I am born/raised in (North) Florida (Jacksonville). There are at least 4/5 Floridas:
1) Northeast-Jax. to Cocoa Beach
2) Southeast-Miami
3) Keys
4) Southwest-Tampa and south
5) Panhandle-Destin to P'cola
Each has its own flavors/cost/+/-...

Typical morning on a day off. Hop in the boat, cruise downtown for coffee.
Wait, what am I saying, NO don’t come to Beaufort SC, it’s horrible, you’ll hate it!

I don't think Florida would be a bad choice.

Which is most affordable? I will have to be able to pay cash with what I can get from the sale of my current home. Don't want a mortgage payment. I will do some research obviously but real life input is appreciated.

I think the last "affordable" water in Florida is in the armpit (which I did not mention) from Apalachicola to Crystal River. I always dreamed of boating in the salty Gulf and then cruising up a fresh water spring-fed river (washing/flushing the boat) as I headed to my dock. I think this is a fantasy...but it is my boating nirvana.
The Redneck Riviera (Panama City and west) has skyrocketed (as I am sure other areas have).

Don't move to California unless you are a multi-millionaire or an illegal alien.

WE have been on the West coast of Florida in Punta Gorda for 22 years
and really like it here. 2 boats right behind the house. 40 foot Sea Ray in the water and a
15 Whaler that is kept on a lift.

I'd go to Florida in a heartbeat if I could. Although living on the water in Louisiana isn't bad either. I know it's getting cold up north when my flock of geese show up every year

I was stationed at Pearl for about a year when I was in the service..... The first couple of months was incredible, the next couple months we ok, after the next couple months after that, I have been everywhere and done everything 6 times, I live on a phucking rock in the middle of the ocean, I need a drink !!!

Well, I'm in Pensacola (Perdido Key) and its not much different from Louisiana...:-)