'Bigger bang for your buck': Florida is getting too expensive for some retirees — so they're looking toward Alabama to save money during their golden years

The Sunshine State has long been a beloved sanctum for retirees thanks to its sunny weather, gorgeous beaches and low taxes. But some budget-conscious Americans are turning to its neighbor to the northwest and finding similar levels of comfort and leisure they can enjoy during their golden years.

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Just last year, John Fox and Louise Turkula of Minnesota purchased a 3,000-square-foot coastal home in Baldwin County, Alabama, for $955,000, according to the Wall Street Journal. The couple are keeping the four-bedroom property — complete with a swimming pool and pool house — as their escape for the winter months in retirement.

They had initially looked at homes in Jacksonville and Naples in Florida, where they had friends, but ultimately decided to settle one state over on Ono Island along the Gulf of Mexico.

“It’s more affordable,” their real estate agent, Lawanna Sharpless, told the Journal. “You just get a bigger bang for your buck here.”

Retirees are saving big by choosing Baldwin

Baldwin County was the fastest growing county in Alabama between 2010 and 2020 with a population growth of more than 27%, according to Census Bureau data.

Plenty of that growth can be attributed to older Americans being priced out of South Florida, says Ken H. Johnson, an economist at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. There’s no sacrificing climate for cost, either. Residents get the best of both worlds.

“Baldwin County is right on the water, and the beaches look like sugar,” Johnson told the Journal. “It’s tailor-made to catch these retirees.”

Baldwin County boasts an average home value just above $370,000, according to Zillow, while having one of the lowest median property tax rates across the country, per Tax-Rates.org.

Plus, homeowners who are 65 or older are exempt from paying state property taxes altogether.

Another retired couple, Kathy and Ashley Gordon, were seemingly able to add to their nest egg by making a move. They relocated to a three-bedroom, cottage-style home in a golf course community in Fairhope of Baldwin County for $543,000, according to the Journal, selling their previous home in Florida for $875,000.

Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now cash in on prime real estate — without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how

3 ways to afford a comfortable retirement

While moving to a less-expensive spot can be a great way to enjoy your golden years without breaking the bank, there are other ways you can afford a comfortable retirement, too. Here are three tips to help you get started.

1. Start saving early

If you haven’t begun saving for retirement yet, now’s the time to make some headway in a tax-advantaged account.

Maximize contributions to your IRA or 401(k) as much as you can. If you’re saving on your own, look into automating your monthly transfers to keep you on track.

And remember, once you turn 50, you can start making yearly catch-up contributions.

2. Generate passive income

Instead of delaying your retirement and working longer, try to find ways to make some easy cash on the side of your regular 9-to-5.

You could rent out your garage or an unused parking space, or become an Airbnb host by renting out a spare room in your home.

Consider also growing your money in a high-yield savings account or a certificate of deposit (CD), which could get you better returns than a traditional savings account.

3. Make smart investments

While the stock market has certainly gone through its ups and downs, you could benefit from a well-balanced, diversified portfolio.

If you’re new to investing, consider beginning with a robo adviser that will automatically rebalance your portfolio as the market fluctuates.

And if you can’t put hundreds of dollars toward your stock picks, there are services that will let you start small with your spare change and work your way up once you get more comfortable.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.