Are you hoping to move south to enjoy Florida’s year-round warm weather, incredible beaches, and hot cities? You aren’t alone. Florida is the 5th fastest-growing state in the country.

Looks like people are just tired of the long, cold winters that plague much of the Northeast and Midwest. But moving across the country, or even to the next state over, is no easy feat. There’s a lot that goes into planning a move. 

Wondering how to move to Florida? We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to give you the information to finally take the leap and leave the snowfall behind. Keep reading to learn how to make the Florida lifestyle a reality.

Full Time or Snowbird?

Your first step is figuring out why you want to move to Florida. Is it because you’d like to escape winter? 

Many who live in the Midwest retire by buying a second home in Florida. They stay up in their home states during the warmer months when the weather is the most pleasant.

Then, they travel down to Florida as soon as the temperatures drop to spend the winter wearing shorts and flip-flops. Snowbirds make up a large population of Florida. In fact, there are many cities and communities that cater exclusively to the snowbird population.

Does this sound like your ideal lifestyle, living in two different places in order to get the best of both worlds? Or are you hoping to move full-time to Florida?

Answering this question will give you a better idea of what towns you should be looking for property, what size house you need, and so forth.

Be warned, summer’s in Florida are hot and humid. It’s no wonder that those who grew up in the north can’t handle it. 

Choosing a City

Once you know if you are moving part-time or full-time, you can being your city search. What’s important to you when you daydream about living in Florida?

Do you envision yourself sitting on the beach each day? This would require living near the coast, which is going to be more expensive and more crowded, especially during the winter.

Or would a pool suffice for your water-side lounging needs? If so, you can probably find a place to live closer to the middle of the state where real estate is cheaper.

Will you be looking for work? If so, moving near one of the bigger cities is probably in your best interest. This can include places such as Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, or Miami.

Are you hoping for a bustling city, full of nightlife and entertainment? Or would you prefer a smaller, laid-back town where fishing and good food will cut it for you?

There are so many great areas to move to in Florida. It’s one of the hardest decisions you’ll make. Write down a list of must-haves and a list of things you don’t care for in order to narrow down your list of potential areas. 

What Type of Home do You Want?

Once you determine an area to move to, it’s time to start scouting out places to live. Those who are moving part-time usually settle on living in a condo.

Sure, it’s smaller. But since you are only living in it for a few months, while still making payments on your house back home, it’s often the best type of home to buy.  These can often be located near lively cities, the beach, or golf courses.

For those who are moving to Florida full-time, you’ll want a single-family home. Want to enjoy the feeling of a brand new home, never before lived in? There’s a lot of opportunities when it comes to new construction homes.

Not only will it be brand new, perfect inside and out. But it will also be the most energy-efficient home you can buy, which is crucial for navigating the heat and humidity that comes with living in Florida.

Otherwise, if you prefer a house with character, there are plenty of towns, neighborhoods, and homes that still represent old Florida, showing off the state’s history before the onset of mass tourism.

The Logistics of Moving to a New State

Once you’ve found the place you want to call home, it’s all about handling the logistics of moving to a new state. It’s never an easy process, whether it’s Florida or any other state.

But once you get here, here’s what you’ll need to do.

Become a Resident

Your first step upon moving into your new home is becoming a resident of the sunshine state. Part-time residents may not need to do this, but it may be worthwhile since Florida doesn’t collect state income tax.

You’ll need to visit the Florida DMV to get a Florida driver’s license. Then, update your car insurance with your new address within 10 days of moving in. 

And remember your taxes. If you move in the middle of the year, you might need to file taxes for both states that you lived in during the year.

Get a Hurricane Kit and Insurance

The next thing you’ll want to do is get ready for hurricane season. That’s right, Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the US, with more than twice the amount of hurricanes as the second most prone state.

Make sure you know what flood zone your home is located in. Then, purchase a hurricane insurance policy. This may or may not be mandatory. 

You’ll also want to invest in a hurricane kit. These contain all the essentials you’re going to need in case you need to hunker down and wait out a storm.

Research your city’s hurricane plan. You’ll want to know if there are certain buildings you can evacuate to in order to be safer during high winds and flooding. 

Learn Why Florida Is Different

You’ll quickly learn that Florida is a beast of its own. For one, there are gators. Lots of alligators.

While they are generally afraid of people, never get close to one. Also, stock up on bug spray. Summer’s can get pretty bad.

No More Winters

Now that you know how to move to Florida, it’s all about execution. It’s a big step and one that requires a ton of work.

But let’s face it; you’re miserable when you get cooped up in your house for six months out of the year while your house gets buried in snow. Sure, Florida isn’t perfect, but it’s about a hundred times better than that.

Looking for more information like this? Check out the rest of our blog today to keep reading.