08/21/2026
5 things I would consider BEFORE moving to Florida:
1. Your lifestyle should choose your location — not the other way around.
Florida isn’t one lifestyle. Beach, boating, golf, walkable downtown, suburbs, acreage or resort communities can mean completely different locations and housing choices.
2. Your housing budget isn’t just the purchase price.
Insurance, property taxes, HOA/CDD fees, flood insurance when applicable, and maintenance can significantly change what a home really costs you each month.
3. How close do you REALLY need to be to the water?
Living five minutes from the beach sounds wonderful, but proximity to the coast can affect price, insurance, flood exposure, traffic and maintenance. Sometimes being farther inland is the better trade-off.
4. Visit in the summer before you decide.
If you fell in love with Florida in February, experience July or August before making the move. Heat, humidity, storms and the overall rhythm of life can feel very different.
5. Don’t choose a Florida city from somebody else’s “Best Places to Live” list.
What’s perfect for someone who wants golf and tranquility may be completely wrong for someone who wants nightlife, boating, international travel, great schools or more land.
The best place to live in Florida isn’t the same for everyone.
The better question is: What do YOU want your life in Florida to look like?