Florida is the host to hundreds of beautiful golf courses, peaceful beaches, scenic Florida Keys, and a range of adult communities which combine to make Florida an ideal place to retire.
On top of this, no income tax, high employment rate, diverse job market, and comparatively lower cost of living make it a dreamland for younger generations to find a career and settle for life.
If you are considering moving to Sunshine State, here are a few reasons you shouldn’t give it a second thought.
A Year-Long Sunny Weather
Are you ready to get a “warm” welcome by the Sunshine State? It boasts sunny, but not-so-hot weather year-round. Out of 365 days a year, the sun shines for around 240 days on the glittery white sandy beaches of Florida.
Florida, of course, is a tropical area with an average highest temperature of 77 °F throughout the year. This makes it an ideal destination for those who love the sun, and cities like Miami and Orlando boast beautiful cityscapes to go with the sunny weather. The days are warm and the nights are breezy, ideal for having a cup of coffee on your balcony.
On the flip side, if you are not someone who enjoys rainy days, some parts of Florida witness seasonal short spells of rain from May to October, and the weather in these months may get humid in some parts.
Florida averages 54 inches of rain per year across the state, making it one of the rainiest states in the country. Fortunately, once the fall hits, the weather throughout Florida is dry and pleasant past October.
No Income Tax
One of the biggest draws for new movers to Florida is that you don’t have to pay hefty taxes on your hard-earned money. Of the states with no income tax, Florida is the place to be.
Although you do need to pay property tax and sales tax, Florida’s non-existent income tax will allow you to save on whatever job you may land from the booming job market. Even the property tax, averaging at just 1.02%, won’t be too heavy on your pocket.
This means nothing is deducted from your pension, security benefits, and monthly income. Hence, you have more to spend on recreation and can afford to save a few bucks for rainy days.
Stunningly Beautiful Beaches
Florida is the home to some of the most famous beaches, not only in the United States but also around the world. Its glimmering, white sand beaches that span over 1000 miles are one of the reasons why the state attracted over 300,000 new residents in 2023.
From the sun-bathed party beaches to the more peaceful family beaches, the Sunshine State has as many as around 200 beaches. Some of the most popular ones include Miami Beach, Panama Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, and of course Siesta Beach with never-ending stretches of pearl-like glimmering white sand and radiating clear water.
So, if you are planning to move to the Sunshine State, don’t forget to get your share of sunshine at one of its stunning beaches.
A Great Job Market and a Lower Unemployment Rate
- A huge question to have in mind as you plan to move to Florida is whether or not it offers good job opportunities. If you are looking to start a sustainable career with a reasonably paying job, Florida is a good place to try your luck.
- According to the recent stats for 2024, Florida has some of the top job centers in the country as it is among the states with the lowest unemployment rate.
- Florida has depicted strong and stable job growth over the years with the highest opportunities in the private sector.
- According to floridajobs.org, in the year 2023, the state witnessed a 2.6 percent increase in private sector jobs which is even higher than the national rate of 1.5%
- Florida’s city Jacksonville is the second hottest job market in the US for the year 2024.
Some of the most in-demand jobs in Florida for the past few years were in the sales sector, nursing, customer service, and admin.
Comparatively Lower cost of Living
- Although Florida does have some expensive cities like Miami, the overall cost of living for Florida on average is lower than many other busy centers like New Jersey, California, Connecticut, and New York.
- The average cost of living in Florida is a little above $50,000 per year.
- House rents can be anywhere between $1200 for a studio apartment to $2000 for a 4-bedroom apartment for a month.
- Utility prices can vary highly from one city to the other. On average, monthly utility charges are $195 per month in Florida which is lower than the national average for utilities.
- Although the grocery prices in Florida are still lower than the national average, the past few years have seen a rise in the overall monthly average with the current stats sitting at around $280 per month.
Life in Florida-Things to Do
With a place as versatile as Florida, there is always something to do and somewhere to go. Florida is a place too peaceful and yet too vibrant to let you feel bored.
- Looking for an “out of this world experience”?NASA regularly launches spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island.
- Missing nature amidst the buzzing city life? How about spending a day at Everglades National Park? Ride your bike through the trees, go kayaking and meet the gators, or challenge yourself with hiking on long treks.
- Need a break from work? Simply, grab your club on a sunny morning, and let’s “golf around” in one of the 1250 lush green golf courses. Florida has the highest number of golf courses of any other state in the US. Or you can simply spend a Sunday at a beach and claim your share of sunshine from the Sunshine State while relaxing and getting rejuvenated for the week ahead.
- Looking to island-hop? Nothing beats spending your weekend on the Florida Keys comprising 125 islands with picturesque beauty. Dive in crystal clear waters, go boating in boats with glass bottoms, or visit Bahia Honda State Park for a memorable scuba diving experience.
- Are you an avid explorer? A person who loves to know about rich cultures? St. Pete is the place to dwell for you. Explore rich cultural sites. Or simply enjoy Florida’s hustling nightlife characterized by varied cuisine, featuring Caribbean, American, African, and Asian cultures.
And if you don’t feel like leaving your comfort zone, what’s more relaxing than sitting under the sky on your patio on breezy Floridian nights, enjoying a cup of tea?
In short, whether you are planning to relocate to Florida for a career or want to retire to a peaceful yet full-of-life place, Florida has a lot to offer.
With its natural beauty, developed cities, tax-free economy, and low cost of living along with a range of recreational facilities, Florida is nothing less than a dreamland for both career-oriented individuals and those looking for leisure in their lives.
