Moving to Florida

Have you thought about it? I would like to move to Florida, should I move to Florida? Is Florida the right place for me to live? Have you asked yourself those questions? If that is the case, you are not alone. There are currently (2023) over 1,000 people a day moving to Florida. It is easy to see why the state of Florida attracts so many people.
The most part of the year it is sunny and warm. There is no state income tax in Florida.
Florida Beaches are the best. There is plenty of cultural diversity, many residents are transplants from other states. For sure everybody knows that Florida is the golf capital of the world. Floridians receive discounts on several attractions, like Walt Disney World.
It is a laidback lifestyle; you can’t really run in flip flops.
You can vacation where you live. You never really have to travel again. There are lots of attractions, all within a few hours. Locally most areas offer Festivals and outdoor Events, like music concerts, Farmer’s Markets, Arts and craft shows, antique and exotic car shows and sand sculpture competitions.
It is easy to get away with plenty of airports around. Additionally, Miami is the Cruise capital of the world and is homeport to more than 20 cruise lines. There are also cruises starting from Tampa.

Now that you know you want to move to Florida, there is still the question, where in Florida?
Start your research by checking out East coast vs West coast, Atlantic vs Gulf of Mexico. You will find out that both coasts are very different. Each coast offers a different vibe and allure which should be considered when deciding which coast, you want to call home.

The east coast on the Atlantic has more of a big city vibe and there is always something going on. There is always an event going on, there is something every minute of every day. This coast is also lined with high-rise apartments which also means denser population, more traffic. Now, the Atlantic in winter gets colder and you might not be able to get in.

The west coast is known for its warm Gulf waters and white sandy beaches. Some years you can enjoy the Gulf of Mexico during most of the winter season. You won’t find many high-rises, meaning less people and less traffic. That will give you a more relaxed atmosphere. That doesn’t mean there is nothing to do. There is always something.

CONDO – a condo is a form of property where you have the ownership of your unit and share the ownership of the common areas, like parking, pool, gym and more. There is an HOA fee (condo fee) that can be charged either monthly or quarterly to each condo owner for the maintenance of all common areas, systems and structure. Buying a condo involves that rules need to be followed by all residents.
TOWNHOUSES – have usually shared walls, at least one or more and are mostly multi-story units. As with condos, there is a HOA fee. The owners are mostly responsible for maintaining the exterior of the unit, which includes the lawn (garden) and the roof of the residence. The common areas, such as parking, sidewalks, leisure areas and others are the responsibility of the Association (HOA). The responsibilities can vary in between the different HOA’s based on the original ruling. In some you might care for your own yard, in others it can be all maintenance free for you.
VILLAS – they are usually paired and share one wall. With villas there also comes the HOA, as there are common areas, like with townhouses.
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES – as the name suggests they are separate from each other, which brings you more privacy and comfort. They are more likely larger and more expensive than the other Homes mentioned. These homes can be purchased outside an HOA area. Homes inside an HOA area would have to pay fees and follow rules. Here you have a choice, as HOA rules can be strict. Depending on your lifestyle you want to inform yourself about the rules.
GATED COMMUNITIES – Here, too, the term does not specify the type of real estate unit, but the concept. When translating Gated Community, we will have “Community with gate”. Whenever a Realto/Broker refers to “Gated Community” it usually means that it is a condominium of houses within the limits of walls. These houses can be Single-Family, Townhomes or Villas. At the same time, these condominiums may or may not allow seasonal rental, which would qualify these homes as Vacation Homes.

When doing your research, take that into consideration. I did and settled in the Charlotte County area. Selling Real Estate in Sarasota and Charlotte County.
What this area has to offer is what attracted me. Living in a quiet golf community that I call home, but still being close to some bigger Cities if I desire that city vibe. I enjoy that there are no high-rises near the beaches, and lots of nature around. There are still plenty of restaurants to choose from, and the beaches are not that crowded. I like to take day trips with friends to explore the surrounding areas for shopping or theatre visits. Living close by some of the greatest beaches is amazing. Going out on some boat rides and enjoying the Caribbean color water in the Gulf of Mexico still confirms I made the right choice.

Even though this is a great slice of Paradise, I would like to mention that there are a few things you need to know.
There are tourists all year long. The weather isn’t always the best. There is a rainy season and there is a possibility of lightning and hurricanes. Because Florida is a peninsula, a good part of the state is susceptible to flooding and might be required to carry flood insurance on your home. Allergies might be a problem for some.
Florida has a lot of wildlife. Everybody knows Gators live here, but there are snakes too and you may have to contend with that.