Moving from New York to Florida: What You Need to Know

It’s no secret that many New Yorkers are trading in the snow & traffic jams for the warm weather & affordability that Florida offers. Sarah Rocco recently shared a detailed comparison of the two states on our YouTube channel, and now we are highlighting the major points in this blog post for you. Are you someone who would rather watch than read? You can find the full video linked at the bottom of this post.

The first point is obvious to everyone, yet so important we can’t glaze over it. The weather between New York and Florida is wildly different and it’s one of the biggest reasons people are making the trip down south. The winters in FL are one of the most attractive things the state has to offer with average temperature lows between 40-65 degrees. You’ll only experience  approximately two months of the year that feel like winter. On the flip side, the intense humidity coupled with the heat can be an issue for some in the summer months, so keep that in mind.

Another top reason that many decide to make the move are the differences in taxes between the two states. Although Florida’s property taxes are only slightly below the national average, the state offers a Homestead Exemption, which allows homeowners to save a considerable amount on their home’s taxable value. On top of that, perhaps the most well-known tax benefit is that there is no state income tax in Florida. The elimination of state income tax has continued to make Florida a popular place to hold a primary residence.

At the time of this blog post, Florida is seeing a recent increase in housing inventory along with the nation as a whole. However, many argue that inventory is still low in Florida. This is because Florida remains an affordable state for many, making it a hotspot for people to live, invest, and build wealth in real estate. Don’t let that scare you from moving here! Pick an agent you trust to help you navigate the market. If you are in Northeast Florida we’d love to offer our services to you, and if you are anywhere else in Florida we can refer you to a great agent throughout the state. 

Lastly, we want to mention transportation. If you come from a big city in New York, you may be used to walking or biking to your favorite locations on a daily basis. There are not as many walkable areas in Florida, so you will most likely want to have a vehicle of your own to get around the city of your choice and the state as a whole. When you are budgeting out your monthly expenses before the move, make sure to take this into consideration.

So, will you finally take the leap down south to enjoy the bright sun and wide beaches? Or is it not quite the right time for you to leave your home state? Perhaps you feel like you need more information to make the decision. If the last point is true we encourage you to watch the video below for some additional differences between the states and reach out to us to have a local expert walk you through any questions or concerns you have about Florida. We hope to see you soon in the Sunshine State!