If you’re thinking about moving to Florida, you’re not alone. Over the last decade or so, the state has become something of a hotspot for people looking to relocate and start afresh. With its warm climate throughout the year, plentiful job opportunities in industries such as technology and healthcare, and an abundance of affordable housing stock, it’s not difficult to see why.
If you are considering a move to Florida — whether that be specific to one of its cities or just somewhere within the state — look for resources that will give you all the information you need before packing your bags. For more advice, consider the suggestions below from Michelle Thomas.
Getting to Know Florida Before You Move
Florida is an excellent place to live, whether you’re from out of state or if you’ve been living in Florida your whole life. The Sunshine State offers a balance of great cities and small towns, year-round sunshine, a thriving economy, and tons of beautiful beaches.
Florida has over 74 miles of white sand beaches that are perfect for swimming, surfing, or just soaking up the sun. The ocean waves in Florida are also warmer than in any other state along the Eastern Seaboard.
Plus, with Orlando as Disney World’s home base and Miami serving as one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, there is always plenty to do when you’re not soaking up the sun on the beach.
The Move to Florida Process
Moving to Florida can be tricky. The good news is that it’s not rocket science, but there are some important things to keep in mind when you’re planning your move so that you can get the most out of it.
The first thing you need to do is decide where in Florida you want to live. You have a number of choices, from living in one of the state’s major cities, like Miami, Jacksonville, and Orlando; to smaller towns like Naples and suburbs outside of these major metropolitan areas, or even a coastal town on the Atlantic or Gulf side of Florida.
There are many different factors you will need to take into account when deciding on a location: how far away you want to be from your family and friends; what amenities are available nearby (do you want an urban experience or something more rural?); and the kind of lifestyle you want for yourself.
After you’ve closed on your house, you’ll likely want to look into a home warranty and find out if a home warranty is worth the cost. A home warranty can be valuable in helping you stay on budget by preventing you from incurring expensive out-of-pocket costs for home repairs like HVAC or plumbing issues. There are many companies that offer home warranties, so be sure to do your research to find those that are best reviewed.
Getting There and Getting Settled
Once you’ve decided on location, the next step is to figure out if your employer offers assistance with relocation costs and expenses, which they may well do if they know they might lose their employees otherwise! If they offer relocation assistance, they’ll often cover everything from transportation costs for pets and household goods, hotels while en route, and temporary housing in Florida until your property becomes available.
When you arrive, you may have healthcare needs but are unable to get in to see a doctor. This is where a virtual doctor’s visit can help. A virtual doctor visit may seem strange at first, but the convenience and savings make it worthwhile. You can meet with a physician in the privacy and comfort of home, and you can still pick up your medications from your local pharmacy.
If your employer doesn’t offer any help with relocation, then it’s up to you to plan for all aspects of moving yourself — this includes figuring out how much money you’ll need for everything from getting set up with furniture and utilities. Ditto if you’re set to start your very own business in the state.
For the latter, you also have many other things to research and consider. These include, but are not limited to, the kind of business you want to start, whether you want to form as an LLC or incorporate, your taxation options, and more. A formation service can make this process simple and straightforward. Moving to Florida can be a big undertaking, but the rewards are worth it. When you’re done, you’ll be living in the Sunshine State! For help finding your ideal home in the Naples and San Marcos Island area, contact Michelle Thomas today!
Article provided by Ted James; tjames@tedknowsmoney.com