What are the downsides of living in Florida?

Cons of living in Florida include intense heat and humidity, high risk of hurricanes, expensive homeowners' insurance, crowded tourist areas, heavy traffic, lower wages, and unique challenges from wildlife (alligators) and pests (mosquitoes, roaches). The flat landscape, reliance on cars, and issues like rising sea levels, political polarization, and potentially poor healthcare rankings add to concerns.


What are the cons of moving to Florida?

Cons of moving to Florida include severe heat/humidity, high hurricane risk, expensive insurance (home/auto), crowded tourist areas, heavy traffic, low wages, high costs in popular areas, more bugs (mosquitoes, roaches), car dependency, political polarization, rising property taxes, and low elevation/sea-level rise concerns. The combination of oppressive summer weather and insurance costs often surprises newcomers.
 

What does Florida struggle with?

The latest poll from Florida Atlantic University reveals a state grappling with an escalating cost of living, which is severely straining the "American Dream" for many residents.


Why are people moving out of Florida?

People are moving out of Florida due to skyrocketing living costs (especially housing and insurance), increased hurricane/climate risks, severe traffic/overcrowding, and a mismatch between wages and expenses, pushing out many, particularly younger residents, despite the state's tax benefits and warm weather. Rising insurance premiums, coupled with stagnant wages and the strain of natural disasters, are major factors, alongside concerns about extreme heat, congestion, and a polarized political environment.
 

Can I retire in Florida on $3,000 a month?

Yes, you can retire in Florida on $3,000 a month, but it requires careful planning, choosing an affordable location (like inland or panhandle towns over coastal hotspots), managing housing costs (renting or low mortgage), and controlling other expenses, as popular areas and rising insurance/hurricane costs can strain this budget. It's doable with smart budgeting, but less feasible if you need luxury or want to live in high-demand cities, requiring tradeoffs in lifestyle and location. 


What THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU About Moving To Florida | Honest Review 5 Years Later



What is the cheapest and safest place to live in Florida?

Finding the perfect balance of cheap and safe in Florida often points to inland cities or less-trafficked coasts, with top contenders including Pensacola, Dunedin, Cape Coral, Lakeland, Ocala, and Palm Coast, offering lower costs of living and crime rates, while Marco Island, Parkland, and Winter Springs are lauded for safety but might be pricier. For a blend, consider Pensacola (affordable beaches) or Dunedin (Gulf Coast charm). 

What are the disadvantages of retiring in Florida?

THE CONS OF RETIRING IN FLORIDA
  • HURRICANE RISKS AND INSURANCE COSTS. Florida's location makes it highly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly from June through November. ...
  • HIGH COST OF LIVING IN POPULAR AREAS. ...
  • EXTREME SUMMER HEAT AND HUMIDITY.


How long until Florida is unlivable?

According to the map, much of Florida's coastal areas — particularly around the Everglades National Park and Florida Keys — could be largely submerged within the next 100 years.


What is the #1 state people are moving to?

While it varies slightly by source, North Carolina and South Carolina are consistently ranked as the #1 or #2 most popular states people are moving to in 2024-2025, often followed by Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama, driven by affordability, job growth, lower taxes, and quality of life, especially in the Southeast. 

What is the risk of living in Florida?

Florida's low elevation and proximity to water make many areas vulnerable to flooding, particularly during heavy rains and hurricane season. Coastal cities like Miami are especially at risk, with flooding becoming more frequent due to rising sea levels.

What is the biggest health problem in Florida?

Heart disease, cancer, and accidents were the leading causes of death in Florida in 2022.


Which is not a reason people move to Florida?

A common answer for what is NOT a reason people move to Florida is mountain recreation/skiing, as Florida lacks mountains, though increasingly, low housing costs are also becoming less of a draw due to rising prices. People move for warm weather, no state income tax, beaches, and retirement, but seeking cold-weather sports or extremely cheap housing are generally inaccurate reasons. 

What's the most common crime in Florida?

Theft and Property Crimes

Property crimes such as theft, burglary, and shoplifting are among the most frequent offenses in Florida.

What should I know before moving to Florida?

Before moving to Florida, know you'll get sunshine but also intense heat, humidity, and daily rain showers, plus hurricane risks and abundant bugs/wildlife (gators!). Be prepared for a high cost of living (especially insurance/housing), lots of tourists, heavy traffic, toll roads, and a competitive real estate market, while enjoying no state income tax and fresh seafood. 


What jobs are in demand in Florida?

Florida has high demand for healthcare workers (Nurses, Therapists, Physicians), skilled trades (Electricians, HVAC Techs, Crane Operators, Truck Drivers), tech roles (Software Developers, IT Analysts), and service/sales positions (Real Estate Agents, Retail/Sales Reps, Customer Service), driven by population growth and an aging workforce, creating needs in both skilled trades and professional services. 

What salary is needed to live comfortably in Florida?

To live comfortably in Florida, a single person might need around $46,000 to $93,000+ annually, depending on location and lifestyle, with estimates varying from a $46k "living wage" for necessities (MIT) to over $93k for a "comfortable" lifestyle (SmartAsset), while some studies suggest happiness requires $105k; costs are significantly higher in coastal/tourist areas. 

What is the happiest state to move to?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America—and somehow, we are not the least bit surprised at this revelation. The Aloha State truly is the paradise of the Pacific, where residents report high levels of life satisfaction and the second-lowest suicide rate in the country.


What is the #1 overpopulated state?

The U.S. state with the largest population is California, which has some 39,000,000 residents.

What state is paying $10,000 to move there?

Oklahoma. Tulsa Remote is a program designed to help remote workers interested in moving to Oklahoma. It offers $10,000 to anyone who meets the five eligibility criteria below. Once you've applied, select applicants will be interviewed by Tulsa staff in order to learn more about your background and interest in the city ...

Will Florida be underwater by 2040?

The Tampa Bay area is at a severe risk of disruption from sea level rise. Forecasts for 2040 indicate that much of the area will be three feet underwater. Rising seas will disrupt Tampa's thriving economy, real estate and financial industries and two major military bases in the area.


Will Florida become too hot to live in?

Look ahead, because by 2050, some places in Florida may see 70 hot days annually, a University of Florida scientist says. In a newly published study, researchers found an increasing number of hot days over the past 60 years across Florida and predict more such days in the future.

What cities in Florida are most at risk for flooding?

In fact, Tampa has been ranked one of the most vulnerable cities in the U.S. for storm-related flooding. Jacksonville's location along the St. Johns River means that even inland areas face flood risks, especially when hurricanes push stormwater upriver.

What is the 80 20 rule in Florida?

The 80/20 rule, a provision under the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) of 1995, stipulates that at least 80% of the units in a 55+ community must have at least one resident aged 55 or older. The remaining 20% can be occupied by residents of any age.


What is the $1000 a month rule for retirement?

The $1,000 a month retirement rule is a simple guideline stating you need about $240,000 saved for every $1,000 of monthly income you want from your investments in retirement, based on a 5% annual withdrawal rate ($240k x 0.05 / 12 = $1k/month). It's a motivational tool to estimate savings goals (e.g., $3,000/month needs $720k), but it's one-dimensional, doesn't account for inflation, taxes, or other income like Social Security, and assumes steady 5% returns, making a personalized plan essential. 

What are the negatives of living in Florida?

Cons of living in Florida include intense heat and humidity, high risk of hurricanes, expensive homeowners' insurance, crowded tourist areas, heavy traffic, lower wages, and unique challenges from wildlife (alligators) and pests (mosquitoes, roaches). The flat landscape, reliance on cars, and issues like rising sea levels, political polarization, and potentially poor healthcare rankings add to concerns.