In 2019 alone, almost 400,000 people moved to Florida.
White-sand beaches, Daytona 500, art deco Old Miami, juicy oranges, and Disneyland. Is it any wonder people are flocking there in droves? In fact, more people moved to the Sunshine State than any other state in the USA.
Dive past the cliches and learn why living in Florida might be right for you and your family.
- Embrace That Beach Bum Life
Florida is essentially a peninsula. It’s long, skinny geography and proximity to the equator mean that no matter where you are, you’re never far from the beach. Florida has the longest coastline in the USA.
The sunny state’s sandiest spots never fail to make the cut when it comes to US beach rankings. One of the benefits of moving to Florida is the ability to up and escape to the beach at a moment’s notice.
If you want to level up your beach experience, it’s just a hop-skip-and-jump to other exotic beach-rimmed locales. Fly from Florida to tropical paradises like The Bahamas or the Cayman Islands in a matter of hours.
- It’s Always Sunny in Florida
The last time it snowed in Florida was 1977. That’s how warm this temperate state is.
Florida’s climate ranges from subtropical in the north to tropical in the central and southern parts of the state. With an average of 2800 hours of sunlight each year, you can spend a lot of time enjoying the outdoors. Gardening, surfing, hiking, or sitting on the patio with a refreshing mojito in hand.
While it’s true that parts of Florida get hit by hurricanes and rainstorms, the state authorities have a lot of experience in dealing with these types of emergencies. You’re unlikely to experience severe disruptions.
- Lower Cost of Living in Florida
Despite high home insurance costs, Florida still comes in at 29th in terms of cost of living. This middle of the road ranking means that while some of the best cities in Florida to live in (like Miami) are expensive, a lot of smaller Florida cities and towns are very affordable.
Florida is also one of just nine US states that don’t impose income tax on their residents.
Are you wondering where to live in Florida? Compare the costs.
In some parts of Florida, like Tampa, utility costs fall to 14 percent below the national average. Food prices are middle of the road, too, with Daytona Beach costs coming in at 4% lower than what you’d see elsewhere in the USA.
And overall, you’ll be paying nearly 3 percent under the national average for healthcare in Florida.
- Get on the Property Ladder
While home values are climbing since COVID-19 hit the USA, mortgage rates are unbelievably low. If you’re looking to buy a home in Florida for personal use rather than investment, the time is right.
Due to its favorable climate, Florida was formally settled in the early 1800s and ruled by both Spain and Great Britain. Add to the trends of the 20th century to these colonial influences, and you have a state rife with interesting residential architecture.
Review listings for sought-after neighborhoods like Killearn Estates and you’ll see everything from Mediterranean and Victorian designed homes to ranch and coastal contemporary.
Do Your Research
Moving to a new state is exciting, and it’s easy to get caught up in the winds of change. Whether you’re considering moving to Florida to escape the cold of more northern climes or hoping to spend more time outdoors, do your research. Make sure the decision is right for you and your family before selling up the house, packing the moving truck, and hauling it over to the Sunshine State.
Are you keen to learn more about moving home and real estate in America? Read our blog articles to stay informed.