The Sunshine State is a popular destination for those who want
to move to warmer climes. It’s famously popular with retirees, but Americans of
all ages are feeling the lure of Florida. If you’re thinking about moving to
Florida, here are 15 things you should know before you go.
1. Yes, there are
lots of seniors in Florida.
Though Florida isn’t the state with
the highest median age, it’s up there. It’s a popular destination for retirees,
due in part to its warm weather and in part to its retirement tax-friendliness. That doesn’t
mean that young people should scrap the idea of moving to Florida, though. The
state has a lot to offer people of all ages. In fact, it’s a popular destination for millennials who want to become
homeowners.
2. There’s
more to the wildlife than alligators.
Florida gators get a lot of attention. It’s the state’s more
dangerous wildlife that gets the most press. You’ll hear about gator run-ins
and snakes under porches far more than you’ll hear – and read – about egrets
and manatees. But if you’re an outdoor enthusiast you’ll love exploring the
state’s diverse ecosystems and seeing the many critters of the Sunshine State.
3. The party scene
is big, but it’s not everywhere.
Just like the senior scene isn’t
ubiquitous in Florida, the party scene isn’t everywhere in the state. The two
Florida stereotypes – of the sleepy retirement community and the raucous South
Florida party scene – don’t give the most accurate picture of the state as a
whole.
4. South Florida
and North Florida are pretty different.
South Florida and North
Florida can sometimes feel like different states. South Florida is more
diverse and shows more of a Latin American and Caribbean influence. The
southern half of the state is also where more of the nightlife happens. North
Florida is home to the state’s capital and has a different climate from the
southern half of the state. If you’re thinking of buying a home in Florida,
it’s worth knowing that South Florida is feeling the impact of rising sea
levels and other climate change-related events. North Florida is not as
vulnerable to climate change.
5. You might want
to brush up on your hurricane safety.
If you’re moving to Florida, and especially if you’re moving to
South Florida, it’s a good idea to read up on hurricane safety and keep an eye
on weather alerts during hurricane season. You might have to board up your
windows or shelter in a place without electricity. If you do a bit of research
before your first hurricane season in Florida, you’ll have an easier time of
it.
6. Florida is a
swing state.
Your vote in presidential elections
carries a lot of weight in Florida. That means you’ll see more political ads,
get more knocks on your door and maybe even have more frequent political
discussions with friends, neighbors and coworkers.
7. Tourists are a
part of life in Florida.
Whether drawn to the spring break
scene in the Keys, to Disney World, the Everglades or the Art Deco architecture
in Miami Beach, tourists love Florida. If you’re moving to Florida, be prepared
to deal with an influx in tourists during the more popular times of year
to travel to the state. You’ll probably encounter lots of Northeasterners
taking refuge from the cold winters. Make them feel welcome. They’ve earned a
bit of sunshine.
8. It’s worth going
to Disney World at least once if it’s in your budget.
Taking a trip to
Disney World can be pricey, but it’s a very Florida experience. You
can combine it with a trip to Universal Studios, too. If you live in South
Florida you might not want to make the trip up to Disney World, but we’re
guessing that if you have kids they’ll convince you sooner or later. Just be
careful on the road. In a recent SmartAsset study,
Florida came in first as the state with the worst drivers.
9. The Daytona 500
is a slice of Americana.
Just like Disney World, the Daytona
500 is a Florida institution. It’s not called The Great American Race® for
nothing. Think car racing isn’t for you? You might want to give the Daytona 500
a chance anyway, if only for the people-watching.
10. Florida has a
long history.
Florida has a long history that includes pre-contact Native
communities like the Seminole Tribe (still very much a part of Florida life)
and early Spanish settlements that you can visit and enjoy. The
Spanish-established settlement of St. Augustine, dating from 1565, is
the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the continental
U.S. and the nation’s oldest city.
11. If you like
baseball, you’ll love living in Florida.
If you’re a baseball fan or are open
to becoming one, moving to Florida will be a great change for you. Every
spring, the Grapefruit League baseball teams train in Florida. You can see
major league players or minor league aspirants at relatively affordable games
in the pleasant Florida spring weather.
12. There’s
more to Florida’s nature scene than the beach.
It may not seem possible to you now, but it is possible to get
tired of going to the beach – at least for some people. If you find yourself in
that predicament, there are plenty of other outdoor options in Florida. You can
go boating or padding in mangroves and the Everglades. You can hike, kayak,
zip-line or hot air balloon around the Sunshine State.
13. It’s a golf
state.
Love golf? Think golf courses are
water-guzzling eyesores? Either way, you’ll be surrounded by golf-lovers in
Florida. The state boasts a high number of golf courses and hosts golf
tournaments throughout the year. If you’ve never golfed before you might want
to try hitting the links after moving to Florida, if only to see what all the
fuss is about.
14. Sinkholes are a
risk in Florida.
Maybe you thought the alligators,
pythons, flying roaches and hurricanes were enough to deal with. But Florida
also has sinkholes that swallow up residents’ cars from time to time. Florida’s
porous ground is prone to the occasional collapse, and there’s really no way to
predict where and when a sinkhole will occur.
15. Florida taxes
are low.
Florida is one of a handful of states
with no state income tax, and has a pretty low cost of living on top of
that. Score! On the other hand, gas taxes are high in Florida so you might
want to save gas and money by being careful to combine errands and
living close to where you work.
Photo credit: ©iStock.com/Marilyn
Nieves, ©iStock.com/mlharing, ©iStock.com/Harvepino, ©iStock.com/Manakin,
©iStock.com/Sean Pavone, ©iStock.com/jimfeng source https://smartasset.com/mortgage/15-things-to-know-before-moving-to-florida
By: AMELIA
JOSEPHSON
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