If you’re like many Americans, you’ve taken the events of the past year as a sign that it’s time to take on some serious life changes.
For many, that’s meant finally leaving the cities for the next stage of life and starting over new. More people are moving to new areas than ever before, and you might feel that same wanderlust ahead of you now.
If you’re looking to head somewhere new to live, you might be considering moving to Florida as many have. There are a lot of great benefits of Florida living, and it’s easy to see why so many people have decided to make the vast Sunshine State their new home.
However, before packing up the truck, you’ll want to get familiar with what to expect when moving to Florida. What are the basics you need to know? Read on.
It Gets Hot
The number one thing you need to get familiar with before making the move to Florida is that the temperatures can get quite steep many months out of the year. If you’re not one who does well in heat and humidity, it can’t be understated how brutal some of the summer months can get.
Temperatures in the high 90s are not uncommon even in the northern areas of Florida, with southern areas staying in the 80-90 degree range even through much of the winter.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t some variation. Temperatures will drop across most of the state in the winter, and some relief can be had. Rain is also common across the peninsula state, with thunderstorms (and hurricanes) occurring frequently across the state.
If you’re moving from a different climate, all this heat and humidity might take a little getting used to. You might even have to switch out your whole wardrobe.
No State Income Tax
One thing the residents of Florida enjoy that many other people don’t is the fact that the state has no income tax. That’s right: when it comes to tax season, you won’t have to have a cut of your income taken out to fund the Florida government.
That’s more money back in your pocket to spend on tank tops, sunscreens, and bug spray. Florida has never had a state income tax policy in place, and this whole idea helps to make the cost of living in Florida more affordable in some ways than in other states.
If you’re looking to move where the tax collector won’t bother you quite as much, this is the place to head.
Tourism Rules
If you don’t like spending time with tourists, you might run into some issues almost anywhere you go within the state’s borders. Tourism is one of Florida’s biggest industries, and people from all around the world often come to take in Florida’s beaches, theme parks, and weather.
Living in Florida means getting used to the marketplace getting flooded with out-of-towners in various times around the year. This can be frustrating for some people, but it’s just a reality of living in a place where most people go on vacation.
These tourists do a good job of bolstering the economy and providing lots of work for the full-time residents of most cities, so keep that in mind when your irritation starts to get the better of you.
Snowbirds are also a common occurrence in Florida. No, that’s not some actual species of bird, that’s the common term for part-time residents of the state who come down to stay once the temperatures get too cold at their other home.
These are often retirees and other people who have summer homes elsewhere. As you can imagine, these new residents are slightly less disruptive to your daily routine than the tourists might be.
Florida Housing Market
It goes without saying that if you’re looking to get a home in Florida, you’re likely curious about what the housing market in the area looks like. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying a home or renting one, you’ll want to learn about what to expect when looking for a new place. Check out exprealty.com/us/fl/ for buying houses in Florida.
The home value median in the state of Florida is slightly higher than the rest of the nation, coming in just above $200,000 per home. However, a lot of that is expensive coastal communities up and down the state pushing those prices up.
Housing prices are steeply on the rise in Florida, however, as it remains a common destination for people. As far as rental prices go, the median price tends to hover just under $2,000 a month, though that all depends on the kind of place where you want to live.
It’s a competitive market in the state right now, with homes getting snapped up after only a few days on the market. If you’re planning your move in the near future, it will do you good to get familiar with the market as soon as possible. You can look here for more.
Doing so can ensure you know what you’re looking for and can lock in something great to lay the foundation for your move.
Moving to Florida
If you’re looking to make a move and make the Sunshine State your new home, there’s a lot to learn. The above are all important elements to familiarize yourself with before moving to Florida.
Need more advice and information about living in sunny Florida? What about real estate in general? Keep scrolling our blog for more.
