Moving to Florida? It's Not All Sunshine, Beach Days, and Vacay Vibes
Are you tired of reading Florida moving guides that feel more like geography textbooks, stuffed with census stats and no personality? Life in Florida can't be summed up with average weather charts (hint: it's basically a humidity contest with bonus hurricanes) or simple demographic stats (since they'd obviously miss the nuance of flip-flops at weddings, hurricane parties, and Publix "pub subs"). But if you love spontaneous beach days, sunsets with mythical green flashes, or hanging with the retired "Snow Birds," the Sunshine State might just be calling you home. Our playful and witty moving guide will prepare you for the good (like year-round beach access) and the bad (mosquitoes that treat bug spray like seasoning) so you'll know what it's REALLY like to live, work, and play in Florida.
Snappy Summary: Florida is a sun-soaked mix of paradise and chaos where beach life, nightlife, and natural beauty collide with brutal humidity, hurricanes, and traffic that tests your patience. Despite the weather tantrums and inflated costs, people keep coming for the (almost) endless summer, vibrant culture, and sense of freedom you can't fake anywhere else.
The Inside Scoop on Florida Cities
Major Cities In A Nutshell
Miami
Perfect for: People who love glam and luxury
Best known for: Glitter, salsa, and unapologetic excess
Miami as a personality: The friend who arrives overdressed and late to literally everything
Move here if you want: Diversity, culture, and cocktail-fueled networking
Locals swear by: Cafecito (aka cubano) breaks and traffic therapy podcasts
Your housing options here are: Condos with ocean views or regret
Don't be surprised. We warned you that: Rent costs more than therapy
The dress code here is: Bright colors, designer everything, and a tan
Orlando
Perfect for: Suburban dreamers dodging mouse-ear traffic
Well known for: Close proximity to theme parks, tourists, and endless construction cones
If Orlando were a person, it'd be: That friendly neighbor that always has a new story to share
Move here for: Family life, steady jobs, and year-round sunshine
Locals know best: Publix subs and lakefront fireworks picnics
Home sweet home in Orlando is like: Homogenous stucco paradise with splash-pad backyards
The downside to Orlando is: Traffic that could test a saint's patience, and not being anywhere near the beach.
Local fashion forecast: Flip-flops and Disney tees at brunch
Tampa
Perfect for: Ex-party kids and college grads chasing coastal adulthood
Best known for: The yearly Gasparilla pirate parade and the cigars and Cuban sandwiches in Ybor City.
If Tampa were a person, it'd be: A frat boy turned self-made entrepreneur "hustling" his way toward his next great idea, but working from the pool cabana
Move here if you want: Affordable waterfronts and chill commutes
Nothing's more Tampa than: Pretending to be a pirate
Housing vibe: Condo high-rises or mid-century ranches with flamingo lawn ornaments
Don't say we didn't warn you about: Mosquitoes the size of drones
What you'll wear most often: Polos, Crocs, and Pirate eye patches
Jacksonville
Perfect for: People who love space and cheaper rent
Best known for: Bridges, beaches (surfing), and defensive driving champions
If Jacksonville were a person, it'd be: Your chill cousin with a truck
Locals live here because: It’s affordable, big, and oddly calm
Locals swear by: tailgates, Waffle House, and river sunsets
Your housing options here are: Sprawling suburbs and secret surf shacks
The downside to Jacksonville is: Fewer entertainment options or cultural vibrancy
The dress code here is: Camo trucker hats
Tallahassee
Perfect for: Political junkies and football loyalists
Well known for: College chaos and pollen apocalypse season
If Tallahassee were a person, it'd be: That loud alum still chanting Go Noles
Locals live here because: It's cheap, green, and weirdly hilly
Locals know best: Tailgates that start on Tuesday
Home sweet home in Tallahassee is like: Porches, trees, and endless student rentals
Don't be surprised. We warned you that: The humidity eats your willpower
Local fashion forecast: Sports shirts and permanent flip-flops
Gainesville
Perfect for: Students, scientists, and swamp creature fans
Widely recognized as the place for: Football, frogs, and loud opinions
If Gainesville were a person, it'd be: The barefoot genius with a bike
Move here if you want: Affordable rent and quirky brains
Nothing's more Gainesville than: Protesting, tailgating, and kombucha brewing
Housing vibe: Charming craftsman houses and rentals
The downsides are: Parking and alligators on the news
The dress code here is: Thrifted UF tees and orange and blue everything
St. Petersburg
Perfect for: Sunset chasers with bohemian tendencies
Best known for: Murals, dog-friendly bars, outdoor markets and festivals, and a vibrant nightlife
If St. Petersburg were a person, it'd be: Your artsy aunt who surfs at sunrise
Move here if you want: Coastal calm with creative flair
Locals know best: Brunch on Central Ave and sunset applause
Home sweet home in St. Petersburg is like: Pastel-colored bungalows and porch wine
Don't be surprised. We warned you that: When in doubt, it's probably a one-way.
What you'll wear most often: Wide-brim hats and optimism
Eat Like a Local
This really varies by where in Florida you are. But, generally, Cuban and Latin-inspired food here is very popular, as well as what I refer to as "beach bar food:" coconut shrimp, grouper bites, crab cakes, gator bites, fish tacos, and of course, margaritas (especially spicy ones with a Tajin rim).
I don't think there are any unspoken rules here, per se, except that you always want to get the freshest fish available, such as mahi mahi or grouper, and skip the conventional white fish.
Fun Facts
Fun Facts You Might Not Have Known About Florida
Think you really know Florida? It's a state with flamingos (real ones and the yard ornaments), manatees, "pirates", and live mermaid shows you'll have to see to believe. Here, hurricanes are both terrifying and expected to help meet yearly party-quotas. Let's run through the local facts, stats, and gator gossip that showcase what makes Florida's sunshine-soaked chaos so irresistible.
- Common Nicknames For Florida: The Sunshine State, Alligator State, Peninsula State
- Local Reality Check: Not everyone lives near the beach; hurricanes and humidity are real; Florida DOES have seasons... Kind of.
- You're Most Likely Moving From: Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, or Illinois
- Strangely Large Concentration of: retirees, theme parks, wild peacocks, and people from Ohio.
- Music Scene: Reggae, Latin pop, Southern rock, country, and EDM festivals
- You'll Have to See It to Believe It: Mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee Springs - it's worth the drive
- Unique Geography: Flat peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico (or... uhm mean America.)
- Florida is Home To: Everglades National Park (alligators and mosquitos) and NASA's Kennedy Space Center
- Well Known For Its: Pleasant beaches, orange groves, Disney World, and hurricanes
- Fun History Fact: Florida is home to the oldest city in the U.S (St. Augustine, which was founded in 1565.)
- Celebrity Sightings: Pitbull, Tom Brady, Dwayne Johnson, and Gloria Estefan
- Noteworthy Census Stat: Florida gained over 400,000 new residents between 2022 and 2024
- Most Interesting Sub-Culture Within Florida: Florida's "Burner" and "Flow Arts" communities, inspired by Burning Man culture.
- Population: 3rd by population, 22nd by land size
- Florida is Roughly the Same Geographic Size As: England
Locals Know Best
Everyone knows the big, main beaches - Miami Beach, Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach...but what not everyone realizes is that just a few miles from most of these main beaches, is a smaller, more private and quiet "locals" beach. So if you want to blend in, skip the main entrance and look a couple miles out.
Most Likely Personalities to Love (or Hate) Florida
Is Florida right for me? If you're a beach bum, retired snowbird, or adventure junkie, you'll thrive under endless sunshine, Cuban sandwiches, and wild Everglades energy. If you're a minimalist, hipster, or wall street exec, you'll find the flip-flops-and-fun vibe only sort of fits here. Find out who Florida is and is NOT for in the list below.
Personality Fit Guide
| Personality | % | Recommended Cities | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Bum | 98% | Miami, Key West, Daytona Beach | Year-round surf, sand, and Margaritaville moods everywhere you go. |
| Retired Snowbird | 96% | Naples, The Villages, Sarasota | Golf carts, palm trees, and perpetual sunshine never get old. |
| Adventure Junkie | 92% | Orlando, Ocala, Tampa | Paddleboarding, hiking, camping, theme parks, and pirate-themed boat rides meet your adrenaline needs. |
| Foodie | 90% | Tampa, Key West, Miami, St. Augustine | Key lime pie, stone crab claws, and Latin fusion delights. |
| Dog Momma | 88% | St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale | Beach dog parks, pup patios, dog-friendly bars, and sunshine walks galore. |
| Craft Beer Fan | 86% | Tampa, St. Pete, Gainesville | Cigar City Brewing, Swamp Head, and endless IPA innovation. |
| Yoga Instructor | 84% | St. Petersburg, Boca Raton, Sarasota | Beach sunrise flows to start the day. You don't need an indoor gym for hot yoga! |
| College Student | 82% | Gainesville, Tallahassee, Orlando | Game days, pool parties, and endless sunshine between semesters. |
| Farmer's Market Regular | 80% | Winter Park, Sarasota, St. Petersburg | Fresh citrus, orchids, breads, and local honey every weekend morning.... year round! |
| PTA President | 78% | Winter Garden, Weston, Naples | Sunshine schools and suburban perfection make volunteering easy. |
| DIYer | 75% | Ocala, Lakeland, Palm Coast | Home projects thrive where hurricane prep meets HGTV spirit. |
| Gamer | 73% | Orlando, Miami, Tampa | Mega conventions and humid nights spent grinding indoors. |
| CrossFit Regular | 71% | Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa | Outdoor WODs and sweat-drenched gains all year long. |
| Coffee Snob | 68% | Miami, St. Petersburg, Orlando | Cuban espresso rules, but the third-wave scene’s still brewing. |
| Binge Shopper | 66% | Orlando, Aventura, Palm Beach | Outlet heaven, but your credit card might melt in the sun. |
| Cowboy | 63% | Okeechobee, Kissimmee, Ocala | Rodeos, cattle drives, and swampy boots meet tropical heat. |
| Homesteader | 60% | North Port, DeLand, Sebring | Growing mangoes beats corn, but hurricanes test your grit. |
| Vintage Thrifter | 57% | St. Augustine, Sarasota, Delray Beach | Retro Florida flair hides in antique shops and swap meets. |
| Minimalist | 54% | Miami Beach, Naples, Orlando | Luxury condos and bold prints clash with your neutral aesthetic. |
| Hipster | 52% | Miami’s Wynwood District, St. Petersburg, Orlando | Art murals pop, but ironic beards wilt in the humidity. |
| Retired Military | 50% | Pensacola, Jacksonville, Tampa, Daytona Beach | Strong bases, beaches, and VA care make it feel like home. |
| Garden Club Lifetime Member | 48% | Mount Dora, Winter Park, Sarasota | Tropical plants thrive (sorry, not in the panhandle), but summer heat wilts your patience. |
| Stay at Home Mom | 45% | Wellington, Weston, Windermere | Great schools and sunshine, but theme park chaos looms close. |
| Wall Street Exec | 38% | Miami, Fort Lauderdale | Deals happen poolside, but NYC energy is definitely missing. |
| Tech Bro | 35% | Miami, Tampa, Orlando | Startup buzz is rising, but Silicon Valley still owns the crown. |
What Makes Florida Feel Like Home
All the festivals and outdoor events! That's why I moved here. I wanted to get outside more, and this state caters to that perfectly. No matter what city you're in, rest assured every weekend there is some big market, festival, event, sports club, or other attraction happening somewhere near you (or a short-ish drive away), all year long.
Things To Do
Fun Things to Do Around Florida
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Florida? If you like the idea of trekking along river bluffs, spending time paddling through crystal clear springs, and checking out gliding past beach towns, Florida is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from coral reefs to prairie skies and give you a taste of Florida's wild coastal spirit.
- Go Outside & Hike: Trek Myakka State Park and the unique canopy walkway, or Torreya State Park bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River
- Spend Time on the Water Cooling Off: Paddle crystal-clear springs at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park or Dive at Devil's Den
- This is the Iconic Road Trip To Take: Cruise Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West
- It's Fall: North Florida is corn mazes, festivals, and the perfect weather for pumpkin patch exploration
- Throughout Summer: Orlando, water parks and melting ice cream kind of vibes
- Maybe You Should Go Chasing Waterfalls: Find Florida's rare ones at Falling Waters State Park near Chipley
- Historic Forts: Explore Castillo de San Marcos in charming St. Augustine
- Stargaze in Desolate Dark Nights: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve or Ocala National Forest, where the Milky Way actually shows up
- This is the Scenic Ride For You: Glide along A1A all the way up or down the east coast, past beach towns and swaying palms
- Pick Your Own Farm to Table Fare: PYO strawberries fresh from Plant City patches every spring
Hidden Gem Spotlight
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale, New Smyrna Beach - just south Daytona Beach, and Weeki Wachee Springs in Weeki Wachee, FL.
Taxes, Politics & People
The Essential Florida Trifecta
State Income Tax: None. Sunshine is free, and so is your paycheck.
Property Taxes: Moderate overall; Miami-Dade higher, Panhandle pleasantly lower.
Florida politics are: A wild beach party of red and blue—expect flip-flops and fiery debates.
Floridians are: Friendly but eccentric; equal parts laid-back, loud, and lightning-fast with opinions.
The religious breakdown is: Mostly Christian, with Catholic and evangelical strongholds; growing Jewish and nonreligious communities.
Weather
Florida Weather: All the Facts, None of the Stats
Is it going to thunder, fry, or maybe something worse? The summers are like living inside a hair dryer, and the winters are like a mild vacation from humidity. Here's what else is happening around Florida that will impact your time outside.
- Summer temps be like: Just plain hot (triple digits and 98% humidity in Miami)
- Winter lows are: Sweater optional (unless you're in the Panhandle, then it's gloves and regret)
- The humidity makes me: look like I licked an outlet
- Unique weather patterns: afternoon lightning shows, hurricanes that flirt with landfall, and rain that falls sideways for sport. You might as well start following Mike's Weather Page now.
- Local weather fashion tip: flip-flops year-round, rain poncho stuffed in every glovebox
- Bugs be like: mosquitoes big enough to vote and lovebugs on a mission to ruin your windshield
- You're stuck indoors again today because: a thunderstorm just materialized out of blue skies like a drama queen
- Green thumb enthusiasts love: growing citrus, basil, and anything that doesn't melt under the incessant sun
- Your friend with allergies is always saying: Is it non-drowsy?
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Florida
I personally love the holiday season in Florida. No matter where in the state you are, every city seems to go all-out with its decorations, lights, festivities, and holiday markets. Everyone thinks Florida is just year-long summer vibes, but we sure know how to put on our holiday best.