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A Guide for Moving to Florida

By: ROS Team

There are many good reasons to move to Florida, from the delightful weather to the stable economy, recreation, and lifestyle. However, while Florida is an excellent state, it is not perfect for everyone.

It helps to learn everything about the state before moving. This will reduce the mental strain and anxiety of moving to another state. Our guide to moving to Florida details four key factors, a checklist, and some top cities to consider when moving to the Sunshine State.

1. Choosing the Right Location

When moving to Florida, choosing the best place to live can impact your satisfaction. The Sunshine State has four key regions, each with a different geography and lifestyle: the Northeastern, South, Central, and Panhandle regions. Each region has exciting cities perfect for young professionals, families, and retirees.

There is no best city in Florida; the weather, scenery, and economy in all cities are relative. Thus, you can only find the best city for you. While single, young professionals may thrive in one city, families and retirees may be more comfortable in another. Good research and a short visit can help you select the right location for you.

2. Consider the Housing Market and Living Costs

Generally, Florida does not have a competitive real estate market, except for popular cities like Miami. Nevertheless, it helps to research the state’s housing market and rental laws. For example, try to understand how security deposits work in Florida when engaging a landlord for rental properties.

You can also consider buying a foreclosed home in Florida. Housing costs are the leading factor influencing living costs in most Floridian cities. However, you must not neglect other factors such as taxes, transportation, food, clothing, and healthcare costs.  Fortunately, Florida does not have a state income tax. Still, consider other factors, possibly in comparison with your projected income, before moving to Florida.

3. Florida’s Employment and Education Opportunities

Professionals must also consider employment and job opportunities when moving to Florida. The state has excellent opportunities, with the statistics showing high job opening rates and employment opportunities.

You’ll best benefit from skills, certifications, and qualifications in the top Floridian industries. For example, aviation, IT, healthcare, tourism, financial services, and manufacturing are some of the key industries in Florida.

Besides employment, families must also consider the educational opportunities available for their kids. Luckily, most cities in the state provide top-rated and tolerant schools and colleges, offering quality education.

Additionally, parents can choose from public and private schools in any city. The Florida Department of Education also supports online learning through Florida Virtual Schools (FLVS) and homeschooling.

4. Recreation and Lifestyle

Florida is popular for its sunny weather and beautiful beaches. So, when moving to the Sunshine State, you must be willing to adapt to the hot, sunny weather all year round. This weather, surrounding beaches, and lakes make aquatic recreational activities popular in Florida.

Snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and fishing are excellent examples of aquatic recreation in the state. You’ll also enjoy landside recreation such as biking, hiking, stargazing, and camping in many of its natural areas and parks. For many cities, beach parties are a signature event.

Florida also has a rich cultural calendar that highlights the blended lifestyle in the state. You’ll enjoy many festivals, from the Greek Orthodox Epiphany to the Orange Bowl, Citrus, Strawberry Festivals, and the popular Pride Orlando in October.

Checklist for Moving to Florida

If you decide to move to Florida, you must put certain things in place to ensure you settle well in your new location. In this section, we’ll provide a checklist of activities to do at different stages of your relocation.

Before moving

  • Research suitable cities and areas.
  • Explore your employment opportunities.
  • Visit the desired city you wish to move to.
  • Work with a local relocation expert to get a home.
  • Arrange for new utilities and transfer of current ones.
  • Choose a move-in date and arrange with movers.

After Moving

  • Enroll your children in school.
  • Register for a Florida driver’s license.
  • Register to vote in Florida.
  • Register for healthcare services in the state.

The Top Cities to Explore in Florida’s Regions

Looking for the best cities in Florida to move to? Here are the top cities from Florida’s four main regions:

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is the most popular city in Florida’s Northeastern region. It is an excellent place to live, even with a family. The city sits on the Atlantic coast with about 16 miles of coastline, providing ample opportunity for residents desiring to buy a beach property.

You can also enjoy landside dwelling and recreation in Jacksonville in popular state recreational areas and parks. With an average of 221 sunny days in this city, families enjoy a year-round playground for their kids.

The economy and welfare are as good as the recreation in Jacksonville. The city has a strong employment market, with unemployment rates lower than the national average. Similarly, you’ll enjoy good healthcare services from top-rated clinics in Jacksonville.

Miami

This city is regarded as the cultural, financial, and economic center of the South Florida region. Miami has a good employment rate and is a great place for entrepreneurs to start businesses. While the city has a high cost of living, the thriving economy complements it.

You’ll enjoy sunny weather, exciting beaches in Miami, and natural areas in this city. While it appears as a city for only young professionals, the Miami suburbs provide an excellent environment for raising families.

Orlando

Orlando is Florida’s third-largest metropolitan area, ranked as a top city for retirees. It is also the most popular city in Central Florida. This city perfectly blends the bustle of a thriving city and the calm of a residential haven, depending on where you reside.

Housing and living costs are close to the national average and affordable by the largely employed populace. The weather is great, with high temperatures all year round. However, you’ll enjoy lots of rain in the summer months. It is a culturally diverse and tolerant city with high LGBTQ-friendliness.

Pensacola

Popularly known as the waterfront city, Pensacola offers residents a high quality of life with unlimited outdoor activities. The city has numerous white sand beaches, a rich history, and a moderate population. No wonder it is one of the top cities in Florida’s Panhandle region.

It has a strong employment market and an affordable real estate market, which is unlikely for such a thriving metropolis. You’ll find unbelievable prices when buying a house at auction in Pensacola. Its top-rated healthcare services are also an attractive feature for retirees and families.

Endnote

Moving can be a hassle, even in a popular and exciting state like Florida. However, good planning can help you reduce the mental exhaustion of relocation. Before moving to Florida, consider your preferred location, the housing and employment opportunities in the state, and its dominant recreation and lifestyle. If Florida satisfies you, follow our checklist of activities above to ensure a smooth and satisfying move.