Thinking about relocating to Florida? Before you move to the Sunshine State, there are a few things you should know so you can be fully prepared. Understanding exactly what you can expect when you move to this gorgeous state can help you adjust and adapt to your new home a lot more easily. Want to find out the 10 things you should know before moving to Florida?

Keep reading, and discover more about the Sunshine State!

What to Know Before Moving to Florida

Florida is an amazing place to live for so many people, but as is the case with any area, it’s not for everyone. From weather to taxes and more, always ensure you’re fully prepared for what an area brings before you make your big move.

Florida Weather (Good and Bad!)

Before anything else, let’s address the weather. Without a doubt, this is one of the most known aspects of Florida, for better but also for worse.

First, the positives: Florida has a beautiful, tropical climate that lends itself to, of course, plenty of sunshine, blue skies, and warm weather all year round. Even in the winter months, you can find yourself enjoying mild days at the beach. For the most part, the seasons in Florida boil down to warm and warmer, as opposed to the traditional four seasons found in most other places in the United States.

However, Florida’s weather isn’t perfect. Hurricanes and tropical storms in this state make headlines each and every year due to the large levels of destruction they cause. Unfortunately, Florida residents often need to be prepared to evacuate during hurricane season because of the severity of these storms. If you choose to live right by the coast, you are more likely to sustain damages. This is a major downside of Florida’s climate.

Florida Taxes

One unique feature of Florida is that the Sunshine State has no state income tax. This lack of individual income tax is an awesome perk for Florida residents, allowing them to keep more of the money they earn and save or spend it accordingly.

Only eight other states in the entire nation can boast this same quality, setting Florida apart from much of the country as residents have the opportunity to pocket more money.

Florida Wildlife

When people think of the wildlife in Florida, one of the first things that typically comes to mind is alligators. This famous animal even earned itself the spot as the mascot for the University of Florida, bringing us the well-known Florida Gators. However, these aren’t the only critters roaming around the state! The hot and humid climate serves as the perfect home for countless species of animals and insects.

From snakes to manatees, dolphins to panthers, pelicans to bobcats, Florida is the stomping grounds for many creatures in land, sea, and air. Plus, the environment lends itself to many bugs, such as mosquitos, cockroaches, and ticks. Although these certainly aren’t reasons to stay away from the state, it’s important to be mindful of these creatures and be prepared to ward them away from your home.

Differences Between North & South Florida

Although you might think Florida is all the same throughout the state, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Different areas of Florida offer many different perks to their residents, and the distinction between North and South Florida is noteworthy. When you’re deciding where in Florida you’d like to relocate to, it’s important to think about the varying aspects of these regions. 

As you would probably expect, North Florida is not quite as warm as South Florida, meaning that you will experience more of the four seasons than you would in the southernmost part of the state. These separate parts of the state are also influenced by different cultures. While North Florida is more consistent with the culture of the Southern United States which it neighbors, South Florida has influence from the Caribbean and Latin America. These differences make a huge impact from the vibes of these areas as a whole.

Florida Sports

If you’re a sports fanatic, you can look forward to attending and watching various sporting events with fans who are just as passionate as you. There are plenty of teams to enjoy on both the professional and collegiate levels, and these teams are certainly worth cheering for. With three NFL teams, two MLB teams, two NHL teams, and two NBA teams, how could you ever get bored? There are games to look forward to all year long!

Plus, if you’re into NASCAR, Florida is the perfect place for you. Each year, the Daytona 500 is held in Daytona Beach, a major event for those who enjoy motor racing. Golf is popular in the Sunshine State as well! No matter what sport you enjoy, Florida can certainly offer endless entertainment to you.

Florida Tourism

With so many fun things to do and amazing sights to see, Florida understandably attracts many tourists. It’s no secret that this destination is beloved by people of all ages. Although tourism truly boosts the economy of the state and is a wonderful advantage for Florida as a whole, it can sometimes be irksome for Floridians.

Be mindful of the fact that, especially during peak times of year, there will be an inevitable influx of tourists visiting the Sunshine State. However, it varies depending on which part of the state you’re living in, so tourists may not cause too much of a disruption depending on where you reside.

Florida Cost of Living vs. Cost of Housing

Of course, an important aspect to consider for any move is if your destination works with your budget. Real estate in Florida is historically known for being more affordable compared to other areas of the country, especially if you live outside of any of the more popular cities that draw in tourists.

However, the cost of living in other categories can be high, meaning goods and services might be a bit more expensive here. Again, this is dependent on other aspects and can vary according to what region you’re living in.

Florida Nature

If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, you’re in luck! Florida has so much beautiful nature to offer to its residents. You can find so many places to boat, kayak, hike, bike, zipline, paddleboard, and much more when you explore the Sunshine State, providing Floridians with great activities to enjoy in the beautiful weather.

There are many state and national parks in Florida that are well-known for their excellence, from Blue Spring State Park to Biscayne National Park to Everglades National Park and more. You’ll never run out of nature to explore in Florida.

Florida Education

If you or a family member are looking for higher education, Florida has excellent educational opportunities to discover. There are many state and community colleges, as well as a lot of wonderful state universities such as Florida A&M University, Florida State University, and University of Central Florida, just to name a few. This means that people living in Florida can conveniently find local options for high quality schooling, which is an incredible advantage.

Is Florida Good for Families?

Last but certainly not least, Florida is the ideal place for your entire family. We already discussed many of the fun advantages of living in this state, and many of these activities and adventures are perfect for family members of all ages. If you have children, you can trust that they won’t get bored in the Sunshine State. We also can’t forget to mention the many theme parks Florida is known for. Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, Legoland, and Busch Gardens are just a few of the great places to bring your family, whether it’s for a day trip or a full-blown vacation.

How to Find Florida Movers

With more information about Florida in your back pocket, you’re now ready to make an educated decision about a potential move to the Sunshine State. And with so many perks, what’s not to love?

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling on your Florida relocation, AAA Flat Rate Moving & Storage is here to meet all your needs and make this your best move yet! We have been Sarasota’s trusted movers for over 40 years, and our team’s top priority is providing excellent service at an affordable rate. Request a free quote today, and discover what AAA can do for you!