The Pros and Cons of Living in Florida - PODS Blog (2024)

Con: Florida Is Full of Tourists.

This one ranks high on the list of pros and cons of living in Florida: Tourists. As in, M-I-C-K-E-Y. All the attractions are great for the economy, but there’s a bit of a downside for some residents. Why? Traffic can be unbearable during the high season of snowbirds, and overcrowding in the state’s famous amusem*nt parks makes them no fun for locals. (Pro tip: Avoid the Disney holiday crowds.)

This is a sports-loving state — which many might say includes both pros and cons of living in Florida. But many professional teams call the state home, including the NBA’s Miami Heat and Orlando Magic; the NHL’s Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning; the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars; and the MLB's Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays.

But when it comes to football, you'll find that the college teams dominate the landscape. The "Big Three" in Florida are the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, and Miami Hurricanes. The UCF Knights and USF Bulls are on the rise, too, with growing and passionate fan bases staking their claim. Even if you didn't attend these colleges, you may find yourself choosing a side come fall. Playoff season in Florida is always a fun time, and you’ll never have a problem finding a restaurant to catch the game.

And the field pro sports aren't the only show around. Daytona is home to NASCAR races and the Daytona 500. Homestead in South Florida also hosts an annual NASCAR race. If you’re more of an IndyCar fan, though, the St. Pete Grand Prix happens every February-March on the state’s West Coast.

Unfortunately, Florida isn’t as accessible as other states when it comes to public transportation. Some college towns like Gainesville and Tallahassee have convenient bus routes, but for the most part, the state is very car-reliant.

In some Florida cities, though, golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation — The Villages and Sun City Center, popular retirement communities, for instance, allow only golf carts on most streets. Heavy tourist areas like Orlando offer shuttle service between popular destinations, but it’s hard to get around without a car outside those areas.

The state is among the most expensive for auto insurance, and because of Florida’s geography and climate, natural disasters have contributed to high home insurance costs (hello, hurricane season).

Homeowners in Florida pay annual premiums that are nearly four times higher on admission than the national average, with a heavy reliance on reinsurance. (Think of reinsurance like insurance for insurance companies.) These firms have hiked their premiums by 30 to 40 percent in recent years — especially with looming hurricane threats — and the market is taking the hit.

Renters aren’t facing quite the same issues, though. Rates for rental insurance are only about 3 percent higher than the national average here, meaning you’ll pay an average of $152 a year rather than $148.

Compared to the national average of almost $361,000, Florida’s average home price is a bit more expensive at nearly $400,000. And while it’s certainly more affordable than in states like California, the housing market in coastal cities like Fort Lauderdale and Miami can get quite pricey.

Certain areas in Florida, like St. Petersburg on the West Coast, are affordable without skimping on the same great amenities. Among the pros of living in Saint Petersburg are easy access to Tampa, close proximity to beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, delectable dining options, and a diverse arts and culture scene. And if you want to escape cities altogether, small towns in Florida offer even better home prices.

Florida's subtropical climate is the perfect hotbed for biodiversity. This means beautiful nature — but it comes with risks. Did you know there are over 40 species of snakes in Florida? Only a few are venomous, but it's still important to be on the lookout when you're walking outside. Definitely avoid going barefoot!

Besides snakes, you'll also be living in close proximity to alligators. They’re not generally known to be aggressive toward people, but foolish human behavior can result in serious injury — or death. Gators can run at speeds of almost 25 miles per hour, so ignore the people who tell you to run in a zigzag from them. Bottom line: If you see a gator, give it lots of space.

Mosquitoes, fire ants, and palmetto bugs are also critters you’re going to encounter, no matter how hard you try to avoid them. They just come with Florida living.

Pet owners: Be sure to keep an eye on your furry friends. Bufo toads, which secrete a deadly toxin, live in Florida. And steer clear of bodies of water that you can't see through. Gators are everywhere and aren’t shy when it comes to potential prey.

Pro: It’s a Gardening Paradise.

Florida offers fertile soil and long growing seasons that are ideal for cultivating various crops — oranges are No. 1, of course, with more than 60 percent of all U.S. oranges grown here. Among the state’s other abundant vegetables and fruits are tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries — Plant City, in fact, is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

Florida is prone to intense storms and flooding, and it can be stressful to live there during the seasons when those weather events are common — which, thanks to climate change, is increasingly almost year-round. Flash floods and water damage can be incredibly dangerous and unpredictable, so we advise you to research your potential home's flood zone ahead of time.

And then there’s hurricane season, from June 1 through Nov. 30. Find out what needs to be in your hurricane kit — and don’t delay making a plan for where you’ll go if you need to evacuate. As for insurance, most policies come with a hurricane deductible, so be sure to check that out.

Florida is a beautiful place to live if you love nature. Its diverse landscape of forests, wetlands, swamps, coral reefs, and beaches provides habitats for many different animals and plants. Among the most popular flowers in Florida are the lantana, hibiscus, and blue daze. The state also has numerous tree species that provide important habitats for wildlife (not to mention much-needed shade).

Bird-watchers are in heaven here, too, with herons, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, and many more iconic Florida feathered friends all over the state. Check out the Florida Birding Trail, a network of more than 500 prime bird-watching sites from coast to coast. The Everglades is another beautiful destination with lots of wildlife to experience and explore — but remember: Don’t feed the gators!

Seasons changing in Florida can be split into two categories: Hurricane season (June through November) and then the time when mornings and evenings are below 80 degrees (December through May). If you’re a fan of snow, springtime blooms, and colorful leaves in the fall, moving to Florida may be sad for you as the seasons change.

Florida is known for its mild climate throughout the year, as it only gets slightly colder in certain parts of the state (you might get to experience frozen iguanas, though). Summer temperatures can reach 90+, and with heavy humidity, it can be downright nasty to be outside for too long.

Florida living means sunny winters, lots of beaches to explore, fun things to do, and a reasonable cost of living overall. It also means brutally hot and humid summers, hurricanes, and snowbird invasions. But overall, the pros of moving to Florida certainly outweigh the cons — just ask all those new residents!

Whether you’re eager to pack your bags and move to Florida ASAP or you’d prefer a leisurely packing pace, PODS can help. A portable moving container will be delivered right to your driveway, where you can pack and load it on your own schedule. And no matter what size container you choose, one month’s worth of storage is included in the deal.

(Source for image featured at top: Visit Florida via Facebook)