Ivan Gillis

Active Retirement Communities

 State:     Florida

City:       New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 20,048 according to the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 23,161.

The area was settled in 1768, when Scottish physician Dr. Andrew Turnbull established the colony of "New Smyrna." The colony occupies a notable place in history by being the single largest attempt by a member of the British Crown at colonization in the New World.

During prohibition in the 1920s, the city and its river islands were popular still sites and hideouts for rumrunners coming in from the Bahamas through Mosquito Inlet, now Ponce de León Inlet. "New Smyrna", became "New Smyrna Beach" in 1947, when the city annexed the seaside community of Coronado Beach. Today, it is a bustling resort town of over 20,000 permanent residents, with over 1,000,000 visitors annually.

Not unlike its Spanish partner to the north, St. Augustine, New Smyrna has stood under four flags. First the British, then the Spanish, and finally the American flag in 1845, followed by the Confederate Jack, and replaced again by the stars and stripes.

The city has only recorded snowfall three times in its 250 year history. The summers, on the other hand, are very long and hot, with ferocious thunderstorms in the afternoon, as central Florida is the lightning capital of the Americas. The growing season is twelve months, USDA hardiness zone is 9b. Dangers include hurricanes from June until November, and Nor'easters in the winter.

Named one of "America's Top Small Cities for The Arts," New Smyrna Beach is home to the Atlantic Center for the Arts, an artists-in-residence community and educational facility, the Harris House, the Little Theatre and Arts on Douglas. Frequent arts shows featuring visual and performing arts take place throughout the year. New Smyrna was also the hometown of television host Bob Ross. His television show The Joy of Painting, ran from 1983 to 1995 on PBS. His studio still teaches classes, and is located in New Smyrna Beach.

According to the International Shark Attack File maintained by the University of Florida, Volusia County Florida had more confirmed shark bites than any other region in the world in 2007.  Experts from the University of Florida have referred to the county as having the "dubious distinction as the world's shark bite capital". This trend has continued into 2008 with 19 confirmed shark attacks as of September. In early 2008, Forbes Magazine rated New Smyrna Beach North America's top shark attack beach over North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. In 2008, it again broke its own record with 24 shark bites. In December 2008, Maxim magazine ran an article called Shark Beach, that pointed out New Smyrna's dubious distinction.

.Income & Housing Costs Numbers:

Estimated median household income in 2008: $46,339 (it was $35,372 in 2000)

New Smyrna Beach:	$46,339
Florida:	$47,778

Estimated per capita income in 2008: $28,927

Estimated median house or condo value in 2008: $236,764 (it was $98,900 in 2000)

New Smyrna Beach:	$236,764
Florida:	$218,700

Mean prices in 2008: All housing units: $301,913; Detached houses: $326,523; Townhouses or other attached units: $193,106; In 2-unit structures: $177,106; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $188,739; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $231,853; Mobile homes: $25,257

Dec. 2009 cost of living index in New Smyrna Beach: 89.7 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

In-Depth Facts and Figures as listed below, plus other information:

·        Climate Charts

1.      Average Temperature

2.      Precipitation (Rain)

3.      Humidity

4.      Wind Speed (MPH)

5.      Snowfall

6.      Sunshine

7.      Cloudy Days

·        Tornado Activity History

·        Hospitals & Medical

·        Airports

·        Colleges/Universities

·        High Schools

·        Locations of Interest

·        Shopping Centers

·        Churches

·        Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Creeks/Parks

·        Tourist Attractions

·        Banks

·        Housing Costs Information

·        Crime Statistics

·        Radio Stations AM/FM

·        TV Broadcast Stations

·        Discussion Forums

For the above information and photos, click this link:

http://www.city-data.com/city/New-Smyrna-Beach-Florida.html

Total Tax Burden--Data for Calculation

http://www.retirementliving.com/RLstate1.html#FLORIDA

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http://www.retirenet.com/location/communities/36-florida/1-active-lifestyles?s=New%20Smyrna%20Beach,%20FL

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Other sites of interest:

World of Collectibles

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Information on: Architectural Collectibles, Art Collectibles, Artist Trading Cards , Books & Paper Collectibles, Brand Name Products Collectibles, Clothing Fabric & Textiles Collectibles, Collectibles UnLimited, Doll Collectibles, Household & Furnishings Collectibles, Militaria Collectors, Movies & TV Collectibles, Music Collectibles, Musical Instruments Collectibles, Nature And Animal Collectibles, Numismatics (Currency Collecting), Pottery & Glass Collectibles, Technology Collectibles, Theme Collectibles

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Information on:  Overview Of Dogs, Sporting Dogs, Hounds Dogs, Terrier Dogs, Toy Dogs, Non-Sporting Dogs, Herding Dogs, Miscellaneous Class Dogs, Foundation Stock Service® Breeds Dogs

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Information on:  Overview Of Birds, Ostriches-Emus-Kiwis, Gulls, Plovers, Loons, Grebres, Albatrosses, Penguins, Pelicans, Tropical Birds, Storksm Flamingos-Birds, Falcons-Birds, Eagles-Birds, Hawks-Birds, Cranes-Birds, Doves And Pigeons, Parrots,Cuckoos, Owls, Nightjars, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers-Birds, Woodpeckers, Mousebirds, Passerines 

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