Are you moving to Florida from West Coast? If you do, you probably want to know what it’s like living in Florida. Florida is also known as the Sunshine State, and that says a lot about it. When someone mentions Florida the first thing you will think about is the sun, beaches, and palm trees. And that is exactly what you will find after moving here. But what are the differences that you will experience after this move because the West Coast also has sun and beaches? In the following article, Orange Movers Pompano Beach will try to show you all you need to know. Take a look.
Pros and cons of living in Florida
Florida is a very attractive destination but like everywhere there are pros and cons to living here. Of course, this state wouldn’t be so popular if the cons are more dominant. But they are not. There are many more pros to living here, but the major one is the Florida weather. And everyone likes nice weather, which you will find in Florida all year round. But, if you are coming from California you will find that the climate here is much more humid, and you can expect much more summer storms and rain. Here are the pros and cons of living in Florida.
Pros of moving to Florida from West Coast
- Nice weather is the number one reason for moving to Florida from West Coast
- Beautiful beaches
- Exotic nature and wildlife
- Water activities
- Theme parks
- Low tax
- Cheap properties
- Low living costs
Cons of moving to Florida
- The weather can sometimes turn really bad. Just think about hurricanes
- Wildlife can be invasive and annoying, especially insects
- The high number of tourists
- High crime rates, in some places
- Traffic problems in the form of bad public transportation and wild driving
Expect nice weather and beautiful beaches when moving to Florida from West Coast
Nice weather is the first thing everyone thinks about when moving to Florida from the West Coast. Although there are parts of the West Coast with equally nice weather it is still the number one reason for moving to Miami and Florida. The fantastic coast and beautiful beaches are also one of the most important reasons for relocating to the Sunshine state. Even if you are not living directly on the coast, the beach is never too far away. Whenever you feel like going to the beach you can visit one and come back in one day.
But, you can generally expect sunny weather with mild winters throughout the state. And that is why thousands of people are deciding to move to Florida every year. And many of them are deciding to retire here. But relocating to Florida is not that easy. And many people realize that moving here was a mistake. But after they already moved. So it would be wise to do good research before deciding to move here.
Weather can also be a problem if you are moving to Florida from West Coast
Weather is also on the cons list and you maybe wonder why? Well, in the summer months the high temperatures in combination with high humidity can have a high impact on people’s health. Especially for the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses. Another bad side of the nice weather is that it can turn very bad very quickly. But luckily storms usually don’t last more than 45 minutes. But the most important thing to be aware of is hurricanes that can be very destructive. And they are, probably, one of the main reasons why people here sometimes decide to hire international movers South Florida and leave the country altogether.
Exotic nature and wildlife
Fantastic nature and exotic wildlife are also one of the pros of moving to Florida from the West Coast. When it comes to natural wonders, if you like hiking and spending your time in nature, you will have enough trails, rivers, springs, and lakes to explore for the rest of your life. Another thing that’s on the pros, as well as the cons list, is exotic wildlife. There were some cases where a person finds an alligator in his backyard. And you won’t believe the size of the insects you will find here. Not to mention snakes, scorpions, and mosquitoes. This alone can be a trigger for someone who recently moved to Florida to move back.
Popular outdoor activities in Florida
Because you have nice weather practically all year round it is a great place for sailing, yachting, swimming, diving, fishing, and surfing. Although the most popular activities include the ocean there are many sports that you could play on the hard ground too. The most popular sports in Florida are tennis and golf.
Other popular activities you might find interesting
Theme parks are something that that Florida is known for. Of course, when someone mentions theme parks the first thing you will think about is Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom. But there are many more fantastic places like Sea World in Orlando, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Financial benefits when relocating to Florida from West Coast
In Florida, there is no state income tax and that sounds very appealing to many newcomers. Florida’s real estate market is very active and new home prices are pretty low compared to the rest of the US. So, it’s not going to be too much of a problem to buy a new house. And low living costs are also one of the reasons why many people decide to move to Florida from the West Coast.
Living costs differences between Florida and California
When it comes to living costs, Florida is far cheaper than most states on the West Coast. Especially when you compare it with California. Overall, living in Florida is 16.5% cheaper than living in California. The average living cost in Florida for one person, without rent, is $2066, while in California it’s around $2417. For a family, the average living cost in Florida is $4686 – in California, it is $5321.
Food costs
Food is around 6% cheaper in Florida than in most states on the West Coast. A basic meal with a drink at a mid-range restaurant in Florida is +6.0% cheaper than in California. A fast food combo meal will cost you +8.9% less. And a bottle of Coca-Cola will cost you around +8.0% less after moving to Florida from West Coast. When it comes to groceries, your expenses will be around 2% lower if you are moving to Florida from California.
Transportation costs
The West Coast currently has much higher gas prices than the East Coast. California in particular has very high gas prices especially when we compare them to Florida. Gas prices, mean that transportation costs of all sorts are lower in Florida. For example, public transportation is 33% cheaper in Florida. But you will also find that hiring LA movers is much more expensive than hiring reliable movers Miami FL has to offer, for example. Of course, gas prices are one of the main reasons why overall living costs are higher in California than in Florida. In August 2022 the average gas price in California was $6.377 while in Florida, around $3.255.
Housing costs
Besides food and transportation, housing costs are one of the most important factors that affect the cost of living index. And there is a big difference between the East and the West Coast. Especially between California and Florida. The biggest difference you will see in home prices. The median home value in California in 2022 was $834,400. On the other hand, the median home price in Florida in the same year was $405,489. This is a huge thing for homeowners looking to sell a home in California and buy a new one in Florida. It means that anyone who decides to sell a home in California can double their living space if they use that money to buy a new one in Florida.
As far as rents are concerned, Florida has the nation’s sixth-highest average rent costs – $1,686. Fortunately for anyone relocating to Florida from West Coast, it is still much better than rents in California. California has the nation’s second-highest rent prices – $1,844.
Home prices and rents are not the only expense that you have to factor in when thinking about housing costs. You also have to consider utilities. In Florida, the average monthly utility costs for a 700sq ft home will be around $124.50 – 8% lower than in California.
Business opportunities and climate
Many people have home offices these days. If you are running a business from your home, you are probably wondering what will happen after relocating to Florida from West Coast. Generally, your business should benefit from this move as well. The main indicator of business climate, of course, is the unemployment rate. In Florida, it is 2.7% compared to California’s 4.1%. So, if you are planning to hire commercial movers South Florida and relocate your business here as well, know that you can expect many benefits.
Everyday problems you will find in Florida
Florida is filled with tourists and seasonal workers, especially in some popular areas. And everyone knows what problems places with lots of tourists have. Some places, especially in South Florida, have high crime rates, so you need to inform yourself well before deciding to move to Florida. Especially if you have kids. Also, you will probably have to drive if you want to get somewhere. Public transportation is not something that Florida can be proud of. And people who are living in Florida always complain about the wild drivers who are giving normal people headaches in traffic.
Moving to Florida from West Coast with the right moving company
As you can notice moving to Florida from West Coast have many pros and cons. But if you decide to move to the Sunshine State despite hurricanes and mosquitoes you will find that moving here will be a good decision. And living in Florida is generally a fantastic experience. But moving here can be very complicated, so hiring experienced interstate movers Florida will be of great significance. That is if you want to move without much stress and without too much of a bother.
