According to the 2019 study, moving closer to the coast makes you happier. According to most people who read the study, “No kidding.” After all, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon, or in this case researchers from the University of Exeter, to determine that living in an idyllic coastal town with crashing waves, white sand beneath your feet and blue skies surrounding can greatly improve your mental health. But while coastal living may seem easy to get used to, how to prepare for a move to the coast may be another story.
At Moving Squad, when we talk about “the Coast”, we talk about the Florida Coast. And as South Florida’s top-rated local moving company, we would love nothing more than to welcome you to our beautiful shorelines. But, before we talk about the Florida coast, we’d like to give a few tips on how to prepare for a move to the coast, wherever the coast maybe.
How to Prepare for A Move to the Coast
Stock up on white linen capri pants and start tying sweater sleeves around your shoulders? Nice place to begin, but keep in mind that not everything about coastal living is beachfront views and summer vacationistas.
Homes are Expensive
Now, you didn’t expect beachfront living to come without a pretty high price tag, did you? It’s no surprise that property values are higher in such desirable locations. But with the prices of beachfront property steadily increasing, a new home by the beach can turn out to be a very profitable investment.
Prepare for the Weather
The weather by the coast can be quite a bit more temperamental than the weather inland. Hurricanes have been known to devastate seaside properties, and high winds can be worrisome as well. Be sure to take extra precautions to ensure your safety in your new coastal home.
Salt is A Problem
When you live by the seaside, salt is more than something you put on your French Fries. The salt in the water and in the air can get on the outside of your car, on your house, and more. Plan on washing your car and the outside of your house regularly.
For extra tips on protecting your home and belongings from salt water, visit buildwiltrack.com.
Job Opportunities in the Area
Always a good question to ask no matter where you move, that is unless you are independently wealthy. If your chosen town is remote, jobs in your field may be limited. It’s a good idea to investigate job availabilities and the range of salaries you’re looking at before your move.
Research Amenities and Transport in the Area
When you come to a coastal town, the main attraction is the coast. Shopping, movies, and other leisure activities, not so much – especially in smaller seaside towns. Investigate the area to ensure you’ll find the amenities you can’t live without.
Additionally, keep in mind that public transportation around these areas may not very reliable. Consider how children will get to and from school, to friend’s houses, and to and from afterschool activities.
Hot in the Summer, Cold in the Winter
In the summer, your coastal headquarters can and probably will be invaded by strangers snapping selfies and wearing Bermuda shorts. As a result, you can expect to experience longer lines in shops, crowded beaches, and inflated parking rates.
In the winter, your cool summer breezes will become strong sea winds. Be prepared to batten down the hatches or seek locations further inland.
Explore the Area
Before you embark on your lifetime dream of idyllic coastal living, test the proverbial waters. Before buying a property, consider a six-month rental or taking weekend breaks during the year to visit. Take time to meet the locals, visit the shops, and make sure there is a reputable school in the area if you have school-age children.
How to Prepare for a Move to the Florida Coast
Now the Florida Coast is something Moving Squad knows a lot about. We have over 50 years of experience moving people in and around South Florida, and we can give you some firsthand knowledge on how to prepare for a move to the Florida Coast. The first step is finding which Florida coastal community best suits your vision of coastal living paradise. We hope you find one that has every attribute your looking for.
Sanibel Island, Florida
Coastal living may be good for your health but living on Sanibel Island, Florida may be detrimental to your posture. That is if you join the multitude doing the “Sanibel Stoop” on this boomerang-shaped Gulf Island. The Sanibel Stoop is the name given to the posture assumed by the locals combing the island for shells. And if finding a broad ribbed cardita is your idea of the perfect day, you may want to stoop in for a closer look. Just offshore from Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is arguably the home of the greatest abundance and variety of seashells on the East Coast of the United States.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If boating floats your boat, Fort Lauderdale, Florida has over 300 miles of George Clooney worthy navigable waterways available for your sea crafting pleasure. Self-proclaimed as the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale is so water-oriented that it’s possible to make your way around town solely via floating taxis and buses.
However, perhaps the best part of Fort Lauderdale living is the accessibility to other coastal communities ((north (Miami), south (the Florida Keys), and east (the Bahamas)) on the Intercoastal Waterway. That’s coast to coast luxury.
Marathon, Florida
Where can you get some of the best grouper in Florida? In the Florida Keys of course! And what better place to catch that grouper than in Marathon, Florida? The biggest town between Key Largo and Key West, Marathon sits on the Vaca Key, ideally located for fishing, where you’ll find mouthwatering mahi-mahi, succulent sailfish, tasty tuna, and swoon-worthy swordfish. And if need some guidance while snagging that snapper, there are some two dozen area charter boat operations that will happily assist.
Fort Walton Beach/ Destin, Florida
Eighteen and still counting. That’s the ever-growing number of private and semi-private golf courses, located between the town of Fort Walton Beach and Destin, on the Florida Panhandle. When you do the math, that adds up to a lot of opportunities to slice one into the Gulf Bay.
Golf options include a Fred Couples signature course at Kelly Plantations and a pair championship course at Tiger Point, known for hosting several PGA events and a Scottish links layout on its East course.
But make no mistake. These golf courses are not your dad’s golf courses. Over the past 30 years the golf communities between Fort Walton Beach and Destin have come to exemplify a modern style. When last we checked, fewer than 30% of the residents were older than 55.
How to Prepare for Your Move to the Florida Coast with Moving Squad
Whether it’s the Sanibel shells, the Fort Lauderdale fleet, the Marathon fishing marathon, or the Fort Walton/Destin destination, Moving Squad is the company that can get you to the Florida coast of dreams with the least amount of stress and the greatest amount of satisfaction. We’ll be with you from the time you leave your old place behind until the time you can feel the salty sea air on your skin.
So how do you prepare to move to the Florida Coast with Moving Squad? The answer is by doing very little. You simply draw up a budget for your move and let us know the details. Once you do that, our expert staff will customize a plan based on the information you provided and come back with a free rate quote. At Moving Squad, we give you time to think your decision through before you sign a contract. Then its smooth sailing all the way.
At Moving Squad, we do everything in our power so that we can do as little as you want. From taking special precautions with the furniture to protecting your new home from damage, Moving Squad will tailor your move, so you’ll have nothing to worry about except the sand getting in through the patio door.
Packing Services
Our expert packers provide flexible, affordable services to include only what you need us to move. From the kitchen utensils or the whole kitchen sink, we provide the packing materials, bring them to your house on the day of the move and get the packing done quickly and efficiently.
And if you need a place to store your winter gear, snow problem. Moving Squad provides clean spacious climate-controlled units to make your move as easy as possible. With state of the art facilities available for long or short-term storage, Moving Squad will keep your winter accessories safe, sound, and secure.
So why not get this permanent vacation started? Contact Moving Squad today and request our free rate quote. We’ll show you how to prepare for your move to the South Florida coast while we do the work, and you do the rest.
