Assuming youre not already on medicare, you shpuld look at states that have expanded Medicaid and generally a better reputation for taking care of their rsidents. If something hapoened and you need a safety net, FL is a bad place to be.

Check out the weather in the "worst season" as declared by locals...in FL, for example,can you be happy cooped up inside in june-july-august?. If Montana, how will you cope with Very low temps & A Lot of snow? What are the services, hospitals, and public transport like, should you lose the ability to drive? I have a bit of experience in this area from having a stroke at age 38, (turned 39 in the hospital) was strong & active & gave no thought to stuff like this until I of course had to....PM me if you'd like.....

I live in Florida and absolutely loathe it, will be leaving when my situation allows. Beware this place is loaded with religion, Conservatives, high cost of living/ wage ratio, awful medical, lots of transients, humidity, bugs, and reptiles.

I looked seriously at selling my house and moving. I took a two week trip to where I thought I wanted to move, absolutely thought it was great. The next year I took a one month trip and treated it like I would if I was actually living there, local markets, only eating out occasionally, drinking with the locals, total immersion in the local culture. Decided it wasn't for me. Still looking, but I am very cautious.

I'm with Allamanda- I have decided I am a nomad at heart. I really have no roots anywhere. I grew up in Missouri then married a guy in the Navy so moved every 4 years or so for as long as we were married. We divorced in New Orleans and I stayed here a few years, then went back to Missouri. After a few years there, I honestly thought about hanging a map and throwing a dart! I was applying to grad school- I applied to a school in St. Louis and LSU in Louisiana, but also UT Austin and a school in Baltimore. In the end, I came back to Louisiana because, by that time, I had grandkids here. Even when I stay in one area, I rarely stay at the same address more than 3 or 4 years! I'm now thinking about heading out again. There's something to say about new beginnings!

Personally I wouldn't move to Florida as most of it is ground zero for climate change in general and rising ocean levels particularly. Half of it may be underwater by the turn of the next century, with what's left lashed by constant storms. And that's before you consider the many charms it already had: a reputation for having lots of nutters, an old-school place for people to go to die, palmetto bugs, alligators, swamps, heat AND humidity, palmetto bugs, and in case I didn't mention it, palmetto bugs.

On the other hand if you have family and friends there (and they're not nutters) that's not nothing. Just go in with your eyes open. Or maybe closed, where it involves palmetto bugs.

You didn't state what you are weary of in MN. The weather? The Swedes? In all honesty I'm not averse to moving TO Minnesota. My two older brothers live in the Twin Cities and I kind of like it there. It's a bit colder and snowier than upstate NY, but at least it's more decisive; I hate the freeze / thaw cycle.

I've lived in IL, MI, IN, AZ and NY and enjoyed aspects of them all. Probably liked Indiana the least; anyplace that bills itself as "the crossroads of America" (translation: don't stop here, just pass on through) is a little on the boring side ... but we were part of the Chicago metroplex.

I would advise that you consider several things. (1) Consider your current economic circumstances and opportunities and compare those to those in Florida. (2) You need to consider the heat and humidity in Florida and how well you would tolerate. (3) Other than your current contacts in Florida, you will need to find out the best ways you wan form an effective and supportive network of friends and associates in Florida. (4) If the issues of political climate and secular life are important to you, you will need to find out where you are most likely to find a similar orientation. In general, north Florida and inland central Florid are conservative and religious.

With climate change in mind , check to see if any property you consider buying is likely to flood / be under water as the seas rise . Sounds silly , I know . My brother , who lives in the Sarasota area says Florida is a bit like living on a sponge . The ground is very porous , and for the most part flat and close to sea level . Before I bought in Texas , I asked my real estate to check to ee which properties were locate on the flood plains , before we went window shopping . So glad I did . Hurricane Harvey left a lot of homes , some in my community , under water . My home , was safe .

Agnostic advice is better than a "how can you move so far away from your church?" approach, haha!

I made a move at age 51 away from my place of birth and where most of my relatives still are. I chose a place where I was already familiar, had a small set of friends I inherited from my parents, and a ready place to live. It was easy to move my business, since I can do what I do pretty much anywhere.

It was an easy transition for me - and a fresh start with a more inviting landscape and peoplescape. The change did me good - I became more assertive, confident and graceful with the change, I think, apdapting and fitting in to a different culture and way of life, developing the way I choose to live my life from scratch, purposefully.

Family back in my home town are only a phone call, text, facetime, plane ride away. I make a point of visting often, and they visit me here as well.

I needed some time away from family challenges and I think it was good (and not a hardship) on anyone. My kids are pretty independent and actually appreciate me more that I'm away and we make more of my visits than if I lived nearby full time. I feel I came into being more myself with the move, which took a lot of courage for me at the time.

What's prompting the move? Weather? Tired of relatives dropping by? Neighbors getting on your nerves? Local government got you down? Just want to move?

Go for it!!!!
Research the area(s) you're interested in, see what the employment opportunities
are in whatever areas you've got experience.
Check out housing, and everything you're interested in. The cost of living is going
to vary depending on where you're looking. Should be lower than Minnesota, though.
Especially heating costs in the winter. But, summers can be extremely brutal.
Central heat and air conditioning are vital, but can be expensive.

The possibilities are endless. You can go anywhere.

Just be aware, that Florida is loaded with believers and republicans.

Your age is irrelevant. Be bold, be confident in yourself.
I've moved so many times, and I'm getting ready to do it again in a few months.

Holler if you need to chat about it more. You can private message me anytime.
Good luck!!!

The online site City-Data was very helpful to me. Right down to advice on neighborhoods, from the people who know or live in them. It no doubt saved me either wasted time ..or a major mistake when relocating across the US.

Gotta say… I’ve heard nothing good about Florida ..other than around now, it’s warmer than up North.. Keep in mind, most states have a ‘liberal’ or progressive city, I’d look for those!

What a climatic shock - from north to south! I’ll assume that’d be more significant than my move from west coast to east coast.. Keep us posted

Well. I am a little biassed since I live in Florida. But for real, It depends where. And to be honest, I love it here. There are quite a few great secular communities. There will always be the Holier than thou people. But once finding a friend, or like minded person, that will grow. It's just a matter of looking and finding the right peeps to get along with.

Going where you have a support network is a good starting point.

Take a month and see how it goes.

I moved countries and it all turn out for the best.

WOW! You're going from extremely cold to extremely hot... good luck on your move!!!

I had really wanted to move away when my youngest graduated last year. But my parents are getting older and my mom has COPD so I just ended up moving 2 hours north......from Mankato to St. Cloud.

Best of luck whatever you decide

I lived in Orlando for twenty years and loved every minute of it. I'd move back now if my life circumstances were different. If you have family and friends there, I assume you have visited, and understand that the weather is different from what you're accustomed to, the mosquitoes are the size of nickels, and the cockroaches are the size of mice (and nothing will keep them out of your house). But every place has its little trade-offs. Enjoy! (Did I mention the hurricanes?)

If you've not spent more than a few days visiting, maybe in the winter, I'd suggest going down for a couple of weeks in July and do some of your favorite outdoor activities, before making a decision. The heat and humidity never bothered me, I actually loved it, but I know people are different.

Simple the world can be your oyster, to find your pearl!

Their are lots of oysters and pearls to be had!

You will know when you reach the next oyster and if the pearl is for you!!!

Life is experimental, you just have to figure it out as you go, there are not rules to guide you all of the time!!!

i myself can't stand florida. the heat and humidity are awful even in the winter (at least in the parts i've been in, not far from miami), the politics corrupt and atrocious, the medical care abominable (which you'd think would not be so, with all the old folks down there, but both my parents died neednessly due to what i would call malpractice if i hadn't promised my mom on her death bed i wouldn't sue anyone). so i have nothing kind to say about florida, but i am biased.

about moving past the bloom of youth, i've moved so many times i am sick of it, but it can be done. i am actually IN minnesota and have been since 1997, but before that i lived in two places in pennsylvania, two in new jersey, five in new york, four in maryland, one in virginia, five in the los angeles area and four in japan, not to mention five weeks in massachusetts and four in surrey, england (i have spent more time at once in england and elsewhere than that, but as a visitor, and though i was a visitor in surrey too, i was working, so it sort of counts). within minnesota i have lived in five places, and i moved into my current dwelling in 2002. i will be 68 next month.

it can be done!

... and i would love to live in ny or l.a. again but i have my guy, and i have doctors i trust, and a network of support not so much among friends as among service providers, some governmental and some not.

g

Why do you want to move? You must be clear about this first. It will determine how to evaluate optional destinations.

Are you running from something? Or running toward something?

Pack a bag and get into the car and start driving. No matter where you think you might want to live, you have to go back a few times and stay a little longer each time and visit a few more places Life is a Journey not a Destination.

Good luck in your journey.

I learned long ago, you can live where others go to vacation. I moved to Kona, Hawaii forty five years ago.

It is never too late to do whatever the heck you want to do, Florida is the quintessential place where people come later in life to retire, last time I looked that only happens "later in life" so I don't really understand your concern. If anything, you will find tons of people that did what you are going to do so I say, what are you waiting for?