Moving Guide: Relocating to Florida

Every month, thousands of people move to Florida for a variety of reasons. Some come for the year-round sunshine, others for the absence of a state income tax, and others, simply because they love the Florida lifestyle.

If you’re thinking of relocating to the Sunshine State, here are some of the things you need to prepare for.

You’re in your favorite holiday destination all year round

If you’ve been coming to Florida often for a vacation, you know you’re in for some great fun and adventure when you finally call it home. With 1,350 miles of coastline, the state boasts gorgeous beaches where you can enjoy a ton of activities any time you want.

There’s more. Pine forests, nature preserves, and gorgeous parks abound. And because of the sunny weather most of the year, you have all the time you need to enjoy the outdoors. Florida residents also get discounted rates to the world-famous theme parks that millions visit every year.

You have to live with non-touristy things

As a highly popular vacation destination, Florida gets more tourists and part-time residents than any other state. That means the best destinations can get quite crowded during peak tourist seasons.

In addition, living here year-round means dealing with the extreme weather conditions the state gets, like hurricanes and too much heat and humidity. Here are some tips on how to prepare for these:

• Stock up on sunscreen and make sure you have a hat (or several) and
  plenty of light, breathable clothing that provides you with coverage.
• Have your air conditioner serviced annually so that it will be prepared to
  keep your home cool when it’s hot out.
• Find the evacuation routes near where you want to live and learn where
  the shelters are.
• Prepare a hurricane emergency kit.

There are dozens of neighborhoods to choose from

Florida has its fair share of great areas to live in. It’s important to look into different towns and cities to determine which one will be the best fit for you. Visit as many regions as you can, and spend a few days in each so you can get a feel for what it would be like to live in the area.

You get great school options for your kids

In Florida, there’s a wide variety of options for your children’s education. There are numerous charter schools as well as opportunities for exceptional and special student education. Many schools have a bilingual program where
students can learn Spanish at an early age.

Florida has over 60 school districts. Your zip code typically determines where your kids will attend public school. Some districts use a lottery system or testing. This map is a good starting point in finding a school for your child.

The culture is highly diverse

Florida is one of the greatest melting pots in the US. Many who come here for a holiday from various parts of the world fall in love with the place and decide to stay for good. The state also has a long Latino tradition, so you’ll find plenty of Hispanic influences, particularly in Miami. And the Southern culture is very much alive here.

Moving to the Sunshine State? We at The Connie Cabral Group will be very happy to help you find the perfect home and settle in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale/Broward areas. Call us today at 305.776.0899 or send an email to connie(at)conniecabral(dotted)com.