Well sure, you can buy a three bedroom condo in Palm Beach County for less than 150k, if you don't need a "fancy" address. But the cost of living is pretty much still the same. That's the misconception about South Florida. Yes, the housing is cheaper, but dinner and drinks at a nice restaurant on Worth Avenue will run you the same amount of money as dinner and drinks at just about anywhere in Manhattan.

FYI: I'm not taking into account senior living here (condo deals for 55+ and early bird specials ).