15 Benefits of Moving to Florida

Should I move to Florida? Is Florida a good place to live? Have you asked yourself the same questions lately? If so, you are not alone. The Sunshine State draws hundreds of visitors to its sandy shores every day, and it's not hard to see why. No state income tax, sunny weather, diverse population, delicious food, and breathtaking views make it an especially fun place to live. Here are 15 benefits of moving to Florida.

The sunniest and warmest of the year

Why do so many people move to Florida? Of course, depending on the weather! With over 200 sunny days a year, Florida offers beginners exceptionally warm weather. Despite the hot and humid summers, the seasons in Florida are mostly mild and warm. People living south of the Sunshine State will most likely only need a sweater in the winter. Take, for example, Miami. Average winter temperatures range from 76 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, the temperature reaches 90 degrees.

There’s no state income tax in Florida

Want to save tax? Move to Florida. The state, being one of the few in the country, does not require its residents to pay state income taxes. Although you will still have to pay sales and property taxes, Florida's overall tax burden will be much less than in most other states. As a result, you will be able to save more of your hard earned money for fun, entertainment, and more.

Florida beaches are fantastic

Real life is a Florida beach. Residents have access to some of the best and most beautiful beaches in the world right at their doorstep. Notable and award-winning Florida beaches include Sarasota's Siesta Public Beach, Clearwater Beach, Pensacola Beach, Delray Beach, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Panama City Public Beach, Greyton Beach and St. George Island. a little. Of course, you can spend the day sunbathing on the road sand, but you can also play beach volleyball, fish on the shore or go for a scenic jog. On the water, you can kayak, SUP, swim and paddle.

There’s plenty of cultural diversity

There is no other state like Florida when it comes to cultural diversity. Across the state, you'll find people of all ages, beliefs, and backgrounds imaginable, making it one of the nation's greatest crossroads. In addition to those born and raised in Florida, many snowbird residents and interstate migrants have moved in because of the weather, job opportunities, and tax breaks. The diversity of the state is definitely one of the reasons why Florida is such an exciting place to live.

Locals receive discounts on a number of attractions

Living where others rest has a great advantage. From Walt Disney World in Orlando, where Florida residents get 40% off four-day tickets, to The Pink Shell Beach Resort in Fort Myers, hundreds of attractions and hotels in Florida offer great discounts and deals only. for residents all year round. Most deals are available in late spring, summer, and early fall, when tourist traffic slows.

Florida has a laidback lifestyle

In general, life in Florida is slower, especially in coastal areas. He is also freer. You'll find people wearing T-shirts and flip-flops much more often than wearing button-down shirts and ties. If you want to relax and live in the present moment, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better place than Florida to do it.

There’s so much to do outdoors (and indoors!)

There is no shortage of entertainment in Florida. With over 200 sunny days a year, residents can spend most of their time outdoors, participating in everything from water sports to cultural events. Popular water sports in Florida include swimming, sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, and fishing. Residents also have easy access to many attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios. Miami's many Art Deco hotels and restaurants, as well as the city's annual Art Basel event, also offer plenty of entertainment.

Living in Florida won’t break the bank

Want to earn more money for accommodation and daily services? Move to Florida. While the cost of living in major Florida cities like Miami can be higher, most areas in the Sunshine State are very affordable compared to many other US states. Florida's goods and services, health care, and housing are below the national average.

If you want to move to a Florida city with a low cost of living, consider Jacksonville, which is 9% below the national average. Or move inland to a community like Brooksville, where the cost of living is 18% lower than the national average.

Housing is affordable

Depending on where you move in the state, you can find very affordable housing. For example, according to Realtor.com, the median home price in Jacksonville is currently $279,000, while the median home price in Tallahassee is $249,900. Of course, you'll pay more for a home in Miami, Destin, and other coastal cities. And with Florida being such a popular place to move to right now, the bidding wars are raging, sending prices even higher. However, according to the Federal Reserve's economic data website, you can find a home for much less than the national median sale price of $408,100.

It’s easy to find a job

Florida has one of the largest GDPs (gross domestic product) in the country. In fact, the state's GDP is roughly equal to the GDP of Mexico as a whole. It's no surprise that managing an economy of scale like this requires a lot of labor and a lot of jobs. Leading industries include aviation, clean technology, financial services, information technology, manufacturing and distribution, and tourism. Yes, the job doesn't always pay well. However, if you have the education or experience in an industry that is in high demand, you will easily find a good job in Florida.

Florida is a great place to retire

If your workday is behind you, the state is considered one of the most retiree-friendly in the country. Florida is not only exempt from state income taxes, but it also doesn't tax retirement income like Social Security benefits. And no estate or inheritance tax. It's such a great place for retirees that eight Florida cities - Sarasota, Naples, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Tampa, Fort Myers, Port St. Lucie and Pensacola - dominate the top ten places to retire according to US News & world report.

The sports culture is intense

From professional sports to college sports, Florida has some of the best sports teams in the country to cheer for. While most states have one or two professional soccer teams (or none!), Florida has three. Florida also boasts two professional baseball teams, two professional basketball teams, and two professional ice hockey teams. Popular teams in the state include the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins. Colleges like the University of Florida and Florida State University also have student and alumni groups where they can get together.

The food and drink are delectable

From the famous rock crab to the locally brewed craft beer, Florida is home to many delicious restaurants. With multiple climates and thriving farms, it's a mecca for fresh produce such as world-famous oranges, sugar cane, tomatoes, watermelons, avocados and strawberries. Florida restaurants serve a variety of island and Caribbean dishes, such as lemon cake and coconut shrimp. No matter where you are in Florida, you can find fresh food nearby.

You can vacation where you live

If you live in Florida, you'll never have to take a vacation again. The state's many beaches, theme parks, and attractions mean there are hundreds of vacation (read: vacation) options available to you - all just a few hours' drive away. From secluded sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast to family-friendly Disney World theme parks, your state has no shortage of fun and exciting places to visit.

It’s easy to get away, too

If you're looking for an out-of-state vacation, Florida makes getting around easy. Since the country is located on the east coast, you can shorten your flight time to Europe. Florida is also a great base for trips to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. In addition, Miami is recognized as the "Tourism Capital of the World" and serves as the home port of more than 20 cruise lines, including routes such as Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Princess, Disney and Regent Seven Seas.

A few things to think about before moving to Florida

While Florida is a great place to live, there are some downsides that you need to be aware of before you move in.

There are tourists all year long

While it's a bit quieter here in the summer, Florida doesn't really have low season anymore. This means you'll have to deal with heavy traffic near tourist attractions, crowded beaches, and long waits at restaurants for most of the year. Part of the inconvenience can be avoided by going out during rush hour or going to places that are inaccessible to tourists.

The weather isn’t always great

Yes, Florida has warm winters and many sunny days. But summer can be very hot and humid. According to the National Weather Service, Florida gets heavy rainfall from June through September, and the state is the thunderbolt capital. Lightning is so dangerous that you'll hear a siren warning you to stay indoors when lightning is possible in the area.

You need flood insurance

Because Florida is a peninsula, much of the state is prone to flooding from storm surge. If you are in a low-lying area, your insurance company will require flood insurance, which is not cheap. Depending on where you live, flood insurance can cost anywhere from $190 to over $2,000 a year. For example, the average policy cost in Tampa is $859.

Allergies are a common problem

There is no season in Florida that is not allergy season. From April to October, grass pollen causes problems. Weeds like ragweed and fennel cause allergies from May to December, while trees like oak and pine produce pollen year-round. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, some cities in Florida have allergy problems. In fact, Miami and Jacksonville are listed as allergy capitals in the nation. 

You may have a wildlife encounter

Forget about the occasional fire ants that breed in almost any location and the more than 80 species of mosquitoes found in the state. Florida also has snakes and alligators. While you're more likely to spot a snake curled up while mowing the lawn, it's not uncommon to see an alligator sunbathing on a golf course or roadside. Usually none of them want to do anything to you, but you might have to fight them.

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