It has been said that there are some things you know and other things you figure out. At Moving Squad, we take that to mean that the more you know, the less you’ll have to figure out. So, in the name of saving you from a few awkward situations, we thought we would clue you in on a few things you need to know before moving to South Florida.
Before we begin, we should tell you that by no means do we claim to know everything about South Florida. In fact, we’re still trying to figure a lot of things out. For example, we’re still not sure why no one seems to know how to use their turn signals, and if you can enlighten us, please feel free. But there are some things we do know about South Florida, and we’re more than happy to share.
What You Should Know About Moving to South Florida
No matter how unbelievable it may seem, South Florida is for real. And if you’re thinking of moving to South Florida, you’re going have to deal with its reality, including the lack of blinker usage in heavily populated areas. So, without further ado, here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Southern regions of the Sunshine State.
It’s Got Lots Retirees
So, we’re kind of thinking that we’re not giving you any new information here. In fact, we’re pretty sure that by now there are people living under rocks with visions of retiring in South Florida. However, we would be truly remiss in writing an informative article about South Florida without giving a nod to the senior population. See below.
A common feature of South Florida is the senior living community. These usually consist of many individuals of a certain age enjoying deluxe accommodations and amenities in close proximity to one another. These amenities may or may not include private swimming pools, fitness centers, beauty salons, and full independent kitchens.
It’s Spring Break Central
From the time Frankie and Annette put Fort Lauderdale on the map, South Florida has been known as the destination for spring breakers looking to imbibe, enjoy, and show off their teenage beach bodies. Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Miami Beach are the most popular choices for nightclubs, bars, restaurants, occasional celebrity sightings and college students behaving badly.
You Can Mix Business with Pleasure
Not only is South Florida a good place to settle down, but it’s also a good place to start-up. A recent report found that the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area ranks among the Top 10 most affordable regions for startup businesses.
And if you do start a business in South Florida, you’re in good company. South Florida is the home of five Fortune 500 companies based in the metropolitan area.
To find the top Fortune 500 jobs in Miami, check out simplyhired.com.
The Weather is Unpredictable
Although South Florida is celebrated for its short mild winters and seemingly endless summers, the last parts of those summers can be quite unpleasant. Hurricane season runs from June to November with peak time from late August through September. Out of the one to two hurricanes that hit the United States each year, 40% have occurred in Florida. While it is possible to live in South Florida without seeing a hurricane, hurricane safety precautions are not to be taken lightly.
Wildlife in South Florida Has Two Different Meanings
Some come to Miami in the hopes of a celebrity sighting, others come to the Everglades in hopes of an alligator sighting. The largest subtropical ecosystem in the United States, the Everglades Forest is South Florida’s crowning glory for flora and fauna in their natural environments.
However, to see the amphibians in your natural environment, you may only have to look as far as your front door. While alligators roam free in the South Florida Everglades, that doesn’t stop them from making the occasional visit to the local residences around the corner. Anyone with concerns about an alligator should call the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) at 866-392- 4286.
Starbucks is For Tourists
It might be said that one of the ways to identify a true South Floridian is the presence of strong Cuban coffee in his or her bloodstream. Made of strong, sweet espresso and steamed milk, Cuban coffee provides that addictive jolt of energy that fuels the South Floridian lifestyle (and may be partially responsible for the erratic driving). Available in café con Leche (similar to a latte), cordato (a smaller stronger version), and Cafecito (a potent concoction meant to be shared), Cuban coffee can be found at ventanitas, or windows, serving the South Florida area.
There’s No Tax!
Free at last, free at last! If you thought freedom from the ice and snow was the only reason to come to South Florida, how does freedom from taxation grab you? Not only can you buy clothing in South Florida without paying tax, but South Floridians are also exempt from paying personal income tax. This allows high earners to save their money and benefits individuals of income classes when tax season rolls around.
South Florida is the Home of One of the Nation’s Top Local Moving Companies
While it may seem like we know a lot about moving to South Florida, our real area of expertise is the process of moving itself. Dedicated to handling every aspect of your South Florida move, Moving Squad has over 50 years of experience providing customized plans to suit the needs of our South Florida customers.
At Moving Squad, we specialize in South Florida. Not only do we know the building codes, transportation guidelines, and traffic laws, but we also know the people. When you hire us, we customize your moves to your needs and budget. From packing to planning to transport to storage, we guarantee a package that works for you and a moving company that works with you.
We’re ‘Down’ with Building Management
As one of South Florida’s most widely recognized moving companies, you might say we have built up a bit of a rapport with building management. If you’re faced with building restrictions, homeowners association fees, or strict requirements, we can work it out for you. Just sit back and let our experienced staff take care of it. We’re here to make the transition into your new home as seamless as possible.
We’ve Got the Packing and Storage Covered
With the agility to handle your precious belongings and the speed you need, our movers will safely pack load, transport, and unload your items. We can tailor our services to fit your timeline and budget, packing as much or as little as you want us to. We provide the materials, bring them to you, blanket wrap your furniture, and take care of the heavy lifting.
And if your move requires storage, our clean, spacious, storage units are at your disposal. We offer both short-term and long-term storage in state-of-the-art facilities with a 24/7 monitoring system at affordable pricing options.
As we said before, the more you know the less you have to figure out. We can’t guarantee that there aren’t some things that you’re going have to figure out on your own about moving to South Florida, but you do know where to go to find a pretty darn good moving company. Contact us today and request our free rate quote. We’ll get your move off to a good start.
