ORLANDO, Fla. - s4story -- Media outlets and influencers: Be sure to let your readers know about this.

Florida remains one of America's most popular retirement destinations, but hurricanes, flooding, rising insurance costs and expensive coastal housing are causing many retirees to look inland.

Author and Vietnam veteran Bruce Goldwell explores those alternatives in his new book, Higher Ground Florida: Where to Live, Buy, and Retire with Lower Flood Risk in the Sunshine State.

The book introduces readers to 12 higher-ground areas across Florida, including Lake Wales and Iron Mountain, Clermont and Sugarloaf Mountain, Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, Ocala, DeLand, Keystone Heights, Crestview, DeFuniak Springs and Chipley.

Goldwell examines the ancient Lake Wales Ridge, Central Florida's unexpected hills, North Florida uplands and higher Panhandle terrain while comparing the communities from a retirement perspective.

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The guide looks beyond elevation to consider housing, healthcare, shopping, recreation, local attractions, access to larger cities and proximity to Florida's beaches and major destinations.

A special road-trip section shows how retirees can make an inland community their Florida "home base" while remaining within reach of destinations such as Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, St. Augustine, Tampa Bay and Florida's Gulf and Atlantic beaches.

The book also includes a practical Before You Make an Offer section covering FEMA flood maps, property elevation, drainage, roof condition, wind mitigation, insurance quotes, taxes, HOA and CDD costs, healthcare access and other considerations.

Goldwell emphasizes that higher ground does not mean zero flood or hurricane risk. Buyers should investigate the exact property rather than relying on the general elevation or flood reputation of a community.

Higher Ground Florida is designed for seniors, retirees, future retirees and others considering a move to the Sunshine State.

Higher Ground Florida is now available on Amazon.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4guLfmc (https://amzn.to/4guLfmc?utm_source=chatgpt.com)