Moving to the Sunshine State may seem like a dream, sunny skies, sandy beaches, and no state income tax, but many Florida transplants quickly discover that life here comes with unexpected challenges.
From relentless bugs and high insurance costs to muggy weather and underperforming schools, there’s more to consider than just warm winters and palm trees.
Whether you’re relocating for work, retirement, or a change of pace, it’s essential to be informed. In this article, we’ll explore 12 things Florida transplants wish they knew before making the move to help you avoid the same surprises.
1: Job Troubles
Finding employment in Florida can present difficulties depending on your specific location within the state. While the overall number of job openings in Florida is said to be similar to the national average, actually accessing these jobs can be challenging.
Many positions are concentrated in cities where the cost of living is often too high for the available salaries, resulting in many Florida transplants facing long commutes to work.
2: Bugs, Oh My
One specific bug issue often catches new Florida residents by surprise: lovebug season. These black mating flies are known to splatter onto vehicles and hover around yards.
Adding to the surprise, Florida experiences two distinct lovebug seasons each year, occurring from April to May and again from August to September. This cyclical presence of lovebugs is a unique, and sometimes unwelcome, aspect of life in Florida.
3: Bugs Again
Beyond lovebugs, mosquitoes are a significant concern in Florida. One company, Proven Insect Repellent, even declared Florida the worst state for mosquitoes.
For transplants who were not prepared for the large numbers of mosquitoes, there is an added worry about contracting mosquito-borne illnesses.
High concentrations of mosquitoes increase the chance of illnesses such as West Nile virus or Eastern equine encephalitis.
4: Expensive Living
Contrary to what some might expect, Florida is not considered among the cheapest states to live in. Individuals moving from states with lower costs of living, such as Mississippi, Kansas, or Alabama, may be particularly shocked by the expenses.
The prices for housing, gasoline, and food in Florida can be significantly higher relative to what they were accustomed to paying in their previous states.
5. Wavering Politics
Some transplants who hold strong allegiances to a particular political party have reportedly had second thoughts about their move to Florida.
Historically, Florida was known as a Democratic state. However, in recent years, the state’s political landscape has become relatively divided between Republicans and Democrats.
On the other hand, this political division leads some transplants to feel their individual vote carries more potential influence on election results.
6: Bug Control
Bugs are a recurring theme for those new to Florida, necessitating significant attention to pest control. Transplants from more northern regions might regret not factoring this expense into their monthly budget.
Florida hosts various pests that require management, including termites that can damage wooden furniture, cockroaches that can contaminate food, and venomous spiders capable of requiring hospital treatment. Paying for regular professional pest control is considered vital in Florida.
7: Not So Chill
In 2023, Florida experienced the second-highest rate of incoming transplants in the country. Some individuals who moved to Florida were specifically hoping for a slower pace of life and a change in the people they would encounter.
However, depending on where they choose to settle, they sometimes find themselves surrounded by so many people from the same region they left that it doesn’t feel like a genuinely new or different place.
8: Underperforming Schools
Parents relocating to Florida with school-aged children might come to regret their decision based on concerns about education.
Florida is reportedly said to have the worst learning rate nationwide. Specifically, according to data reported by the Tampa Bay Times, since 2003, Florida’s eighth-grade performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test across all subjects has not approached its fourth-grade rank.
However, it’s worth noting that U.S. News & World Report ranks Florida tenth nationally for Pre-K-12 education and first for higher education, indicating varying perspectives. The quality of education can also vary significantly depending on the specific school district.
9: High Insurance
While Florida does not have a state income tax, a benefit that attracts many transplants, new residents often encounter other significant expenses they weren’t prepared for. Insurance costs, in particular, can be surprisingly high.
Full coverage car insurance in Florida costs approximately 55% more than the national average, according to Bankrate.
Furthermore, depending on where you live in Florida, you may need to purchase additional types of insurance, such as flood insurance.
10: So Muggy
When considering Florida’s weather, its hot and humid conditions are often a significant factor.
While some, like the source’s author, find the hot, humid weather appealing and don’t regret moving for it, many other Florida transplants have expressed wishing they had chosen to move to a location with a cooler and dryer climate instead. The pervasive humidity can be a considerable adjustment for those unaccustomed to it.
11: No Change of Seasons
Almost everyone moving to Florida knows it will be hot and humid, but some transplants don’t fully consider the implications of not experiencing distinct seasonal changes.
While it’s true that you can still engage in seasonal traditions like getting a pumpkin spice latte, the feeling isn’t quite the same.
The absence of traditional autumn elements like falling leaves, replaced perhaps by clouds of lovebugs, can diminish the sense of seasonal change for some.
12: Snow Birds
Before moving, some tourists who become Florida transplants might minimize concerns about traffic, perhaps saying “The traffic isn’t that bad”.
However, after relocating to the state, dealing with significant extra traffic congestion during the winter months often becomes tiresome.
This increase in traffic is largely due to the influx of seasonal travelers; over 800,000 snowbirds visit Florida each winter.
Alicia Richards