Sunshine, Savings, and Sanity: Why Florida Checks All the Boxes for Your Next Move
Hunting for a new place to live isn’t always the easiest task, especially when you’re looking for a place in a completely new area. It’s even harder when you’re looking out of state. It can seem easier to find the best possible place nearby to avoid the hassle. However, some areas offer benefits you can’t get anywhere else. Florida happens to be one of those places. And you might be surprised to learn that it’s not that expensive. In fact, many beautiful areas in Florida have affordable rent and an overall low cost of living. If you’re thinking about moving, here’s why Florida is ideal.
- Affordable housing
Compared to other states, Florida has a relatively affordable cost of living, provided you avoid big cities like Miami and Orlando. Cities like Tampa are just as beautiful and more affordable. You can rent an apartment or buy a house for much less than what it costs in other states. For instance, renting a luxury apartment at Casa Marti is more affordable than in most major U.S. cities.
- Year-round sunshine
The warm weather with more than 200 sunny days each year is a huge benefit of living in Florida. With that much warm weather, there are plenty of opportunities to go to the beach, golf, and pursue other outdoor activities. As an extra bonus, the ocean tends to stay warm in Florida, unlike the ice cold Pacific ocean you’ll experience on trips to the beach in California.
When winter hits Florida, it’s mild. You won’t see snow pile up and you won’t need to scrape large blocks of ice off your windshield just to get to work. In fact, summers are warm enough that you can engage in plenty of outdoor activities even in the colder months.
While warm weather feels nice, it’s also beneficial for your health. Regular exposure to sunlight causes your body to synthesize vitamin D, which is crucial for staying healthy.
- Amazing food
Whether you like Cuban, Spanish, or Greek food (or something else), you’ll find it in Florida. Since the state demographics are a cultural mix, there are plenty of authentic restaurants and family-owned diners that serve dishes you won’t find anywhere else. And thanks to the coastal location, there’s no shortage of tasty seafood dishes in Florida.
- No state income tax
Great news – Florida doesn’t collect state income tax. Without state income tax, you’ll save a significant amount of your earnings, which can give you more financial flexibility. Whether you save the extra money, invest it, or spend it, it’s up to you. Not paying state taxes will also save you money in retirement and can be a huge benefit if you start a business.
- Beautiful beaches
Some people live for the beach. Others just want to enjoy the beach periodically. Regardless of which category you fall into, Florida’s beaches offer natural beauty and endless opportunities for recreation. No matter where you live, you’ll never be more than 90 minutes away from a beach.
- A health and wellness scene
Florida has a booming health and wellness scene, which is great if you’re health-conscious and don’t want to end up in a place that makes staying healthy difficult. Florida has an abundance of gyms, yoga studios, and golf courses, so you’ll always have access to some type of fitness activity outside of the house. There are also plenty of restaurants that provide fresh, organic, healthy dishes. On top of that, many Florida communities offer walking and hiking trails, community gardens, and community wellness centers to promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Job opportunities
Florida’s economy continues to grow and new employment opportunities pop up all the time. Since Florida is a tourist destination, there are always jobs available in hospitality, entertainment, and other related sectors.
- Great entertainment
Florida is home to popular theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios, and you can find a lot of live music, theater productions, and art exhibitions throughout the year.
Florida checks all the best boxes
Although Florida is a great place to live, you’ll need to handle humidity, intense heat, and the potential for big storms. Depending on where you live, you may also need to navigate crowds during tourist season. However, if you’re looking for sunshine, savings, and a little more sanity, put Florida at the top of your list.