Moving to Florida From New York: Useful Relocation Tips

It seems like everyone is moving from New York to Florida these days — but why and how? Making a big move can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Here’s what you need to know about moving from New York to Florida: 

Why Move From New York to Florida?

Nearly 1,000 people move to Florida every single day. New Yorkers move to Florida at high rates — with more than 63,722 people moving from the Empire State to the Sunshine State between July 2017 and July 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have further contributed to this trend, with more than 33,500 New Yorkers moving to Florida between September 2020 and March 2021. But what’s the reason for these high numbers? It comes down to taxes, weather, and lifestyle. 

1. Taxes

The first reason why many people are choosing to move from New York to Florida relates to taxes. For starters, Florida has no state income tax, whereas New York has one of the highest state tax burdens in the country. Florida also doesn’t have inheritance or estate taxes. The state also offers a homestead exemption for homeowners in the state that translates into lower property taxes. 

2. Weather

The second reason why many people are opting to move from New York to Florida relates to weather. It’s no secret that the weather in Florida is amazing, and many New Yorkers are sick of long and harsh winters and want to ditch their winter coats for bathing suits that they can wear year-round. 

On Long Island, the average high temperature in January is 41 degrees, whereas the average low temperature is 24 degrees. In Tampa, however, the average high temperature in January is 71 degrees, whereas the average low temperature is only 53 degrees. No snow and constant sun sound like a positive change for many New Yorkers.

3. Lifestyle

The third and final reason so many people seem to be moving from New York to Florida relates to the overall lifestyle. The mild weather in Florida contributes to a different lifestyle than in New York. In Florida, people can enjoy outdoor activities year-round. For instance, you can go to the beach in January, have a picnic in December, and swim in your pool in February. None of this would be possible in New York. 

Additionally, the pace of life in Florida seems to be slower and more relaxed compared to New York. In New York, everyone is worried about work and is constantly on the go. In Florida, people take more time to enjoy their lives outside of work and seem to relax more. 

How to Move From New York to Florida

If you want to take advantage of some of these benefits by moving from New York to Florida, here’s what you need to do: 

Step 1: Pick a Location

The first thing you need to do is to decide where in Florida you want to move. Florida is a very large and diverse state with many different areas to consider, from urban cities to beach towns.

The biggest cities in Florida are Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg. Small cities like Gainesville, Tallahassee, Clearwater, Sarasota, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, Naples, Fort Myers, Melbourne, Pensacola, and Destin. With all these options and more, you can find your perfect Florida location! 

Step 2: Find a Job

Unless you’re moving to Florida to retire, the second thing you need to do is find a job. The good news is that Florida’s economy is booming and diverse, so there are plenty of job opportunities. Across the state, some of the biggest industries are tourism, agriculture, aerospace, manufacturing, security, and information technology. 

If you don’t want to get a traditional job with a big company, you could always start your own business in Florida. Florida is a very business-friendly state that makes it the perfect place for you to launch your dream business. Florida offers pro-business state tax policies, competitive costs, and low regulations. 

Step 3: Find a House

Now that you’ve found a job and decided on a location, it’s time for the final step — actually finding a place to live in Florida! Finding a new house is always difficult no matter where you’re coming from, but it’s even more so when coming from a completely different state. 

For starters, you’re going to need an experienced real estate agent who can show you the good neighborhoods and school districts in town. The real estate market in Florida is particularly competitive, so you’re going to need an aggressive agent who can help you win your dream home. 

You’re also going to need a lender to help you finance your new home. You should consider a lender with extensive experience in the Florida real estate market, like Vaster. Vaster offers a whole host of different loan products ranging from bridge loans for a quick home purchase to commercial loans for starting a new business. 

How to Make Your Move Easier

Moving from New York to Florida can be difficult, but there are things you can do to make the entire process easy and painless: 

Tip 1: Visit Beforehand

It would be challenging to move to a place you’ve never been before. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to visit the state and different cities beforehand so you can get a better idea of what they’re like and what you want in a hometown. While it may not be possible to visit the entire state, you may want to start with some of the major areas of South Florida, Central Florida, and Tampa Bay. From there, you can start to narrow down your choices. 

Tip 2: Hire a Moving Company

While it may be possible to move down the street without a moving company, moving thousands of miles away on your own would be nearly impossible. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to hire a moving company for your big move to Florida. A moving company can help you pack, transport, and unpack all your stuff. So if you’re not interested in driving a huge moving truck down the East Coast interstate, paying for professional movers would be worthwhile. 

Tip 3: Only Bring What You Need

To make your move easier, you should also only bring what you need. The odds are that you’re not going to need a lot of your New York stuff in Florida since it’s an entirely different lifestyle. For instance, you’re not going to need your winter gear, snow tires, etc. Instead, just bring the necessities and fill in the gaps after you arrive. 

Tip 4: Visit the DMV

Within 30 days of your big move, you need to make the dreaded visit to the DMV to become a Florida resident officially. You will need a Florida license place, vehicle title, and vehicle registration from the DMV. Make sure to bring the proper documents the first time to save you time and headaches. 

After you’ve tackled the DMV, you need to change your address and register to vote officially. You will need to contact your bank, subscription services, financial agencies, loan providers, service providers, and insurance companies to inform them of your new address. 

Tip 5: Get Good Insurance

Speaking of insurance, this is another thing that you’re going to need in Florida. While you likely had auto and home insurance policies back in New York, you may need different policies in Florida. For instance, your auto insurance may be higher or lower depending on where you’re coming from in New York and where you’re going to in Florida. For this reason, it might be a good idea to shop around with different companies to get the best rate. 

Home insurance is more expensive in Florida than in most other states due to weather and climate concerns. Make sure that you budget for this extra expense, and don’t be surprised to see higher rates than you’re used to. Also, make sure to check to see if you need a separate flood insurance policy if you’re in a flood zone. 

From New York to Florida: Wrap Up

With the right approach and assistance, moving from New York to Florida can be a breeze! Escape New York before the winter hits and enjoy the mild Florida weather and relaxed lifestyle in your new home. 

Sources:

Top 5 Reasons to Become a Florida Resident | The Balance

The Best Places to Live in Florida in 2021 | US News

Change of Address Checklist: Who to Notify When You Move | Moving.com