So, this is a blog about moving to the Sunshine State. It is also about moving to be near Disney. If you are reading our blog, more than likely you are also considering a move to Florida or entertaining the thought to some extent. But did you know that a surprisingly high percentage of people who move to Florida eventually decide the relocation was a mistake? We’re not trying to scare you here, although it would increase our chance of success slightly if the competition was taken out…..no, we’re not trying to scare you here! The purpose of this post, and many to come in the future, is to give you all the information you need to make the best decision for you. Making sure Florida is the best place for you, before you go straight to looking into where in Florida you want to live, is the best way to avoid making an expensive mistake. We are planners and our decision has not been made lightly, or without doubt. So let’s get to it.
Oh those palm trees get us every time, don’t they? When a lot of us think about living in Florida, we think about palm trees and sunshine. Beautiful beaches and sunsets occupy articles in magazines and in our very own vacation photos. We hope living there will be just like vacationing there, and we will live happily ever after. Many of us are trying to escape the cold and snow of the arctic-like state we inhabit now. We can trade in those snow boots for flip-flops and live out our days making sand castles instead of snowmen. Being residents of Minnesota, a state with some of the longest, hardest winters known west of Siberia, we are among these miserable folks. Our winters can start in October and last until April, and we can go days in below zero temperatures, without seeing the sun. You know, just in case you can’t relate to what we are talking about, here is a video of Easter day 2020:
I think we can all agree that is pretty brutal. It’s hard to keep your cherub-like demeanor in conditions like that. So for us, and many of you, it is impossible to be rational when you are talking about trading snow & bitter cold for sand & sunshine. But you have to be able to weigh the enemy you know against the enemy you don’t know. That enemy would be heat and humidity my friends. The heat index in Florida during the summer months can be down right unbearable. Most residents say you will get used to the heat after a year or two, but also admit to spending more time indoors during summer months. We highly suggest you take a trip to Florida in August so you can experience this heat. And no hiding in the AC or by the pool! Go for a walk or visit a theme park to gauge how you measure up in the conditions. You will sweat in places you didn’t know you had. But don’t worry, the rain will cool you down! Florida has an annual average precipitation of 54 inches, with most of it occurring from June to September. These rain storms come out of nowhere, other than they occur almost daily in the afternoon. This can be inconvenient if you are driving or enjoying a day at the beach or theme parks. Some of the stronger storms can do a lot of damage and knock out power for days.
You might be thinking to yourself, “At least I won’t have to shovel snow.” While this is true, you will have to cut your grass twice a week for 52 weeks, and in the previously mentioned heat. Landscaping will become a constant battle to keep your yard from becoming the jungle it was meant to be. The upside to this is you will have your own tropical oasis all year long. Many homes are part of a Homeowners Association, which will be an additional living expense, but may be worth it to have landscaping taken care of. You are probably going to want a pool to keep you cool in the heat and luckily in Florida, many homes have them. In most cases, that will mean hiring a pool guy, which again is an additional expense. If you are part of a HOA, an on-site pool may also be one of the amenities available. We will get more into home costs and additional expenses in a later post, but mention them here as they pertain to weather.
Along with the overgrown foliage that comes with the Florida climate are the “friends of nature”. You name it, they’ve got it. If it walks, crawls or flies, you might see it in Florida. Some critters are harmless in nature and more of a nuisance than anything. Those little lizards are everywhere and if you move to Florida, you will eventually find one in your house. Although many Florida residents say they have never seen one other than in a preserve or waterway, we know those alligators are out there! I think this might be the first thing potential transplants think of when listing cons for moving. We have bears here in Minnesota and compared to gators, they look positively cute and cuddly. Yet I’d almost welcome an alligator in my local pond if it means I will never cross paths with a snake. “Why did it have to be snakes?” We hear you Indy, we hear you. If you like to imagine all the things you will be able to do outdoors, don’t forget to imagine them while fighting off the mosquitoes and other insects. Bugs are a big problem and if you decide to make Florida your new home, plan on having a really good relationship with your pest control expert. Again, an added expense you may not have thought of, but definitely one you will have.
Go to your happy place, go to your happy place……focus on that beautiful sunset. As mentioned earlier, we are not trying to scare you. There are so many wonderful things about living in Florida, and if you are thinking about moving there, you already know what most of them are. Some of the topics we will mention may be deal breakers for you, and we say better safe than sorry. The purpose of this series of posts will be to focus on a blend of the good, the bad, and the ugly. Hopefully, in the end, you will have all the information you need to make an educated decision based on your needs and preferences. For us, the good outweighs the bad and we are ready to exchange staying inside to avoid the cold with staying inside to avoid the heat. We are looking forward to the lush, tropical scenery while back home friends and family watch everything turn brown and dormant. We are ready to say goodbye to a white Christmas and hello to Christmas in the sand. Hopefully you are too, and although no place will ever be perfect, this one is pretty close.
Let us know your thoughts on this post below or by sending us an email on the “contact us” page. We value your opinions and welcome your input.