You live and work in Attleboro, Massachusetts. You were born there, and you like the moderately cold climate all year round, which never even breaches the 29°C levels even in the summertime. It’s safer than 43% of the cities in the U.S. You’ve never had to call an exterminator to deal with pests in your home.
Now, your company is assigning you to Florida to take care of the new branch operation there. The first thoughts that come to your mind are alligators and the heat. You dislike the weather, but it’s something that you can deal with. But your anxiety level rises each time you think of alligators. You’re going to move there for at least a year. Should you be scared of alligators? Or are there far more important things to think of when settling in Florida?
An Overview of Living in Florida
The sunshine state is the 3rd most populous state in America with more than 21.3 people. While Miami might be the largest metropolitan area, the state’s capital is Tallahassee.
There might be alligators, but if you find out that one of the advantages of living in Florida is that it’s one of the states where there is no income tax, you might consider permanently settling there. Be warned, however, that this might not mean a lower cost of living. You will be charged with other taxes, and you can expect lesser services. Housing is generally cheaper in Florida.
Settling In
Many move to Florida because of the warm weather all year round. You can also try appreciating the many beaches the state has to offer. But here are a few more things you should consider when settling in Florida:
- It offers variety. It’s not all beaches and nightlife in Florida. That might be true for Miami. You must do your research and find areas that suit or at least come close to your personality. A quieter place might be the Panhandle region. Gainesville is a great college town with excellent health care services. Orlando is not only known for its theme parks but also as a place where several universities thrive, where you can expect to mingle with a younger crowd.
- Hurricanes. This is perhaps one of the cons of living in this state. Storms are frequent, and you need to know hurricane safety measures.
- A melting pot. One of the most exciting things about Florida is its cultural diversity. The population is composed of people with different religious, cultural, and racial backgrounds. But the Latino culture is one of the more dominant cultures in the state.
- Tourist and seniors. It’s true. There’s plenty of seniors in the state, primarily because of the warm weather and the no income tax rule. Of course, apart from seniors, the state also attracts lots of tourists. This might be good for you as a northeasterner because many from your region head down to Florida during summer.
- The Gators. Yes, there are alligators and snakes, too. The alligator population is estimated at 1.3 million. For some reassurance, know that there is a dedicated government agency called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) that deals with nuisance alligator. If you do have an encounter, they’re just a phone call away. If you’re wondering about the possibility of being bitten by an alligator, the FWC says that the chances of that happening is 0.000032%. So, there’s a slim chance you’ll get bitten.
Whether it’s the weather, low cost of living, or cultural diversity, you’ll be able to find something to embrace in the sunshine state, possible alligator encounters notwithstanding.
