About Florida

Every day more and more people are moving to Florida.

The reasons are numerous and usually outweigh the decision to relocate anyplace else. Oftentimes people visit this tropical paradise for a vacation or to visit friends and family and decide they cannot possibly live anyplace else. Sure, they board their planes for home but that nagging feeling that they belong in Florida often puts them on the phone with a good buyer’s agent soon after they return home. They know there’s no place in the world quite like it and they are ready to live the Florida lifestyle. This is paradise, folks, and here are just a few examples of why you should consider making the move to Florida.

For starters, the weather. And can we say again… the weather! 

In Florida, residents enjoy seeing the sun nearly every single day of the year. There are the off days, where it might rain or cloud over, but as a general rule the sun is always shining someplace in Florida. For those of you still making your way through cold, gray winters and rainy days, you know that when the sun comes out, life and your surroundings always seem better. Who doesn’t want to wake up to the sun peeking through the blinds and hear the sound of happy birds enjoying the morning. And, conversely, the sunsets are spectacular. Watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico while sitting on the sugar sands of some of the nicest beaches in the world is truly a rite of passage. It is common for lucky residents to gather at the beach at sunset and bid farewell to the day with the knowledge that the sun really will come out tomorrow. The pink and purple hues of a gorgeous, everyday sun setting over the glistening waters is really so beautiful it can take your breath away. And usually lucky viewers break into applause as the last rays of the sun make their way down over the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.

Beyond the amazing weather, Florida real estate is some of the most sought after in the world.

People from every state and country realize the uniqueness of a state surrounded by water on three side. As a result, Florida is a beautiful melting pot of people from all over the world bonded by their love of the water, land, and the people. In Florida there are hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, intracoastal waterways, bays, rivers, creeks and estuaries. You can live on a private island here and you can even own your own island in Florida. In addition to the waterfront properties, you can also live inland where you will find rural areas with acreage, planned communities, retirement communities, fly-in communities and everything in between. If you love the “old Florida” style homes, you will find that as well as multi-million dollar mansions. If you’re ready to live in a worry-and-work-free condominium, Florida has some of the nicest in the world. And the beauty of it all is that no matter where you decide to live, you are only a short drive to the beaches and amazing attractions that Florida offers. Florida is the only state that has the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. On any given day, you can be on the Atlantic Ocean in the morning, watching an amazing sunrise, jump in your car and be enjoying a nice lunch on the Gulf of Mexico. And don’t forget to stay for the sunset, they’re pretty amazing too.

Retirees have been seeking out Florida for generations. 

When you live in paradise, family members come to visit. A lot! You don’t have to worry about leaving your family behind or missing out on your grandchildren’s lives as they’ll most likely be visiting on holidays and summers, and with the abundance of great state colleges, perhaps they’ll do their schooling in Florida as well. Time and time again, family members follow each other to Florida, realizing this truly is a unique, special place. And in addition to the prime real estate and weather, Florida has other benefits that are not found in many other states. For example, Florida does not have income taxes, one of only seven states offering this benefit and also does not have a capital gains tax. Coming from states where a good portion of your income is eaten up by state taxes, Florida will feel like a breath of fresh air, not to mention the extra money you’ll find in your bank account. Florida also has a homestead exemption, which is important to so many people. You want to know the home you’ve worked so hard to obtain will be protected in the event of your death, and the property tax savings yearly are invaluable. Florida does not have an estate tax so loved ones are not left shouldering the burden of large tax bills in the event of your death. The tax structure of Florida is very attractive to retirees who want their assets they’ve accumulated and worked so hard for go to the sources they intend.

Another huge benefit of living in Florida is the healthy lifestyle residents enjoy.

With the abundance of good weather and access to water, people of all ages can be active and outdoors nearly every day. The options are plentiful from walking, bicycling, hiking, swimming, golfing, tennis to playing shuffleboard, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and so much more. You don’t have to spend days on end in your homes waiting for the weather to break just so you can get to the grocery store or go out for your mail. Like-minded individuals enjoying the same activities can be found everywhere. And the mild weather allows for year-round fresh produce which is key to a healthy diet. Besides citrus, which grows just about everywhere in Florida, other crops include corn, tomatoes, sugarcane, tomatoes and much more. Farmer’s markets can be found in almost every city where a farm-to-table diet is very doable. For those wanting to live their lives out in the healthiest possible way, Florida affords every opportunity to do that. There’s never a reason to use bad weather or lack of fresh foods as an excuse to not exercise or eat well. And you won’t be letting gray days and rain on end ruin your mood either. Hmm. Being happy and fit. No wonder Florida is always one of the fastest growing states. And should you need medical services, Florida has healthcare options galore. Some of the best hospitals available are located in Florida and because of the number of retirees, ancillary services such as pharmacies, labs, and medical specialty facilities are located everywhere.

The largest number of tree species can also be found in Florida including several thousand different types of flowering plants. You know you’re in a tropical oasis when everywhere you look, palm trees are swaying in the wind, gently reminding us of the beauty they behold. And to smell the different varieties of jasmine that bloom everywhere is like taking a little dose of heaven in every day. If you’ve never been in an orange grove, and there are plenty of those, then you’re missing out on one of the sweetest scents there is. It’s hard to pass one without taking a few moments to inhale nature’s most fragrant fruit. Over 98 different mammal types live in Florida and for bird-watchers, Florida is one of the best places to see several different species of birds. Some of the best fishing in the world takes place here and fishing tournaments abound. Florida is the home to over 150 state parks and three national parks so the natural wonders of the state are not only found on the beautiful waters, but really everywhere.

Now that we’ve covered Florida’s overall greatness, let’s take a look at some of the cities and attractions found here. There are so many great places to reside here it would be hard to cover them all. This will give you a snapshot look at some of the highlights of Florida living.

Florida real estate has always been coveted and there’s a reason hundreds of people move into the state on a daily basis. They have discovered the key to their happiness lies in a state with warm temperatures, nearly 365 days a year of sunshine, no snow or ice to deal with, lower taxes, higher quality of living and a healthy lifestyle. It’s a wonder more don’t make the move to this water land paradise where on one coast you can swim in the Gulf of Mexico and on the other, you can cruise the Atlantic Ocean. If you’ve always longed to live on or near the water, Florida has so many options. Every day can be a beach day when you live in Florida. Every day can be an active healthy day doing the things you love. Every day you can be warmed by the sun or dip your toes in the water. Every day you can wake up in paradise. It’s time you made the move. What are you waiting for? It’s time to relocate and renew.