Moving to South Florida after military service can be an exciting opportunity for veterans looking to establish a new home. Many military personnel who lived in military housing can find suitable new housing in South Florida, which has many coastal towns and cities, along with plenty of job opportunities and outdoor and cultural activities.
Housing costs, homeowners insurance, employment opportunities, and access to healthcare can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood in South Florida. The initial cost to live in a neighborhood can hide additional costs that can become a challenge over time for veterans transitioning from military housing to a home of their own in civilian life.
Choosing the Right Community for Your Lifestyle
Many other South Florida cities are much smaller, such as Fort Lauderdale, and several others in Broward and Palm Beach County. The area also has many suburbs, with varying housing costs and different communities to choose from.
A veteran considering retirement after leaving military service would likely look for communities with jobs that pay well because of their military experience. In addition to location and amenities, veterans must consider whether the work will pay enough to cover the cost of the housing they choose, plus transportation to and from work.
Another key factor in selecting a community to reside in is access to healthcare for veterans. This includes the proximity of VA facilities and other healthcare providers that may serve the veteran. When considering daily activities, having healthcare services nearby can certainly make life easier for veterans.
Understanding Housing Costs and Mortgage Options
While the purchase price is the highest cost of buying a home, other expenses like property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and homeowners association fees can add up quickly. For veterans looking to relocate to South Florida, it is wise to factor these expenses into your budget so you have enough funds after you move in.
Mortgage interest is another important factor, particularly for veterans comparing properties at different price points. Reviewing the current VA loan interest rate information can provide a useful starting point for estimating monthly payments and understanding how financing costs may affect a household budget over time. Buyers should also compare lender fees, repayment terms, closing costs and any applicable VA funding fee to get a clearer picture of what they can afford.
Preparing for South Florida’s Insurance and Maintenance Expenses
Although each veteran’s circumstances are unique, many are surprised by the specific needs of homeownership in Florida—especially for those who have lived elsewhere in the country. For example, insurance rates can be affected by a home’s location relative to other homes, its age and construction type, and features such as storm-resistant roofing.
When looking for a home in Florida, it’s also a good idea to factor in homeowners insurance costs, which typically range from around $1,000 to over $3,000 per year. Homeowners’ policies can vary greatly from one home to another based on factors like the home’s age, location, the types of construction materials used, and even the presence of storm-resistant features. Standard homeowners’ policies typically don’t cover flood damage, so you must purchase a separate flood policy.
A veteran buying an older home should research the home’s flood history, inspect the roof, check drainage, and determine what maintenance may be needed.
Additionally, make sure to get quotes for insurance before purchasing the home to avoid being surprised by any unexpected costs.
Exploring Employment and Career Opportunities
Most industries and employers are represented in South Florida, including healthcare, transportation, logistics, hospitality, technology, and more. In addition, military experience can translate into similar civilian positions.
Military veterans have many career paths available, and although some skills transfer to other roles, others may require additional certifications or licenses to practice. However, the experience gained whilst serving can be very useful in certain industries such as leadership, operations, maintenance, and management.
It is also wise for transitioning military service members to compare potential job wages with the costs of local housing and transportation. Although a job offer may appear very attractive, the anticipated flexibility in their new pay may be consumed by normal living expenses.
Taking Advantage of Available Veterans’ Resources
Florida and communities across the state offer many programs and services to support military members and their families. Resources to help establish financial stability while in South Florida include property tax exemptions, employment assistance, education benefits, and programs for veterans’ housing needs.
Veterans with a service-connected disability may also be eligible for a property tax exemption on their primary residence. For details on these benefits, contact the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs or your county’s property appraiser’s office and ask about the qualifications for each benefit.
Many local service organizations can connect military members with career resources, help apply for benefits, and connect them with others in similar situations to build new networks of contacts and friends.
Planning for a Comfortable Long-Term Transition
A successful move to South Florida depends on more than securing employment or purchasing a home. Veterans should consider how their chosen community will support their lifestyle, family responsibilities and financial goals over the coming years.
It’s wise to consider renting temporarily to explore different parts of a region, get familiar with typical traffic flow, and get a true sense of what housing actually costs in an area before you commit to a long-term mortgage.
Relocating after military service can be a very challenging experience. A smart veteran prepares for the future by carefully evaluating possible locations based on factors like housing costs, job opportunities, veteran health care, and benefits to ensure the chosen location is right for them and their family in the long run.
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