Thinking about relocating to Florida soon? The sunshine state has been most people’s destination for the past couple of years. Relying on tourism, transportation, and agriculture, Florida is the third most populated state in the U.S and the fourth-largest economy in the country. According to Florida’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Florida grew by an estimated 329,717 new residents between April 2020 and April 2021. In addition, a 2020 National Association of Realtors analysis shows 28% of the people who moved to Florida came from Texas, nearly 15% relocated from New York, and over 6% from California. While moving to a new state can be scary, there is so much to be excited about when moving to the sunshine state. Keep reading to find out all the information you need to make your move as stress-free as possible.
WARM WEATHER
It’s no surprise Florida is called “The Sunshine State” considering that out of the 365 days in a year, 200 of those days are sunny. With an average annual temperature of 70 degrees, it is the warmest state in the U.S. The winters are almost non-existent and the summers are hot and humid, meaning you can enjoy the beach or pool pretty much year-round while also getting your daily dose of Vitamin D. Since the winters are so mild, you will never have to worry about wet shoes in the snow, shoveling your driveway, or your pipes freezing. Besides it being warm and sunny for most of the year, the state is also surrounded by water on both sides so it tends to have severe weather during hurricane season from the months of June to November. Remember to always bring an umbrella during these months because thunderstorms can come out of nowhere.
TAX FRIENDLY
One of the best perks of living in Florida is not having to pay state income taxes due to the state tax revenue generated by tourism. This can be a huge benefit for both individuals and businesses as it allows high earners to save more of their income. Groceries and prescription drugs are also exempt from taxes. More importantly, people moving from states such as New York and California, who have high property taxes, will notice that our property taxes are significantly less. According to H&R Block, Florida’s average real property tax rate is 0.98%, which is slightly lower than the U.S. average of 1.08%.
REAL ESTATE
Florida’s real estate market is booming more than ever with an estimated 845 people moving to the state per day until 2025. The median home value across Florida is $342,077, but has been rising over the past year by 26.7% and is predicted to continue growing according to Zillow. If you’re interested in investing, PolicyGenius found that Palm Bay, along with other cities such as Tampa Bay and Fort Myers are listed as some of the best cities to invest in real estate in 2022. Keep in mind that Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Kissimmee, and Palm Coast are some of the most affordable cities in Florida to live in. Feel free to reach out to one of our agents if you plan on purchasing a home in Florida soon.
THINGS TO DO
Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and outdoor adventures including Clearwater Beach, Devil’s Den Spring, and Everglades Swamp Tours. The state is also a cultural hub with diverse types of cuisine, music, art, and history. Florida is home to the world’s best and most famous theme parks such as Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal Orlando Resort, and more. When you relocate to Florida, these parks are in your own backyard for your enjoyment. It’s safe to say you will never run out of things to do in Florida!
There are many reasons to relocate to the Sunshine State. We hope this article helped you fully prepare for your upcoming move!
