People move to Florida because of its unique blend of weather, culture, and recreational opportunities. It has become a great place for seniors to retire and younger families to move to achieve a certain type of lifestyle. But, why not study the state of Florida and what makes it a good place to live before actually picking up stakes and going? There are different advantages, weather patterns, and recreational opportunities in different parts of the state.
Some Basic Advantages and Disadvantages of Florida Living
There are a lot of different places to move to in Florida, and each part of the state has its own climate and culture. Some people can afford and choose to move to planned communities designed for a high quality of living with safety features built-in, such as Epperson by Metro Places in the Tampa Bay area. The residents of these planned communities pay a premium price but feel the cost is well worth the lifestyle these communities deliver.
The planned communities have acres of clean, clear blue water, thousands of feet of sandy beaches, wonderful landscaping with palm trees and other beautiful plants, and outstanding recreational opportunities. The available homes are top quality and well-designed for Florida living. They can be purchased or rented. The communities offer tours and plenty of information for people who are contemplating moving to those communities in Florida. Whether a family is planning on moving to one of these planned, gated communities or to other neighborhoods in Florida, there are some common advantages and disadvantages to living in Florida.
The advantages of living in Florida include:
1. Florida does not have a state income tax.
2. Florida housing costs stack up favorably with other parts of the country. Housing costs, in many cases, are lower than in other parts of the country. Housing costs cover a wide spectrum depending on the area and city.
3. This is a state with lots and lots of beautiful beaches and opportunities for outdoor entertainment.
4. For people who hate winter cold and snow, Florida has neither snow nor freezing temperatures of winter.
5. In addition to luxury planned communities, there are a lot of communities designed for retirees and snowbirds at all income levels.
6. Local Florida attractions such as Disney World offer Florida residents discounts. Florida also boasts arts and cultural events and advantages such as international festivals, well-known entertainers and professional musicians, orchestras, dance troupes, and more. It also has well-known science, art, and history museums.
7. Florida is proud of its state school system, colleges, and Universities.
The disadvantages of Florida living include:
1. The weather can get dicey with hurricanes and lots of heat and humidity.
2. The topography of Florida can be a challenge for people who like mountains and hills, as Florida is a really flat state. Florida also has a very low elevation.
3. Residents of Florida must put up with lots of larger insects, snakes, and alligators.
4. Insurance rates or even getting flood insurance may be a challenge for many people along the coasts and some storm-prone areas of Florida.
Why So Many People Move to Florida
So, even taking the disadvantages of Florida’s life into account, a lot of people choose to move there every year. Whether Florida is the right place for a given person or family depends on what they like and what they want out of life. People who love being close to the ocean and having miles of great beaches close by will be happy. People who hate winter, snow, and cold weather will find Florida weather a nice alternative.
People need to like the weather in a sub-tropical climate where summers are hot, humid, and sunny with regular rainstorms. The winters are mild, though northern parts of the state can get mild cold events. The hurricane season must be anticipated and prepared for.
The Main Cities in Florida
If a person or family is not of retirement age and need good schools and job opportunities, moving near or into a major city is important.
* Miami is a fast-paced city with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and lots of jobs available.
* St. Petersburg has a nice creative cultural vibe going on in Western Florida and is near to the Tampa Bay area.
* Tampa Bay Area and Tampa Florida have lots of professional sports going on and is one of the major cities known for lots of restaurants and festivals throughout the year. This is where some very popular planned communities such as The Lagoon at Epperson are located.
* Sarasota is great for outdoor activities such as kayaking or fishing. It also is home to a cultural scene and an impressive culinary institute. It is known for its retirement community. The cost of living is higher here.
* Gainsville is a large city that is voted consistently in the top 100 places to live and has the University of Florida to give it a college town atmosphere.
* Pensacola is in the panhandle area of Florida and is home to military bases. It is a good place for young families needing highly rated schools.
*Jacksonville is in Northern Florida on the East Coast and is the most populated city in the state. Families can find areas with a lower cost of living and a robust cultural atmosphere.
* Tallahassee is more of a college town and is not as close to beeches in its northern Florida location. But, it has sports and fun nightlife.
* Central Florida has Orlando as a big tourist destination because of Disney World and other local attractions.
* Clearwater is in western Florida and is one of the most popular destinations for retired people. It is designed in a way that makes it easy to get around and everything is located close by from homes to shopping centers to medical facilities.
* Fort Meyers is in southwestern Florida and is growing fast in its central location on the golf coast.
* Fort Lauderdale is family-oriented and known for its good job market. It is also known for its yachting community.
Each city in Florida has its own advantages and reasons people move there. It is a wise decision to explore all of the major cities before deciding where to move to in Florida.
Individuals and families can choose different types of places to live to meet their needs, including everything from exclusive planned communities, to beach living, inner-city apartments, or suburban homes near any of the major Florida cities. Deciding on the perfect place to live is half the fun of moving to Florida.
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