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Florida is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. That’s partially due to the fact that the state sees much more sunshine than the U.S. average. In fact, Florida sees 237 days of sun a year on average, which is why it’s nicknamed the Sunshine State.
But there are plenty of other reasons to visit Florida besides catching rays. And once you’ve taken a vacation in places like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, you might be tempted to move to Florida permanently.
Four Great Reasons to Visit Florida
Before we explore some helpful tips for moving to Florida, let’s begin by looking at some of the key reasons why you should visit the Sunshine State.
1. Florida Has Beautiful Beaches
Sunshine and beaches should go hand in hand. Well, as you probably know, Florida has some of the best beaches in the world.
So, if you enjoy the soft sand and warm water, and you like watching glorious sunsets or swimming or engaging in watersports, you’ll definitely enjoy visiting Florida’s beautiful beaches.
The Siesta Key beaches near Sarasota and Miami’s South Beach are just some of the gorgeous beaches you’ll want to check out.
2. Florida Has Fantastic Arts and Culture
You’ll find a plethora of interesting museums, art galleries, and arts and culture events in Florida. So, whether you enjoy visiting history museums, science museums, aviation museums, or art museums, you’ll find plenty in destinations like Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Tallahassee.
The Salvador Dali Museum, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, and the Air Force Armament Museum are just a few of the best museums to visit.
There are also lots of theaters and live music venues around.
3. Florida Is Well-known for its Thriving Nightlife
You won’t be bored at night in Florida. Indeed, the state is home to some of the best bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in the U.S.
For the best nightclubs, head to the Miami Beach area, where you’ll find fantastic clubs like E11EVEN, Story, and LIV. The latter is open 24/7!
As for bars, Orlando has some of the best high-end bars in the state, especially along Downtown Orange Avenue.
4. Florida Is Home to Some Incredible Natural Sites and Diverse Wildlife
If you want to escape city life for a while, you can visit Florida’s many natural sites and parks.
If you love nature and you only have time to visit one place, make sure it’s the world-renowned Everglades National Park.
The wetlands preserve covers 1.5 million acres and are full of coastal mangroves, pine Flatwoods, and sawgrass marshes that are home to hundreds of animal species, including leatherback turtles, manatees, and panthers.
Four Tips for Moving to Florida
Once you’ve spent time in Florida, it’s likely you’ll consider making the state your home.
But you should find out more about living in the Sunshine State before you make the move, as living somewhere can be a very different experience from vacationing in a place.
Once you’ve made the decision to move to Florida, it will be helpful to take note of the following four tips.
1. Be Prepared for a Higher Cost of Living
You’ll need to ensure you can afford to live in Florida as many cities in the state have a higher cost of living compared to other cities in the U.S.
Areas like Miami Beach, Palm Beach, and Key West are particularly expensive. So, make sure you do research regarding the cost of living in different areas in Florida before you choose a place to live.
Though, if you have money to spare, you could end up living in a luxurious home, such as the apartment used in the crime series Dexter.
2. Check out the Place You’re Planning on Moving to
Knowing the cost of living in different places in Florida can help you identify the best place to settle, but you should also research any place you’re thinking of moving to in order to find out about things like employment opportunities, education and healthcare services, nearby recreation facilities, amenities, and so on.
3. Get Car Insurance in Florida
When moving to Florida, you’ll need to make sure you have the right auto insurance in place for living in the state.
According to Florida’s state laws, you’ll need liability insurance as the minimum car insurance requirement, but that only covers personal injury protection and property damage liability, so you should consider taking out additional coverage, such as full-coverage insurance.
Also, bear in mind that car insurance rates can vary a lot between providers, so it’s important you compare different insurers to get the best deal.
4. Be Prepared for Hurricanes
Lastly, make sure you’re prepared for moving to somewhere that is notorious for hurricanes.
Hurricane season hits Florida between June and November each year.
You may want to find a hurricane-resistant home or look into getting products like ICF walls and hurricane-resistant roofs.
Ready to visit and/or move to this beautiful state?