There are many reasons why you might consider a move to the Sunshine State. From easy access to breathtaking beaches to year-round subtropical weather, there’s so much to enjoy about living here. Are you ready to make a move south toward the beaches and beyond? Learn how to move to Florida and start living your best life under the sun.
Are you wondering how to move to Florida? You might start by truly thinking about some reasons why you want to move to Florida. When you’re 100% sure about your decision, it's time to start planning the logistics: deciding on a city, finding a new place to call home, starting a Sunshine State job search, and finally settling into your new home.
Let this step-by-step guide show you the benefits of moving to Florida, help you decide what part of the Sunshine State to move to, guide you to the perfect home, and more. You’ll know how to move to Florida and get the answers you need.
Is it Worth it to Move to Florida?
Looking for a new home with a great quality of life? Look to Florida. The state’s climate, diversity, culture, and comparatively low cost of living all come together to make the Sunshine State a great place to live. Moving to Florida is a seriously worthwhile decision for many people from all walks of life.
Reasons to Move to Florida
What makes moving to Florida worth it? Consider the following:
- The weather: The average year-round high temperature across the state of Florida is a balmy 80 degrees. The average year-round low temperature across the state is a comfortable 60 degrees. You’ll never have to shovel snow and the chances of defrosting a windshield are low in Florida.
- The beaches: Florida has 1,350 miles of coastline, which makes for seemingly endless beaches. In fact, Alaska is the only place you’ll find more access to the ocean, and you probably wouldn’t want to dip your toes in the frigid waters there. You’ll find pristine places to enjoy the surf and sun on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, as well as tones of opportunities for water-based recreating like boating, parasailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more.
- The activities: In addition to the beaches and water-based fun you’ll find in Florida, you’ll also find an endless array of activities. Like hitting the links? There are more than 1,000 golf courses across the Sunshine State. Enjoy exploring nature? There are 175 state parks here that let you experience the real Florida. Love amusements? Florida is home to internationally known theme parks designed to captivate, enchant, and thrill. You’ll find something to enjoy no matter how you like spending your time.
- The people: There’s something to be said about Florida’s unique brand of southern hospitality. The people in Florida are friendly and eager to welcome new residents. Florida has 22 million residents. The median age here is 41.6, with slightly more females (51.1%) than males (48.9%). It is the third most-populated state in the nation and also has one of the most diverse populations in the country.
Other reasons to move to Florida? No state income tax, relatively low cost of living, unemployment figures below the national average, all kinds of sports teams to cheer for, and many other factors all round out the list of why Florida relocation is definitely worth it for people from all walks of life.
Can Anyone Move to Florida?
Many people think that only retirees move to Florida to spend their golden years under the sun. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s look at a few of the largest populations of people who are moving to Florida.
College Students
Even students move to Florida. Figures from the University of Florida show that 16% of the school’s 34,000 undergraduate students come from out of state. Private schools, like the University of Tampa, see even more out-of-state students. In fact, 50% of all UT students are from outside of Florida.
Young Professionals
Many young professionals escape cooler weather and find great jobs in Florida. Young professionals flock to growing Florida cities like Ocala, Miami suburbs like North Bay Village and Miami Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Orlando and its suburbs, St. Petersburg, Fort Myers, and others.
Families
Many families with children are part of the 211,000 people who moved to Florida between July 2020 and July 2021. Families love the Sunshine State for its affordable housing. The typical single-family home in Florida sells for approximately $348,000, which is lower than in states like New York, California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Arizona. Schools in Florida are also well-respected and attract the best teachers from around the country.
Retirees
Numbers show that 20.9% of Florida’s population is over age 65. This is figure slightly above the national average of 16%. Fair year-round weather, no state income tax, opportunities for recreation, and destinations like The Villages all make Florida an attractive place for retirees.
Where Should I Move in Florida?
Florida is full of great places to live. Where to move in Florida depends on your interests and the lifestyle you desire.
Where to Move in North Florida
North Florida is home to growing cities like Jacksonville, Gainesville, and on the south edge, Ocala. You might move to Gainesville if you prefer to purchase your home, as property prices here are below the state average. As of January 2022, the median home price here was just $240,000.
If you like city life, you might prefer Jacksonville. Jacksonville is the biggest city in Florida and home to 900,000 residents. Ocala offers a mix of country life and city life and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida.
Where to Move in Central Florida
Central Florida is a perfect place for those who like to be in the center of it all. Orlando is one of Florida’s major metropolitan areas and truly offers something for everyone. You’ll find unique neighborhoods here like Winter Park, Doctor Phillips, Windermere, College Park, and others.
Want something outside the city but still central? Look to the charming lakeside community of Mount Dora. As of April 2022, homebuyers found the median home price in Mount Dora was $439,000.
Where to Move in Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida might just be the best part of the Sunshine State. Here you get easy access to everything that makes Florida famous. You’ll find white-sand beaches, great dining and entertainment, opportunities to explore nature, and much more.
Communities to consider in Southwest Florida include cities like Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, and even island destinations like Sanibel and Captiva. Learn more about things to consider when moving to Southwest Florida.
What Jobs Are There in Florida?
Many people wondering how to move to Florida also want to know how to find a job in Florida. Thankfully, there are many employment opportunities in the Sunshine State for people with all kinds of education and experience. As of May 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate in Florida was just 3%, which is lower than the national rate of 3.6%.
There are lots of in-demand jobs in Florida. According to information from Indeed.com, some of the best jobs available now in Florida include:
- Customer service representative
- Sales associate
- Real estate agent
- Registered nurse
- Managers
- Truck drivers
- Licensed practical nurse
- Nursing assistant
Jobs in Florida span many sectors and industries. This means it can be easy to land your dream job in the Sunshine State.
How Do I Find a Home in Florida?
Now that you know a few reasons to move to Florida, where you might want to move in Florida, and what jobs are in Florida, let’s look at what you’ll need to do to find a home in Florida.
The first step in finding a home in Florida is reaching out to a real estate agent in the new city you’d like to call home. The right real estate agent in Florida will be willing to work with you from afar, which means they can be your eyes and ears in the Sunshine State while you’re still out of state.
You might share your ideal house-hunting checklist with your Florida real estate agent so they know what kind of home you’re considering, what type of financing you plan to use, and other important details. From there, they can go to work for you and help you find the perfect Florida home.
How to Move to Florida from Another State
Knowing how to move to Florida is more than finding a job and finding a home. You’ll also need to become know how to become an official resident of the Sunshine State.
Here is a basic checklist of 15 things you’ll need to do when moving to Florida.
- Determine why you’d like to move to Florida
- Decide where to live in Florida
- Find a home in Florida
- Find a job in Florida
- Book interstate movers for your move to Florida
- Turn on utilities at your new home in Florida
- Obtain a Florida driver’s license
- Register your car or vehicle in Florida
- Register to vote in Florida
- Open an account at a Florida bank
- Find medical providers in Florida
- Develop a hurricane safety plan
- Learn your way around your new community
- Become acquainted with your new neighbors and join social groups in Florida
- Enjoy the Florida lifestyle
Moving to the state of Florida is simple and straightforward. Knocking out the items on the list above will ensure you live a good life in the Sunshine State.
Plan Your Florida Move with Royal Shell Real Estate
Beautiful beaches, endless recreation, mild winter weather, and no state income tax are just a handful of the reasons why you might move to Florida. Knowing how to move to Florida makes it all attainable.
Are you ready to make your dream of Florida relocation come true? Reach out to the expert agents at Royal Shell Real Estate. With locations in North Central Florida and Southwest Florida, we’re eager to go to work for you. We’ll help you find your Florida dream home and ensure success every step along the way.
Call Royal Shell Real Estate now at (855) 242-9926 or reach out online. We’re eager to help you find a Sunshine State of mind.