Florida, also known as the Sunshine State, is definitely one of the most popular states in the United States.
Hundreds of thousands of people move to Florida each year for various reasons and they rarely regret having done so. If you are planning to do the same, here are some tips you should know before making Florida your new home.
Get ready to experience some crazy weather
Some people choose to move to this state so they could enjoy nice weather all year round. However, even though the state does live up to its nickname, there is more to expect than just sunshine.
Most of Florida has a sub-tropical climate. This means that summers are long and hot while winters are short and mild. There is a lot of rain during the summer, so rainstorms shouldn’t surprise you. Luckily, they don’t last for too long – usually about 45 minutes.
Since Florida is located on the east coast of the United States, it is highly likely that you will experience a hurricane or two. As a matter of fact, since 1851, there have been 37 hurricanes in Florida. The hurricane season lasts from June to November, so it would be smart to be on guard during those months.
Choose the right place to move to
Florida is a large state with a lot to offer, so everyone can easily find a place to live and enjoy.
There are various attractions in Florida such as:
- Sights and historical landmarks. There are a total of 92 fascinating sights and landmarks to see in Florida.
- Amusement parks. With 20 popular amusement parks (including water parks), the state of Florida can be rather fun for both tourists and residents of the state. If amusement parks are your cup of tea, Orlando is the place for you.
- Nature parks. Nature lovers enjoy exploring the wildlife of this state. With a total of 173 nature parks, they can easily have their pick.
- Beaches. Florida is mostly popular among tourists because of its many beaches. There are 190 beaches in total but one of the most popular ones is South Beach in Miami. If you want to be close to beautiful beaches, choose a city in the southeast such as Miami. New Miami residents are always fascinated by the coasts this city offers.
Don’t move to Florida during the summer
As we have mentioned above, the weather in Florida can get extremely hot. In fact, the temperature can go up to 90 degrees °F from June to August. So, even if you want to live in the Sunshine State, it wouldn’t be the smartest idea to move there during the warmest months.
The ideal time to move to Florida would be during the colder months which are from November to May. These months aren’t too cold and you will have a much easier time moving and making sure that everything goes as planned.
Expect to see a lot of wildlife
When you move to Florida, you will undoubtedly see a lot of wildlife. This state is home to both big and small fascinating creatures.
Most people already know that alligators are common inhabitants of Florida. However, there are many more animals to see there. You can also come across American crocodiles, armadillos, pelicans, bald eagles, bears, and even panthers.
Research sinkholes before moving
The entire state of Florida is built on limestone, a rock which causes sinkholes. If you move to Florida, a sinkhole could appear anywhere, even in your backyard.
Luckily, you can avoid this by researching areas in Florida with a high risk of sinkholes before actually moving there and thus prevent having your house destroyed. Still, you will probably run into a couple of sinkholes while living there but that shouldn’t discourage you from moving to the Sunshine State.
It is enough to research the sinkhole areas and inform yourself about the steps you should take if you happen to be close to one.
Get to know Florida’s laws
Before you move to Florida, you should get acquainted with the state’s laws. Even though most laws are the same across the entire country, there are some states that have specific laws and Florida is one of them.
For instance, it is illegal to fall asleep while at the hair salon. This may sound ridiculous, but it is still a law that has to be obeyed. So, the best tip we can give you is to read up on weird laws in Florida in order to know how to act while staying there.
While reading, you may as well get a good laugh about some laws:
- If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as if a vehicle was parked.
- It is illegal to sing in a public place while in a swimsuit.
- Penalty for horse theft is death by hanging.
Arm yourself with an insect repellent
Since Florida is a state with hot weather and high humidity, insects are a normal thing. As a matter of fact, there are at least 12,500 insect species living in Florida, so don’t be surprised if you come across some species you haven’t seen before.
There are various insects that you can find in Florida. Some of them include termites, mosquitoes, palmetto bugs, and fire ants. Also, don’t be surprised if you come across a flying cockroach as they are a regular occurrence in Florida.
Luckily, you can always buy some insect repellent to keep you safe. On the other hand, if you get bugs in your home, you can simply call an insect exterminator and you should be just fine.
