Sunshine, seashores, and palm bushes, or… visitors, alligators, and vacationers? Individuals have many views in regards to the state of Florida. In fact, like every state, there are execs and cons of residing in Florida, and after residing right here for a yr (and visiting for over 5), I need to share my perception.
After rising up on the West Coast, my views of the Sunshine State had been restricted and included a whole lot of stereotypes. Nonetheless, after changing into a resident, I’ve undoubtedly discovered a whole lot of issues about the advantages and disadvantages of residing in Florida.
15 Execs and Cons of Residing in Florida
Thousands and thousands of individuals flock to Florida yearly. Whether or not it’s for retirement, Walt Disney World, or visiting the seashores, there are various the reason why individuals like it right here a lot. However, what’s it actually wish to reside in Florida? In fact, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows – though there actually is a whole lot of sunshine.
The professionals and cons under are based mostly alone private expertise, speaking with locals and transplants, and analysis from respected web sites. These are the ten execs and 5 cons of residing in Florida.
The place is Florida?
Positioned on the southeastern coast of the USA, Florida has a inhabitants of virtually 22 million individuals. Identified for its unimaginable shoreline with wonderful seashores, the Sunshine State is residence to main cities reminiscent of Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, and the capital Tallahassee.
Additionally the flattest state in the USA, Florida produces 70% of the oranges within the nation and is well-known for having the alligator as its state reptile. It’s a singular vacation spot with tons to supply, together with nature preserves, theme parks, museums, and extra.
Execs of Residing in Florida
Thousands and thousands of individuals love calling Florida residence – together with myself! These are a few of the largest advantages of residing in Florida.
1. Beautiful Climate Yr-Spherical
Florida’s local weather is a serious draw for individuals who reside there or are contemplating a transfer. Identified for its tropical local weather, the Sunshine State presents residents heat temperatures year-round, particularly within the south. The truth is, aside from Florida, the one state with a tropical local weather is Hawaii!
Throughout winter, you possibly can anticipate delicate climate, with temperatures hardly ever falling under 50 levels Fahrenheit, (except you’re within the northern areas). In the course of the summer season months, you’ll discover sizzling temperatures, usually starting from round 88 to 91 levels Fahrenheit on common.
This heat and sunny climate is tremendous interesting for snowbirds and full-time residents alike. In any case, who doesn’t need to hang around on the seashore each month of the yr?
2. No State Earnings Tax
A serious profit to residing in Florida is that you simply don’t need to pay state revenue tax. That is particularly good for individuals transferring from states the place taxes are an enormous burden, reminiscent of Oregon or California, the place they are often as excessive as 10%.
Naturally, while you don’t need to pay state revenue tax, you find yourself having the ability to save fairly a bit of cash. This additional potential to avoid wasting means extra disposable revenue to do all of the enjoyable issues in and round Florida!
This is likely one of the largest the reason why I like residing right here. I’ve been capable of save 1000’s of {dollars}, merely due to the dearth of state revenue tax.
3. You’re At all times Close to Water
Water lovers, rejoice! Florida is known for its prolonged shoreline, stretching an unimaginable 1,350 miles. This implies there are tons of seashores to discover! A few of the most well-known seashores embody Clearwater Seashore, Siesta Key, Daytona Seashore, Panama Metropolis Seashore, and South Seashore in Miami. Every one presents one thing distinctive from the opposite.
Even in the event you reside inland, you’re by no means too removed from a seashore (inside an hour or two), so seashore day journeys are a breeze and you’ll benefit from the solar, sand, and waves with out having to hop on a aircraft.
Apart from the coast, Florida can also be identified for its beautiful lakes. Locations like Lake Okeechobee and the Harris Chain of Lakes are fashionable spots for swimming, fishing, boating, and having fun with nature. Nomatter the place you select to remain in Florida, they’ll be a physique of water close by.
4. It’s the Theme Park Capital of the World
Walt Disney World, Common Studios, Busch Gardens, and extra – all of those world-famous theme parks are present in Florida. These large parks aren’t simply tremendous enjoyable to go to, however in addition they play an important position within the financial system, attracting thousands and thousands of tourists annually and offering 1000’s of jobs.
For theme park fans, Florida is principally a dream vacation spot. Disney lovers can spend days wandering the 4 theme parks of Walt Disney World. Thrill seekers will love the curler coasters at Common Studios. And for exhilarating rides mixed with wildlife adventures, Busch Gardens is the place to go.
5. Very Various Tradition
They are saying that selection is the spice of life, and Florida is likely one of the most culturally various states within the nation. That is largely because of many individuals transferring to the state from different nations.
The U.S. Census Bureau reveals that the demographics embody about 60% white, 22% Hispanic or Latino, 16% African American, and a couple of% Asian. Over 20% of the state’s residents had been born exterior of the U.S.
Because of this wealthy range and distinction in cultures, you’ll discover a big selection of meals and music everywhere in the state. These cultural elements make every day life in Florida extra colourful and vibrant than life in different elements of the USA.
6. Nature Galore
Famend for its unimaginable assortment of parks and open areas, a serious professional to residing in Florida is the entry to nature. The state is residence to 175 state parks and 11 nationwide parks, each with its personal magical, pure wonders. A few of the most well-known parks are the Everglades Nationwide Park, identified for its expansive wetlands, and the Ocala Nationwide Forest, with trails and pure springs.
These protected areas present a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife and plant species, providing guests a glimpse into Florida’s actually wild aspect.
One fascinating truth about Florida’s wildlife is that it’s the one place on the planet the place each crocodiles and alligators could be discovered residing collectively. This distinctive coexistence attracts nature fans from everywhere in the globe.
7. Thrilling Sports activities Tradition
Some may say {that a} main good thing about residing in Florida is the extreme sports activities tradition. The state is a hub for each faculty {and professional} sports activities, which suggests there’s all the time a sport to catch and a workforce to cheer for.
On the skilled entrance, Florida boasts quite a lot of main groups. Within the NFL, you’ve acquired the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. NBA followers can cheer for the Miami Warmth and Orlando Magic, whereas MLB fans have the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays. For these into hockey, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning supply thrilling NHL motion.
Faculty soccer additionally holds a really particular place in any Floridian’s coronary heart – mine included! Groups just like the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, and Miami Hurricanes have devoted followings. Whether or not you’re a fan {of professional} leagues, faculty sports activities, or simply going to a sport, Florida’s sports activities scene has one thing for everybody.
8. It’s a Mecca for Golf
For some, Florida is synonymous with golf. It’s no shock why because the state is residence to over 1,200 golf programs. Because of the year-round lovely climate, the game attracts 1000’s of residents and guests alike. The truth is, town of Naples, FL is famend because the “Golf Capital of the World“.
The Membership at Olde Cypress might be one of the crucial well-known programs in Naples. Different notable programs embody TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Seashore, the PGA Nationwide Resort in Palm Seashore Gardens, Streamsong Resort in Bowling Inexperienced, and the Seminole Golf Membership in Juno Seashore.
Florida additionally hosts many well-known golf tournaments all year long, together with The Participant’s Championship, The Honda Basic, and the Valspar Championship.
9. Limitless Thrilling Actions
Residing in Florida has opened up a world of adrenaline-inducing outside actions that I had no thought had been right here. Regardless of the place you might be within the state or how previous you might be, you could find one thing memorable to do, whether or not you’re younger in age, or simply younger at coronary heart.
Image kayaking alongside mild manatees, experiencing the push of skydiving over the scenic Cape Canaveral, or taking an airboat by way of the Everglades. These are just some superior execs of residing in Florida.
For individuals who love exploring beneath the water, there are dozens of lakes and rivers in Florida the place you possibly can scuba dive and snorkel. I like how various the vary of actions out there right here is. You title it…Florida has it. I imply it after I say that I haven’t had a boring weekend since I moved right here.
10. World-class Hospitals and Specialists
One of many key benefits of residing in Florida is the entry to a few of the world’s finest hospitals and healthcare. For instance, the nationally acknowledged Johns Hopkins All Youngsters’s Hospital on the West Coast in St. Petersburg is famend for its distinctive pediatric care.
Apart from Johns Hopkins, Florida boasts different unimaginable medical services just like the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and the Cleveland Clinic in Weston. These establishments are identified for his or her top-notch medical providers and superb employees.
An enormous perk for senior residents is the abundance of healthcare professionals specializing in geriatric care. Since Florida has a big retiree inhabitants, the state actually prioritizes aged care.
Cons of Residing in Florida
Everyone knows that no place is ideal. Even the fantastic Sunshine State has its downfalls. Listed below are some generally mentioned cons of residing in Florida.
1. Danger of Pure Disasters
Regardless of having heat, sunny climate year-round, one of many disadvantages of residing in Florida is the danger of pure disasters. Hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, droughts, and wildfires are all dangers that should be thought-about.
The probabilities of storms taking place yearly are fairly excessive, nonetheless, the severity ranges from delicate to extreme. In some areas, they hardly ever see any storms or injury in any respect.
Residing in Jacksonville, we are likely to have much less extreme storms than the southern or western elements of Florida. Though, I’ve seen some fairly windy and loopy thunderstorms topple bushes. Hold updated with climate warnings and authorities advisories earlier than and through your journey.
2. A number of Bugs
Should you aren’t a fan of bugs, Florida won’t be for one of the best place you. There are tons of bugs right here – and a few of them are fairly massive. Roaches and fruit flies are frequent annoyances, notably within the kitchen. It’s a identified truth in Florida that you simply do NOT preserve meals on the counters – think about this a warning!
If that wasn’t sufficient to place you off, Florida additionally has different scary creatures like scorpions, snakes, cockroaches, and spiders. After which there are the mosquitoes. Throughout humid summer season months, the mosquitos are brutal, so preserve your bug spray helpful.
3. Proudly owning a Automotive is Vital
One of many cons of residing in Florida is that it’s a giant state with out many transportation choices for getting from main metropolis to main metropolis. This could be a drawback in the event you don’t have your individual automobile, a rental, or in the event you reside in a downtown metropolitan space.
In massive cities like Miami, they’ve a strolling rating of 98, so it’s simpler to get by with out transport, nonetheless, you’ll most likely nonetheless have to take a practice or Uber to get from one finish of town to the opposite.
And in the event you don’t reside in a serious metropolis, having a automobile is just about a necessity. In smaller cities and rural areas, which make up a bulk of the state, public transportation choices simply don’t exist.
4. Alligators are a Very Actual Nuisance
To not scare you, however residing in Florida means you’ll be sharing your surroundings with alligators – they’re all over the place, particularly in lakes and ponds. So, in the event you’ve acquired pets or little ones, you’ll need to keep away from strolling alongside the lakeshores – it’s merely not definitely worth the danger.
Should you occur to ever discover an alligator chilling in your yard or someplace it shouldn’t be, there’s a Nuisance Alligator Hotline run by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee you could name.
Gators are often on the transfer when it’s heat and through the night. It’s necessary to remain conscious of your environment, preserve a protected distance, and provides them the respect they deserve. They make up an enormous and necessary a part of the ecosystem in Florida.
5. It’s Very, Very Flat
An enormous draw back to residing in Florida, particularly for mountain lovers like myself, is that it’s flat. Very, very flat. The state’s highest level is Britton Hill, and it’s a measly 345 ft above sea degree. So, in the event you had been hoping for a lung-pumping hike… you received’t discover it right here.
So, sure, one of many disadvantages of residing in Florida is saying goodbye to rolling hills and majestic mountains. However at the least you get all of these seashores and sunny days, proper?
Resides in Florida Price It?
For me, coping with the cons of residing in Florida is undoubtedly value it. The professionals are priceless, and it’s apparent to see why so many individuals like to reside and go to this attractive state. Whether or not you’re in search of your subsequent place to name residence or simply your subsequent journey, Florida will definitely not disappoint.
