Sunshine, seashores, and palm timber, or… visitors, alligators, and vacationers? Folks have many views in regards to the state of Florida. After all, like all state, there are execs and cons of residing in Florida, and after residing right here for a 12 months (and visiting for over 5), I need to share my perception.
After rising up on the West Coast, my views of the Sunshine State have been restricted and included a variety of stereotypes. Nonetheless, after turning into a resident, I’ve undoubtedly discovered a variety of issues about the advantages and drawbacks 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 lots of the explanation why individuals adore it right here a lot. However, what’s it actually prefer to stay in Florida? After all, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows – though there actually is a variety 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 United States, Florida has a inhabitants of just about 22 million individuals. Identified for its unimaginable shoreline with superb seashores, the Sunshine State is dwelling to main cities resembling 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 novel 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 dwelling – together with myself! These are a number of the largest advantages of residing in Florida.
1. Attractive Climate 12 months-Spherical
Florida’s local weather is a serious draw for many who stay 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. In actual fact, aside from Florida, the one state with a tropical local weather is Hawaii!
Throughout winter, you possibly can count on delicate climate, with temperatures not often falling under 50 levels Fahrenheit, (until you’re within the northern areas). In the course of the summer time months, you’ll discover scorching temperatures, sometimes 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 12 months?
2. No State Revenue Tax
A significant profit to residing in Florida is that you just don’t need to pay state earnings tax. That is particularly good for individuals transferring from states the place taxes are an enormous burden, resembling Oregon or California, the place they are often as excessive as 10%.
Naturally, once you don’t need to pay state earnings tax, you find yourself with the ability to save fairly a bit of cash. This further potential to avoid wasting means extra disposable earnings to do all of the enjoyable issues in and round Florida!
This is without doubt one of the largest the explanation why I really like residing right here. I’ve been in a position to save 1000’s of {dollars}, merely due to the dearth of state earnings tax.
3. You’re At all times Close to Water
Water lovers, rejoice! Florida is legendary for its prolonged shoreline, stretching an unimaginable 1,350 miles. This implies there are tons of seashores to discover! A number of the most well-known seashores embody Clearwater Seaside, Siesta Key, Daytona Seaside, Panama Metropolis Seaside, and South Seaside in Miami. Every one presents one thing distinctive from the opposite.
Even in case you stay 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 may benefit from the solar, sand, and waves with out having to hop on a aircraft.
Apart from the coast, Florida can be recognized for its beautiful lakes. Locations like Lake Okeechobee and the Harris Chain of Lakes are well-liked spots for swimming, fishing, boating, and having fun with nature. Nomatter the place you select to keep 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 additionally they play a vital function within the economic system, attracting hundreds of thousands of holiday makers annually and offering 1000’s of jobs.
For theme park lovers, 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 without doubt one of the most culturally various states within the nation. That is largely because of many individuals transferring to the state from different international locations.
The U.S. Census Bureau exhibits 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 have been born outdoors of the U.S.
Due to this wealthy variety and distinction in cultures, you’ll discover a big selection of meals and music all around the state. These cultural elements make day by 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 dwelling to 175 state parks and 11 nationwide parks, every one with its personal magical, pure wonders. A number of the most well-known parks are the Everglades Nationwide Park, recognized 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 really wild facet.
One fascinating reality about Florida’s wildlife is that it’s the one place on the earth the place each crocodiles and alligators may be discovered residing collectively. This distinctive coexistence attracts nature lovers from all around the globe.
7. Thrilling Sports activities Tradition
Some would possibly say {that a} main advantage of residing in Florida is the extraordinary sports activities tradition. The state is a hub for each school {and professional} sports activities, which suggests there’s all the time a sport to catch and a group to cheer for.
On the skilled entrance, Florida boasts a lot of main groups. Within the NFL, you’ve received the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. NBA followers can cheer for the Miami Warmth and Orlando Magic, whereas MLB lovers have the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays. For these into hockey, the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning supply thrilling NHL motion.
School 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, school 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 dwelling to over 1,200 golf programs. Due to the year-round stunning climate, the game attracts 1000’s of residents and guests alike. In actual fact, the town of Naples, FL is famend because the “Golf Capital of the World“.
The Membership at Olde Cypress might be some of the well-known programs in Naples. Different notable programs embody TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Seaside, the PGA Nationwide Resort in Palm Seaside Gardens, Streamsong Resort in Bowling Inexperienced, and the Seminole Golf Membership in Juno Seaside.
Florida additionally hosts many well-known golf tournaments all year long, together with The Participant’s Championship, The Honda Traditional, and the Valspar Championship.
9. Infinite Thrilling Actions
Residing in Florida has opened up a world of adrenaline-inducing outside actions that I had no concept have been right here. Irrespective 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 frenzy of skydiving over the scenic Cape Canaveral, or taking an airboat by means 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 really like how various the vary of actions out there right here is. You title it…Florida has it. I imply it once 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 number of the world’s greatest 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 recognized for his or her top-notch medical companies and superb workers.
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 here are some generally mentioned cons of residing in Florida.
1. Threat of Pure Disasters
Regardless of having heat, sunny climate year-round, one of many disadvantages of residing in Florida is the threat of pure disasters. Hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, droughts, and wildfires are all dangers that should be thought of.
The probabilities of storms taking place yearly are fairly excessive, nonetheless, the severity ranges from delicate to extreme. In some areas, they not often see any storms or injury in any respect.
Residing in Jacksonville, we are inclined 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 timber. Hold updated with climate warnings and authorities advisories earlier than and through your journey.
2. Numerous Bugs
Should you aren’t a fan of bugs, Florida may not be for one of the best place you. There are tons of bugs right here – and a few of them are fairly huge. Roaches and fruit flies are frequent annoyances, notably within the kitchen. It’s a recognized reality in Florida that you just do NOT hold meals on the counters – contemplate 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 time months, the mosquitos are brutal, so hold your bug spray useful.
3. Proudly owning a Automotive is Needed
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 generally is a downside in case you don’t have your personal automotive, a rental, or in case you stay in a downtown metropolitan space.
In huge 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 must take a prepare or Uber to get from one finish of the town to the opposite.
And in case you don’t stay in a serious metropolis, having a automotive 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 in every single place, particularly in lakes and ponds. So, in case you’ve received pets or little ones, you’ll need to keep away from strolling alongside the lakeshores – it’s merely not definitely worth the threat.
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 that you may name.
Gators are often on the transfer when it’s heat and in the course of the night. It’s necessary to remain conscious of your environment, hold a secure 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 toes above sea stage. So, in case you have been hoping for a lung-pumping hike… you gained’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 very least you get all of these seashores and sunny days, proper?
Resides in Florida Value 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 stay and go to this beautiful state. Whether or not you’re in search of your subsequent place to name dwelling or simply your subsequent journey, Florida will definitely not disappoint.
