Sunshine, seashores, and palm bushes, or… visitors, alligators, and vacationers? Folks have many views in regards to the state of Florida. In fact, like all state, there are execs and cons of dwelling in Florida, and after dwelling right here for a yr (and visiting for over 5), I need to share my perception.
After rising up on the West Coast, my views of the Sunshine State had been restricted and included lots of stereotypes. Nonetheless, after turning into a resident, I’ve positively realized lots of issues about the advantages and downsides of dwelling in Florida.
15 Pros and Cons of Living in Florida
Thousands and thousands of individuals flock to Florida yearly. Whether or not it’s for retirement, Walt Disney World, or visiting the seashores, there are various the reason why individuals find it irresistible right here a lot and an limitless quantity of issues to do. However, what’s it actually wish to reside in Florida? In fact, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows – though there actually is lots of sunshine.
The professionals and cons under are based mostly alone private expertise, speaking with locals and transplants, and analysis from respected web sites. These are the 10 execs and 5 cons of dwelling in Florida.
The place is Florida?
Situated on the southeastern coast of the US, Florida has a inhabitants of nearly 22 million individuals. Identified for its unbelievable shoreline with superb seashores, the Sunshine State is house to main cities similar to Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, and the capital Tallahassee.
Additionally the flattest state in the US, Florida produces 70% of the oranges in the nation and is well-known for having the alligator as its state reptile. It’s a singular vacation spot with tons to supply, together with nature preserves, theme parks, museums, and extra.
Pros of Living in Florida
Thousands and thousands of individuals love calling Florida house – together with myself! These are some of the largest advantages of dwelling in Florida.
1. Beautiful Climate Yr-Spherical
Florida’s local weather is a significant draw for many who reside there or are contemplating a transfer. Identified for its tropical local weather, the Sunshine State gives residents heat temperatures year-round, particularly in the south. In actual fact, aside from Florida, the one state with a tropical local weather is Hawaii!
Throughout winter, you’ll be able to anticipate delicate climate, with temperatures hardly ever falling under 50 levels Fahrenheit, (until you’re in the northern areas). Throughout the summer season months, you’ll discover scorching temperatures, sometimes starting from round 88 to 91 levels Fahrenheit on common.
This heat and sunny climate is tremendous interesting for snowbirds and full-time residents alike. In any case, who doesn’t need to hang around on the seashore each month of the yr?
SEE ALSO: Finest Time to Go to Florida (Climate and Prices)
2. No State Revenue Tax
A serious profit to dwelling in Florida is that you simply don’t must pay state earnings tax. That is particularly good for individuals shifting from states the place taxes are an enormous burden, similar to Oregon or California, the place they are often as excessive as 10%.
Naturally, if you don’t must pay state earnings tax, you find yourself with the ability to save fairly a bit of cash. This further potential to avoid wasting means extra disposable earnings to do all of the enjoyable issues in and round Florida!
That is one of the largest the reason why I really like dwelling right here. I’ve been in a position to save 1000’s of {dollars}, just because of the shortage of state earnings tax.
3. You’re At all times Close to Water
Water lovers, rejoice! Florida is legendary for its prolonged shoreline, stretching an unbelievable 1,350 miles. This implies there are tons of seashores to discover! Some of essentially the most well-known seashores embody Clearwater Seashore, Siesta Key, Daytona Seashore, Panama Metropolis Seashore, and South Seashore in Miami. Every one gives one thing distinctive from the opposite.
Even in the event you reside inland, you’re by no means too removed from a seashore (inside an hour or two), so seashore day journeys are a breeze and you’ll be able to benefit from the solar, sand, and waves with out having to hop on a aircraft.
Apart from the coast, Florida can also be identified for its gorgeous lakes. Locations like Lake Okeechobee and the Harris Chain of Lakes are in style spots for swimming, fishing, boating, and having fun with nature. Irrespective of the place you select to remain in Florida, there’ll be a physique of water close by.
SEE ALSO: Finest Packing Checklist for Florida: 20 Should-Haves for the Good Journey
4. It’s the Theme Park Capital of the World
Walt Disney World, Common Studios, Busch Gardens, and extra – all of these world-famous theme parks are discovered in Florida. These huge parks aren’t simply tremendous enjoyable to go to, however in addition they play an important function in the economic system, attracting hundreds of thousands of guests annually and offering 1000’s of jobs.
For theme park fanatics, Florida is mainly a dream vacation spot. Disney lovers can spend days wandering the 4 theme parks of Walt Disney World. Thrill seekers will love the curler coasters at Common Studios. And for exhilarating rides mixed with wildlife adventures, Busch Gardens is the place to go.
5. Very Numerous Tradition
They are saying that selection is the spice of life, and Florida is one of essentially the most culturally various states in the nation. That is largely resulting from many individuals shifting to the state from different international locations.
The U.S. Census Bureau exhibits that the demographics embody about 60% white, 22% Hispanic or Latino, 16% African American, and 2% Asian. Over 20% of the state’s residents had been born exterior of the U.S.
Because of this wealthy variety and distinction in cultures, you’ll discover a wide selection of meals and music all around the state. These cultural elements make each day life in Florida extra colourful and vibrant than life in different components of the USA.
6. Nature Galore
Famend for its unbelievable assortment of parks and open areas, a significant professional to dwelling in Florida is the entry to nature. The state is house to 175 state parks and 11 nationwide parks, each with its personal magical, pure wonders. Some of essentially the most well-known parks are the Everglades Nationwide Park, identified for its expansive wetlands, and the Ocala Nationwide Forest, with trails and pure springs.
These protected areas present a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and plant species, providing guests a glimpse into Florida’s actually wild facet.
One fascinating truth about Florida’s wildlife is that it’s the one place in the world the place each crocodiles and alligators may be discovered dwelling collectively. This distinctive coexistence attracts nature fanatics from all around the globe.
7. Thrilling Sports activities Tradition
Some may say {that a} main profit of dwelling in Florida is the extreme sports activities tradition. The state is a hub for each school and skilled sports activities, which suggests there’s at all times a sport to catch and a workforce to cheer for.
On the skilled entrance, Florida boasts a quantity of main groups. Within the NFL, you’ve acquired the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. NBA followers can cheer for the Miami Warmth and Orlando Magic, whereas MLB fanatics have the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays. For these into hockey, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning provide thrilling NHL motion.
School soccer additionally holds a really particular place in any Floridian’s coronary heart – mine included! Groups just like the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, and Miami Hurricanes have devoted followings. Whether or not you’re a fan of skilled leagues, school sports activities, or simply going to a sport, Florida’s sports activities scene has one thing for everybody.
8. It’s a Mecca for Golf
For some, Florida is synonymous with golf. It’s no shock why because the state is house to over 1,200 golf programs. Because of the year-round stunning climate, the game attracts 1000’s of residents and guests alike. In actual fact, the town of Naples, FL is famend because the “Golf Capital of the World“.
The Membership at Olde Cypress might be one of essentially the most well-known programs in Naples. Different notable programs embody TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Seashore, the PGA Nationwide Resort in Palm Seashore Gardens, Streamsong Resort in Bowling Inexperienced, and the Seminole Golf Membership in Juno Seashore.
Florida additionally hosts many well-known golf tournaments all year long, together with The Participant’s Championship, The Honda Traditional, and the Valspar Championship.
9. Limitless Thrilling Actions
Living in Florida has opened up a world of adrenaline-inducing outside actions that I had no concept had been right here. Irrespective of the place you might be in the state or how previous you might be, you’ll find one thing memorable to do, whether or not you’re younger in age, or simply younger at coronary heart.
Image kayaking alongside light manatees, experiencing the frenzy of skydiving over the scenic Cape Canaveral, or taking an airboat by way of the Everglades. These are only a few superior execs of dwelling in Florida.
For many who love exploring beneath the water, there are dozens of lakes and rivers in Florida the place you’ll be able to scuba dive and snorkel. I really like how various the vary of actions obtainable right here is. You identify it…Florida has it. I imply it after I say that I haven’t had a boring weekend since I moved right here.
10. World-class Hospitals and Specialists
One of the important thing benefits of dwelling in Florida is the entry to some of the world’s greatest hospitals and healthcare. For instance, the nationally acknowledged Johns Hopkins All Youngsters’s Hospital on the West Coast in St. Petersburg is famend for its distinctive pediatric care.
Apart from Johns Hopkins, Florida boasts different unbelievable medical amenities just like the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and the Cleveland Clinic in Weston. These establishments are identified for his or her top-notch medical companies and superb employees.
An enormous perk for senior residents is the abundance of healthcare professionals specializing in geriatric care. Since Florida has a big retiree inhabitants, the state actually prioritizes aged care.
Cons of Living in Florida
Everyone knows that no place is ideal. Even the wonderful Sunshine State has its downfalls. Listed here are some generally mentioned cons of dwelling in Florida.
1. Threat of Pure Disasters
Regardless of having heat, sunny climate year-round, one of the disadvantages of dwelling in Florida is the chance of pure disasters. Hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, droughts, and wildfires are all dangers that must be thought of.
The possibilities of storms occurring yearly are fairly excessive, nonetheless, the severity ranges from delicate to extreme. In some areas, they hardly ever see any storms or harm in any respect.
Living in Jacksonville, we are inclined to have much less extreme storms than the southern or western components of Florida. Though, I’ve seen some fairly windy and loopy thunderstorms topple bushes. Preserve updated with climate warnings and authorities advisories earlier than and throughout your journey.
2. Tons of Bugs
If you happen to aren’t a fan of bugs, Florida won’t be for one of the best place you. There are tons of bugs right here – and some of them are fairly large. Roaches and fruit flies are widespread annoyances, significantly in the kitchen. It’s a identified truth in Florida that you simply do NOT preserve meals on the counters – take into account this a warning!
If that wasn’t sufficient to place you off, Florida additionally has different scary creatures like scorpions, snakes, cockroaches, and spiders. After which there are the mosquitoes. Throughout humid summer season months, the mosquitos are brutal, so preserve your bug spray helpful.
3. Proudly owning a Automobile is Mandatory
One of the cons of dwelling in Florida is that it’s a giant state with out many transportation choices for getting from main metropolis to main metropolis. This is usually a downside in the event you don’t have your individual automobile, a rental, or in the event you reside in a downtown metropolitan space.
In large cities like Miami, they’ve a strolling rating of 98, so it’s simpler to get by with out transport, nonetheless, you’ll in all probability nonetheless must take a prepare or Uber to get from one finish of the town to the opposite.
And in the event you don’t reside in a significant metropolis, having a automobile is just about a necessity. In smaller cities and rural areas, which make up a bulk of the state, public transportation choices simply don’t exist.
4. Alligators are a Very Actual Nuisance
To not scare you, however dwelling in Florida means you’ll be sharing your surroundings with alligators – they’re in every single place, particularly in lakes and ponds. So, in the event you’ve acquired pets or little ones, you’ll need to keep away from strolling alongside the lakeshores – it’s merely not well worth the threat.
If you happen to occur to ever discover an alligator chilling in your yard or someplace it shouldn’t be, there’s a Nuisance Alligator Hotline run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee that you may name.
Gators are normally on the transfer when it’s heat and throughout the night. It’s vital to remain conscious of your environment, preserve a protected distance, and give them the respect they deserve. They make up an enormous and vital half of the ecosystem in Florida.
5. It’s Very, Very Flat
An enormous draw back to dwelling in Florida, particularly for mountain lovers like myself, is that it’s flat. Very, very flat. The state’s highest level is Britton Hill, and it’s a measly 345 toes above sea stage. So, in the event you had been hoping for a lung-pumping hike… you received’t discover it right here.
So, sure, one of the disadvantages of dwelling in Florida is saying goodbye to rolling hills and majestic mountains. However a minimum of you get all of these seashores and sunny days, proper?
Resides in Florida Price It?
For me, coping with the cons of dwelling in Florida is positively value it. The professionals are priceless, and it’s apparent to see why so many individuals like to reside and go to this attractive state. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for your subsequent place to name house or simply your subsequent journey, Florida will definitely not disappoint.