Moving to Florida?
Nestled between the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts lies the state of Florida, which is one
of the most densely populated states in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon named the state Florida,
which in Spanish means “feast of flowers.” The state is also known as the “Sunshine State” due to its warm climate. The
culture of the state is a reflection of multiple influences, among them Native American, Hispanic, European American
and African American. These influences can be found in its cuisine and architecture.
Before the invasion of
colonial powers, Florida was inhabited by various Native American tribes such as the Apalachee, Calusa, Jaega and Tequesta.
The Spanish were the early settlers but later on Florida became a bone of contention between the English and the Spanish.
Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose became the first settlement in North America that comprised of free slaves.
Florida has emerged as a favorite tourist destination with its theme parks, Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld.
Crystal River is the only place where you can enjoy a supervised swim with the endangered manatees. Also, Cape Canaveral
is famous for being the launch pad for various American space flights.
If you’re moving to Florida, there
are a lot of things you’re going to need to know. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Florida
Florida Climate
To the north of Lake Okeechobee, Florida exhibits a humid subtropical climate, while the region that is south of
the lake and the coastal area exhibits a tropical climate. Owing to the tropical climate, Florida rarely experiences
snow, while frost is more common during the winter months. The region of Central Florida is called the lightning
capital, as it experiences more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the country. From June to November, Florida
is prone to hurricanes. There is also a defined rainy season from June to September where Florida is at a much
greater risk of tropical cyclones and thunderstorms. Florida is situated on a peninsula, bordered by the Atlantic
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Straits of Florida. Britton Hill, standing at 345 feet, is the highest point in Florida.
(Helpful Link: Florida Weather)
Registering your Car:
You have 10 days to register your car in Florida from the date of the beginning
of your residency in the state. Registration can be done at any Florida DMV office, and you must produce proof
of ownership, get your VIN number verified, and show proof of Florida insurance requirements. (Helpful Link:
Florida DMV)
Obtaining a Florida Driver's License:
If you have a valid out-of-state license, then you can get it converted
into a Florida license without having to take the written or road test by producing proof of identity, proof
of Florida insurance, your original out-of-state title and verification of physical inspection of the vehicle's
VIN. Every year the DMV offices issue over 800,000 licenses, so it is advised to check your requirements and
prepare before going to the office.
Crime Rankings:
As of 2011, Florida was ranked 43rd out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 45
violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
Florida features a wide range of industries such as agricultural products, tourism, healthcare research,
simulation training, aerospace and defense, and commercial space travel. Florida has been named as the third best state
for business in 2011 by the Chief Executive Magazine. Florida is the leading producer of citrus, sugarcane, tomatoes,
lime, strawberries, eggs, peanuts and beef cattle. Phosphate mining in the Bone Valley produces almost 75% of the phosphate
that is utilized by the farmers in the U.S. Tourism also contributes a major chunk of revenue to the economy. Florida,
with its warm weather, miles of beaches, amusement parks in Orlando like the Disney World Resort, Universal Studios and
Sea World, continue to attract millions of tourists every year.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of Florida had an unemployment rate of 9.4 percent after seasonally adjusting it, which
is higher than the national average of 8.2 percent. (Helpful Link: Florida Employment and Labor)
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Florida is $47,661, while the average per capita income
for the state is $26,551.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything,
you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or
with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. (Helpful Link: Florida State Moving Resource Page)
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Florida is $413,077, while the median sales price is just
over $236,000. The
Florida Association
of Realtors
is the official real estate resource for the state of Florida.
Major landmarks and attractions
Amelia Island; Castillo de San Marcos; Universal Orlando Resort; Fort Lauderdale
Beach; Kennedy Space Center; Walt Disney World; Key West; South Beach; the Florida Keys. (Helpful Link:
Top Tourist Attractions in Florida)
State Capital: Tallahassee
Largest Cities: Miami,Jacksonville,Tampa,Orlando,Fort Lauderdale,Daytona,West Palm Beach,Tallahassee,Gainesville
Schools
The Florida education system is made up of public and private schools, a state college system, the state university
system of Florida, and independent colleges and universities. The Florida Department of Education administers
public, primary and secondary schools through various boards of education established in a school district within
a county. During the 2010-11 school year, a constitutional amendment was passed to limit the class size to 18
in lower grades and to 23 in high school. As a part of higher education, the state university system of Florida
administers 10 public universities such as Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida, Florida State
University, the University of Miami and a public liberal arts college. About 28 community colleges and state
colleges are funded and managed by the Florida college system. (Helpful Link: Florida Schools)
State park System
The state park system is comprised of 160 parks that span over 700,000 acres and 100 miles
of sandy white beach, making it one of the largest in the country. These parks offer a range of versatile outdoor
activities that are suitable for various age groups. From swimming, snorkeling with the Manatees and diving,
to fishing and birding or hiking and riding on scenic trails, Florida's parks offer a sense of place where you
can experience some of the best natural and cultural sites of the state. (Helpful Link: Florida State Parks)
Major Airports
Orlando International Airport
Orlando Sanford International Airport
Daytona Beach International Airport
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Jacksonville International Airport
Key West International Airport
Melbourne International Airport
Miami International Airport
Southwest Florida International Airport
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Pensacola International Airport
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport
Tampa International Airport
Palm Beach International Airport