Why Move To Florida?
Thinking about relocating to Florida? In this chapter, we’ll explore the benefits, the lifestyle, what the weather can bring, and other important details about moving to and living in Florida. Let’s dive in!
What You Need to Know About Florida
Florida is known as the Sunshine State. It’s one of the most densely populated places in the country, and after you review this guide, you’ll understand why! Florida has over 800 miles of accessible beaches, which makes it one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. In fact, many Florida residents spent time here as tourists from other states and countries, and decided to move here permanently because of the highly desirable lifestyle. But even though Florida is synonymous with vacation, this state offers much more than just beautiful beaches and amusement parks. If you’re thinking about moving to the Sunshine State, here are the top five things you should know about Florida:
- Florida welcomes people of all ages.
Yes, Florida is a dream for retirees! Between the warm weather, the golf courses, and the beneficial tax laws (more about this below), everyone wants to retire in Florida. However, Florida is also a very attractive location for young people as well. Florida actually ranks as one of the top destinations for millennial homebuyers. Young families, couples, and individuals looking to lay down roots in strong communities are now turning to Florida for new homes.
- South Florida, Central Florida, and North Florida are very different.
Visitors are often very surprised by the stark differences between South Florida, Central Florida, and North Florida. South Florida is rich with arts, entertainment, dining, major sports events, and is home to Miami, one of the largest metro areas. Central Florida, which is often defined by Disney World and other major amusement parks, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. North Florida has a beautiful blend of rural land and quaint towns, as well as bustling cities, like Jacksonville and Tallahassee. Each area of Florida is unique and offers its own special perks to their residents.
- Florida has a long, rich history.
People love to visit Florida and explore all of the historical sites that have been preserved for centuries. Saint Augustine is one key location that tells the story of Ponce De Leon, who arrived in the area in 1513 and coined it La Florida, in honor of Spain’s Easter Celebration, Pascua florida, which translates to “feast of the flowers”. While history isn’t the first thing that people think of when they think of Florida, visitors are often pleasantly surprised by its rich and fascinating past.
- Florida has a lot of nature, beyond its beaches.
There is a lot of nature in Florida. We mean, a lot of nature! Residents can spend years exploring all of the natural springs, nature trails, rivers, lakes, and keys — and can still somehow find more to discover. Florida is home to the Everglades National Park, which includes 1.5 million acres of wetlands, slow-moving rivers, and mangroves. Taking an airboat ride through the Everglades, gazing out at the endless greens, and spotting the wildlife is a one-of-a-kind experience that both visitors and Florida residents love.
- Florida is a melting pot of diversity and culture.
People will visit from all over the world and then decide to call Florida home. This is what makes the Sunshine State an incredible melting pot of diversity and culture. Walking through the streets of most major Florida cities, you’ll hear a mix of different languages, see various international restaurants, and view art and architecture from all over the world.
Benefits of Moving to Florida
Now that you know a little bit more about what Florida has to offer, let’s take a look at the major benefits of relocating here:
Florida’s economy is strong and thriving. There are various powerful industries here, like entertainment and hospitality, that are already thriving and even more industries that are moving to the state in order to grow and develop. Since Florida’s population is continuing to increase, so is its job creation numbers. In 2018, Florida’s economy hit 1 trillion and has continued to show signs of growth.
Florida has no income state tax. Many high earners and retirees see Florida as a great place to move due to having no income state tax. The more money you make, the more money you can save in a state like Florida.
Compared to other parts of the country, Florida’s housing costs are fairly low. People moving from cities like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, or other major metro areas are often shocked by how affordable the housing prices are in Florida. Even though a city like Miami typically reflects an expensive real estate market, there are many outstanding places in Florida with fair housing prices, such as Jupiter, Melbourne, Naples, and other attractive coastal towns.
Florida offers a healthy and active lifestyle. Because of the warm weather and incredible nature, the Florida environment and climate invites an active and healthy lifestyle. People enjoy various outdoor sports and watersports all year round.
You won’t have to go far for entertainment and vacations. No matter where you live in Florida, there’s a vacation nearby. You have Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and other major amusement parks, 800 miles of beaches, the Florida Keys, top professional sports team events, exquisite dining, opera houses and theaters, art museums, and so much more!
Weather in Florida
If there’s one thing that people really want to know about when considering a move to Florida, it’s the weather! While Florida residents do enjoy warm weather all year round, the heat, humidity, and pressure systems can bring bad storms and of course hurricanes. Hurricane season in Florida begins in June, normally peaks around August and September, and then ends by November.
While most Florida natives have gotten used to the hotter months, the heat can be shocking for some of the newer residents and tourists. Temperatures in August can rise to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels can be dangerously high in the summer months. Thankfully, many Florida homes have pools and are located near lakes or beaches, so there’s always a great place to cool off during the hottest months of the year. Once fall rolls around, you begin to understand why so many people want to live in Florida. While those up north are dealing with snowstorms and frigid temperatures, Florida remains between 70-80 degrees during fall and will drop into the lower ’60s on the coldest winter day.
Sea Levels
Depending on where you decide to live in Florida, you may also be concerned about the sea levels rising. 2.4 million people and 1.3 million homes sit within 4 feet of the local high tide line in Florida. These homes could face a lot of structural challenges in the upcoming years with the rising sea levels. However, these homes and condominiums are in very specific areas, like Miami and the Florida Keys. Most of Florida’s towns and cities aren’t considered high risk.
General Pros and Cons
After reviewing the information above, you might be able to detect the overall advantages and disadvantages of moving to Florida. This state has a lot to offer, but Florida living isn’t for everyone. Here are some general pros and cons of relocating to the Sunshine State:
Pros- Warm weather
- Beautiful beaches and nature
- Healthy and active lifestyles
- Booming economy
- Affordable housing
- No state income tax
- Culture and diversity
- Endless vacation and entertainment options
- Heat and humidity
- Hurricane season
- Rising sea levels in specific areas
- High cost of living in some major cities, like Miami or Fort Lauderdale