort we desire. These two basic needs continue throughout our lives. It’s simple. Provide us with food and we are satiated. Hold us and we are calm, mostly. As long as we are physically well, and have a clean diaper, we are content. Our desires grow as our brains develop and we’re exposed to the world. This subject of desire could take up hours of discussion but I’ll leave that topic for others. For this missive, I’ll focus on just those three, food, comfort and good health.
Our RV journey has taken us to many beautiful places. At a few, we contemplated, could we live here? Is it “comfortable”? Sedona was the first, then Tucson. Next, the panhandle of Florida along the undeveloped white sand beaches. They all had an appeal but none of them met our basic needs fully. Now we’re in Juno Beach, along the Atlantic Ocean, just north of West Palm Beach, on the northern edge of what’s considered the greater South Florida coast. From Miami to West Palm Beach it’s one big megalopolis. And it’s been growing and expanding for over a century. At a much faster pace in recent decades as baby boomers reach retirement age and seek warmer climes, like us. But Juno is just north of the busiest areas. Fairly quiet, with some still undeveloped beaches and just a short drive to all the big city benefits. An oasis by the shore.
I/we have been asking ourselves if THIS is the place to retire. I will state with reasonable certainty that we would struggle here in the summer. Heat AND humidity are a nasty combo. But millions cope with it. For us though, being outdoor enthusiasts and eschewing air conditioned indoor spaces for long periods, it would be a struggle. So we’ve been assessing the possibility of being “snowbirds”. Like many who live in northern locations, they make the pilgrimage here every winter to escape the cold and bask in the relatively mild climate from November to April.
With a motorhome to travel and live in, we can do it. We’ve started talking about the journeys we’d be taking each summer to escape the heat. In fact, 2025 is mapped out already. Our plan, as crafted way back in early 2024 was to head up the east coast from Charleston, to the Outer Banks, to the D.C. area to visit family and friends. To Vermont and then the coast of Maine. Then 3 months in the Canadian Maritimes. Then we’ll head back south as the Fall colors emerge in New England, making our way back to Florida by the end of November, hopefully escaping winters wrath before we hit 30 degrees latitude, staying here in this same park for 4 months. We’ve booked our spot so we’ve staked our claim.
We’ve been looking at the most important aspect of our decision, can we afford to live here? The answer is yes. But…….the closer you are to the ocean, the more expensive it gets. And we want to be close. At least within walking or biking distance. Morning strolls along the beach at sunrise are something I want to be a part of my life. If we live here, why not? If we want to be right on the beach, then a condo is our only option, unless we win the lottery.
That instinct from birth, I think is what drives us (no pun intended) to live in places that make us feel comfortable. One of the reasons I moved to Colorado 33 years ago was because it did just that. It met my desire, one I had even as a boy growing up in Miami. I used to watch John Denver Christmas specials and dream about that “Rocky Mountain High”. Yes, I know, it’s corny but true. And it really was what I dreamed and much more.
Another leg of this chair is food. It may not be as important to some. But being a foodie and chef, culinary delights are an important part of my life. It’s also a component of good health. To be able to access healthy, nutritious food is essential for me. When we were in the Panhandle of Florida, along those magnificent shores, the only grocery store within an hours drive was Piggly Wiggly. No offense, but that ‘aint my style. So having access to many of the foods I desire is a necessary component of where we will retire.
And eating healthy is tied to good health AND good health care. I’m 66 now. Although we’re in relatively good health, our health care needs will inevitably grow. I was pleased to find a doctor and clinic right here in the area, only 5 miles from our park that I really like.
So it feels like this may be the place. But of course there’s always the cost benefit analysis. The panhandle of Florida is so much quieter with less people and home prices are less. Summers are not as long and hot. But access to healthy food and medical care are limited. The infant in me is crying out (not really crying) for the comforts I desire. We both fell in love with those beautiful undeveloped beaches of north Florida. But it lacks the infrastructure. I thought I could live there. But after being here for 3 weeks, I’m coming to realize that the infant in me needs my basic needs to be met in order to feel content. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to listen to your inner child. He/she is with us throughout our lives. It speaks to us daily. I believe we should listen to it more, with of course the wisdom of being an adult. We don’t always get what we want, but at least we should try. Don’t you think?
It’s said that a picture speaks a thousand words. Here are a few thousand unspoken words that say it all. Oh the beach!!!
Full moon over Palm trees. Exquisite
And Cosmo loves it here too.