| 9 Things to Know Before You Move to Florida Oct 28th 2012, 11:00 Home to nearly 20 million residents, [1] the state of Florida is a desirable place to live for several reasons. Its warm climate, excellent schools, numerous healthcare facilities and endless recreational options lure a growing number of people each year, especially from the northern United States. If you've ever considered the possibility of moving to Florida or are in the process of doing so, this article offers steps on moving to the Sunshine State. - Thoroughly research exactly where in Florida you wish to live. Aside from basic necessities (area schools, jobs, hospitals, etc.), Florida is a huge state and is equally diverse. If you don't have your mind set on a specific city, then it helps to understand that there are four distinct regions of the state, one of which might be more attractive to you than the others. These regions are:
- The Florida Panhandle: This is home to the state capital of Tallahassee and is known for its beautiful Gulf Coast beaches
- Northern Florida: This is home to the major cities of Gainesville and Jacksonville. It is known for its culturally Southern atmosphere and historic landmarks.
- Central Florida: This is home to Disney World, SeaWorld and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Southern Florida: This is the largest metropolitan area of the state and is home to the Everglades, Miami, West Palm Beach, and Key West.
- Prepare for the weather. If you're moving from anywhere outside the Southeast, then say goodbye to snowstorms and cold spells; be ready to experience long days of hot, humid, muggy conditions throughout the summer. Cities along the coast are blessed with a slightly cooling ocean breeze, but inland communities (especially in Central Florida) often face stifling, stagnant heat. Summer storms, brief and often heavy, occur with such regularity you can almost set your watch to them. The rest of the year is typically dry and mild in most of the state, with the occasional cold spell during the winter.
- Check potential homes for Chinese drywall and mold or mildew. Homes that have been sitting vacant for months, possibly years without electricity (such as foreclosures), are especially vulnerable to these issues.[2] Unless you've added the repair bills to your budget, try to avoid buying houses with these problems.
- Start thinking about hurricane safety for your new house. Apartments and condominiums will usually take care of this for you, but you are on your own in a house. Begin by buying new or having existing hurricane shutters inspected, reinforce your roof and install hurricane glass. Get used to regularly stocking and re-stocking such supplies as non-perishable food, water (change every few months), battery radios, etc. Find out if your home is in a flood zone as soon as possible, preferably before settling the house.
- Take precautionary measures for your skin. If your skin is very sensitive to the sun, you'll need to take extra care of it using lotions, creams, or other products as the Florida sun is very strong. The humidity also makes Florida very comfortable for mosquitoes, so if you're sensitive to bug bites, find and use a suitable spray or lotion that will keep them away.
- Learn to speak Spanish. This is especially important if you plan to move to South Florida, with its population of Latino residents and influence of Latin American culture increasing. You'll feel more at home being able to use Spanish as well as English––there will be plenty of opportunities to learn Spanish when you're living there.
- Be patient on the road. With Florida natives frequently outnumbered by tourists and senior citizens, it can be easy to get frustrated behind the wheel, confronted by slow drivers or motorists who appear to be lost. Stay calm, follow the signs and learn to be content with it. Florida is a big state with plenty to see, and because of its flat geographical makeup, it's a great place to explore by car.
- Become a resident. Taking care of the legal incidentals of moving is a crucial step. See the State of Florida portal for more information on residency (http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=38). In particular, focus on your driver's license, insurance coverage, change of address, business needs if you run a business, etc.
- Enjoy all that Florida has to offer. Great beaches, fascinating wildlife, big cities, tight-knit towns, excellent food and beautiful weather are just a few of the things to be experienced in Florida.
- Spend a day at the beach. Florida has one of the longest contiguous coastlines of any state, with plenty to offer from sunbathing on the warm white sands to an array of water sports.
- Check out the Kennedy Space Center. About an hour from Orlando, the complex features a sprawling visitor center, rocket launch pad tours, and exotic wildlife viewing opportunities.
- Have fun at the theme parks of Central Florida. A little online research will reveal there's much more to experience than just Disney World!
- Take an air-boat ride through the Everglades. An unforgettable day trip, make sure to pick a day with comfortable weather (it can get very humid on the marshes).
- Visit the Florida Keys. Key West is the most famous of these many beautiful islands, and you can pose for a picture at the marker that states you're a mere 90 miles to Cuba.
- Don't donate all of your cold weather clothes. Winter nights can be surprisingly chilly at times, and a light jacket or sweater will come in handy.
- While Florida does not have the best school system, it's considered a great state for homeschooling (look into the Florida Virtual School program).[2]
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