The sun, the beaches, the palm trees, attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios – all these are good reasons why millions are lured to relocate to Florida every year. It would be a mistake to think Florida is the perfect place because of the great weather and miles of coastline. Will life in Florida be a whole lot better than life back home? The fact of the matter is there are several things about living in Florida that might not meet your expectations. Here’s a look at some pros and cons of living in Florida from a Florida native.

Why Choose To Live In Florida?

There are over 20 million people that call themselves Florida residents. The Sunshine State is a great place to live, work, and play because of a variety of reasons. Florida’s close proximity to nature as well as some of the best beaches means you won’t have to travel far to enjoy activities such as hiking amidst pristine green vegetation, fishing or scuba diving at coral reefs, or taking part in cycling trails. There are also wildlife refuges that one can visit where endangered animals like manatees, crocodiles and panthers are protected.

Read more: Florida Travel Destinations You May Never Have Heard Of

The Benefits of Living In Florida

1) The Weather –

I feel the best thing about living in Florida is its tropical climate which is objectively wonderful almost nine months out of twelve. If you like heat, year-round sunshine, and clear blue sunny skies , you definitely will like it here. More than 100,000 baby boomers retire every year to Florida thanks to its warm weather and abundance of golf courses all over the state. The population of the elderly is increasing rapidly in Florida due to the influx of retirees. If you relocate here it means you will be part of a vibrant community who enjoy living life to the fullest. It also means there are plenty of facilities for seniors to include retirement communities with top notch amenities, doctors specializing in geriatric care, assisted living residences and access to government handouts like Medicaid (if applicable).

2) No State Taxes –

Florida has no state income tax to speak of, which means that your income goes further. The lower cost is particularly important to retirees who are living on a fixed income in which every penny counts. If you’re an entrepreneur, this is also something to keep in mind.

3) Cheaper Housing Market –

Though there has been a nationwide housing boom, Florida provides more affordable housing than those found in New England and Northern states. The housing market in Florida is significantly cheaper than other parts of the country, however finding a property in the housing boom right now may prove to be difficult.

4) Attractions and Things To Do –

Florida is one of the best places to have something to do. There are certainly plenty of attractions which should keep just about anyone entertained for years at a time without repeating a single one. All within a short drive are theme parks, amusement parks such as Busch Gardens and Disney World, beautiful beaches, shopping malls, and outdoor activities such as parks and hiking trails. Florida is recognized as one of the top vacation spots in the world. Areas such as Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Miami offer plenty to do, see and explore.

5) Economic Growth –

Miami, Orlando area and Tampa are rapidly becoming hub for businesses. Some of the largest economic industries in the state include Tourism, Financial Services, Aviation and Agriculture. Even technology is starting to gain a foothold making Florida a booming location for young professionals.

Furthermore, Florida’s unemployment rate is well below the national average. The Bureau Of Labor Statistics reported Florida has a 4.4% unemployment rate (December 2021 ). Compared to the national average, Florida ranks number 29 out of the 50 states. This is surprising given how much Florida’s economy relies on tourism after taking a hard hit during the recent global health crisis that included travel restrictions.

6) Low Crime Rate –

Crime rates in Florida are pretty low. For instance, the homicide rate for 2012 was 4.8 per 100,000 people (FBI), which is far below the national average of 4.7 (FBI). As a result, I feel secure living here and my family can walk around town without feeling unsafe or threatened. According to the 2021 statistics, violent crime nationwide has increased, Florida ranks 25th for the highest murder rate among states.

The Disadvantages of Living In Florida

1) Hurricanes –

If you’re not into dodging hurricanes all the time, relocating to Florida might not be a good idea for you. Between June and November every year it’s hurricane season. Though there may not be a hurricane every year, there is definitely a high probability of at least tropical storms. Not only can these weather anomalies impact your peace of mind knowing that another severe weather incident could crop up at any moment, but they can also cause severe damage to your property.

2) The Weather –

The weather is a pro but also can be a con. As mentioned before, there is the possibility of hurricanes but another con of the weather is the summer’s high temperature and humidity. Summer months in Florida can get excruciatingly hot and humid with the average temperature easily soaring to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38° Celsius). It gets even worse when you factor in extremely high humidity levels. If you don’t like the heat, Florida might not be the ideal place for you to live in.

2) Snow Birds –

One of the biggest problems with living in Florida, at least during the winter months, is dealing with all the snow birds. Snow birds are people who spend part of the year in the north and part of the year in the south so they get the best of both weather patterns. They can avoid the Florida summer heat, yet also avoid the snow of the North. This influx of tourists keeps roads congested, housing scarce, forces a lot of businesses to close early and sometimes even makes it difficult to get a doctor’s appointment . It can be a major nuisance dealing with this on a regular basis if you live here year round.

3) Traffic–

Increase in tourist as well as those moving to Florida has taxed our current road infrastructure in recent years. The major interstate, Interstate 4 (I-4) going from Tampa to Daytona Beach keeps most tourists out of central Florida if they’re just coming for a visit but locals have got to deal with it every day. With the massive amount of heavy traffic, I-4 is one of the most congested highways in the US and it’s estimated that you could save about 40 minutes for every hour spent stuck in traffic.

4) Population Growth –

While it is nice having a big tourism industry here, the downside of that is that it attracts people from all over who come to work in Florida’s service sector. There is also an education boom going on so if you’re thinking of relocating here because the schools are better than where you live now, think twice. As more and more students continue their studies at Florida universities and colleges, this means even worse overcrowding when they graduate and enter the job market. That has implications not only for local services but housing as well. Finding affordable accommodation has also become harder.

Weigh The Good And The Bad

Though it may appear there are quite a few cons associated with living in Florida, on the flip side many of these can easily be remedied and will vary depending on where exactly you live in this vast state. For example, if you don’t mind dealing with I-4 traffic or living in “Snowbird Central” then moving to Orlando or Miami might not be such a bad idea for you after all. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a relaxed seaside retirement experience then maybe it’s best to look elsewhere .

Conclusion

Like living in any state, living in Florida has its pros but also cons depending on your unique lifestyle preferences. You must determine whether the benefits outweigh the potential obstacles or vice versa. Overall, Florida is a wonderful state. The amazing year round sunshine or the mild climate, not to mention the plethora of theme parks, attractions and activities that are available for you to enjoy no matter your age make Florida one of the most desirable places to live in the United States.

About the Author:

Hi! I’m Chris. I’m a mother, wife, college professor by trade and micro-influencer by hobby. I am a bargain hunter, jack of all trades, and master of chaos.

Thank you for reading my random thoughts on travel, my stories of life as an under appreciated mother of a teenager, and my easy recipes that have won no awards but instead my family’s love and adoration (which is WAY better, right?).