Florida Moving Guide: Things You Need to Know About Moving To Florida

Not only is moving a lot to handle in terms of organization but it can also be pretty draining emotionally. No matter where you’re relocating to, there’s going to be a lot of things to take care of. However, moving to Florida is a bit different than moving to other states in the US. The reason for that is that Florida itself is a unique state. Many people — Florida-born and newcomers alike — love it and would not want to live anywhere else. But there is also the other portion — people who move to Florida and quickly realize it’s not for them after all. If you’re not sure which group you would belong to, take a look at our Florida moving guide to learn the ins and outs of moving to the Sunshine State.

Making the Decision: Is Moving to Florida For You?

As we mentioned, living in Florida is a unique experience, so not everyone can handle it. Before you come to a final decision, take a look at our list of pros and cons to see if Florida life would suit you.

Pros of Living in Florida

• No state income tax: Florida is one of the few states where you don’t have to pay any income tax.
• Sunshine all year round: Florida has about 200 days of sunshine a year.
• Stunning beaches: In Florida, you will have access to 825 miles of beaches to choose from.
• Diverse cultural landscape: Florida is home to people from all backgrounds and walks of life, so it’s easy to find a community.

Cons of Living in Florida

• Hurricanes and extreme heat: It might be difficult to get used to such extreme weather conditions, especially for snowbirds.
• Tourism: Well-developed tourism is great for the state economy. But that also means that there are lots of tourists there all year round. That, in turn, leads to crowded cities and traffic.
• Wildlife: It’s nice to see dolphins and turtles when you hit the beach. However, you also need to be prepared for snakes and alligators.

Plan Your Move to Florida

If you’ve made it this far, that means you would like to become a Florida resident. But how does one go about moving there? No need to panic, as we will explain what your next steps are when it comes to moving to Florida.

Following our guide, you can make a checklist with everything you need to do. That way, you won’t forget anything and the move will be smooth.

1. Hire a Moving Company

When it comes to moving, you have to be honest with yourself about what you can handle. After all, there are things that you need to leave to the professionals. A moving company can help you with anything, from packing and loading to transport and unloading.

So, to minimize the stress, you can hire a Florida moving company to take the load off your mind — and your hands. What’s more, you can customize every part of your move. Whether you need help with packing, storage, or moving valuable items that require careful handling, an experienced crew has got you covered.

2. Create a Home Inventory

Before movers come to your home, you should decide which possessions you’ll take with you, and which you’ll leave behind. When doing this, we recommend you establish a packing system. You can, for example, label the boxes based on the room they should go in. Or you can simply mark them with ‘keep,’ ‘sell,’ ‘toss.’

Since your final destination is Florida, consider which things will be useful for life there and which ones will just increase the cost of moving. For instance, if you’re moving from the East Coast, you don’t need to bring your winter clothes and ski gear. It might be tough to part from them, but you simply won’t use them in Florida and you don’t want them to take up your valuable space.

Like any state, Florida has its own law of what can and can’t be brought in. For example, you can’t bring any kind of citrus tree to Florida unless you have a special permit. Unless you feel like going through the hassle of getting one, your lemon tree in a pot makes a great gift for a friend you’re leaving behind.

3. Make a Plan for Moving Your Pet

When planning a move to Florida, you need to take your pet into consideration. For in-state moves, there are no requirements you should worry about. However, for an interstate move, some conditions need to be met.

If you plan on flying to Florida, your pet will need a health certificate that states it is in good health and fit to fly. Also, all dogs and cats that are older than three months need confirmation of their current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian. For pets other than cats and dogs, you need to check specific Florida requirements.

4. Make Travel Arrangements

Once you’re all packed up and your pet is ready for the move, all there’s left to do is book a ticket to Florida. Don’t overpack for the plane — bring only the essentials and let the movers take care of the rest. Also, don’t forget to discuss the accommodation plan for your pet.

If you’re driving to Florida, you should know that you can get traffic information on the go if you dial 511 or visit FL511.com. As for the tolls, they depend on the road you’re on and how far you’re going. When a toll booth is coming up, there are signs that will let you know the amount you should pay, as well as the method of payment.

Conclusion

Florida has a lot to offer, which is why every year, thousands of new residents decide to make it their home. If you would like to be one of them, your new life in Florida is just one move away. Now that you have our guide to help you, it’s time to start packing your bags!

Photo by Denys Kostyuchenko on Unsplash

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