If you’re looking to settle down in the South, you need to consider moving to Florida! Living in the Sunshine State gives you access to top-notch entertainment, exciting outdoor adventures, and impressive historic landmarks. We know that moving to a new state can take a lot of planning. You may have some unanswered questions. So, we’ve compiled a list of the most important information to know before you make your move to Florida!
Florida History
Florida has a rich history that helped shape the state into what we know today. When Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon first landed on the Florida coast in 1513, he named the state “La Florida”, after Spain’s Easter Celebration known as “Pascua Florida”, or Feast of Flowers, due to the lush natural landscape. Spanish is still spoken by 22.5% of the Florida population making many residents bilingual. The Spanish influence on Florida is alive today through food, music, architecture, language, and city names throughout the state.
There are also two federally recognized Seminole nations living in Florida, the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. There are six Seminole Tribe of Florida reservations across the state as well. In 2000, over 53,000 Florida residents claimed Native American descent. These residents make up 39 different tribes from across North America! Native American cultures, oral traditions, and archeological remains help demonstrate the continued significance of Native American heritage throughout the state.
Today, residents who move to Florida have many opportunities to experience these cultures in a fun and educational environment. The Native American Heritage Trail outlines over 100 tourist destinations throughout the state for residents and visitors to learn about Florida’s Native American presence and significance. You can also experience Spanish Heritage on Florida’s Historic Coast, which encompasses St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, and several surrounding areas.
Florida’s Cost of Living
There are plenty of reasons to move to Florida. One of the most important reasons is the cost of living. Living in the Sunshine State, costs roughly 2.8% more than the national average cost of living. However, with no state income tax, your salary stretches a lot further for you and your family!
While Florida’s cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, that number can vary depending on which city you choose to live in. Major cities such as Orlando, Tampa, and Miami are more expensive and skew the statewide average. Living in smaller surrounding areas can prove to be more cost-effective for those looking to be close to big city amenities, without the big city price tag.
Florida’s Amenities
It’s hard to put a price on Florida’s incredible amenities! Each year, over 31 million people visit Florida to experience warm weather, major theme parks, gorgeous beaches, and lush natural landscapes. It’s no wonder so many visitors choose to move to Florida!
Florida sees an average of over 230 warm and sunny days a year, which means it’s always a great time to visit, but it’s even better when you’re a resident. The sunshine and warm weather means you can enjoy more beach days along Florida’s coastline. If you’re not looking for sand between your toes, there are over 200 state parks, campgrounds, and trails that you can visit. We recommend one of the 175 award-winning state parks.
State parks aren’t the only type of parks that draw in residents, there are several major theme parks in Florida as well! Central Florida is the perfect place to be if you’re looking to experience the magic of Disney World, the enchantment of Universal Studios, or the wildlife of Busch Gardens and Seaworld.
There is something for everyone in the family when you move to Florida! So it’s no surprise that Florida is the third most populous state in the nation, with over 21.48 million residents.
Plan Your Move to Florida
As you prepare for your move to Florida, you’ll want to keep in mind these key pieces of information:
- Florida has no state income tax. However, residents still pay sales tax, property tax, and other taxes levied by the state or government. Learn more about Florida’s statewide taxes here.
- As a Florida resident you have 30 days to register for your new driver’s license. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office makes it easy and efficient for you to become a driver in Florida.
- If you have young children still in K-12 school, you’ll want to know about schools in Florida. Making the right decision for your child’s education is crucial, which is why there are plenty of options in Florida. Whether your looking for public schools, charter schools, private schools, virtual classes, or scholarships you’ll find all of the information you need and more through the Florida Department of Education’s website. The Florida Department of Education is committed to supporting quality educational choice programs to promote successful outcomes for students, families, institutions and communities throughout the state.
- If you’re looking to retire in the Sunshine State you’ll be happy to know there are a number of award-winning hospitals and senior communities to fit your needs. Learn more about what Florida has to offer retirees here.
Move to Florida
Are you ready to move to Florida? While we’re partial to the state capital, Tallahassee, you can’t go wrong with any city in the Sunshine State! The lifestyle Floridians experience is second to none. Your proximity to nature, entertainment, and history are sure to keep you and your family busy without breaking the bank.
Want to know more about what it’s like to live in Florida’s capital city? Click here to discover why more people choose Tallahassee.