1. First steps before moving to Florida
Finding a job
Many people move to Florida, whether they have a profession or not. The beautiful weather and scenery are sufficient reasons for them to leave everything behind. If you’re one of these people, don’t worry, as Florida offers opportunities in industries such as tourism, construction, healthcare, and education, which are all in high demand for employment.
Getting there
The drive between California and Florida is 2700 miles long and will take you 40 hours of non-stop driving.
The average cost of driving from California to Florida is $400 one-way without counting your hotel stops on the way. The best route to drive from California to Florida is the I-10 (a highway that begins in Los Angeles and ends in Jacksonville) where you’ll pass through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. Exciting, right? Through this route, you’ll be passing some of the most beautiful places such as the Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree National Park, Big Bend National Park and Carlsbad Caverns.
On the other hand, the flight time from California to Florida is 5 hours long and the plane ticket will cost an average of $200. The cheapest time to fly to Florida from California is usually in the months of January and September. December, March and April are considered to be the peak times to travel to Florida.
If you’re taking a flight for your move from California to Florida and don’t know how to transport your belongings, check out the best long-distance moving companies.
Cost to ship a boat or car from California to Florida
When planning a move to Florida and considering the shipment of your vehicle or boat, it’s crucial to understand that the size of the vessel greatly impacts the cost.
For shipping a boat from California to Florida, you can expect costs starting at approximately $3,000, and for high-end vessels, the expenses can exceed $10,000. On the other hand, the cost of shipping a car from California to Florida is estimated to be $900 or more, depending on various factors like timing, seasonal demand, and the vehicle’s size.
Must dos before your arrival in Florida
- Update Your Address: Changing your address is a crucial step when relocating. You can easily set up mail forwarding either online or in person before your move. Remember to update your address with various organizations, including the SSA, DMV, and home services. To ensure you don’t miss any important notifications, refer to our comprehensive change of address checklist, which covers all the places you need to update when moving.
- Weather Preparedness: Be ready for Florida’s hot and humid weather. Check local forecasts and pack accordingly, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the region’s climate variations.
- Apartment Hunting: Plan ahead by researching and scheduling apartment visits before your arrival. This proactive approach will help streamline your housing search process and ensure a smoother transition.
2. Upon your arrival in Florida
Must dos right upon your arrival
- Get familiar with your neighborhood, and make sure to take note of the important emergency numbers.
- Locate the essential facilities like the nearest hospital, police station, and fire department for your safety and in case of emergency.
- Roaming around the city for work or just simply checking on it, it would be great to purchase a daily transit pass to save money.
Florida’s inefficient public transit system can be attributed to its challenging terrain, making subway construction impractical. Additionally, the prevalent car culture and the concentration of residents near the coast have reduced the emphasis on developing extensive public transit options.
|
Type of fare |
Rate |
|
Single ticket |
$1.75 |
|
Daily pass |
$4.50 |
|
Weekly pass |
$20.00 |
|
Monthly pass |
$65.00 |
Exchanging your driver’s license
It’s especially important to notify the Florida DMV (FLHSMV) of your change of address so that you can legally drive your vehicle in Florida. When moving from California to Florida, you have to notify the Florida DMV within 30 days of your move.
- Notify the California DMV of your change of address within 10 days of your move.
- You can only apply for a driver’s license and register your vehicle in-person at the FLHSMV. Online driver’s license application is not available to out of state drivers.
- Book an appointment at the FLHSMV in advance to avoid waiting lines.
- Visit a dual service center for both driver’s license and vehicle registration applications.
- Bring your Social Security Card, 2 proofs of residency and proof of liability insurance.
- A vision test may be required.
- A $48 fee +TX is required for a Class E driver’s license.
For more information check out our article on how to notify the Florida DMV of an address change.
Car Insurance in Florida vs California
Florida has many uninsured drivers, forcing insurance companies to up their prices. Along with the many uninsured drivers in Florida, the yearly hurricanes and the dense population also affect the cost of car insurance, making it a bit higher than in California.
Setting up a bank account
When moving to Florida from California, it’s essential to establish a local presence by setting up a bank account. This state follows the same procedures and regulations as in other states. Wells Fargo Bank has more than 500 branch locations in Florida, and it is convenient for every local because it is accessible.
Getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you won’t have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. The state of Florida proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose Florida as your state and create an account.
The healthcare costs in Florida are as follows:
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$140.33 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance (average cheapest) |
$196.66 |
|
Gym |
$28.66 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
4. Best places to live in Florida
Florida is ranked among the best cities in the United States with a flourishing world-class economy, low crime rates, and affordable real estate market. There are lots of cities that offer reasonable costs of living and a comfortable environment guaranteed to fit every lifestyle. With that in mind, if you are moving, here are the top 10 best places to live in Florida in 2024.
|
City |
Characteristics |
|
Oviedo |
Many recreational activities |
|
Satellite Beach |
Great for families |
|
Sebastian |
Best for safety & low cost of living |
|
Fort Myers |
Many job opportunities in healthcare, retail, education & tourism sectors. |
|
Melbourne |
Best for young professionals |
|
Palm Bay |
Affordable cost of living |
|
Sarasota |
Best for medical sector workers |
|
Naples |
Best place for luxurious lifestyle |
|
Gainesville |
Best for excellent education & healthcare facilities |
|
Pensacola |
Best for tranquility |
Setting up home services
Florida generates over 50% of its energy from natural gas making it reasonably priced. Florida’s energy is regulated by The Florida Public Service Commission and so service providers vary by location. You can find the electricity provider, natural gas provider and water provider in your area on The Florida Public Service Commission’s website. Discover the best Internet providers in Florida.
|
Utilities |
Cost |
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$152.40 |
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$43.00 |
|
Total |
$195.40 |
Should you rent or buy?
The cost of a house in Florida in 2023 generally falls around $295,910. If you’re considering renting, a 1-bedroom apartment in Florida typically rents for approximately $1,277.91 outside the city center. When it comes to sales tax, Florida levies a 6% sales tax, while in California, it’s slightly higher at 6.625%. Lastly, in terms of property tax, Florida averages around 0.98%, whereas California has a higher property tax rate of 2.42%.
Property Insurance for Hurricanes in Florida
Home insurance is not mandatory in Florida. However, if your property is mortgaged with a lender, the lending company may contractually obligate you to purchase insurance to safeguard the amount outstanding on the loan. Florida is quite prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes and floods. Getting insurance to protect you from spending on the damages caused by these natural disasters is a great way to get peace of mind when it comes to your home.
Cost of rent in Florida
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Jacksonville (Outside of Center) |
$1,277.91 |
$2,157.00 |
Cost of buying a property in Florida
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Jacksonville |
$295,910 |
5. Cost of living in Florida vs. California
Florida’s cost of living
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,277.91 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($63.41 multiplied by 4) |
$253.64 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$152.40 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$43.00 |
|
Transit pass |
$65.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$84.00 |
|
Gym membership |
$28.66 |
|
Total |
$1,904.61 |
California’s cost of living
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$2,916.97 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($71.47 multiplied by 4) |
$285.88 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$266.43 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$82.81 |
|
Transit pass |
$81.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$99.66 |
|
Gym membership |
$71.51 |
|
Total |
$3,804.26 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023)
5. The weather in Florida
The weather in Florida is hot and humid. Summers in the state are generally very humid with temperatures averaging at 82 °F . Florida is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms so make sure you come prepared! Florida has several beaches which make the humid summers refreshing! During winter, the air is sometimes cold but not chilly.
6. What to do as a local in Florida
People who live in Florida their whole lives or move there often choose this place because of the beaches. Locals adore spending time at the beach, where they can relax and hang out, enjoying a budget-friendly activity. Additionally, residents take full advantage of the waterways, including the coastline, lakes, rivers, and canals, for boating and fishing.
Golf, with its year-round playability due to the fantastic weather, is another popular sport, fitting in perfectly with the local enthusiasm for sports, especially football, as Florida boasts many sports teams.
7. Fun facts about Florida
- Florida accounts for 44% of the orange production in the US whereas California accounts for 51%.
- Florida is called the Sunshine state. This is due to its popular beaches and the hot and humid temperatures.
- The properties on the beachfront in Miami might be underwater in 2100!
Why Californians are moving to Florida
Spending your entire life in the same state is not for everyone. There’s always a reason to start fresh, see the new beginning, or maybe find new opportunities in a different place. However, relocation is not so easy.
California itself is a great place to live in, still, many people are moving from California to Florida every day. Florida’s low cost of living, entertainment options, and beaches make it a quite preferable place for many people. From some of the top beaches to quality nightlife, Florida will always keep you entertained.
LA vs Miami
When it comes to choosing between Miami and LA, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered. Miami and LA are similar to each other in many ways. They both are considered to be warm cities with good weather despite the hurricanes and humidity in Miami. You can expect more job opportunities in Miami because there is a lot of competition in LA.
Are you planning a move to Florida? Check out the best moving companies in Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa.
California vs Florida Beaches
If you’re a surfer, you’d like California beaches more because the waves are stronger than that of Florida beaches. On the other hand, piers in Florida beaches are more accessible as they are usually less packed. In addition, Florida has tropical weather and the longest coastline, but is also much more humid. The water in the Florida beaches is warmer than in the California beaches.
Pros and Cons of Living in Florida vs California
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
Conclusion
Moving from California to Florida presents an exciting yet challenging transition, with an influx of approximately 919 daily newcomers. Florida offers diverse attractions, from beaches to art districts. Securing employment and planning the 2,700-mile drive or a 5-hour flight are essential. Address changes, weather preparation, apartment hunting, and transitioning your driver’s license are vital steps.
Health insurance and cost considerations are significant, and choosing to rent or buy property depends on preferences. Florida’s cost of living is generally favorable. Florida’s hot and humid weather, along with its susceptibility to hurricanes, impacts residents’ activities and property insurance choices.
In need of a moving company? Check out the best movers for your move to Florida from California.
