15 Benefits of Moving to Florida - Moving.com (2024)

Should I move to Florida? Is Florida a good place to live? Have you been asking yourself these sorts of questions lately? If so, you’re not alone. Every day, the Sunshine State attracts hundreds of newcomers to its sandy shores – and it’s not hard to see why. No state income tax, sunny weather, its diverse population, delectable food and exciting attractions make it a particularly interesting place to live. Here are 15 benefits of moving to Florida.

1. The majority of the year is sunny and warm

   Why are so many people moving to Florida? For the weather, of course! With more than 200 sunshine-filled days a year, Florida offers newcomers exceptionally warm and sunny weather. Despite the hot and humid summers, Florida seasons tend to be mostly mild and warm. Those living in the southern portion of the Sunshine State will likely never need more than a sweater during the winter. Take Miami, for example. The average winter temperature ranges from 76 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, the temperature tops off at 90 degrees.

2. There’s no state income tax in Florida

   Want to save money on taxes? Move to Florida. The state is one of the few in the nation that doesn’t require its residents to pay state income taxes. While you’ll still have to pay sales and property taxes, your overall state tax burden in Florida will be much less than in most other states. As a result, you’ll be able to save more of your hard-earned money for entertainment, vacations and belongings.

3. Florida beaches are fantastic

   Life really is a beach in Florida. Residents have access to some of the world’s best and most beautiful beaches right outside their doors. Well-known and award-winning beaches in Florida include Siesta Public Beach in Sarasota, Clearwater Beach, Pensacola Beach, Delray Beach, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Panama City Public Beach, Grayton Beach, and St. George Island – just to name a few. Of course, you can spend your day sunbathing on sugar sand, but you can also play beach volleyball, fish from the shore, or go for a scenic jog. On the water, you can kayak, standup paddle board, swim and boat.

4. There’s plenty of cultural diversity

   There’s no other state quite like Florida when it comes to cultural diversity. Throughout the state, you’ll find people of every age, religion and background imaginable, making it one of the greatest melting pots in the country. In addition to those who are born and raised in Florida, many residents include snowbirds and transplants from different states who have moved for the weather, job opportunities and tax benefits. The state’s diversity is without a doubt one of the reasons why Florida is such an interesting place to live.

5. Locals receive discounts on a number of attractions

   There’s a major benefit to living where others vacation. From Walt Disney World in Orlando where Florida residents receive 40 percent off a four-day ticket to The Pink Shell Beach Resort in Fort Myers, hundreds of Florida attractions and hotels offer resident-only discounts and bargains throughout the year. The majority of deals are available during the late spring, summer and early fall months when tourism slows down.

6. Florida has a laidback lifestyle

   In general, life moves at a slower pace in Florida, especially in its coastal communities. It’s also more casual. You’ll be much more likely to see people wearing t-shirts and flip flops than button-up shirts and neckties. If you want to chill and live in the moment, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better place to do that than in Florida.

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

   There’s no shortage of things to do in Florida. Thanks to the 200-plus days of sunshine a year, residents are able to spend much of their time outdoors partaking in everything from water sports to cultural experiences. Popular water activities in Florida include swimming, boating, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and fishing. Residents also have easy access to a number of attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios. Miami’s many art deco-inspired hotels and restaurants, along with the city’s annual Art Basel event, offer plenty to do as well.

8. Living in Florida won’t break the bank

   Looking to get more bang for your buck in terms of housing and day-to-day services? Move to Florida. While the cost of living in Florida’s major cities, such as Miami, can be on the higher end, the majority of areas throughout the Sunshine State are very affordable compared to many other U.S. states. Goods and services, healthcare, and housing in Florida all fall below the national average.

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

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9. Housing is affordable

   Depending on where you move in the state, you can find very affordable housing. For example, the median listing home price in Jacksonville is currently $279,000 and the median listing home price in Tallahassee is $249,900, according to Realtor.com. Of course, you’ll pay much more for a home in Miami, Destin, and other coastal cities. And, because Florida is such a popular place to relocate to right now, there are bidding wars that are driving prices increasingly higher. Still, you can find a house for much less than the national median sales price of $408,100, according to the Federal Reserve Economic Data website.

10. It’s easy to find a job

    Florida has one of the nation’s largest GDPs (gross domestic products). In fact, the state’s GDP equals roughly that of the entire country of Mexico. Not surprisingly, it takes a lot of employees to run an economy of that magnitude, and jobs are plentiful. Top industries include aviation, cleantech, financial services, information technology, manufacturing, and distribution as well as tourism. Admittedly, the jobs aren’t always high-paying ones. However, if you have a degree or experience in an in-demand industry, you should have no problem finding a good job in Florida.

11. Florida is a great place to retire

    If your working days are behind you, the state ranks among the most retirement-friendly in the nation. Not only does Florida forgo state income tax but it also doesn’t tax retirement income such as Social Security benefits. And, it doesn’t have estate and inheritance taxes. 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 U.S. News & World Report’s top 10 best places to retire.

12. The sports culture is intense

    From professional sports to college sports, Florida offers some of the best sports teams in the country to cheer on. While most states have one or two professional football teams (or none!), Florida has three. Florida also offers two professional baseball teams, two professional basketball teams, and two professional 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 such as the University of Florida and Florida State University also have teams for students and alum to rally around.

13. The food and drink are delectable

    From its famous stone crabs to its locally made craft brews, Florida is home to a plethora of delectable dining options. With its many climate zones and thriving farms, it’s a mecca for fresh produce such as its world-famous oranges, sugarcane, tomatoes, watermelon, avocados and strawberries. Florida restaurants serve plenty of Island-inspired and Caribbean-style foods such as key lime pie and coconut shrimp. No matter where you are in Florida, you’ll be able to find fresh and tasty fare nearby.

14. You can vacation where you live

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

15. It’s easy to get away, too

    When you do want to vacation out of state, Florida makes travel easy. Because the state is on the east coast, you can shave hours off a flight to Europe. Florida is also a great starting point for trips to Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Additionally, Miami is recognized as the “Cruise Capital of the World” and serves as the homeport for more than 20 cruise lines, including such lines as Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Princess, Disney, and Regent Seven Seas.

A few things to think about before moving to Florida

Even though Florida is a great place to live, there are a few drawbacks you should be aware of before you move.

There are tourists all year long

Although it does quiet down a bit during the summer, there really isn’t an off season in Florida anymore. That means you’ll have to deal with heavy traffic near tourist attractions, crowded beaches and long waits at restaurants most of the year. You can avoid some of the inconvenience by going out at off-peak times or by frequenting areas that tourists do not.

The weather isn’t always great

Yes, Florida has warm winters and more than its fair share of sunny days. But it can also get extremely hot and humid during the summer. If that wasn’t bad enough, Florida experiences heavy rains from June through September, and the state is the lightning capital of the country, according to the National Weather Service. Lightning is such a big deal that you’ll hear sirens go off to warn you to stay inside when lightning is a possibility in the area.

You need flood insurance

Because Florida is a peninsula, a sizeable part of the state is susceptible to flooding from hurricane surge waters. If you’re in a low-lying area, your insurance company will require you to carry flood insurance, and it isn’t cheap. Depending on the zone you live in, your flood insurance can cost anywhere from $190 to more than $2,000 per year. For example, the average cost for a policy in Tampa is $859.

Allergies are a common problem

There isn’t a season in Florida that isn’t allergy season. From April until October, grass pollen causes problems. Weeds like ragweed and dog fennel trigger allergies from May through December, while trees like oak and pine produce pollen much of the year. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, several Florida cities have allergies issues. In fact, Miami and Jacksonville both make the foundation’s list of Allergy Capitals across the nation.

You may have a wildlife encounter

Forget the fire ants that make an appearance on almost every property at one point or another and the more than 80 species of mosquitoes found in the state. Florida also has snakes and gators. While you’re more likely to spot a snake curled up in your grass as you mow your lawn, it’s not uncommon to see a gator sunning itself on the golf course or by the side of the road. Usually, neither wants anything to do with you, but they are something you may have to contend with.

Moving to Florida?

Think you want to make Florida your new home? For more information about cities within the Sunshine State, check Moving.com’s City Profile Report feature. Our reports include city demographics, real estate information, quality of life factors, and more. Simply enter the zip code or the state and city of your potential move to get a free report at the click of a button. For help finding and booking the best moving company, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable interstate movers. Best of luck and happy moving!