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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Florida City Was Just Named the Most Livable in the State for Its Safety and Cost of Living
Florida had the second-highest population growth of any state in 2023, with 365,205 people moving to the Sunshine State that year, according to Consumer Reports. It added that a whopping 1,200 people moved to Florida every single day between July 2021 and July 2022. And really, it's easy to see why the state is so attractive: it's sunny, warm, and a state with no income tax. Although the entire state can make for a great new home, some places offer an easier way of life than others. And a new list from GOBankingRates is sharing exactly where those locations are. In late June, the website revealed its list of the 10 most livable destinations in Florida, describing them as places with 'low crime rates, easy access to health care, clean air, green spaces, good schools and other desirable traits.' And it named Wilton Manors the No. 1 most livable destination in the state. According to the team, the annual cost of living in the community just north of Fort Lauderdale is just a touch over $76,000, with a monthly cost of living at $6,337. Here, the median value of a single-family home is $720,629, while the median household income is $79,390. But most importantly, it also has a livability score of 91. According to AreaVibes, the community scored an A+ almost across the board, including for its amenities, commute, crime, employment, housing, health and safety, and user ratings. Its only areas of improvement are schools, which still scored an impressive B+, and, surprisingly, a D- in the cost of living. Still, all this added up to a winning score for the community. Other top spots to make the list include Doctor Phillips, Florida, at the No. 2 spot, a city just outside of Orlando, which nabbed a livability score of 89, and Seminole, located outside of Tampa, which came in third place with its own score of 89 but had a slightly lower median household income. To find these places, GOBankingRates analyzed data via creating a seed list of spots with a livability index of at least 80. Then, it factored in each location's total population, the population aged 65 and over, total number of households, and the household median income, sourced via the U.S. Census American Community Survey. It also factored in the cost of living via Sperling's BestPlaces, which included the grocery, health care, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses, along with the average single-family home value. It sorted the cities to highlight the places with the highest livability paired with the most affordable cost of living. See the full list and what you can expect in each community at
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Washington Post
Three techniques to help deal with persistent pain
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with any advertisers on this site. Pain is our body's way of telling us that something is wrong. When it's acute, it tends to start suddenly, with an obvious cause (like a broken bone) and a standard fix. But chronic pain, experienced by 1 in 5 adults in the United States, persists for more than three months (or beyond an injury's expected healing time). And it sometimes doesn't have a clear cause. So if you have chronic pain, how can you find relief and improve your quality of life? 'We've learned a lot in recent years about the major differences between acute and chronic pain, which require vastly different approaches,' says Kimeron Hardin, a clinical psychologist and president of the American Association of Pain Psychology.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Owners Say This Is The Worst Part Of The Warranty
Tesla owners are no strangers to bringing their cars in for warranty repairs. In 2023, Tesla paid $1.23 billion in warranty claims. This marked a 53% increase over 2022 and would be the first time the manufacturer exceeded $1 billion in warranty claims. 2024 was even worse, with the carmaker spending $1.45 billion. On the surface, Tesla's warranties are on par with other electric car makers. All of its vehicles are covered by its Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty for four years or 50,000 miles. The EV battery and drive unit are covered for a minimum of 8 years or 100,000 miles. However, what has frustrated several owners is what isn't covered by warranty -- water damage. Multiple owners have taken to the Internet to complain that Tesla has refused to pay to replace their warrantied batteries because evidence of water damage was found. Many of these owners claim that the only water exposure was due to rain. However, Tesla refused to budge, leaving its customers on the hook for the replacement cost, amounting to roughly $21,000 in repairs to a rain-damaged battery for one unlucky Tesla owner. Read more: These Are The Longest Lasting All-Season SUV Tires According To Consumer Reports Water Isn't Covered By Tesla's Warranty Like other warranties from most car makers, Tesla's lists several limitations and items that are not covered. This includes damage caused by "animal or insect droppings," "tree sap," and even "water," as described in the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The wording in the warranty regarding water is vague enough to give Tesla an out from covering a variety of repairs. One Model S owner on Reddit says Tesla refused to pay for the $7,900 replacement of the rear drive unit -- a repair normally covered by the warranty -- because water was found in the high voltage harness cover. Once again, the owner claims the vehicle had never been driven in high water and had only been exposed to rain. The Cybertruck is an even more dramatic example of how vexing water can be for a Tesla vehicle. Simply taking a Cybertruck through a car wash has caused it to stop working in some cases, and may even void the warranty. In fact, the owner's manual for this vehicle discourages using automatic car washes at all. However, if you must take your Cybertruck through an automatic car wash, the manual lists several precautions that need to be taken to keep it safe from water. These precautions include engaging the Car Wash Mode, avoiding hot water and detergents, checking with the car wash staff to find out if the soap they use has a pH above 13, and not washing in direct sunlight. All this for a truck that's supposed to be bulletproof? Tesla Would Rather Not Pay For Warranty Repairs Car makers understandably try to minimize the number of warranty claims they pay out. Ways to accomplish this might include improving the manufacturing process, sourcing better parts, or providing a more thorough maintenance program. Unfortunately, Tesla has been accused of using other ways to avoid paying warranty claims. For instance, Reuters reports that problems with the steering suspension in the Model S and Model X have been blamed for multiple accidents, but Tesla avoided paying for these repairs by denying the parts were faulty and blaming the problem on the owners. The automaker was sued, but a judge dismissed one of the cases in January 2023, stating that the plaintiff hadn't proven that Tesla knew about the suspension issues in its vehicles. However, internal records uncovered by Reuters -- which were not considered in the court case -- seem to demonstrate that the issue was known by the company as early as 2016. More recently, a lawsuit filed in California claimed that Tesla has been overestimating odometer mileages in order to end the warranty period prematurely. According to the lawsuit, odometers in some Tesla vehicles may be over-reporting mileage anywhere from 15% to an incredible 117%. It seems Tesla may be using a patented algorithm that uses charging data and driving patterns, instead of wheel rotation, to measure mileage. The takeaway for potential Tesla owners? Be fully aware of the warranty limitations before purchasing -- and be especially cautious when bringing your Tesla near water or leaving it out in the rain. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I'm a Mechanic: 5 Affordable Family Cars That Don't Break Down as Much
Need to trade in your coupe for a minivan or SUV as your family grows? You'll want something reliable and preferably approved by someone who knows a thing or two about cars. Learn More: For You: If you need a highly reliable family vehicle that won't break the bank, start with these models recommended by mechanics and auto repair experts. Toyota RAV4 New Models Start At: $30,645 (Kelley Blue Book) Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus rank second and third among the most reliable car manufacturers, according to the 2025 Consumer Reports study. For decades, Toyota's top priority has remained dependability. 'The RAV4 is highly reliable, especially in model years 2019-2023 which had simpler electronic systems,' explained Marc Skirvin, cofounder of Cash Auto Salvage. 'Parts are readily available, and servicing is cheap, with independent mechanics being able to work on these vehicles without expensive diagnostic tools.' I Bought a Hybrid Car: Honda CR-V New Models Start At: $31,495 One of the prime competitors of the RAV4 as a compact SUV is Honda's CR-V. Skirvin especially likes model years 2017-2022 for reliability. 'Our salvage operations yield a high reliability on Honda CR-V models, where less than 5% end up having engine or transmission issues,' he said. 'When CR-Vs show up in our yard, they're usually the result of collision or flood damage, not mechanical issues we find with other brands.' Honda Odyssey New Models Start At: $43,670 Looking for a minivan with three rows of seats? The Honda Odyssey remains a perennial favorite among mechanics. Alan Gelfand, mechanic and owner of German Car Depot, raved about the Odyssey's spacious interior and reliability. 'The Variable Cylinder Management system in the 3.5-liter V6 engine provides high fuel efficiency without compromising on reliability standards,' he explained. 'The sliding door tracks of this vehicle and its belt-driven accessories have proven to be long-lasting and avoid sudden trips to the repair shop.' Toyota Sienna New Models Start At: $40,635 Landing on Kelley Blue Book's list of Best Family Cars, the Sienna offers another great option for a three-seat minivan. It doesn't hurt that the starting price clocks in $3,000 lower than the Odyssey. 'The Sienna offers a hybrid model which provides excellent fuel efficiency alongside the typical Toyota durability standards,' added Gelfand. 'The e-CVT transmission features a sealed design that requires no maintenance because it does not leak.' The minimal height step entrance helps families hop in, and the foldable flat seats simplify hauling both sports equipment and bulky furniture. Hyundai Palisade New Models Start At: $38,695 Prefer a three-row SUV rather than a minivan? Try the Hyundai Palisade. It, too, scored a slot on Kelley Blue Book's list of Best Family Cars. 'The Palisade has gained a reputation for reliability based on its dependable first-year performance and long warranty,' noted Andrew Franks, cofounder of accident management service Claimsline. 'It has a highly equipped interior with advanced technology and safety features.' More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs This article originally appeared on I'm a Mechanic: 5 Affordable Family Cars That Don't Break Down as Much
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I'm a Mechanic: 5 Affordable Family Cars That Don't Break Down as Much
Need to trade in your coupe for a minivan or SUV as your family grows? You'll want something reliable and preferably approved by someone who knows a thing or two about cars. Learn More: For You: If you need a highly reliable family vehicle that won't break the bank, start with these models recommended by mechanics and auto repair experts. Toyota RAV4 New Models Start At: $30,645 (Kelley Blue Book) Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus rank second and third among the most reliable car manufacturers, according to the 2025 Consumer Reports study. For decades, Toyota's top priority has remained dependability. 'The RAV4 is highly reliable, especially in model years 2019-2023 which had simpler electronic systems,' explained Marc Skirvin, cofounder of Cash Auto Salvage. 'Parts are readily available, and servicing is cheap, with independent mechanics being able to work on these vehicles without expensive diagnostic tools.' I Bought a Hybrid Car: Honda CR-V New Models Start At: $31,495 One of the prime competitors of the RAV4 as a compact SUV is Honda's CR-V. Skirvin especially likes model years 2017-2022 for reliability. 'Our salvage operations yield a high reliability on Honda CR-V models, where less than 5% end up having engine or transmission issues,' he said. 'When CR-Vs show up in our yard, they're usually the result of collision or flood damage, not mechanical issues we find with other brands.' Honda Odyssey New Models Start At: $43,670 Looking for a minivan with three rows of seats? The Honda Odyssey remains a perennial favorite among mechanics. Alan Gelfand, mechanic and owner of German Car Depot, raved about the Odyssey's spacious interior and reliability. 'The Variable Cylinder Management system in the 3.5-liter V6 engine provides high fuel efficiency without compromising on reliability standards,' he explained. 'The sliding door tracks of this vehicle and its belt-driven accessories have proven to be long-lasting and avoid sudden trips to the repair shop.' Toyota Sienna New Models Start At: $40,635 Landing on Kelley Blue Book's list of Best Family Cars, the Sienna offers another great option for a three-seat minivan. It doesn't hurt that the starting price clocks in $3,000 lower than the Odyssey. 'The Sienna offers a hybrid model which provides excellent fuel efficiency alongside the typical Toyota durability standards,' added Gelfand. 'The e-CVT transmission features a sealed design that requires no maintenance because it does not leak.' The minimal height step entrance helps families hop in, and the foldable flat seats simplify hauling both sports equipment and bulky furniture. Hyundai Palisade New Models Start At: $38,695 Prefer a three-row SUV rather than a minivan? Try the Hyundai Palisade. It, too, scored a slot on Kelley Blue Book's list of Best Family Cars. 'The Palisade has gained a reputation for reliability based on its dependable first-year performance and long warranty,' noted Andrew Franks, cofounder of accident management service Claimsline. 'It has a highly equipped interior with advanced technology and safety features.' More From GOBankingRates Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 These Cars May Seem Expensive, but They Rarely Need Repairs This article originally appeared on I'm a Mechanic: 5 Affordable Family Cars That Don't Break Down as Much
