Moving to Florida: Pros and Cons of Living in Florida

“I want to move to Florida.”

No matter where you live in the country, you have likely uttered these words at some point or another. And it’s only natural – Florida seems like a paradise.

If you find yourself repeating that wish over and over again, however, maybe you should consider moving to Florida – the Sunshine State has a lot to offer and might be a great place for you to live.

Is moving to Florida a good idea? It depends on what is important to you and what you like and dislike.

The warm weather, wonderful beaches, blooming economy, endless entertainment opportunities, and astonishing cultural diversity in the Sunshine State are a strong draw.

However, the overcrowdedness, high humidity, frequent hurricanes, and dangerous wildlife can be deterring for many.

You need to be aware of both the pros and the cons of living in Florida – and to consider how they will affect you and your family – in order to be able to decide if moving to the Sunshine State is the right step to take.

Here are some of the most essential pros and cons of moving to Florida to help you make an informed decision.

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Pros of moving to Florida

Statistics show that the Sunshine State is one of the top inbound states in the country. So, why is that? Why are people moving to Florida?

The answer is easy to see – there are many good reasons to move to Florida: the weather is great, the nature is splendid, the economy is thriving, the cost of living is affordable, and there are tons of fun things to do.

Read on to explore the numerous advantages of moving to Florida:

1. Sunny weather

The Sunshine State is called so for a reason – Florida has more days of sunshine in a year than any other state in the country.

It’s the perfect place to live if you love the sun and warmth.

The subtropical and tropical climate in the state means it’s warm most of the time – the average annual temperature in Florida is about 71°F (21.5°C), the winters are mild, snow and ice are uncommon, and there’s no need for heavy winter gear or specialized winter equipment.

Apart from being very pleasant, the warm, sunny weather offers a number of great benefits:

• Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the levels of vitamin D in your body – and vitamin D boosts the immune system, improves metabolism, prevents bone and heart diseases, and provides higher energy levels;
• Colds, flu, sinus infections, joint pains, and other contagious illnesses and health problems are less common in warm weather;
• There’s no need to shovel snow in the winter or worry about icy roads and blizzards;
• You can plan outdoor events and enjoy outdoor activities all year round – and spending plenty of time outdoors is extremely beneficial for your health and psychological well-being.

All in all, the weather in Florida is a big draw – especially for retirees and people living in a cold climate.

2. Stunning beaches

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida has nearly 1,200 miles of coastline and more than 650 miles of gorgeous beaches.

It’s a real paradise for beach lovers – not only are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world located in Florida but no matter where in the state you are, you’re never more than an hour away from a beach.

So, even if you live in the center of the state, the beach is only a short drive away – you can enjoy the sand and the water any time you want to.

The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful – from the sand dunes and translucent waves to the magnificent sunrises and sunsets, every view is divine.

The wonderful beaches are among the main reasons why everyone is moving to Florida.

3. A plethora of outdoor pursuits and water activities

Thanks to the warm weather, the proximity to the ocean, and the splendid nature, Florida is a great place for outdoor pursuits and water adventures.

You can enjoy all kinds of exciting outdoor activities in the Sunshine State – and you can enjoy them all year round:

• You can go swimming, water surfing, jet skiing, sailing, or yachting in the ocean. Keep in mind though that in addition to the saltwater, there are also 4,308 square miles of lakes, rivers, and streams in the state that are perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking, and various other water activities;
• You can swim in one of the nearly 800 freshwater springs scattered throughout the peninsula and explore the astonishing underground caves hidden in the water;
• You can go snorkeling and scuba diving to look at the beautiful reefs and amazing marine life along the coastline;
• You can go for a canoe ride along the mangroves and do some bird-watching;
• You can spend the day hiking through an oak hammock forest or wildlife spotting in the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in the country – the Everglades.

The list goes on and on – whether you enjoy biking, camping, animal spotting, fishing, or swimming, the diverse landscape (coastlines, swamps, jungles, forests, fields, etc.) and abundant wildlife will certainly satisfy your passions.

Florida has a lot to offer to those who like getting out in nature and exploring the outdoors – and being able to engage in your favorite outdoor activities any time of the year is really nice. It’s more than enough to make people want to move to the Sunshine State and never look back.

4. Endless entertainment options

From theme parks and ghost tours to space centers and art museums, Florida offers every kind of entertainment experience imaginable.

The Sunshine State is home to some of the most famous theme parks and amusement parks in the world – Disney World, Legoland, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, etc.

There are plenty of cultural attractions as well – grand concerts and spectacular performances in arenas in big cities such as Miami or Tampa, the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, the Morikami Museum in Delray Beach with its beautiful Japanese Gardens, etc.

Those interested in space exploration, science, and technology can go to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral and train in spaceflight simulators, view the shuttle Atlantis, visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and even see a rocket launching into outer space.

Animal lovers can observe all kinds of sea creatures at SeaWorld in Orlando, swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove or Marineland Dolphin Adventure, meet a manatee in its home environment, see an alligator close up in the Everglades, etc.

With so many places of interest, Florida has something to offer to everyone – all within a day’s drive.

Feel free to

• have fun with the whole family in one of the amazing theme parks,
• see Cirque du Soleil in Orlando,
• attend a Broadway-style show in Sarasota,
• take a ghost tour in the “nation’s oldest city” – St. Augustine,
• enjoy a boat ride along the canals of the “Venice of America”- Fort Lauderdale with its 165 miles of intercoastal waterways,
• go on a photo safari in the Everglades,
• practice water sports, or
• just relax on the beach – the options are really endless.

Besides, with so many world-class resorts all around Florida, there are plenty of places to spend a fun night out, have a cocktail by the ocean, or dine at a fancy seafood restaurant – and the best part is that Florida residents get discounts at most attractions and resorts.

For those who live in the Sunshine State, every weekend feels like a vacation and there is always something fun to do. What better reason to move to Florida?

5. Thriving economy

As enjoyable as the weather, the beaches, the nature, and the fun opportunities in Florida may be, there is another extremely strong draw to live in the Sunshine State – its strong economy.

Florida’s economy is robust and diverse – tourism is prominent, of course, but many other industries (international trade, agriculture, construction, technology, aerospace and aviation, biomedical and life sciences, etc.) are also very well developed.

In fact, if Florida were a standalone nation, it would have been among the top 20 largest economies in the world!

Presently, Florida is one of the “best states for business” in the country, the GDP in the state is the fourth largest in the U.S., and the unemployment rate is well below the national average.  

The blooming economy provides a wealth of career opportunities and a stable financial environment – a big advantage for those looking to live and work in the Sunshine State.

In addition to its strong economy, Florida boasts an affordable cost of living – contrary to what you may expect for such a popular place, prices are quite reasonable and the state is in the middle of all states in the official cost of living affordability rankings.

Housing prices are relatively low in most of the state as well – waterfront properties in cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale may be super expensive, but homes in less popular locations (small towns, non-coastal areas, the northern parts of the state, etc.) are easily affordable.

What’s more, there is no state income tax – another big perk of living in Florida.

6. Cosmopolitan state

Florida has a very mixed population and the cultural diversity in the state is truly astonishing.

There are people of all ages and backgrounds in Florida.

Cultures from across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America are widely represented in the state and Native American, Hispanic, and African American heritages can be found everywhere.

The great diversity in the Sunshine State has resulted in great tolerance and open-mindedness – differences are appreciated and everyone feels welcome. No matter your age, religion, or ethnicity, you can easily fit in – Florida is a friendly place to live.

7. Sports galore

With its world-class sports facilities and numerous professional sports teams, Florida is the perfect place to be for sports fans:

• Some of the country’s top NBA, MLB, and NFL teams, such as the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars, are located in the Sunshine State;
• Many football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey teams from across the US come to Florida to practice in the off-season;
• The famous Daytona 500 race is held in Florida at the Daytona International Speedway;
• Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the country.

Best of all, whether you enjoy golf, tennis, or water sports, you can practice them any time you want – since the weather is almost always nice.

8. Great food

The Sunshine State is renowned for its delicious and healthy food.

The cuisine is diverse and exotic – Florida oranges and limes make incredible drinks and desserts (key lime pie is practically synonymous with the state), the seafood is fabulous, and Cuban sandwiches are everyone’s favorites.  

If you live in Florida you will not only have ample access to fresh seafood and tropical fruits, you will be able to actually grow citrus trees and pineapples in your own yard.

And if all of the above is not enough, here are a few more reasons to move to Florida:

• Some of the best educational facilities in the US are located in the Sunshine State;
• Florida has some of the best roads in the country;
• With its warm climate, splendid nature, relaxed pace of life, and friendly people, Florida is the perfect place to retire. (An extra bonus to moving to the Sunshine State in your golden years – you’ll never be lonely as children, grandchildren, and friends will want to visit all the time.);
• When you move to Florida, you get to live in one of the world’s top holiday destinations It’s a dream come true.

Must-read: 21 Fascinating Facts about Florida

In a word: Why move to Florida? Because it’s a great place to live, work (or retire), and have fun.

As wonderful as the Sunshine State may be, though, not everything is sunshine and rainbows – there are some drawbacks to living in Florida as well.

Cons of moving to Florida

Even though living in Florida may seem like living in paradise, you need to be realistic – no place is perfect, not even the Sunshine State.

There are some bad things about Florida too:

1. Heat and humidity

While the abundant sunshine and warm weather are some of the biggest advantages of living in Florida, the heat can be too much at times.

The weather is perfect in the winter, but the combination of heat and humidity during the summer months can be quite oppressive.

If you move to Florida, you’ll need air-conditioning most of the time.

And even though it will be sunny most of the time, you may not be spending as much time outdoors as you thought you would – it won’t be comfortable enough to be outside due to the high temperatures and high humidity.  

Besides, it rains a LOT in Florida and it rains heavily – torrential downpours are common during the rainy season and some of the thunderstorms and lightning can be truly terrifying.

2. Hurricanes

The tropical climate in the state and its close proximity to the ocean put Florida at a high risk of natural disasters.

Historically, the Sunshine State has the most hurricanes in the country. Needless to say, these severe tropical storms can be very destructive and disruptive.

Tornadoes are also common – they can occur all year round and cause all kinds of damage.

Flooding is frequent and unpredictable and poses quite a threat to waterfront properties.

Such calamities are one of the strongest reasons not to move to Florida.

3. Too many tourists

With more than 100 million visitors per year, Florida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. And while tourists are good for the local businesses, the crowds can be truly annoying.

Throngs of vacationers crowd the beaches, restaurants, shops, and entertainment locales during the summer and numerous “snowbirds” invade the state during the winter. The cities and beaches are packed with people, the traffic is terrible, and there is trash everywhere.

What’s more, many areas have become overly commercial and lost their character. It’s all very irritating to Florida residents.

If the overwhelming touristy feel bothers you, then moving to the Sunshine State may not be a good idea.

4. Large population

With more than 21,000,000 residents, Florida is the 3rd most populous state in the country.

And more and more people are moving to the Sunshine State every year.

The population is exploding and that places a great strain on the infrastructure and natural resources of the state. The housing prices and cost of living have been steadily increasing in recent years and the traffic has become a nightmare.

Overcrowding is definitely reducing the quality of life in the state, so you may want to reconsider your desire to move to Florida.

5. Dangerous wildlife and plenty of bugs

If snakes and bugs creep you out, Florida may not be a good place for you. There are a lot of reptiles, insects, and other creepy-crawlies in the state:

• Alligators can be found anywhere in the state where there is water;
• Coyotes and other dangerous wild animals can be seen running around, even near big cities;
• Snakes are everywhere;
• Bugs are enormous and extremely annoying. There are hordes of bloodthirsty mosquitoes and sand flies.

On the topic of negatives, there are a few more things to know before moving to Florida:

1) Florida residents pay higher insurance costs as compared to other states in the US. Due to the state’s proneness to natural disasters, homeowners’ insurance is higher than in other parts of the country, and in some areas, property owners are required to buy flood insurance as well. And due to the heavy traffic and bad driving typical for the state, auto insurance tends to be rather high too.

2) Florida’s average crime rate is higher than the national average. While there can be quite a bit of crime in and around bigger cities, however, smaller towns are relatively crime-free.

3) The quality of healthcare in the Sunshine State is lower than in most states and most of the healthcare facilities in Florida are rated below average.

4) Public transportation is very limited – it’s virtually lacking outside the cities and even the big cities don’t have many public transport options. Having a car is pretty much a necessity for Florida residents.

5) Florida is an extremely flat state – if you like mountains, hills, and valleys, this state is not for you.

So, to sum it all up:

Is Florida a good place to live?

Yes, it is a great place to live, but it is not the right place for everyone.

You need to weigh the pros and cons of living in Florida and consider your lifestyle and your likes and dislikes – only then will you be able to find a definitive answer to the question “Should I move to Florida?”

And if the answer is positive, be sure to waste no time – start looking for an appropriate new home for you and your family in the Sunshine State, decide on a moving date, set up your budget, get rid of your winter gear, pack your items, and hire reputable Florida movers to help you move to your dream destination in a smooth and successful manner.

Moving to Florida will likely not only be the adventure of your lifetime but also the best thing that has ever happened to you.

May you always enjoy your sunny life!

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