24 Must-Know Florida Pros and Cons Before You Move to the Sunshine State
In 1960, just shy of 5 million Americans called Florida home. Fast-forward to 2024 and Florida’s population is projected to reach 22.9 million in April, ranking the Sunshine State as the third-most populous state in the nation.
There are many reasons why Florida natives choose to remain in their state and why Florida historically receives the greatest number of new residents per day. However, living in Florida isn’t all sunshine and palm trees (ahem, roses).
Based on my five years of living in Florida, these are some wonderful and not-so-great aspects of life in the Sunshine State.
1: Outdoors Year-Round
Whether golfing, fishing, or bike riding is your jam, you can count on being able to do it in Florida pretty much 365 days of the year. You might even need to toss a jacket on in the process; frost and snow happen, though they’re short-lived, especially in central and south Florida.
2: Lovebug Season
If you have to look up the word “lovebug,” consider yourself lucky. Lovebug season, which is when elongated black flies mate in droves, occurs from April to May and August to September. Lovebugs get tangled in hair and leave sticky residues when they collide with cars. They’re the definition of a nuisance for Floridians.
3: Amazing Beaches
Florida has the most coastal mileage of the mainland U.S. But it’s not just the quantity of beaches that make Florida so great; quality matters too. So, how does Florida get the cliche soft, white sand? It turns out the majority of Florida’s sand is composed of minuscule quartz crystals.
4: Abundant Tourists
Not only do Floridians deal with the strain of an increasing population, but tourists also put pressure on the Sunshine State’s resources, such as trash management, not to mention its residents’ sanity. According to Visit Florida, about 135 million people visited Florida in 2023. Yes, many locals benefit from tourist dollars. But may I remind you that Florida’s resident population is around 23 million?
5: The Weather
The promise of warm, sunny days nearly year-round is what attracted me to Florida, and based on my experience talking with other transplants, many are in my same Sunshine State boat.
Contrary to its nickname, Florida only ranks tenth in the state for the amount of average sunshine it has. That’s a positive thing in my book. Cloud coverage and rain showers are a great reason to get some indoor work done.
6: The Weather (Again)
Although I’m a fan of Florida’s weather, I understand the folks who balk at it; heat and humidity aren’t for everyone. On top of that, people who live near the coast run the very real risk of losing their homes to a hurricane. Hurricanes land in Florida more than any other coastal state, with 120 hurricanes reported from 1851 to 2018.
7: No State Income Tax
Who doesn’t love keeping more of their hard-earned cash in their pocket? Unlike most Americans, Floridians don’t have to pay state income tax. That said, states still need to find a way to make revenue. Property taxes are one of the ways the local government earns some of its income, as Florida residents don’t pay among the lowest property tax rates.
8: Dangerous Animals
From West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes to alligators, animals big and small in Florida can harm humans and even cause fatalities. Some advice to Florida newbies? Use bug spray, keep piles of brush away from your home, and never feed the alligators.
9: Fairly Affordable Rent
I’ll probably get some flak for this one, so let me set the record straight: The affordability of rent depends on where in Florida you live. The cheapest major city for renting in Florida is Orlando, where a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,404. Compared to the national average of $1,330 for a one-bedroom apartment, that’s not a huge price difference to live in such a popular destination.
10: Snowbirds
No offense, Northerners, but snowbirds are like a thorn in many Floridians’ sides. People who spend their winters in Florida clog up the roads, create longer lines at supermarkets in touristy areas, and drive Floridians absolutely crazy with their hesitancy in navigating roundabouts.
11: Delicious Food
From conch fritters and key lime pie to Cuban sandwiches and Southern-influenced food, Florida is a haven for foodies. Residents can hop their way around their city and the state as a whole trying fried grouper sandwiches and other delicacies, learning which restaurants serve up their favorite flavors.
12: Insurance Costs
According to MarketWatch, Florida has the third-highest full-coverage car insurance costs in the nation. Floridians can expect to pay an average of $2,947 per year to maintain car insurance, with the severity of accidents and more litigated claims driving up the state’s overall high car insurance.
13: State Parks Abound
Florida has the fifth-highest number of state parks in the U.S., with 191 options for residents. Wekiwa Springs State Park is a must-experience for kayakers, and Little Manatee River State Park is great for alligator sightings, with manatee sightings being possible.
14: Natural Disasters
Hurricanes are the natural disaster that come to many Americans’ minds when they think of Florida. But, unfortunately for Floridians, it’s not the only natural disaster they have to worry about. Thousands of sinkholes exist in Florida, with more always being possible, given that Florida’s limestone and dolostone bedrock is prone to give out under extreme rain or drought conditions.
On top of that, sea levels across Florida are up to around eight inches higher now than they were in 1950. Rising sea levels could have detrimental effects on Floridians with coastal homes.
15: 365 Days of Swimming
Gone are the days when you need to call your local pool company to close your pool for the season. By living in Florida, you’ll be able to swim year-round.
Pro tip: To make swimming above water more comfortable, create a screened-in area around your pool.
16: The Drivers
Confusion about how roundabouts work isn’t the only driving-related issue Floridians encounter on the road. Many people, presumably many who are tourists, drive slowly in the left-hand lane. Furthermore, Floridians are notorious for not using their turn signals, something that might be a bigger issue for said tourists than for Floridians.
17: Special Tourist Discounts
Calling all Disney lovers! Florida residents can snag serious discounts at many tourist spots throughout Florida. Among the most notable is Disney World, where Floridians receive a 40% discount on 4-day tickets compared to non-residents. Universal Orlando Resort and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are some other places offering Florida resident discounts.
18: Overpopulation Issues
We’ve established that Florida’s tourist and resident population is growing. With that comes many issues, some of the most frustrating include standstill traffic and waste management problems. Florida has several garbage incinerators to reduce the amount of waste piling up in its landfills. However, some Florida residents report the air contamination from it is making them sick.
19: Retirees Are in Good Company
Want to be social during retirement? Florida is a great place to meet fellow retirees. Florida is home to over 1,000 senior living communities, and the Florida healthcare system is accustomed to working with patients in their golden years.
20: Long Commutes
For Floridians who are still of working age, long commutes are a reality for many. The reason? Job demand is high in tourist regions, but those areas are expensive to live in. The same goes for major cities. So, locals may have to travel long distances from their jobs to secure relatively affordable housing.
21: Impressive Lightning Storms
Lightning might not seem like a positive thing, and I hear you. But for those of us who enjoy a good lightning storm, you’ll statistically encounter the most lightning strikes in Florida. Not only does Florida have more lightning than any other state in the U.S., but the corridor between Tampa and Orlando is the area where lightning strikes the most within the Sunshine State.
22: High Utility Bills
Florida has one of the highest energy bill costs in the nation, with residents paying an average of $130.40 per month. That said, part of the reason why Floridians shell out so much money for their energy bill is to keep their houses cool with air conditioning.
23: Long Growing Season
Gardeners will appreciate that Florida has among the longest growing seasons in the nation. Even when growing watermelon and green beans are out of season, locals can pick fresh oranges from their trees during the winter months. Plus, strawberry season is in full force during the months of February and March.
24: Annoying Transplants
Transplants love comparing Florida to their home state. It can wear on locals listening to their fascination with palm trees, the weather, and talking about snowbirds as if the transplant had a lifetime of experience dealing with them. So, if you’re reading this as a Florida transplant or a transplant wannabe, do native Floridians a favor and keep your cool about your new home state.
21 Signs a Florida Transplant Is a Transplant
From the clothes they wear to the things they say, these are some of the many ways Floridians can spot a Florida transplant.
21 Signs a Florida Transplant Is a Transplant
The Sunshine State or Land of Regret?
Deciding to move to a different city is a big deal, and Florida cities are on many people’s radars. Florida’s warm weather and state income tax-free policies may draw you to call it your new home. But The Sunshine State doesn’t come without its drawbacks.
