We’re often asked, “should I move from (insert Northern state) to South Florida?” And we’ll admit, we’re a bit biased because we love it here. But if you’re dreading the impending winter and you can’t stop imagining swapping out snow with white sandy beaches, then in our opinion, the answer is a definite yes. At Moving Squad, we’d rather sweat than shiver, and we have a feeling that you would too. We’ve compiled a list of things you should know before relocating from up North to South Florida, and some of the best things about living here.
Things to Know Before Relocating to South Florida
If you can handle the heat, the weather is mostly pleasant year-round.
Floridians would love if it were sunny and 75 every day, but it just wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the country. So, because we never have to scrape ice off our windshield before work or shovel snow from the driveway, we have to deal with some brutally hot summers. Often, it’s too hot to spend much time outside. Reaching ninety percent humidity during the Summer months isn’t uncommon here. AC is very much our friend.
The flip side of the coin is, we don’t have to deal with the long and miserable winters that much of the country is afflicted with. Our “winters” are super pleasant and considered to be the mildest in the continental U.S.
Floridians spend more of their time outside during the winter months, and if we’re not enjoying the great outdoors, our windows are likely open. It’s usually between about 70-80 degrees. So, even though it’s winter everywhere else, it’s still a great time to hit the beach in South Florida.
Sometimes the sunshine state lives up to its name, but it can seem like a misnomer.
During the summer, it rains just about every day. In South Florida, we welcome the summer showers. It cools it down and makes our yards look beautiful. But if you can’t stand an almost daily afternoon shower, then South Florida may not be the place for you.
In addition to all the rain, you’ll have to prep for hurricanes.
You can live here for years and never experience a hurricane, but you’ll need to be ready come hurricane season. Usually, we just get hit with tropical storms, which are no biggie here. If it’s just a wee tropical storm, it gives us an excuse to throw a hurricane party and drink all of the extra booze we bought for our hurricane kit.
We’ve got a lot of critters.
You already know that we have gators and sharks in Florida, but wait, there’s more! We also have wild hogs, poisonous toads, monitor lizards, iguanas, crocodiles, and last but not least, Burmese pythons!
People actually sign up to remove Burmese pythons from South Florida every year and compete to see who can catch the most. It’s called “The Python Bowl.” Yes, we know what you’re thinking, “only in Florida.”
You’ll need bugspray. A lot of bugspray.
If you plan to spend any time outdoors during the summer, do not forget bugspray. If you do, you won’t forget it ever again.
Why We Love Living in South Florida
You knew we were going to say the beaches.
But seriously, we have some of the best beaches in the world. They’re iconic. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a good book with your toes in the soft white sand while the waves kiss the shore. And like we said, we get to do this during the winter.
The wildlife and nature sites are incredible.
Yes, Florida does have some pesky critters and invasive species. But Florida also has the largest coral reef ecosystem in the continental U.S., which spans from Key West. The reefs are teeming with colorful life and almost unearthly beauty.
We also have the Everglades, the largest subtropical wilderness in the country. Spend a day kayaking through the wetlands, and you’re bound to see abundant flora and fauna. You may even see an elusive panther.
It’s a melting pot of cultures.
We have a lot of different cultures in South Florida. The area is heavily influenced by immigrants from Latin America. Every Latin American country is represented in South Florida. Living in such a diverse place is awesome and allows for lots of learning opportunities. There are many Spanish speakers here, so if you plan to move here, we recommend brushing up your Spanish 101. Florida has delicious cuisine as a result of its various cultures. Florida is nothing if not complex.
There’s never a shortage of things to do.
South Florida’s art and culture scene is world-class. We have tons of urban districts, art facilities and unique festivals.
We have a robust real-estate market.
South Florida’s housing market is booming and interest rates are at a historic low. If you’re thinking about buying in Florida, the time is now.
Ready to move to South Florida? We don’t blame you. Get a free moving quote today, and get ready to enjoy all that South Florida has to offer.
