About 1,000 people move to Florida every day. Unsurprisingly, with a nickname like “Sunshine State” thousands of people flock here. If you are planning to hire one of the interstate moving companies Vermont and join this number, you should know a little about your future home before it’s time to unpack. Before moving from Vermont to Florida, it’s helpful to know a few basic things.
What can you expect when moving from Vermont to Florida?
1. Weather
Since this is usually the first reason for hiring cross country movers Florida and moving to the Sunshine State, let’s start with the weather. What can you expect from a Florida meteorologist? He’s got a harder job than you think. As the nickname suggests, Florida offers a lot of sun and warmth, however, the weather varies somewhat.
As expected, Floridians use the sunny weather to enjoy on the beach as much as possible
Much of Florida is in a subtropical climate that creates long summers and short mild winters. During the warmest season, you can count on wearing shorts and tank tops for the temperatures of the 80s. In winter, snowshoes and a parka are not required, but a light jacket may be needed. Average temperatures range from 50 to 60 in northern Florida and up to 60 degrees in southern Florida.
You can live in Florida and never experience hurricanes. However, hurricane safety is one of the things to know before moving to Florida from Vermont. If this region becomes your new home, study hurricane safety tips to understand what steps to take during your first severe weather emergency.
2. Housing
Another thing to know about living in Florida is the housing market. Whether you are looking to buy or rent a home, it can be helpful to learn about the cost of housing and what types of housing are popular in the area. Florida offers a median home value slightly higher than the national average at $206,476. As you might expect, some coastal cities are more expensive than other parts of the state. It is estimated that the median list price of Florida homes is $161 per square foot. It is also predicted that house prices will rise 2.5 percent next year. If you are thinking of renting, you can expect the average rental price to be around $1,800.
3. Cost of living
Of course, living in Florida comes with other expenses besides housing and home renovation. When, for example, moving to Miami, you need to consider taxes, utilities, transportation, and other expenses.
The good news is that most living costs are comparable to prices in other states, and some offer savings. Due to the warm weather, you can count on lower heating and winter clothing costs than other parts of the country. However, the big savings are provided by the state income tax – in Florida that does not exist. That’s right, you don’t have to pay government taxes on your Sunshine State income, which means you have more money to spend on tops and beach accessories.
4. Insurance
Insurance is another important factor in the cost of living. An additional insurance plan to consider when moving to Florida is flood insurance. Storms, everglades, and rivers put much of Florida at serious flood risk. Because most homes in Florida are near water, flood insurance is often necessary.
Strong winds and floods are very common, so expect to get an insurance against that right after moving from Vermont to Florida
This coverage is usually required to obtain a mortgage – especially for seaside homes – and is usually not included in a homeowner’s insurance policy. Thus, homeowners must purchase flood insurance separately. Most flood insurance is provided through the National Flood Insurance Program.
5. Employment
The average salary in Florida ranges from $9.21 to $30.71 an hour. In July 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate in Florida was 11.3 percent. But, before the situation with the virus, the unemployment rate was significantly lower. In February, it was 2.8 percent. Some jobs are more common in Florida than in any other state. The 12 best jobs you are more likely to find in Florida:
- Commercial drivers
- Hoist and winch operators
- Builders
- Building cleaners
- Motorboat operators
- Aerospace Technicians
- Farm consultants
- Forensic specialists
- Electrical technicians
- Fiberglass manufacturers
- Entertainment and recreational services
- Pest control workers
6. Region
Differences in cuisine make you think about life in Florida. Your experience of living in North Florida is likely to be very different from living in South Florida. The culture and climate of the two regions are very different. For example, northern Florida is less vulnerable to climate change, while southern Florida offers more variety. In the southern part of the state, you will also experience more Caribbean and Latin American influences and a more active nightlife. All those different cultures at the same place are one of the biggest surprises for the people moving from Burlington to Orlando. But, don’t worry, you will get used to it.
7. Activities
Florida offers a variety of outdoor activities to keep you busy year-round. In addition to great beaches for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and other water activities, the state has many rivers, springs, lakes, and parks. Residents and visitors can go paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing. Golf is another popular pastime; the state has many high-end golf courses that attract top golfers from across the country.
Of course, we can’t ignore Mickey and his buddies. Walt Disney World is one of the state’s top attractions. Combined with Universal Studios, Sea World, and other amusement parks around Orlando, these playgrounds for adults and children are well worth a visit at least once.
8. Snowbirds
As you adjust to the coming and going tourists, you should also be aware of the snowbirds. No, these are not puffins or penguins that travel to Florida and back. These are people who live in the state, but only live there seasonally. Snowbirds are often retirees who migrate south during the winter months from their summer homes in northern areas such as Michigan, Vermont, or New York. They will share the state with you in warm winter weather and then head to their homes in the north when the snow melts.
Most often, you will see them enjoying the local attractions
Florida can be the best and the worst state at the same time. It all depends on what you are willing to sacrifice. Either way, there are a lot of interesting things that expect you after moving from Vermont to Florida. Just relax and enjoy yourself in one of the prettiest states in the country.