Whether moving for work, school, or to be closer to family, many people dream of living in an area with a warm climate near the ocean. Many people fantasize about a resort-style life, where there is always something happening and lots of time can be spent outdoors. It seems that Florida can offer all of that to its residents.
As the southernmost state in the United States, Florida is one of those places that make people think of sunshine and fun. With great weather almost year-round, Florida has many outside activities for the entire family to enjoy. It is one of the most visited tourist locations in the US and the “Villages” is one of the fastest-growing retirement communities in the country. Continue reading for some things to consider and the pros and cons of moving to Florida is an option.
Some Pros About Life in Florida
1. There are No State Income Taxes
A few places in the United States don’t collect state income taxes, and Florida is one. That means that residents do not have to file state income taxes. No taxes appeal to seniors who are downsizing for retirement and want to sell a larger home for something smaller. They can find and work with agents who have decades of experience and have worked with hundreds of home sellers to figure out the right fit.
There are a variety of different price ranges. Oceanfront property can easily cost a million dollars or more but there are also places where you can still buy a home for under $200,000 or even a mobile home for under $50,000. So whatever your budget, Florida has an option for you.
2. There are World Class Beaches and State Parks
There isn’t anyone who would disagree that Florida has some of the best beaches and parks in the world. The sand is warm, and the water is blue, and there is lots of it. Two beaches, Grayson Beach State Park and Caladesi Island State Park were recently recognized among the top beaches in the world. Tripadvisor ranked the following beaches as 4 1/2 stars:
- South Beach
- Fort Lauderdale Beach
- Clearwater Beach
- Playalinda Beach
- Henderson Beach State Park
- Panama City Beach
- Keewaydin Island
- Cocoa Beach
- Hollywood Beach
- Siesta Beach
- St. Pete Beach
- Caspersen Beach
- Okaloosa Beach
- Fort Meyers Beach
- Pensacola Beach
- And Many More.
Some other beaches and parks are:
- Miami Beach
- Destin Beach
- Amelia Island State Park
- Little Talbot Island State Park
- Alafia River State Park– (Mountain Biking)
- Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
- Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park (rugged wildlife)
- Sanibel Island
Along with great beaches, Florida is the place for those who love outside activities. If you enjoy the water and being on it to sail, swim, cruise, or even yacht, with over 1200 miles of coastline, and over 30,000 lakes Florida is the place. Not only is water everywhere for these activities, but a lot of large cruise lines also leave Florida.
3. There are Lots of Theme Parks
Florida is probably most known for its famous theme parks. There isn’t anyone who doesn’t know that Florida is home to Disney and Universal Studios. It is reported that they have over 20 million visitors yearly.
In addition to Disney and Universal, some other theme parks in Florida include:
- Sea World
- Busch Gardens
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Old Town
Some Cons About Life in Florida
4. The Heat Can be Oppressive
Even for sun worshippers, being overcome with heat and humidity daily can take a toll and make them become oppressed. That is a drawback for some who enjoy seasonal weather changes but know that Florida’s temperatures don’t vary much.
5. Some Areas Can be Touristy
If you don’t like people coming into town for parties every weekend, maybe Florida isn’t the place for you. Florida is warm, so it is often the hub for winter vacations and Spring break. Everything about it makes it a tourist location and there is never an off-season in Florida, and specific beaches and attractions are over-saturated.
6. High Sales Taxes
One of the reasons Florida can afford to eliminate income taxes is because of its sales taxes. The state sales tax rate in Florida is 6.000%. With local taxes, the total sales tax rate is between 6.000% and 7.500%. This is applied to all food items, especially restaurants, in an effort to shift the tax burden toward tourists as much as possible.
7. There Are Lots of Bugs
Because there is so much warmer humidity and sunshine in Florida, there are also a lot of bugs. It is not unusual for homes in Florida to have netting around the pools to keep bugs out. It is also not unusual for homes to have water bugs and spiders inside them.
8. There is Little To No Public Transportation
You have to drive almost everywhere you want to go in Florida, which means highways are often overcrowded. Public buses are limited to the major cities and tourist attractions, but many retirement communities use golf carts to get around.
As you have read, Florida has a lot to offer its residents. However, as with any place, there are pros and cons to living in Florida. Eight of those are listed above and are a good place to start when you are considering moving to Florida.
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