If you’re reading this post, you already might suspect that a Florida lifestyle might fit your situation. Or, perhaps you aren’t certain about becoming a Floridian — yet — and would like us to convince you. Here are seven solid reasons to consider moving to the Sunshine State.
Climate
You expect bright sunshine, warmth and afternoon thunderstorms. But, Floridians enjoy temperate weather year-round, with varying tastes of cooler weather depending where you move.
North Florida experiences occasional chill during the winter months. If you’re from a cold-weather part of the United States, a North Florida winter would be considered balmy. Central Florida gets occasional chill, too, but less frequently. On those days, grab a sweatshirt or light jacket and you’re fine. South Florida? What jacket? What’s a sweatshirt?
Beaches
Another major reason people migrate here. Florida boasts 1,350 miles of coastline, much of it dominated by sandy shores. There’s plenty of variety with the sugary sand of the Gulf Coast, and the light gold or alabaster sand of the Atlantic coast. Red-streaked sand distinguishes certain Central Florida beaches thanks to the offshore presence of native coquina rock.
Job Market
It’s robust, partly because Florida’s top industry is tourism. Per VisitFlorida.com, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation,106.6 million visitors in 2015 spent $89.1 billion in an industry that employed 1.2 million Floridians. Right behind tourism is agriculture (the nation’s top producer of oranges). Also big: international business and trade (Florida is considered the gateway to Central and South America), the health sector and financial services, among others.
Entertainment Options
Orlando is home to some of the world’s top tourist attractions. But, there are more than 110 attractions to sample across the state, per the Florida Attractions Association. These include the iconic theme parks and other destinations such as gardens, historic sites and, yes, water parks. Even better? Many attractions offer special discounts and pricing for Florida residents.
Sports Magnet
Three NFL franchises, two NBA franchises, two NHL franchises, two MLB franchises and one MLS franchise. And, those are only the pros. Fifteen MLB teams hold preseason camps in Florida, continuing the longtime tradition of spring training. The Sunshine State hosts nine college football bowl games — plus the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Florida also is the home of the PGA Tour (Ponte Vedra Beach), the LPGA (Daytona Beach) and the PGA of America (Palm Beach Gardens). We’re out of breath listing it all!
Recreation
Catching our breath, let us list a few active options — fishing, fishing and fishing. Okay, kidding. But saltwater and freshwater fishing are major Florida activities. So is golf (the Florida State Golf Association alone includes more than 800 member clubs). There are 11 U.S. National Parks in Florida and 174 state parks (including trails and historic sites). Not to mention city and county facilities that offer hiking, biking and fitness trails. Go recreate!
Cost of Living
It’s a lot less than, say, the northeast U.S. But we’ll just offer this nugget — no state income taxes. Florida is one of only seven states that don’t levy state income taxes. That means more money in your pockets.
Resonate with one or several categories above? It might be time to investigate living here. As Florida’s Custom Home Builder, ICI Homes is your gateway. Click here to begin.
