Michigan Moves South!

Find out more at the ideal-LIVING SHOW in Rochester on January 25-26, 2020

Michigan has been among the Top 8 states with the most outbound interstate moves since 2011, according to the 2018 Migration Report published by North American Moving Services. Michigan retirees in the 55+ age group are leaving for reasons that include lower taxes, better weather and a healthier lifestyle in welcoming Southern states.

At ideal-LIVING, our mission is to connect people who are nearing retirement age with new and well-established communities designed for residents age 55 and older. We’ve been hosting our signature ideal-LIVING EXPO Shows for more than 25 years in select Northeastern and Midwestern locations – including the upcoming EXPO in the Detroit suburb of Rochester on January 25-26, 2020. You can attend presentations about the advantages of retirement relocation. Meet face-to-face with representatives from scores of age-55+ communities with resort-style amenities. Talk with leading builders who can custom-design your new home. Get the information you need. Ask the questions that are important to you. And take advantage of great Discovery Package deals to preview your options before making any commitments.

Why are so many Michiganders moving south for their retirement years? The reasons are as diverse as Michigan residents themselves, but our research has consistently shown that three desires dominate:

Lower taxes: According to a 2017 report by the Tax Foundation, Michigan home owners pay the 13th-highest effective property tax rate among all American states—almost 50% higher than the national average and nearly three times the rate in South Carolina, for example. In addition, most Southern states offer special property-tax incentives for retirees and other seniors. Florida and Tennessee have no state income tax, while many others have exemptions for pension and Social Security benefits. Michigan’s gas-tax rate is the 5th-highest in the nation and that’s just one lower cost of living that you can expect in most Southern states.

Better weather: Snow storms are a rarity in the South and the occasional accumulation in higher elevations usually melts off within a day or two. In Florida and other coastal regions, years may go by without a flake in sight. The real glories are the long shoulder-season months of fall and spring, more than six months every year that are perfect for golf, tennis, kayaking and hiking in Southern retirement communities.

Healthier lifestyle: The milder weather in the South will certainly encourage more calorie-burning outdoor activities, but that’s just the start of your healthier lifestyle. Fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms are available year-round in open-air markets and the most popular restaurants. Nearly all Southern retirement communities have swimming pools, pickleball courts, fitness centers and workout classes. And many of the newest age-55+ communities have on-site medical clinics and are specifically located near major hospitals and professional medical-services centers.

Join us at the ideal-LIVING Expo in Rochester on January 25-26, 2020 to find out more about the active-lifestyle communities in the South that want to welcome you home.