Are you heading to the southern part of Florida? Or are you thinking of moving to South Florida?
If you are, lucky you!
This part of the state has miles and miles of pristine beaches and amazing preserves. It also provides for bountiful wildlife than any other part of Florida.
In summary, the southern part of Florida has natural beauty beyond compare.
It is, for me, one of the best places to live in right now. And this, I am not kidding.
Read on to find out why.
List of Contents
Is South Florida a good place to live in? – Everything You’ve Always Wanted
The cost of living is reasonable. The weather is fantastic. The waterscapes are gorgeous.
What other reason do you need?
Florida is a great state to live in, to begin with. It boasts of beaches and parties as well as reasonable costs of living. Because of these reasons, it is attracting a lot of people from all parts of the country to move in.
But the South of Florida is another story in itself. It has a coastline like no other. It has theme parks, wildlife, and locals that are everything you have dreamed of.
So if you’re planning to move, why not?
Let me explain why.
The Good Side
From theme parks to beaches, there are so many reasons to move to South Florida.
Here are a few of them.
Pristine Beaches
Florida is popular as the sunshine state. And sunshine it is… all year round.
Speaking of sunshine, the South of Florida is famous for its world-class beaches. There are beaches and parks to go to.
And even if you live inland, the beach is not that far from you. You can always go to the beach and return home on the same day.
And because the beach is close to home, you get all the heat and sun most of your days. This is pleasant in so many ways.
This also means that you never run out of outdoor activities. This is because you know the weather will always be sunny.
And speaking of sunny, South Florida is that part of the world where you will never have to shovel snow ever again.
I know scraping ice off the driveway, and your windows are blah! In South Florida, there’s no need for that. Plus, you don’t get to dress up in layers.
For all I know, you can even go to the store shirtless! That’s an exaggeration. I was kidding. But seriously, South Florida is where the sun is up most days of the year.
And if this is not a good thing, I don’t know what is.
There’s Always Something to Do
Because of the sun that’s always shining all year round, you get to do a lot of outdoor activities.
Fancy to sail your yacht? Go ahead. That is if you have a yacht.
If you don’t, why don’t you go for a dive? Or how about a quick swim at the beach? Or do you feel like going on a cruise? Thanks to South Florida’s sunny weather all year, there is always something to do.
And get this, not everything should be at the beach. South Florida is also famous for places where you can golf or play tennis.
And oh, don’t forget the parks. Who would ever forget Disneyland? Yep! It’s in South Florida!
This part of the state is full of high-quality facilities. All these can accommodate any activity, no matter the month of the year. Because of its great, sunny weather, you are assured of so much play the whole year!
Exotic and Wild
One of the things most people do not know about South Florida is its wildlife.
This part of the state is gifted with wildlife that is as exotic as no other.
It is not unusual for its locals to see exotic species you don’t normally see anywhere else.
The southern part of Florida is home to the Burmese python, green iguana, as well as the peacock bass. There’s also the Indian peafowl, the vervet monkey, as well as different species of frogs and toads.
This exotic wildlife makes Southern Florida a character of its own.
A State of Many Nations
One of the beautiful things about this part of Florida is its diverse population. In fact, South Florida is one of the most diverse places in the US.
The locals are not limited to one race. From Asians to Europeans, South Florida is full of them. There are as many Africans as Latinos.
This goes to show that South Florida welcomes anyone with open arms. No matter your race, preference, or beliefs, South Florida is waiting.
The Bad Side
No matter how sunny a place is, there will always be clouds that are cause for gloom.
Here are a few things you need to know before you move to South Florida.
The Terrible Summer Heat
You may love the sun, but when it gets too hot, it can also be miserable for everyone.
South Florida is sunny almost all year round. As such, it is one of the warmest in the US. This is not just with South Florida but the rest of the state as well.
If we get more specific with South Florida, here’s an example. The temperature averages around 70 degrees every day. This is the part of the country with the hottest temperature even during the rainy season.
The average temperature during summer can even go up to 90 degrees!
No matter how much you love the sun, 90 degrees daily is terrible heat!
The Overcrowded South
One of South Florida’s major problems is the crowd.
More than 70% of Florida’s locals believe that the overpopulation of the South is a big problem. As such, me-times in solitude would be a dream for now.
Because of the influx of people that go to South Florida, this part of the state has become less comfortable.
But if you are not bothered by the crowds, forget I mentioned this.
Bad Traffic
Traffic in South Florida is bad. That’s as much as I can say.
One of the many things that contribute to this is because the state does not have enough highways. Within FL, including the South, the highways only compose about 10% of its network of roads.
I know this may be a turn-off. But if you still want to pursue moving to the South, be wary of the hours. From 6 to 10 AM, the roads get too congested. From 10 AM to 2 PM, you’ll be fine. Rush hour again starts at 3 PM and ends around 7 PM.
Now, you know!
What is the cost of living in South Florida? – Live a Tax-Free Life
So now you are tinkering with the thought of moving to South Florida. Imagine Disney World. Then there’s The Universal Studios. Aside from these, you also get airboats, alligators, and a lot of beaches nearby!
But how expensive (or affordable) is South Florida? That’s a nice question to ask. At least before you trade all your fur coats for swimsuits, this is something you should ask.
The South is a bit more affordable. In fact, South Florida’s cost of living is a bit lower than the national average. It’s actually 1% lower. But at least, it’s lower.
Anyway, let’s talk more about the cost of living in the good old southern shores.
The Good Side
Most of the commodities in South Florida are affordable. In fact, most of these are lower than the national average. And the tax? Well, that’s a pleasant surprise.
Here, we talk about the tax and everything else that’s good for the pocket.
Read on to find out.
What Tax?
When you are in the state of Florida, you don’t get to pay income tax.
I’m serious!
The Sunshine State does not get a chunk out of your hard-earned income. This is one of the many reasons why the state is a popular choice for those that are planning to move.
I would have to clarify, though. The state still has a sales tax. The rate is about 6%. It should be 7.05% if you count the average local tax rate. Not bad, though, if you ask me.
Goods, Services, and Everything Else
Miscellaneous goods in South Florida are lower than the national average. This is a good thing!
When we talk about miscellaneous goods, we talk about restaurant food. We talk about clothing, entertainment, and other things. These would also include personal care, as well as other activities.
In South Florida, this would be about 7% to 9% lower than the national average. This depends on where you are in the South.
Affordable Healthcare
One of the major advantages of moving to South Florida is affordable healthcare.
Depending on where you are in the South, healthcare can be from 11% to 16% lower than the national average.
Pensacola is the only southern city that is cheaper than the national average. It sits at 3% lower than the average. Not too good when you compare it with other southern cities. But still, it is lower than the national average.
It’s still a good thing.
The Bad Side
When moving to South Florida, it is of great importance to know a few more things.
What commodity would cost you more in the South? How much is it compared to the national average?
Here are a few costly commodities in South Florida.
Of Course, Housing
In most of the cities that we have been to, housing and rent always get the bigger chunk of the budget pie.
This is the same when in South Florida.
When planning to move in, always know that this is a bit more expensive than the national average. I say a bit more because the difference is not that significant.
Let’s peg the national average at 100. Based on that benchmark, South Florida’s housing cost is at 102.5.
So, yes, that’s a bit higher than the national average. But the percentage is not that high to create that much impact.
Tax Again?
I know I mentioned earlier about you not paying income tax when in Florida.
But one of the downsides when in this state is its tax on cellphone use and gas. These two get the brunt of being one of the highest when it comes to taxes.
But aside from sales tax on cellphone use and gas, there’s not much you should worry about.
So… chill!
Why work in South Florida? – The Jobs of the Future
Because of globalization, the world is becoming smaller. Access to places is becoming more important.
South Florida has a lot of international airports. Because of this, access to the southern cities is easy. This makes South Florida strategic. Its location provides access to businesses abroad to foster in these shores.
The Good Side
And as somebody looking for work, South Florida is a great place to be in right now.
Here are the reasons why.
The Economy of Tomorrow
The southern part of Florida is the perfect place to work right now.
One of the major reasons is its thriving economy. It is big enough to have all that you need. It is also not so big to overwhelm your efforts. This means that there will always be rewards and recognition for all your efforts and hard work.
South Florida’s economy is at the start of a major boom. Its economic status shows a picture of a major economic shift.
I kid you not. South Florida will be a global city in a few years’ time.
Colleagues and Friends
When working in South Florida, everybody in the office welcomes you like family.
The business culture in the South is all you need for success in your career.
The business landscape provides for diversity in its marketing opportunities in all industries. The workforce is ambitious. And while full of ambition, everybody remains warm and welcoming.
When working in South Florida, you will always be inspired to work.
This is the place where workmates become friends and family.
Opportunities for Growth
One of the things I like in South Florida is the fact that it is teeming with job opportunities.
From green jobs to technical trades to technology, South Florida has it all. This is the part of the state where your innovations are welcome. This is the part of the country where hard work is very well-compensated.
The South is a rising global community. As such, you have all the great job opportunities to further your career.
So, go ahead. Head to the South. Set your ambitions high.
This is where your ambitions, innovations, and hard work should be.
The Bad Side
Yes, South Florida is one of the best places to be in right now. But is it?
Here is something that recently surfaced over the news. Something to ponder on before finding work in the South.
Too Business-Focused?
I understand that businesses need to survive. I also understand that we all have to adapt to the new normal.
But in South Florida, recent news has paved the way for new thoughts in the business community. Is it too focused on saving the business without being too sensitive to its workforce’s welfare?
A lot of the workforce in South Florida have been ordered to go back to work despite the scare.
The government is making sure to safeguard employees despite the pandemic. But some will always question.
How assured will I be that the company I am working in can provide me a safe environment? What are the policies that the company has put in place to mitigate the risks of working?
All these and more are in the works.
Meanwhile, if you worry about your health while working, you may have to postpone your move to the South.
Conclusion
South Florida has everything you have always wanted.
It has beaches, wildlife, as well as parks. The cost of living is lower than the national average. It also has a healthy economy and a wide array of jobs.
All these, and more, make up for South Florida that we know right now. Beautiful, affordable, and has a community you will adore.
And so if I were you, you better pack those bags right now.
Let’s head down South!