The Sunshine State is known for its pristine beaches, delightful oranges, and of course, as a retirement haven. Those seeking a change of pace from more temperate and bustling parts of the country are well-served by the humid subtropical climate and laid-back way of life common to the residents of Florida. If you’re someone who’s on the way to Florida to settle down, or simply just running the possibility through your head, there are some things you should consider before committing to the change. It’s easy to get lost in daydreams of beautiful beaches and button-up short-sleeved shirts, but what’s the reality?
How Hot Is Florida? | The majority of Florida is considered subtropical, but the edges of the Panhandle range from savannah to rainforest in their climate types. For this reason, there’s less of a summer-winter dynamic and more of a rainy season and a dry season. Even in January, its typical for the temperature in Florida to dip under 50°F at the lowest, while highs still reach approximately 70°F. The dry season is from October to mid-April. This dry season is noted for its lack of precipitation, and at times, can be so extreme as to induce water restrictions throughout the state. This means there’s hardly any time during the year where things are less than brisk at best, so there’s no need to worry about cold weather attire besides a windbreaker at worst.
The summer months are extremely hot, with the statewide high average being somewhere in the low 90’s. There’s typically some respite from the heat with rainfall. Rains are much more common in the months of May to late September.
It should be noted that the northern portions of the state are closer to what’s typically expected of the South, while the Florida Panhandle is closer to the Caribbean in climate than it is, to say, Georgia.
What Are the Cities Like in Florida? | The options for living in Florida are varied, but you may be confined to certain types of cities depending on what kind of job you’re shooting for. Either way, there are some smaller beachside towns, enough mid-sized towns and suburbs, and of course, goliath cities like Jacksonville and Miami. Jacksonville is the most populous city with 862000 permanent residents, with Miami having about half of that number. The population averages only represent permanent residents who report their stay to the Census Bureau. The high number of tourists or temporary residents bump up the numbers in each town by several thousands.
Regardless, finding a city that has the right lifestyle for you is a simple matter of research. If you’d like to avoid tourists, keeping north of the Panhandle and the coast is recommended. Should you be the kind of person who absolutely needs the sun and the waves, any of the coastal regions will have you well-taken care of.
Conclusion | Moving to Florida can very well be one of the most significant decisions you can ever make for yourself. There’s an attractive job market, equitable real estate market outside of the most in-demand locations, and a climate that draws people from places like Canada and beyond. If you’re in the market for a particular kind of property, perhaps an agency like Homebuyers USA is best suited for you. Regardless of your reasons for seeking out Florida, there’s more than enough to keep most people here for life.
