Florida is the third-most populous state that has about 22 localities, with a population of over 21 million. Jacksonville is the most populated city in Florida. Tampa Bay and Orlando are other urban conurbations with populations exceeding one million.

The Miami metropolitan region, with a population of approximately 6.2 million, is the ninth-most populous in the United States and the most populated urban area in Florida.

Pros and Cons of Moving to Florida

Pros

1. Good Weather

One of the reasons people move to Florida is because of the fair weather they enjoy there. This state is considered the warmest in the United States of America. The average temperature all across the state of Florida is 72 degrees notwithstanding the season of the year.

While the average temperatures during winter are 65°F to 77°F. Florida is entirely surrounded by water, which helps to moderate the state’s climate.

2. Low Cost of Living

Another reason people move to Florida is the low cost of living they stand to enjoy. According to MERIC statistics acquired in the third quarter of 2021, Florida citizens have the 32-lowest cost of living in the country. The average person in Florida lives comfortably when compared to their peers in some parts of the United States.

3. Affordable Housing

Data reviews data that the median home in Florida cost about $215,000 and which is the same level as the national average. Despite the fact that home prices increased by approximately 20 percent over the past year does not mean you can’t get cheap houses in Florida. There are available houses you can get at a low cost.

4. Reduced Taxes

People move to Florida to avoid the load of taxes they are confronted with in most states in America. This is because Florida is a tax-friendly state that does not impose an income tax on individuals. It also has a 6 percent sales tax. Corporations that do business in Florida are subject to a 5.5 percent income tax. However, LLCs, sole proprietorships, and S corporations are exempted from paying state income tax.

5. Best Place to Start Business

Florida is one of the best places in the United States to establish a business. It had the most remarkable rate of new entrepreneurs among all states in 2019, and a startup early survival rate of over 78 percent, according to Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship.

Florida has around 2.5 million small enterprises. They account for 99.8 percent of all enterprises in the state and have 3.3 million employees or 42.2 percent of the state’s private sector labor force.

6. Fast Growing Job Market

Florida’s unemployment rate in March 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was 3.2 percent. While the National Conference of State Legislatures reviewed that the country’s unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in March same year.

As a matter of fact, Florida outperformed 42 other states in terms of internet availability, job growth, and employment statistics (Including the District of Columbia). Highlights from the analysis included that Florida was expected to have a 24.3 percent increase in distant jobs from 2018 to 2028, placing it fifth in terms of projected job growth.

7. Florida is a Diverse State

Florida is one of the most diverse states in the US. According to data analysis, diversity in the United States was 54.9 percent, and Florida had a diversity rate of 59.1 percent.

People from various ethnic, racial, national, and religious backgrounds make up its population. Immigration to the state has increased from Latin America. European Americans make up the majority ethnic group in Florida, where about 65% of people are identify as white.

8. Ideal for Tourism

Florida has loads of tourist attractions and people who love outdoor events usually go there. This state is known for its beach resorts, theme parks, warm, sunny climate, and nautical activities; the majority of tourists visit places like Walt Disney World, the Kennedy Space Center, and Miami Beach each year.

Cons of Moving to Florida

1. Poor Healthcare Rating

One of the disadvantages of moving to Florida is that you will not enjoy healthcare services. For instance, the 50 states are ranked in terms of healthcare quality by the US Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Florida is ranked 36th out of 50 states on the list.

2. The Bug Population

The large population in Florida may not be too bad, but it can be unbearable. As a matter of fact, only two Florida cities—Miami and Fort Lauderdale—appear on the top 20 list of mosquito-infested areas in the United States. Neither of these two cities ranks among the top 10. Florida is one of the 5 states with the most pests, due to an overpopulation of termites and roaches.

3. Below Average Public Transportation Service

Public transit is less accessible in Florida than in other states, and it is a drawback for people living there. Since Florida is a driving state, your travel options may be constrained if you intend to give up your car when you relocate there. Nevertheless, there are other alternatives to using a bus, such as carpooling with older citizens.

Residents of senior living homes like Beach House have access to transportation. Some localities offer other transportation options for the elderly, such as the Jacksonville Transit Authority’s paratransit service.

4. Above Average Crime Rate

Another con of moving to Florida is that you will be exposed to some level of crime. The crime rate in most cities may be low, but the overall crime rate in Florida is above the national average. The number of homicides committed in one year increased by about 30 percent, from 16,669 in 2019 to 21.

5. Florida is Susceptible to Natural Disasters

Natural disasters like hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, droughts, wildfires, and more could be encountered if you move to Florida. The state deals with weather inclement every year, ranging from a small storm to a hurricane.

When waterspouts are included, Florida has the most tornadoes in the country, but they rarely approach the same intensity as those in the Midwest and Great Plains. Every year, from June 1 to November 30, hurricanes represent a serious hazard, especially in the months of August through October in Florida.