MOVING
TO FLORIDA: RELOCATION TIPS Tips On Where To Live, Choosing Real Estate
Advice For Understanding The Florida
Lifestyle
Welcome to the Moving To
Florida: Relocation Tips web page. Thank you for visiting.
Scroll down to see information on the following
topics: Where To Live In Florida
The Best Florida Cities In Which
To Live
Living On The Water In Florida
Alternative Places To Buy Real
Estate
Florida Weather
Florida Reality Check
Tips For LIving In Florida
So you're thinking about moving to Florida. I'm a
Florida resident and web master of an Orlando travel web site. I
regularly hear from people requesting advice on moving to
the
Sunshine State. While I'm not an expert, I have
learned plenty from my experiences relocating to Florida and living
here.
Here's my best "real world" advice
for people considering a move to Florida.
WHERE TO LIVE IN FLORIDA
The general misconception
about moving to "Florida" is that
Florida is homogenous place (beaches, perfect weather, etc.) In
reality Florida weather and
lifestyles vary significantly. Where you choose to live will
directly impact how happy you are here. You need to realistically
evaluate your
expectations in advance. The key is to match your expectations, lifestyle and
financial resources to the proper Florida community.
Anyone considering a move to Florida should first take a week to tour the entire state by car.
It's important to understand the
very real differences between
Florida's east and west coasts, the
difference between North Florida
and South Florida, and the
differences
between coastal and inland Florida.
NORTH
FLORIDA
The northern part of Florida
offers a lifestyle that's more akin
to "The South." It more closely resembles Georgia, the Carolinas
and Alabama than Miami. The weather is also more akin to
America's
Mid-Atlantic region. The winter
months can be quite chilly.
Popular cities in North Florida include Jacksonville, Tallahassee and
Panama City. The cost of living
tends to be better in North
Florida than South Florida.
People who live in North Florida enjoy easy access "to the rest
of the world." Car travel is reasonable to Atlanta, the
Carolinas, Tennessee and even to destinations like New Orleans, LA or
Washington,
DC. These places are much easier to access from Jacksonville or
Destin than from Miami.
An escape to the mountains can be very attractive in August!
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Central Florida offers significantly milder winter weather than
North Florida. However, freezing temperatures still reach this
area each year.
Popular cities in Central Florida include Tampa, Orlando, Winter
Haven, Ocala and Daytona. The cost
of living in these places is
also favorable when compared with South Florida.
SOUTH FLORIDA
The "freeze line" can
be found just south of Orlando. This
is an imaginary west-to-east line across Florida. Areas south of
this line never get freezing temperatures. Every city
south of
this line is (arguably) considered "South Florida."
South Florida winter weather is the best in Florida. While
it can occasionally get chilly, South Florida is largely immune to the
bitter cold Canadian air masses that freeze North Florida. In
January the temperature difference
between Jacksonville and Miami is
quite remarkable.
Popular South Florida cities include West Palm Beach, Fort
Lauderdale, Miami, Key West, Naples, Fort Myers and Sebring area inland. Geographical and cultural
isolation is the primary disadvantage of South Florida. It
takes 6 hours to drive from Miami to Jacksonville. All of South
Florida offers the same terrain. There is no easy escape to the
mountains or desert. You can drive for hours in South Florida and
never see anything different than what you left.
Culturally, there can sometimes be the feeling that you're in
the
"middle of nowhere."
Promoters of concerts, plays, sporting
events, businesses and even politics find it easy to skip South
Florida. South Florida is a
relatively remote location from the
rest of the country.
INTERIOR FLORIDA VERSUS COASTAL
FLORIDA
Think of Florida as a sandbar
that's 500 miles long and 90 miles
wide. While everyone tends to think of Florida's beach
front
property, most of the real estate is inland.
Areas that are west of Interstate 95 or east of Interstate 75
(in South Florida) are
generally considered "inland." Inland
Florida is largely rural
and agricultural. There are many forests, rivers and lakes
to
enjoy. Inland Florida is still affordable. Homes on
rivers, lakes, ranches and farms are still within the reach of almost
everyone. Inland weather tends to be
more extreme than near the
coast. Daily average high temperatures are slightly higher
than
on the coast. Nightly low temperatures are slightly lower.
There tend to be more rain, less
breeze and more bugs inland.
WEST COAST VERSUS EAST COAST:
ENVIRONMENT
Florida's two coasts offer different environments and
social
experiences. Florida's east
coast borders the Atlantic
Ocean. Its beaches are outstanding. However, Florida's east
coast beaches tend to be more narrow
with coarser sand. The
Atlantic Ocean creates bigger waves
along the
beaches. Florida's east coast sky offers beautiful sunrises and
Caribbean cloud formations. Florida's west coast
borders the Gulf Of Mexico. The water tends to be "flatter" than
on Florida's east coast. West coast beaches are
generally wider and feature fine white sand. Sunsets are
spectacular! Sunsets are important to people who live on
Florida's west coast.
WEST COAST VERSUS EAST COAST:
CULTURE
Conventional wisdom is that people from New York and New England
head south on I-95 to settle on Florida's east coast.
Midwesterners head south on I-75 to
settle on Florida's west
coast. Of course this is an oversimplification, but it
generally
holds true. Florida's west coast lifestyle
tends to be more causal and laid
back. Transplanted midwesterners provide a somewhat
"kinder and
gentler" community feelings. Florida's west coast tends to offer
less cultural and entertainment venues. The cost of living tends
to be higher. Florida's east coast lifestyle
is more intense. Drivers are
more aggressive. Residents are more forthcoming about their
gripes. There is more culture,
crime, conspicuous consumption,
entertainment and gusto. There are more major
airports.
Population density is greater. The cost of living is somewhat
cheaper.
WHERE
TO MOVE RECOMMENDED
FLORIDA CITIES
I'm frequently asked for my advice and recommendations on the
best Florida cities in which to live. I always hesitate to
give
my opinion because one person's junk yard is another person's
palace. That being said, here are some places I recommend that
you
investigate if you are planning a move to Florida. You may not
buy real estate in any of these places. However these cities will
give you a good sampling of the various Florida lifestyles.
St. Petersburg/Clearwater:
This area west of Tampa features
fabulous beaches, clean communities and a quiet lifestyle. Also
check out areas near the Crystal River.
Naples/Fort
Myers:
These southwest Florida communities offer a beautiful location.
For
some they may be too far removed from a major city.
Port St. Lucie/Stuart/Hobe Sound:
These communities north of West
Palm Beach offer excellent weather, cheap golf and excellent
fishing/boating. The cost of living is still reasonable.
Jupiter/Tequesta/Juno Beach:
These towns near West Palm Beach
offer all the big city advantages with small town feel. The
beaches, waterways and golf are outstanding. This area is
proximate to all of the "big city" culture in West Palm Beach.
There is also easy access to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando.
The Jupiter Inlet
Lighthouse area is fabulous. Click here to
see pictures of the area's beautiful waterways.
Marathon:
Real estate in the Middle Florida Keys offers an excellent location and
can still be affordable. Further west, Key West real estate has
become very expensive.
Fort Lauderdale: Anyone
who likes to boat should take a serious
look at Fort Lauderdale. The community is sometimes called
"America's Venice" because of its canals. Waterfront homes are
plentiful here.
Ocala/Gainsville:
Affordable Central Florida living.
Destin/Panama City Area:
Beautiful area with excellent access to major southeastern US cities.
Jacksonville Area Beaches:
Beautiful beaches, colder winter temperatures and affordable cost of
living.
Note: I like to visit Orlando and Miami. However I
wouldn't want to live in those cities. Orlando is so focused on
the needs of tourists that it's tough for residents to feel they're
important. Miami is so crowded and intense that a new transplant
might find community spirit tough to establish.
LIVING
ON THE WATER IN FLORIDA
A note to those
who want to live on the water in Florida.
Coastal waterfront property used to be
affordable here. However, this is no longer the case.
Coastal real estate prices have
jumped significantly. Making matters worse is the high cost of
home insurance for those who do live on the water. Be
prepared to
pay dearly to live close to coastal waters. A more affordable alternative
is to live a few miles inland from the
coast. Real estate and insurance costs are dramatically cheaper 5
miles inland from the beach. If you like you can buy a boat and
keep it at a coastal marina. This
will allow you to enjoy the water without breaking the bank. Another alternative is
to buy a home on an inland river or
lake. These homes are generally 20-30 miles inland.
They can provide beautiful scenery at a fraction of
the cost of a coastal property. Out
of state alternatives to
Florida living: People interested in moving to Florida
because of its lifestyle should
also
consider other coastal areas in the southeastern U.S. There is
beautiful coastal living in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Texas, the Carolinas, Virginia and Maryland. These states offer
similarly dramatic on-the-water real estate. Some of these states
have
a much better cost of living than Florida.
FLORIDA
WEATHER
Beyond the
geographic considerations noted above, heat
and wind have the greatest impact on Florida's weather.
If the wind is blowing from the north,
it brings cooler and lest
humid air. If wind is blowing from the south it brings warm,
moist tropical air. Westerly or easterly breezes also tend
to
bring in moist ocean air.
In summertime the sun
heats the land dramatically. Late
afternoon sea breezes collide with hot inland temperatures to create
thunderstorms. There are times of the year where Florida's west
coast residents can almost set their watch by the very predictable
later afternoon thunderstorms. It's not unusually to
receive several inches of rain from one storm. Florida rain can be extremely
isolated. Rain can be
remarkably heavy for short periods (the disappear for the rest of the
day.) New residents may be
surprised to see it raining at one
freeway exit and sunny at the
next. There are times when it rains when the sun is out ("sun
showers.") It can also rain
in the front of your house and be dry
in the back. Florida's rainy season runs
April-October. The
rainy season provides 70% of Florida's annual rainfall.
Florida is the Lighting Capital
of Planet Earth. Lightning
is especially prevalent in Central
Florida. Lightning is so
common it's easy to get complacent. However, many Floridians die
here
each year from lightning strikes. You should always take proper
precautions to protect yourself and your property from lightning.
WHAT
IT'S LIKE TO LIVE IN FLORIDA
A FLORIDA REALITY CHECK
Regardless of
where you live, there are some dynamics here that
will impact your life. Here's a reality check on what it's like
to actually live in Florida:
> Seasonal Population:
Many parts of Florida experience
population booms in the winter ("The Season".) This means that in
winter you
have significantly more auto traffic, restaurant crowds and a longer
wait to see a doctor. It can be very hard to get a cheap flight
in winter.
TIP: When buying Florida real estate, ask about the seasonal
nature of the
community. Some neighborhoods become 90% empty in summer while
others remain full all year.
> Everyone Here Is From Somewhere
Else: Native Floridians are rare. The population is
very transient. The real estate housing inventory turns over
frequently due to relocations and death of older residents.
> Garages And Storage
Space: Florida homes are notorious
for having small garages and limited storage space. Builders have
found
they can save construction costs by making closets, attics and garages
smaller. Of course there are no basements in Florida because of
the sandy soil and wet conditions.
TIP: Get rid of as much "stuff" as you can prior to
moving to Florida. When you are shopping for a home, carefully
evaluate where all of your belongs will fit. Also evaluate your
wardrobe. A lot of heavy winter clothing may not be needed after
you move to Florida.
> Air Conditioning: In
Florida, high electric bills due to air
conditioning are as common as high gas/oil heating bills up
north. Central air conditions run most of the year. Do to
heavy use and moist conditions, most A/C units last about 7
years. It costs $5,000-$10,000 to replace a central air
conditioning unit on your home (some home have two or three central
units.)
AIR CONDITIONING TIP: Since air conditioning is so
important, plan to take extra good care of your system. Purchase
a service contract for your central air conditioning system.
Service companies will come to your home twice a year to perform
routine maintenance. Regular service will extend the life of your
A/C unit, reduce your power bills and keep your home cooler. This
may seem unusual to a new transplant, but it's a necessary part of
Florida living.
AIR CONDITIONING TIP #2: Air conditioning is required to
preserve the interior of your house. Air conditioning reduces the
amount of moisture in the air. When it's hot and humid you should
never close up your home without at least minimal air conditioning
available (for instance, leave your thermostat on 82 degrees.)
A/C will reduce interior humidity and prevent damage to interior metal
and wood. Air conditioning also discourages mold and mildew
growth.
> Home Maintance:
Homes in Florida simply require more maintenance than homes
elsewhere. Moisture will rust or rot your exterior doors.
The sun will quickly damage your exterior paint. Algae and mildew
will form on your roof, walkways and exterior walls. The heat
will take its toll on your roof, air
conditioning and pool equipment. You simply need to allow extra
time and money to maintain your real estate under these conditions.
> Controlling Mildew And Algae:
You will find that mildew and algae grow on everything (roof, exterior
walls, sidewalks, tree trunks, screen enclosure, pool deck, etc.)
TIP: The best way to control mildew and algae is with household bleach. Simply buy
one of those garden sprayers that connects to your hose (the kind used
to spread fertilizer or pesticide.) Fill the sprayer's mixing jar
with bleach. Spray down mildew prone surfaces once every 4
months. I recommend buying the "long distance tree and shrub"
sprayer because it can reach high on walls and up to the roof.
You can also use a handheld spray bottle or large pump pesticide
canister sprayer. Mix up a solution of one third bleach to two
thirds water. Spray the solution on any areas affected by mold,
mildew or algae. Be sure to leave the bleach
solution on the treated surface for at least 15 minutes so it has a
chance to work. Many people pay good money
for power washing when regular application of cheap household bleach
does a better job (and doesn't chip you paint like a power washer does.)
WARNINGS: Always wear eye
protection to keep bleach solution out of your eyes.
Always rinse bleach treated
surfaces with fresh water after 15-30 minutes so the bleach doesn't
damage the treated surface. Of course be sure to move any fabrics, furniture, etc.
away from the bleached areas so they won't get faded by the bleach.
> Hurricanes:
Hurricane season runs from June through
November. However, most hurricanes strike in late August or
September. All of Florida is vulnerable to hurricanes that hit
from the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
Although hurricanes can be several hundred miles across, catastrophic damage will be limited
to a
relatively small area. People relocating to Florida don't need to
be paranoid about hurricanes.
Floridians know their hurricane evacuation routes. They
understand the difference between Category 1 storm strength and
Category 5 storm strength. Floridians develop a hurricane plan
for their
home.
Remember that in less powerful storms it might be more dangerous to
evacuate than to stay in your home. The only roads leading out of
Florida are I-95, I-75 and Florida's Turnpike. There is no way
these roads can accommodate a major evacuation.
For example (based on our specific inland location) our family's
plan
calls for us to stay put in the event of a Category 1 or Category 2
hurricane. We will evacuate 2 days in advance of a Category 3 or
stronger storm. Your hurricane plan will depend on your specific
location, health, evacuation routes and population density.
Make informed
decisions. After creating your personal hurricane plan during
your first hurricane season, review it annually at the start of
each season. Click
here for more about Florida hurricanes and developing your
personal emergency plan. TIP: In 1995
Florida's building codes changed
significantly (as a result of Hurricane Andrew.) Homes built
after 1995 may be better at resisting strong wind. When
buying, ask about the hurricane protections built into any prospective
real estate.
> CBS Construction:
Most Florida homes are C-B-S (Concrete
Block and Stucco) and are built
on concrete slabs. CBS homes offer good protection from
windstorms, rot and termites. They're well insulated and well
suited
to the hot climate. Most homes offer tile rather than wooden or
carpeted floors.
> Swimming Pools: If
you've ever thought about having a
swimming pool, Florida is a great place to have one.
FLORIDA SWIMMING POOL TIP #1: If you're a swimming
pool novice and buy a house with a pool, find a pool service company to
take care of it for a month or two while you settle in. Then go
to your local pool supply store (a place like Pinch A Penny) and
ask if they are offering any "Pool School" classes. They can tell
you everything you need to know about taking care of the pool
yourself. Once you're ready, get rid of your pool service.
It's quick and easy
to take care of a pool.
FLORIDA SWIMMING POOL TIP #2: Get a pool
heater. It might sound ridiculous at first, but you will want to
have a heated pool. Floridians quickly become acclimated to the
heat and warm ocean water. You will soon want to swim only in
water that's warmer than 80 degrees. Visitors expect to be able
to swim in your pool all year. Be sure to check out solar
pool heating. If your home's backyard has southern or eastern
exposure the Florida sun will heat your pool very nicely. Don't
forget to buy a solar blanket pool cover (with a reel) when using any
heater...
it really makes a difference!
FLORIDA SWIMMING POOL TIP #3: Get a screened-in pool
enclosure for your pool. New transplants may think enclosures
look strange, but they
really help you enjoy your pool area. You pool will stay much
cleaner and the amount of bugs will be greatly reduced.
Understand that in-ground swimming pools will have to be
resurfaced about every 10 years. Pumps must be replaced
every 5-7 years. Chemicals, heat, salt air and moisture are very
hard on pool equipment.
> Home Offices And Guest Rooms:
Many
workers in Florida are either self
employed or work out of their house. You may notice a
disproportionate number of homes with extra rooms set up as offices or
for guests.
> Taxes: Florida has
no state income tax and favorable death
taxes. However, the state still must operate. With
income taxes lacking, it makes up for the shortfall with high
property and gas taxes. Community services such as
libraries, schools, parks and roads also suffer. Fees are often
charged for public services that are free outside of Florida.
> Tax Tip: Take Advantage Of
The Homestead Tax Exemption: It's
not well publicized, but
Florida homeowners are entitled to a significant Homestead Property Tax
Exemption. You must act during certain times of the year
in order
to qualify. Click here
to learn more.
> Airline Travel: In
winter months, expect that all flights in
and out of Florida will be full. Good deals may be difficult to
get because of high seasonal demand. It's not uncommon to see a
dozen wheelchairs parked next to a gate awaiting the next arriving
flight. Extra patience may be needed when meeting an arriving
flight.
> Grocery Stores:
Florida grocery stores are mainly operated by Publix, Winn Dixie and
Albertson's. Publix is based in Central Florida. Publix has
some very nice stores. They tend to be the "hometown favorite" in
many Florida cities.
> Out Of Town Visitors:
You may be surprised at how many
people will want to visit you once you move to Florida.
Floridians
come to expect visitors. Everyone wants to vacation at the beach
or a theme park. They'll look you up for a friendly visit and a
free room.
TIP: When setting up your home, do so with extended stay
visitors in mind. Don't be afraid to set up ground rules for
visitors. You may be dealing with more people and longer stays
than you're used to.
> Boating, Canoeing & Kayaking:
Even if you
aren't a boater now, you may want to
seriously consider becoming one in Florida. The Florida waterways
are abundant
and very special. Click
here for more on why you would want to boat in Florida.
> Bicycling: Florida's
flat terrain and agreeable weather make it an excellent play to
bicycle. Click here
for more on bicycling in Florida.
> Golf: Florida is the
golf capital of the planet.
Summer rates are very affordable. Winter "in season" rates can be
quite high and it can be tough to get a tee time. Consider buying
a home in a golf community if you really like to play.
> Cruise Ships:
Florida has several ports offering cruise vacations. Proximity
means you can save a lot of money by driving to the ports rather than
having to fly in from elsewhere. Click here for a beginner's
guide to Florida cruise ship vacations.
> Your Neighbors:
Elsewhere it's common to visit outside with
your neighbors during nice summer weather. In Florida, it's
common to visit with your neighbors during the nice winter
months. Many Floridians spend the hot summer months inside to
avoid the heat and bugs. Neighborhood character can change
dramatically from winter to summer. TIP: You may want
to ask about this dynamic when
considering a home in a specific neighborhood.
> Condo Commados, Home Owners
Associations, Gated Communities And Planned
Communities: Many of
Florida's communities are governed by community associations or condo
boards. Realize that some exceptionally strict rule compliance
may be expected in these types of communities.
These governing boards can attract bored, picky and
inflexible people. Condo Commandos and community association
board members may have nothing better to do than snoop. Some go
overboard to
insure that everyone is following
the rules. Community associations can infuriate
otherwise normal people who unwittingly buy homes in overly restrictive
communities. It may sound funny if you're not from Florida, but
problems with community
associations/Condo Commandos are serious and prevalent.
Accounts of these problems can be found in newspapers
and on the local TV news. TIP: Carefully
investigate any community association prior to
purchasing real estate. Ask about the temperament of past
governing
boards, the current board and where the community governing association
is likely to be in a few years. It only takes one nasty board
member to damage a community. Carefully read a community's rules
and make sure you are okay with all of them. The rules are likely
to become more strict over time. If you're not comfortable with
careful enforcement of all
the community rules, do not buy a home in a restricted community.
> Florida State And Local
Governments: If you live in a place
where government is efficient and uses common sense to serve its
residents, expect things to be different when you arrive here.
Florida government is largely comprised of fiefdoms. Sometimes it
can seem that there is
more
concern among public officials for protecting their turf than working
together to serve citizens. The state legislature can be
remarkably
ineffective. Most representatives appear beholden to big
agriculture, lawyers, insurance or big tourism. To get even
minor items accomplished, Florida citizens frequently are asked to
amend the state constitution. Things do get done in Florida, but
usually not in a way that will make you proud.
> Florida Is A Law And Order State:
Florida invests a lot in
police agencies, jails and courts. Expect a tough stance on crime
and harsh penalties for minor infractions. Frequent summons for
jury
duty service can be a burden for working people under 70 years old
(residents over 70 are automatically excused because of age.)
> Schools: It would be
hard to overstate the poor
condition of most Florida public schools. Florida, Alabama and
Mississippi are generally the last among the 50 states in funding and
test scores.
Public education is not likely to improve. Simply stated,
families with
children are a minority in Florida. Retirees have already
educated their children. Retirees are not likely to vote in favor
of additional taxes to support schools. The state legislature
does not value education because its largely older constituency doesn't
want to pay for it. There are no major industries demanding
that the State better prepare the future workforce.
TIP FOR FINDING A GOOD FLORIDA SCHOOL: It is possible to
find a few good schools within any
school district. Florida gives letter grades to each of its
schools. Before buying real estate, check to see if it is
served by an "A" rated school. This will insure that area
children will get decent education and protect your
property value.
> Florida's Insurance Crisis:
All forms of insurance in
Florida are disproportionately expensive. Florida insurance rates
are
so high that the State calls it a crisis. Insurance companies
offer some general explanations to skeptical residents:
Insurance companies say health insurance costs are high because
of an older population
and Florida's unusually high cost of malpractice insurance for
doctors. TIP: Be sure to ask your doctor if he/she has
malpractice insurance. Many Florida doctors are simply doing
without it.
Providers say auto insurance is high because of crowded roads,
the mix of
youthful and older drivers and theft of vehicles for overseas export.
Insurance companies say homeowners insurance is high due to risk
of hurricanes.
Many insurance companies will not write new policies on properties
within 5 miles of the beach. The State Of Florida offers "insurer
of last resort" polices for coastal properties. However, premiums
can be several thousand dollars a year and deductibles can be more than
the price of a new car.
Why are rates really so high? My sense it that it is a
combination of an ineffective legislature, trial lawyers run amok and
too many small or fraudulent claims. Florida is also home to
wealthy people who can afford to pay more... so insurance companies
take advantage. If the market will support unrealistically high
rates, high rates will be charged (this is also reason for high gas
prices in some areas.)
Don't look for the insurance crisis to end any time soon.
There are simply too many people profiting from the status quo.
The hope is that the exorbitant policy premiums will attract new
insurance companies and drive down the rates.
Insurance rates vary widely throughout the state.
Tallahassee has some of the cheapest rates, while Miami and West Palm
Beach have the most expensive. As a general rule, a city's
housing cost the cheaper its insurance rates will be. INSURANCE TIP:
Most insurance companies will not write new policies for people moving
to Florida. However, some companies will write Florida policies
for current customers with
existing home owners policies elsewhere. Before moving to
Florida, find out which insurance companies will write Florida policies
for existing customers. Change your current insurance over to one
of these companies. This will make it much easier to get
insurance when you ultimately relocate to Florida. INSURANCE TIP:
Review all of your insurance with your agent when setting it up.
Raising deductibles, especially on home owner's insurance, may save you
a lot of money in the long run. Most people don't want to make
small claims because the number of claims can raise your insurance
renewal rates. If you are afraid to turn in a claim for a couple
of hundred dollars, why pay to have low deductibles? High
deductibles protect you from catastrophe and keep your premiums
lower. Use the money saved on premiums to make that occasional
repair that you may have turned in as a claim.
A lot of people simply carry over the insurance coverage limits
and terms they had from their previous policies issued elsewhere.
The business of insurance in Florida is different than elsewhere.
Challenge your agent to save you money.
> Scams And Fraud:
Fraud and scams are everywhere in
Florida. Con artists like to prey upon the elderly. Be
especially careful of phone scams, driveway repair scams, roofing scams
and any unsolicited offer for home improvements. The infamous "Irish
Travelers" (professional traveling home repair scam artists) show
up here each winter.
> Service People: It
is very hard to find good service people
in Florida. There is so much work for service people that they
"don't have to be good." Plan to spend extra time researching
reputable air conditioning service, yard service, painting and pool
service
people.
> Health Care: Florida
attracts a lot of doctors.
However, during the winter supply of doctors usually can't keep up with
demand from patients. Expect unusually long waits to see a
doctor. See above notes about Florida's health care and
malpractice insurance crisis.
> Finding A Job In Florida:
Florida has a service based economy. Florida's economy depends on
tourism, health care and
construction. There is very little manufacturing or big business
here.
You will see a lot of self employed people in Florida (note the
large number of service vehicles and private cars with commercial signs
on them.) As noted above, you may also see homes with
extra bedrooms set up as offices.
Since many of Florida's residents are retired it can be tough
to find a good dry cleaner. If you wear business attire while
shopping there's a good chance the other shoppers will assume that you
work at the store (and ask you questions.)
Bluntly put, finding employment in Florida can be tough.
If you need a Florida job, it's best to secure one before coming
here. If not, be prepared for a long job search or to accept
reduced pay. Florida is a Right To Work State with a base of
mostly low paying jobs. Most Floridians are retired. As
such, the work world takes a back seat to the needs of those who don't
work.
> Widespread Wealth:
Huge homes, fancy cars, yachts and
private planes are surprisingly common in parts of Florida.
Wealth is so prevalent that it can make you wonder why you don't have a
private jet. There can be a lot of conspicuous consumption.
> The Body Ethic & Plastic
Surgery: Transplants may be surprised
to see the level of "body consciousness" in some Florida
communities. Physical fitness, having a tan and the "right"
appearance can be quite important. You may also be surprised at
the number of plastic surgeons and their aggressive advertising.
> Florida Sunshine:
People are generally surprised by the intensity of the sun in
Florida. Sunlight is especially intense in the summer
months. Plan to wear 30 SPF sunscreen, hats and long sleeve
shirts when outside for more than a few minutes.
Remember that sun damage to skin is cumulative. Day-in,
day-out exposure to the strong tropical sunshine will take its
toll. Remember that sunshine isn't just a "beach issue." UV
bombards you in Florida while doing every day tasks like driving or
exercising.
You will want to buy windshield sun shade for your car.
Auto sun shads help keep down the interior heat and protect your
dashboard from cracking.
> Keeping Up With The Jones:
Some Florida communities have
people with a lot of time and money on their hands. Some parts of
Florida are very materialistic. You may feel pressure to "keep up
with the Jones." You may also see others struggling with debt
incurred to keep up appearances.
> Car Culture:
Floridians seem to take a greater interest in
their cars (and other people's cars) than elsewhere.
> Florida Drivers: All
the stereotypes about Florida drivers are
true. In addition to slow elderly drivers, there are clueless
tourists and an unusual amount of devil-may-care aggressive
drivers. It's a toxic mix.
The degree of rubber-necking at accident scenes is
remarkable. Rain can bring a freeway to a standstill.
My best advice is to be a patient, defensive driver when in
Florida. If not your stress levels will go through the roof. Click
here to read about a new Florida resident's experiences driving
here.
> Insects: Expect to
find that insects will be more plentiful and
more bothersome than elsewhere. Fire Ants will live in your
lawn. Tiny Sugar Ants will be in your kitchen cabinets.
Termites will eat your wood. Mosquitos are
everywhere (some carry West Nile disease and Malaria.) Love Bugs
will plaster you windshield a couple of times each year.
"No-see-ums", wasps and spiders are common.
Many Floridians have service contracts with exterminators (to
insure homes get sprayed at regular intervals.)
> Other Wildlife Of Note:
You may encounter alligators,
manatees, dolphins, sharks, jellyfish, Man-O-War, sting rays, possums,
skunks, sea turtles, sea
lice, deadly land snakes, water snakes, panthers, owls
weasels, otters and fresh water turtles. Much of Florida's
residential property was carved from the Everglades or
wildlife-abundant scrub
land. Expect to find these animals in the most unusual
places.
> Plant Growth: Plants
in Florida grow all year. You may
need to trim your hedges 4 times a year. Depending on where you
live, you may need to cut your lawn every week throughout the year.
Expect to see huge piles of yard waste by the side of the
road. Many Florida cities allow residents to trim their
trees/bushes and simply drag the large branches to the curb for pickup.
Don't forget to fertilize frequently. Florida soil is
mostly sand and doesn't hold nutrients long.
> Invasive Plants:
Florida is struggling with several invasive
plants. These plants were imported from elsewhere and now grow
out-of-control. Invasive plants choke out native plant
life and dominate the landscape. You may be required to remove
any invasive plants from real estate you own in Florida. Click here
for more about Florida invasive plants.
TIP: If you
are going to add landscaping to your home, consider
having a plan drawn up by a professional. Use native
Florida plants... especially those that are drought/fire resistant and
attract wildlife.
> Life On The Lanai:
One of the best parts of living in Florida
is enjoying your back porch. Invest in a nice outdoor furniture
and a grill. Get a screened-in porch. Consider putting a TV
on your porch so you can watch from outside in the evenings.
Install stereo
speakers on your porch. Hang "rope lights." Install
floodlights to illuminate your backyard. Purchase a "chiminea" or
outdoor gas heater for those chilly nights. Eat all of your meals
outside. Many Floridians regard their verandahs as another room
in
their house. Many people "live" on their lanais during pleasant
weather.
> Slider Weather: For
a few months each year, Florida's
extreme heat and humidity give way to comfortable temperatures and
moderate humidity. This is "Slider Weather"... the time of year
to open up the sliding glass doors and windows to let in the fresh
air. Select a house with good cross ventilation so you can make
the most of these wonderful times of the year.
A FINAL THOUGHT
Carpe Diem! As noted here there are both joys and
drawbacks to the Florida lifestyle. If you're going to move here,
be sure to enjoy the
many great things about life in Florida. Golf, boat, see the
State Parks, go to the beaches and tour Florida's many interesting
cities. It's always surprising to meet Floridians who never go to
the beach or get out of their house. Make plans not only to move
here, but plans to insure you make the most of life once you are here.
Thank
you for visiting Moving To
Florida: Relocation Tips.
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