Thinking about moving to the Sunshine State? Before you pack your bags, it’s important to understand the real pros and cons of living in Florida.
From year-round outdoor activities and stunning beaches to high insurance costs and hurricane risks, Florida offers a lifestyle filled with both rewards and challenges.
Whether you’re a retiree, young professional, or remote worker, this comprehensive list of 24 pros and cons of Florida living will help you decide if it’s the right place for you.
Discover what to expect from the weather, wildlife, cost of living, and more in this ultimate Florida living guide.
1. Outdoors Year-Round
You can enjoy activities like golfing, fishing, or biking almost 365 days a year in Florida. Frost and snow are short-lived, especially in central and south Florida, meaning outdoor recreation is consistently available.
This allows residents to maintain an active lifestyle throughout all seasons, making it ideal for those who love spending time outside.
2. Lovebug Season
Lovebug season, occurring from April to May and August to September, involves elongated black flies mating in large numbers.
These insects are a significant nuisance for Floridians, getting tangled in hair and leaving sticky residue on cars when they collide. If you’ve never heard of them, consider yourself fortunate, as they are a recurring annoyance.
3. Amazing Beaches
Florida boasts the most coastal mileage in the mainland U.S., but it’s the quality, not just quantity, that truly stands out.
The cliche soft, white sand is composed of minuscule quartz crystals, contributing to their exceptional beauty.
These beaches offer a major attraction for both residents and tourists, providing picturesque settings for relaxation and recreation.
4. Abundant Tourists
Florida’s resident population of approximately 23 million also deals with a massive influx of tourists, with about 135 million visiting in 2023.
This puts significant pressure on the state’s resources, such as trash management, and can test residents’ sanity.
While tourists bring economic benefits, the sheer volume creates challenges for infrastructure and local life.
5. The Weather (Pro)
The promise of warm, sunny days nearly year-round is a primary draw for many moving to Florida. Contrary to its nickname, Florida ranks only tenth in average sunshine, which the author considers a positive.
This allows for cloud coverage and rain showers, providing excellent opportunities to get indoor work done without feeling like you’re missing constant sunshine.
6. The Weather (Con)
Despite its appeal, Florida’s weather can be a drawback for some due to intense heat and humidity, which are not universally enjoyed.
Additionally, those living near the coast face a very real risk of losing homes to hurricanes. Florida is hit by more hurricanes than any other coastal state, with 120 reported from 1851 to 2018, making natural disasters a significant concern.
7. No State Income Tax
Floridians have the advantage of not paying state income tax, allowing them to keep more of their earnings.
However, local governments still generate revenue, largely through property taxes, which are not among the lowest rates nationally.
This structure means while one tax burden is absent, others are comparatively higher to compensate for state funding needs.
8. Dangerous Animals
Florida is home to various animals, both large and small, that can harm humans and even cause fatalities. These include West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes and alligators.
Advice for newcomers includes using bug spray, keeping brush away from homes, and never feeding alligators, emphasizing the importance of caution and preventative measures to stay safe.
9. Fairly Affordable Rent
The affordability of rent in Florida varies significantly by location. Orlando, for example, is highlighted as the cheapest major city for renting, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $1,404.
This is not a vast difference from the national average of $1,330, making it relatively accessible for a popular destination, though specific areas can be pricier.
10. Snowbirds
“Snowbirds,” people who spend winters in Florida, are a major annoyance for many Floridians.
They are often blamed for clogging up roads, creating longer lines at supermarkets in tourist areas, and driving locals “absolutely crazy” with their hesitant navigation of roundabouts. Their seasonal presence significantly impacts daily life and traffic patterns.
11. Delicious Food
Florida is a “haven for foodies,” offering a diverse range of culinary delights. Residents can enjoy local specialties such as conch fritters, key lime pie, and Cuban sandwiches, alongside Southern-influenced dishes.
Opportunities abound to explore various restaurants, sampling unique flavors like fried grouper sandwiches across cities and the state.
12. Insurance Costs
Florida has some of the highest car insurance costs in the nation, ranking third for full-coverage. Residents can expect to pay an average of $2,947 per year.
This high cost is driven by factors like the severity of accidents and a greater number of litigated claims, making vehicle insurance a significant annual expense for Floridians.
13. State Parks Abound
Florida boasts the fifth-highest number of state parks in the U.S., offering 191 options for residents. Notable examples include Wekiwa Springs State Park, perfect for kayakers, and Little Manatee River State Park, known for alligator and potential manatee sightings.
These parks provide extensive opportunities for outdoor activities, nature exploration, and wildlife observation.
14. Natural Disasters
Beyond hurricanes, Floridians must contend with other natural disasters, including thousands of existing sinkholes with more possible.
The state’s limestone and dolostone bedrock is prone to collapse under extreme rain or drought. Furthermore, sea levels are up to eight inches higher than in 1950, posing detrimental effects for coastal homeowners due to rising waters.
15. 365 Days of Swimming
A significant benefit of living in Florida is the ability to swim year-round, eliminating the need to close pools seasonally.
To enhance comfort, particularly for above-water swimming, creating a screened-in area around the pool is recommended.
This allows continuous enjoyment of aquatic activities, a major draw for many residents seeking constant access to water.
16. The Drivers
Driving in Florida presents several challenges, including confusion about roundabouts, often attributed to tourists. Many drivers, presumably tourists, drive slowly in the left-hand lane.
Additionally, Floridians are “notorious for not using their turn signals,” which can be particularly frustrating for visitors, contributing to a challenging driving environment.
17. Special Tourist Discounts
Florida residents can access significant discounts at numerous tourist attractions throughout the state.
Notably, Disney World offers a 40% discount on 4-day tickets compared to non-residents.
Other popular venues like Universal Orlando Resort and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also provide Florida resident discounts, making entertainment more affordable for locals.
18. Overpopulation Issues
The growing resident and tourist populations in Florida lead to significant issues, including standstill traffic and waste management problems.
While the state uses garbage incinerators to reduce landfill waste, some residents report air contamination from these facilities is making them sick. This highlights environmental and infrastructure challenges posed by rapid growth.
19. Retirees Are in Good Company
Florida is an excellent place for retirees to socialize, offering over 1,000 senior living communities. The state’s healthcare system is also well-adapted to serving patients in their “golden years”.
This supportive environment makes it an attractive destination for seniors looking for community and specialized medical care during retirement.
20. Long Commutes
For working-age Floridians, long commutes are a common reality. This is because job demand is high in expensive tourist regions and major cities.
Consequently, locals often must travel considerable distances from their workplaces to secure relatively affordable housing, leading to extended travel times and daily inconvenience for many residents.
21. Impressive Lightning Storms
Florida experiences the most lightning strikes of any U.S. state, particularly the corridor between Tampa and Orlando.
While lightning might not seem positive to everyone, for those who appreciate a “good lightning storm,” it’s a unique and frequent natural spectacle.
This makes Florida a prime location for witnessing powerful and visually striking electrical displays.
22. High Utility Bills
Florida has one of the highest energy bill costs in the nation, with residents paying an average of $130.40 per month. A significant reason for these high costs is the need for air conditioning to keep houses cool.
The year-round warmth necessitates constant cooling, driving up utility expenses considerably for residents.
23. Long Growing Season
Gardeners benefit from Florida having among the longest growing seasons nationally. Even when certain produce like watermelon and green beans are out of season, residents can pick fresh oranges from their trees during winter.
Additionally, strawberry season is in full force during February and March, offering continuous opportunities for cultivating and enjoying fresh produce.
24. Annoying Transplants
“Annoying transplants” are a source of irritation for native Floridians. Newcomers often compare Florida to their home states, express fascination with palm trees and the weather, and talk about snowbirds as if they have lifelong experience.
The source advises transplants to “keep your cool” about their new home state to avoid annoying locals.
Alicia Richards