Florida is a popular vacation destination for most people in the United States. In fact, chances are, you have as well been there… whether on a vacation with your family or a spring break that you can’t possibly remember.
To get a vivid picture, let’s look at a few pros and cons of living in Florida.
From top-class beaches to pleasant weather, theme parks, and numerous attractions, Florida offers a ton of things to do and see.
No wonder the Sunshine State is frequented by millions of tourists each year from within and without the United States. But would Florida be a suitable place for you to live in?
Well, the beaches, strong economy, tax benefits, great weather, and exciting recreation opportunities are obvious things to be excited about, but what would make someone not want to live in Florida?
- Pros and Cons Of Living In Florida
- The Pros
- Pro 1: Amazing Top-Class Beaches
- Pro 2: Living Expenses Are Reasonably Low
- Pro 3: Spectacular Winter Weather
- Pro 4: Numerous Attractive Neighborhoods
- Pro 5: Numerous Sports and Outdoors Activity Opportunities
- Pro 6: Booming Economy
- Pro 6: State Income Taxes Aren’t a Bother
- Pro 7: Attractions Such As Theme Parks
- The Cons
Pros and Cons Of Living In Florida
The Pros
Pro 1: Amazing Top-Class Beaches
Pretty much more than fifty percent of the state’s beaches are among the country’s top 10. This means that Florida homeowners may walk to world-class beaches right from their front door. Fishing, beach volleyball, dolphin viewing cruises, and other fun activities abound on these beaches.
Pro 2: Living Expenses Are Reasonably Low
Despite the high cost of living in places like Miami, the state as a whole has a low cost of living. Because the cost of most essential services in Florida is lower than the national average, and housing costs are more affordable in most major cities, relocating to the Sunshine State would be a wise financial decision.
Pro 3: Spectacular Winter Weather
The months of November through February, and sometimes March, in Florida are among the most pleasant in the United States, depending on where you are in the state and the weather conditions that year.
Warm temps around the degree you’d set your thermostat at in Florida during the winter mean low humidity and lots of sunshine. There’s hardly anything to shovel for the better part of winter.
Pro 4: Numerous Attractive Neighborhoods
When looking to establish residence in Florida, there are many communities and neighborhoods to choose from. Florida’s cities, in addition to the beautiful scenery, offer a wonderful variety that seems to offer something for just about everyone.
In Miami, for example, young professionals will find an abundance of culture and art. This is alongside a diverse ethnic population and exciting party scenes that must be experienced to be properly appreciated.
Then there’s St. Petersburg, Florida’s second-largest city, but one of the most affordable to live in. The Villages, a retirement community the size of a small city with 69,000 residents, is another option for baby boomers who want to relax and settle down.
That’s not all either… Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Destin, Vero Beach, Tallahassee, and a slew of other cities round out the list of popular tourist destinations.
Pro 5: Numerous Sports and Outdoors Activity Opportunities
If you enjoy having a good time in the great outdoors, this is the place for you. Then this may be your state. The Sunshine State also offers a plethora of sports and outdoor activities to take up as well, thanks to a large number of coastlines here.
Florida Water Sports
Popular water sports include sailing and surfing, alongside the following:
- Swimming
- Kayaking
- Snorkeling
- Diving
- Yachting
- Canoeing
- Fishing
Sports in Florida’s Mainland
The fact that the state’s residents like golf, tennis, and hiking make it a popular tourist destination. This is particularly true if you’re a golf fanatic.
Arguably, there are more golf courses in Florida than in any other state. Some consider Palm Beach County to be Florida’s golf capital, thanks to its immense wealth of golf courses.
Pro 6: Booming Economy
Florida’s economy is booming, and it’s just going to get better. In July 2018, the state’s economy had grown past the $1 trillion mark. It ranked top 10 in Forbes’ list of states with the biggest growth in 2021.
Some argue that Florida would actually rank top-20 in the world’s largest economies if it were its own country. That’s fantastic news for Florida, for the people who live there, and for those like you who are thinking about migrating there.
Pro 6: State Income Taxes Aren’t a Bother
Living in Florida has significant tax advantages. State income taxes are the least of your worries, for instance. Florida residents, in particular, are exempt from paying state income taxes. It’s among the top nicest things about being a resident in Florida.
There are only a few states in the United States that do not impose personal income tax obligations on residents since the 2004 abolishment. Alongside estate taxes, taxes on intangible assets like stocks and bonds were also dropped in 2007.
If saving money on taxes is a major factor in your decision to relocate to Florida, you can actually benefit from living there.
Pro 7: Attractions Such As Theme Parks
Florida is also home to numerous theme parks and amusement parks. There are six theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. Also, don’t forget about other well-known sights like:
- Universal Pictures
- SeaWorld
- Theme parks in Tampa
- Legoland
The Cons
Despite the many perks Florida offers, not everyone will enjoy living in the state. There are several compelling reasons to avoid relocating to Florida. Sales taxes, extreme weather, and urbanization are all disadvantages of living in this State. Let’s look at a Few drawbacks below.
1. Many Tourist-Infested Areas
Some areas in Florida can be “overcrowded” by tourists. As a result, Florida can rapidly grow old if you’re not into tourism, which most permanent residents of a heavily toured location aren’t.
Remember, we’re talking about a state receiving more than seventy thousand tourists each year. Very few states in the US get a third that much.
Nonetheless, some cities receive significantly less visitors than others. When you arrive in a city like Tampa, Destin, or Orlando, you’re likely to see more tourists than locals. However, if you live in a place like Vero Beach, Florida, which has been named one of the country’s top beach communities, you’ll see less tourists.
2. The Weather Can Be Tough To Cope With
Intense heat: In the summer, the intense heat and humidity can make life miserable for some people in FL. You’ll still perspire even if you’re sitting in the shade. No matter if you’re indoors or in your automobile, air conditioning will be your best friend throughout the majority of the year.
Hurricanes: Hurricanes are a well-known hazard in the state of Florida. Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 each year. While this isn’t a cause to stay away from Florida, it is one of the state’s less appealing characteristics.
Tornadoes: Save Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, very few states have experienced more tornadoes annually than Florida. The comforting aspect is that most of the ones experienced here are not as severe and lethal compared to places like Texas where possibly deadly tornadoes could occur anytime. Nonetheless, tornadoes are one of the most dreadful aspects of living in Florida as far as the weather is concerned, save for hurricanes.
3. High Rate of Criminal Activity
While you might be all excited to move to Florida, it pays to note one important fact. Florida is one of the country’s 30 most hazardous states, with violent and property crime rates both higher than the national average.
While there are less dangerous places like Sweetwater and Naples, areas like Opa Locka, Lake City, and Nassau have registered skyrocketing crime rates in Florida in the recent past. All the same, there are numerous safe neighborhoods even in the most dangerous cities anywhere.
4. Health Care and Insurance Coverage Are Below Average.
Florida’s health care institutions are rated below average, and the state is in the bottom 20 in the nation for health care quality. However, this does not include all of them. Additionally, insurance premiums in Florida are greater than in other states because of the state’s location.
5. Affluent Customers Pay a Lot in Taxes
As a result of not having to pay personal income taxes, residents of Florida save money. Furthermore, the country’s business tax rates are among the most favorable in the world. This state, on the other hand, slaps inhabitants with a variety of taxes and fees. Sales tax is also incredibly high in comparison to the rates in other states.
Despite the fact that the rate isn’t in the nation’s top 20, it’s still alarmingly high. Tennessee, by way of comparison, has the nation’s highest average sales tax rate of 9.5 percent. And even a state with a low total cost of living like Kansas is no match to Florida.
In spite of this, residents are still paying an additional 8% on their purchases (VAT). Other state fees may be greater than you are used to, not to mention other state fees. For example, renewing your driver’s license costs money in most states.
The bottom line is that the pros of living in Florida far much outweigh the cons. The State offers a home for everyone whether you’re looking for an urban or suburban kind of life. The most important thing is to choose a residence based on your specific preferences and needs.
Here are the merits and demerits of living in Florida
The Pros
- Pro 1: Amazing Top-Class Beaches
- Pro 2: Living Expenses Are Reasonably Low
- Pro 3: Spectacular Winter Weather
- Pro 4: Numerous Attractive Neighborhoods
- Pro 5: Numerous Sports and Outdoors Activity Opportunities
- Pro 6: Booming Economy
- Pro 6: State Income Taxes Aren’t a Bother
- Pro 7: Attractions Such As Theme Parks
The Cons
- Many Tourist-Infested Areas
- The Weather Can Be Tough To Cope With
- High Rate of Criminal Activity
- Health Care and Insurance Coverage Are Below Average.
- Affluent Customers Pay a Lot in Taxes
Please consult a licensed real estate agent or appropriate professional
Information changes almost daily. None of the authors, contributors, administrators, or anyone else connected with RealEstateZing, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from these web pages.
