Should I Move to Florida? Pros and Cons of Living in Florida

Should I Move to Florida? Pros and Cons of Living in Florida

No matter where in the country you live, you have likely uttered these words at some point or another (it’s only natural – Florida seems like paradise).

If you find yourself repeating that wish over and over again, however, maybe you should consider actually moving to Florida – the Sunshine State has a lot to offer and might be a great place for you to live.

So, is moving to Florida a good idea? It depends on what is important to you and what you like and dislike.

The warm weather, wonderful beaches, blooming economy, endless entertainment opportunities, and astonishing cultural diversity in the Sunshine state are a strong draw, but the overcrowdedness, high humidity, frequent hurricanes, and dangerous wildlife can be deterring to many.

You need to be aware of both the positives and the negatives of living in Florida – and to consider how they will affect you and your family – in order to be able to decide if moving to the Sunshine State is the right step to take.

Here are some of the most essential pros and cons of moving to Florida to help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of living in Florida

Statistics show that the Sunshine State is one of the top inbound states in the country. So, why is that? Why are people moving to Florida?

The answer is easy to see – there are many good reasons to move to Florida: the weather is great, the nature is splendid, the economy is thriving, the cost of living is affordable, and there are tons of fun things to do.

Read on to explore the numerous advantages of moving to Florida:

Sunny weather

The Sunshine State is called so for a reason – Florida has more days of sunshine in a year than any other state in the country. It’s the perfect place to live if you love the sun and warmth.

The subtropical and tropical climate in the state means it’s warm most of the time – the average annual temperature in Florida is about 71°F (21.5°C), the winters are mild, snow and ice are uncommon, and there’s no need for heavy winter gear or specialized winter equipment.

Ample sunshine, soft sand, translucent waves… What else could you wish for?

Apart from being very pleasant, the warm, sunny weather offers a number of great benefits:

• Prolonged exposure to the sun increases the levels of vitamin D in your body – and vitamin D boosts the immune system, improves metabolism, prevents bone and heart diseases, and provides higher energy levels;
• Colds, flu, sinus infections, joint paints, and other contagious illnesses and health problems are less common in warm weather;
• There’s no need to shovel snow in the winter or worry about icy roads and blizzards;
• You can plan outdoor events and enjoy outdoor activities all the year round – and spending plenty of time outdoors is extremely beneficial for the health and psychological well-being.

All in all, the weather in Florida is a big draw – especially for retirees and people living in a cold climate.

Stunning beaches

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida has nearly 1,200 miles of coastline and more than 650 miles of gorgeous beaches.

It’s a real paradise for beach lovers – not only are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world located in Florida, but no matter where in the state you are, you’re never more than an hour away from a beach.

So, even if you live in the center of the state, the beach is only a short drive away – you can enjoy the sand and the water any time you want to. And the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful – from the sand dunes and translucent waves to the magnificent sunrises and sunsets, every view is divine.

The wonderful beaches are among the main reasons why everyone is moving to Florida.

A plethora of outdoor pursuits and water activities

Thanks to the warm weather, the proximity to the ocean, and the splendid nature, Florida is a great place for outdoor pursuits and water adventures.

You can enjoy all kinds of exciting outdoor activities in the Sunshine State – and you can enjoy them all year round:

You’ll never be lacking in water adventures if you live in Florida.

• You can go swimming, water surfing, jet skiing, sailing, or yachting in the ocean. Keep in mind though that in addition to the saltwater, there are also 4,308 square miles of lakes, rivers, and streams in the state that are perfect for fishing, boating, kayaking, and various other water activities;
• You can swim in one of the nearly 800 freshwater springs scattered throughout the peninsula and explore the astonishing underground caves hidden in the water;
• You can go snorkeling and scuba diving to look at the beautiful reefs and amazing marine life along the coastline;
• You can go for a canoe ride along the mangroves and do some bird-watching;
• You can spend the day hiking through an oak hammock forest or wildlife spotting in the largest subtropical wetland ecosystem in the country – the Everglades.

The list goes on and on – whether you enjoy biking, camping, animal spotting, fishing, or swimming, the diverse landscape (coastlines, swamps, jungles, forests, fields, etc.) and abundant wildlife will certainly satisfy your passions.

Florida has a lot to offer to those who like getting out in nature and exploring the outdoors – and being able to engage in your favorite outdoor activities any time of the year is really nice. It’s more than enough to make people want to move to the Sunshine State and never look back.

Endless entertainment options

From theme parks and ghost tours to space centers and art museums, Florida offers every kind of entertainment experience imaginable.

The Sunshine State is home to some of the most famous theme parks and amusement parks in the world – Disney World, Legoland, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, etc.

There are plenty of cultural attractions as well – grand concerts and spectacular performances in arenas in big cities such as Miami or Tampa, the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, the Morikami Museum in Delray Beach with its beautiful Japanese Gardens, etc.

Those interested in space exploration, science, and technology can go to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral and train in spaceflight simulators, view the shuttle Atlantis, visit the astronaut hall of fame, and even see a rocket launching into outer space.

Animal lovers can observe all kinds of sea creatures at SeaWorld in Orlando, swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove or Marineland Dolphin Adventure, meet a manatee in its home environment, see an alligator close up in the Everglades, etc.

Next stop – Dreamland!

With so many places of interest, Florida has something to offer to everyone – all within a day’s drive. You can have fun with the whole family in one of the amazing theme parks, see Cirque du Soleil in Orlando, attend a Broadway-style show in Sarasota, take a ghost tour in the “nation’s oldest city” – St. Augustine, enjoy a boat ride along the canals of the “Venice of America”- Fort Lauderdale with its 165 miles of intercoastal waterways, go on a photo safari in the Everglades, practice water sports, or just relax on the beach – the options are really endless.

Besides, with so many world-class resorts all around Florida, there are plenty of places to spend a fun night out, have a cocktail by the ocean, or dine at a fancy seafood restaurant – and the best part is that Florida residents get discounts at most attractions and resorts.

For those who live in the Sunshine State, every weekend feels like a vacation and there is always something fun to do. What better reason to move to Florida?

Thriving economy

As enjoyable as the weather, the beaches, the nature, and the fun opportunities in Florida may be, there is another extremely strong draw to live in the Sunshine State – its strong economy.

Florida’s economy is robust and diverse – tourism is prominent, of course, but many other industries (international trade, agriculture, construction, technology, aerospace and aviation, biomedical and life sciences, etc.) are also very well developed. In fact, if Florida were a standalone nation, it would have been among the top 20 largest economies in the world!

Presently, Florida is one of the “best states for business” in the country, the GDP in the state is the fourth largest in the U.S., and the unemployment rate is well below the national average. The blooming economy provides a wealth of career opportunities and a stable financial environment – a big advantage for those looking to live and work in the Sunshine State.

In addition to its strong economy, Florida boasts an affordable cost of living – contrary to what you may expect for such a popular place, prices are quite reasonable and the state is in the middle of all states in the official cost of living affordability rankings.

Housing prices are relatively low in most of the state as well – waterfront properties in cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale may be super expensive, but homes in less popular locations (small towns, non-coastal areas, the northern parts of the state, etc.) are easily affordable.

What’s more, there is no state income tax – another big perk of living in Florida.

Cosmopolitan state

Florida is a cultural hodgepodge.

Florida has a very mixed population and the cultural diversity in the state is truly astonishing.

There are people of all ages and backgrounds in Florida. Cultures from across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America are widely represented in the state and Native American, Hispanic, and African American heritages can be found everywhere.

The great diversity in the Sunshine State has resulted in great tolerance and open-mindedness – differences are appreciated and everyone feels welcome. No matter your age, religion, or ethnicity, you can easily fit in – Florida is a friendly place to live.

Sports galore

With its world-class sports facilities and numerous professional sports teams, Florida is the perfect place to be for sports fans:

• Some of the country’s top NBA, MLB, and NFL teams, such as the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars, are located in the Sunshine State;
• Many football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey teams from across the US come to Florida to practice in the off-season;
• The famous Daytona 500 race is held in Florida at the Daytona International Speedway;
• Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the country.

Best of all, whether you enjoy golf, tennis, or water sports, you can practice them any time you want – since the weather is almost always nice.

Great food

The Sunshine State is renowned for its delicious and healthy food. The cuisine is diverse and exotic – Florida oranges and limes make incredible drinks and desserts (key lime pie is practically synonymous with the state), the seafood is fabulous, and Cuban sandwiches are everyone’s favorites.

If you live in Florida you will not only have ample access to fresh seafood and tropical fruits, you will be able to actually grow citrus trees and pineapples in your own yard.

And if all of the above is not enough, here are a few more reasons to move to Florida:

You like golf? There is no better place for you to be than Florida with its more than 1,250 golf courses.

• Some of the best educational facilities in the US are located in the Sunshine state;
• Florida has some of the best roads in the country;
• With its warm climate, splendid nature, relaxed pace of life, and friendly people, Florida is the perfect place to retire. (An extra bonus to moving to the Sunshine state in your golden years – you’ll never be lonely as children, grandchildren, and friends will want to visit all the time.);
• When you move to Florida, you get to live in one of the world’s top holiday destinations It’s a dream come true.

In a word: Why move to Florida? Because it’s a great place to live, work (or retire), and have fun.

As wonderful as the Sunshine State may be, though, not everything is sunshine and rainbows – there are some drawbacks to living in Florida as well.

“Should I Move To Florida?”

“I live in XXXX, should I move to Florida?” is a question I am often asked. In fact, I’ve even been asked about what parts of the country or world a few people should move to! Some places I haven’t even been! I always find this amusing. I try travel often, but I haven’t been to most of the world. And while I’ve been to more states than not in this country, I’m not even close to touching on every city. Not to mention, every person is so wildly different when it comes to wants and needs in a permanent home location. I have no idea what most strangers would specifically look for in a home, you know?

But the reality is, someone asking me if they should move their family to Florida or not, isn’t that strange (compared to the rest of the world). I have lived in South Florida for about 11 or so years now. And I have spent about 2 months of the years here since I was a child. Also, I did attend high school here for a bit a well! So yeah, I’ve been in and out of this place my entire life! If I was single and childless, I don’t think I’d live here now, but who knows. Regardless my family is here now, so I do see why someone might ask me if I think it’s a good fit for their own family.

When answering the question, “Should I move to Florida?” I do start by reminding (or teaching them) them that south Florida is WILDY different from north or west coast florida. We have different temperatures, cultures, beaches, flora and fauna, agriculture, and more. I can’t speak for north or west coast florida. I can only speak about south Florida.

Again, everyone is different. We all have different wants, needs, views on living and thriving, etc. What works for one person, WILL NOT work for someone else. But regardless, I thought I could and should finally put together a formal (and detailed) answer for one of more frequent asked questions…

“Should I move to Florida?”

Hot or Cold? Shiver or Sweat?

The first and most noticeable difference between south florida and much of the states is the climate. Do you like to sweat? Do you mind thick and wet feeling air? Do you enjoy the heat– and not just an occasional heat, but a year round, mostly sweltering heat?

Or do you hate sweating? Do you prefer a crisp cold breeze on your skin? Do you prefer to layer up and be covered head to toe as you head out into the winter months? Do you love chilly mornings as you step out from under the warm covers? Or does that sound like nightmare? If you like heat and sweating, consider florida. I prefer sweating to shivering. Some people dread the heat and cannot function in it, some people (me) cannot function while shivering. No amount of layers bring me comfort, so I’ll take the drippy, smelly sweat days.

How do feel about seasons?

Would you be sad to see all four seasons disappear and turn into one to two seasons? Or does seasonal change not make a difference to you? Or does the change is seasons depress you? The short dark days? Do they mean a time to shift and hibernation or do they mean sadness? I like seasons and miss the fall, but can do without them if it means skipping winter.

The same way many people hibernate in winter in the country, we hibernate in summer. Summer is the time to spend indoors– silly, but summer is the time we lose our tans here. Winter is the tourist season here and summer is slower paced living. Fewer people, less traffic, less shops and restaurants opened, less events, limited farmers markets, etc. For most people growing up here, this isn’t a big deal, this is the norm. But it can be a hard shift to abruptly say goodbye to your idealistic American summer nights, parties, and adventures off from school and change them to more of an indoor based summer time. Things slow down and honestly, it’s often too hot to spend much time outside. But you’re trading that for your winters here. Winter is the time the farmers markets spike up again, outdoors adventure time, and are sometimes able to spend a few weeks with open windows. It’s a trade-off. I despise being locked up in summer here, I miss the smell of spring and the air in fall, but again, I’d rather sweat. So I choose the south in this area. A trade-off.

Speaking of seasons, how do you feel about rain?

Refreshing or a nuisance? “The sunshine state” is a verryyyy deceiving name for south florida. We do have sunshine, in fact we have the sun shining in the windows now, but we do have more rain and storms than sun. (A cloud rolled over as I finished this sentence haha). But in general, you have to like rain, or at least not be bothered by it to live in South Florida. It rains more days that not. And in summer it rains every single day. Summer is typically the time for outdoor parties and cookouts in most states in the country. But for us, summer is typically the only time we turn on our lights— because our house is dark and the storms are alive outside. Most south Floridians get to a part where they enjoy the rain, or learn to embrace it– because it means a cool down from the intense heat. Our plants get watered and things turn extra green. It’s refreshing, but it does rain A LOT. So much more than most people would expect, especially in summer. Personally, I don’t mind the quick down pours of rain throughout the day, but its the long extended rainy season that eats at my mood— by day three of solid, non stop cloudy rain, I’m sad. Seasonal depression– during a season where everyone expects me to be happy, haha.

Culture and diversity– what is that like where you live in the country?

This varies greatly state to state and city to city. We are lucky where we do have A TON of different cultures here– you visit parts of south florida and you feel like you’re in a different country with billboards and stores entirely in Spanish. I can walk into my grocery store half a mile away and have every cashier speak to me in Spanish– and only Spanish. We also have a large population of Guatemalans, Mexicans, Cubans, Jamaicans, Haitians, and more. It’s really nice being in a place with so many cultures.

But sadly, one of the biggest things I noticed when moving to South Florida is that it is still super segregated when it comes to blacks and whites. Massachusetts was definitely super cliquey where everyone tended to stick to their own circles and ethnic groups, but here in south florida it’s mostly white and black segregation, especially in the school system, but everywhere to be honest. Maybe high schools have changed since I was there, but there definitely was not a lot of mixed groups. Everything was separated. It’s easy to think that we’re advancing in the world and racism is a thing of the past, but it isn’t. In history and now, the south is falling behind when it comes to equality and racism. I prefer the cities and places I’ve visited outside of the south where there is a less obvious gap and segregation between whites and blacks.

So lets talk more about schools.Do you have kids to enroll in the school system?

By nationwide standards, Florida schools are AWFUL. I mention this to anyone who emails me about moving down here with a family. For us, it’s not a problem because we home school and when Marlowe was in school she qualified for the gifted program– allowing her to go to the better school in our district. But had she not, she would be at a D rated school now. I went to both public and private school up north and went to public school here in florida. I went from being bored and unchallenged in school in New England to entertained by kids throwing paper airplanes in class in Florida. But in the schools defense, they didn’t transfer me properly because I was in all the honors (highest rated) classes in Massachusetts and put in the middle group in Florida. An error in records left me in classes that I would fight to pull my kid out of.

But of course, schools vary district to district and whether you’re in a private school vs. public school. Boca seems to have some decent school options. And Miami has some good private and charter schools. Unfortunately in west palm, all three schools (elementary, junior, and high school) Marlowe is assigned to are awful. For me, the biggest difference in schools up north vs. down south is the security. We didn’t have police officers up north, metal detectors, or fences around our property. This all exists here in Florida.

When I transferred to school here in Florida, the idea of this was so foreign to me, I was completely overwhelmed and confused by the gates closing us into the property like a prison. And somehow this is in place to keep us/our children “safer”, but there are so many more school shootings down here than in Massachusetts, so I don’t know. Schools in the states are tough place now anywhere and everywhere. As a parent, I’m not sure I’d really trust any of them (safety wise). And in terms of education, I really think any school is or can be fine, as long as you’re teaching your kid at home as well— which I think is our responsibility as parents anyway. If you’re set on moving to florida and schools are a concern, just be sure you do you research to the district you’d be zoned in when picking a house.

How much do politics matter to you?

Are you blue or red? Will this be a problem moving down here? I live 2.3 miles from Trumps house. This makes me uncomfortable for sure. Safety wise, we havent had problems because of this, but it’s not the ideal situation. Especially when he is in and out-of-town. We have unbearable traffic and people waving confederate flags and pro gun signs in the air when he comes to town (ew). This obviously sucks for someone like me. Thankfully, at the end of the day– not everyone here is a republican. We still have plenty of young forward democrats here as well. And I am still able to find friendships with people with equal values to me. On one downside I have the reality of knowing that if I vote democrat, my vote disappears into electoral nothingness. On the upside, each New Democrat considering moving down here is another vote for less Trump and fewer guns– if that’s your thing.

Here’s an easier topic: blueberries and apples or mangoes and jackfruit?

What do you want more of? I mean, the reality is that you can now find all those fruits in all parts of the world, haha! But what do you want to find fresher? Or what do you want to pick yourself? Or what do you want to grow? From an agricultural viewpoint, Florida is like no other part of the continental United States (Hawaii has some pretty badass produce). For me, while blueberries are one of my absolute favorite fruits, I’m sticking to Florida for fruit. I LOVE tropical fruit. I love being able to grow tropical fruit and have bananas, papayas, dragon fruit, passionfruit, and all the tropical things right outside my window. We also have an opposite growing season here, but it’s not necessarily a disadvantage or advantage, it’s just a change. Most vegetables will be grown in fall and winter here. Summer is pretty barren for vegetables– we don’t have farmers markets overflowing with root vegetables, gourds, and more, but we have loads of tropical fruit and some tomatoes. Don’t be fooled, we still have very high prices to pay for this tropical fruits– even down here, but the upside is you can grow these things yourself!

Health and safety– how much control can you handle?

“But Florida has warm beaches!” — everyone in regards to living here. Yes, we do. And when it’s not raining and not summer we can use them. Summer is too hot for beach time, unless you go after dinner or before 8 am. And unfortunately, most people not living in florida aren’t aware of the toxic algae we have here due to poor conventional agriculture practices, factory farming run off, and more. Our main lake in the center of florida (the one that looks like Florida’s eye) is basically a waiting pool for toxic waste and poisonous chemicals. And once this lake fills, the state releases the pollution into our waterways. This ends up contaminating all the canals and beaches in the area. It’s a really difficult and sad reality for the people who live here. Animals start to die, people get sick, and more. Big money corporations and crappy senators allow this to happen. For me, this is a huge turn off to living in Florida.

Another health and safety issue is the routine aerial spraying that takes place. South Florida sprays chemicals in the air to kill off mosquitos. And you know, I freaking hate mosquitos, but I’d like a choice to whether I want chemicals or not in the air I’m breathing. This might also be something to consider if you’re moving to florida— does the idea of breathing in chemical laden air bother you? Or do you think this is fine? I know this sounds like a loaded question, but really, I know plenty of people who really could care less if they spray chemicals to kill bugs in the air. I don’t want it toxic chemicals in my water or in my air.

I’m also aware that many places in the country have their own pollution and toxic problems. The middle of America is loaded with areal spraying of GMO crops and is susceptible to fungal diseases. And other lakes in the country also have their algae issues, etc. But when factoring in things like beach time and outdoor time into your *should I or should I not* move to florida question– it’s worth noting that we have beaches and waterways, but they are sadly polluted. You can click here to see more or give it a google– “lake Okeechobee discharge pollution.”

We do really have amazing flora and fauna here– plants and gardens unlike any others– but like anywhere in the world, it’s just hard when the pollution keeps growing. I think anyone who has lived here for more than a year will tell you it’s not the paradise vacation zone most people imagine when they envision living here. For outsiders looking in, the lure of tropical florida can be deceiving, with the everyday challenges of the climate, political, and racial problems being hidden. You have to truly live here to learn and experience what south florida is for yourself. It’s not a perfect dream place, but it certainly has its advantages. Really, its a fine place, there are just problems that need to be worked through, like any other part of the country.

As someone who has lived in both the north and the south (and the west too), I can tell you, A LOT of people would not like Florida. But personally, I find the a lot of the goods do outweigh the bad. And for the most part, when deciding: it isn’t good vs bad– a lot of things are just a trade off. It all depends on how you look at it.

Is it Safe to Travel to FLORIDA Right Now? (November Update)

Florida cities are not the safest in the country, with certain communities being safer than others. All major Florida cities have both attractive and crime-ridden disadvantaged areas. Smaller towns are also generally safe to visit.

Follow the standard precautions when visiting any new place, and you will have a trouble-free trip to Florida.

Is it safe to travel to Miami now?

Miami is generally a safe place to visit. Despite its reputation for crime of all kinds, it is as safe as any other Western megacity. The main tourist destinations, especially the far north, have undergone gentrification.

This suggests that muggings may occur at night in dodgy places.

Pickpocketing and purse snatching are the most common petty crimes in Miami, especially on Miami Beach and in the crowded streets of downtown.

Be careful and use common sense. Hold on to your purses and be mindful of how you carry them.

Is it safe to travel to Orlando now?

Orlando is generally considered a safe place to visit. Tourists should stay away from some neighborhoods in Orlando that have higher crime rates. Orlando visitors should be wary of petty crimes and parking ticket scams.

Orlando is divided into numerous neighborhoods and suburbs. West of downtown Orlando, in the neighborhoods of Pine Hills, Malibu Groves, Carver Shores, Signal Hill, Lake Sunset, Roosevelt Park and Washington Shores, are the problematic neighborhoods with the highest violent crime rates. However, there are numerous safe lodging options in Orlando. The weather is often cited by visitors as the most dangerous part of their trip to Orlando.

Hurricane Season in Florida

During the six-month Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, the threat of hurricanes is very real for Florida.

If you want to be as safe as possible from hurricanes and still enjoy the pleasures of visiting Florida, the interior of Florida on the northern border with Georgia is the best place to visit. It is the least hurricane-prone area in Florida.

November 3 – Tourism in Florida on its way to recovery after Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, destroyed the region from Naples to Fort Myers to Port Charlotte to Sarasota on September 28, severely hurting tourism in Southwest Florida.

Economic recovery initiatives are already picking up steam in the area of Florida’s Gulf Coast, which is renowned for its gorgeous, serene beaches, boating, marine life, and more.

Donations can be made to the Support Fort Myers Hospitality Workers Relief Fund in order to help residents who have been affected and displaced as a result of Hurricane Ian. All donations will be given to employees of the hospitality industry in the following communities: Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel & Captiva Islands, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande, and the outer islands; Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Alva, Buckingham, and Lehigh Acres.

Why visit Florida in COVID times?

First and foremost – Florida has no entry restrictions!

Florida is an internationally recognized destination due to its Theme Parks and tropical weather. Travelers who love going to theme parks will never go wrong with Florida. In COVID times, when traveling has to some extent become a hustle, especially for people traveling with kids, Florida stood as one of the best destinations in 2021.

We have to be careful with the new Omicron variant. However, once the situation becomes stable again, Florida will probably once again become one of the most popular travel destinations also in 2022, especially among American citizens.

UPDATES ARCHIVES

January 10 – Florida reporting record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections

Florida reported more than 126,000 new COVID-19 infections over the weekend – the highest multi-day increase since the beginning of the pandemic. The state reported 77,156 new cases on Saturday and 49,548 on Sunday.

The spike is attributed not only to the rapidly spreading Omicron strain but also to increased testing.

On the other hand, hospitalizations remain below their peak. Over the weekend, 9,888 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in Florida. Whereas in summer 2021, there would be over 17,000 new hospital admissions every day.

December 13 – Coronavirus cases in Florida rising faster than in any other state

COVID-19 cases in the sunshine state have recently been rising faster than in any other state in the U.S. Also, three Omicron cases were confirmed in Florida last week.

According to the latest data from The New York Times, Florida recorded a 185 percent increase in daily coronavirus cases over the past two weeks, compared to the national increase that is now around 43 percent. On average, Florida is reporting nearly 2,000 new coronavirus infections a day.

On the other hand, around 1,404 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 each day. This figure has increased by six percent over the past fourteen days.

November 18 – Florida to pass bills limiting COVID-19 vaccine mandates

On Wednesday, November 17, Florida Republicans passed four bills that would protect workers who do not wish to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

If he signs the documents, Florida will become the first state that can fine companies who require the vaccine for employment. However, most companies do require COVID-19 vaccines, but employees can opt out for health or religious reasons.

DeSantis is expected to sign the bills in the upcoming days.

October 5 – COVID-19 cases in Florida finally dropping

For the week of September 24 to 30, the positivity rate in Florida has dropped to 6.5%, the lowest number since June.

In the past week, around 4,600 new infections daily were registered in the county. While during August, there were more than 21,000 new cases per day reported in Florida on average.

Through September and October, the number of hospitalizations has also been dropping. In the last week of September, they decreased by around 27%.

ℹ Florida COVID-19 Update for October 1, 2021

Total Confirmed Hospitalizations: 5,146 pic.twitter.com/g3UyfmsZO6

— Florida Hospital Association (@FLHospitalAssn) October 1, 2021

September 6 – Florida tourism continues to bloom despite high number of COVID-19 cases

Despite the spike in COVID-19 cases, tourism in Southwest Florida continues to rise. Actually, Lee and Collier Counties have had a record-breaking year in tourism.

Brian Hamman, Lee County commissioner, indicated that August 2021 numbers had been the best August numbers in the history of tourism tracking in the region. Other months have not been behind either. ‘In fact every month this year has been better than it was even in 2019.’ he said.

Usually, tourism tends to slow down by the end of summer in Florida. This year, the season is not over yet. Hotels there are still fully occupied, and they are starting to get booked for winter, too.

According to Hamman, people want to enjoy a bit of time off. But are scared of the international travel restrictions. Therefore, they choose somewhere they know, like Florida, for example.

August 24 – Pediatric cases make up to 20% of new COVID-19 infections in Orange County, Fla.

According to Alvina Chu, an epidemiologist with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, pediatric cases make up to 20% of new coronavirus infections in the county.

The trend seems to be shifting. While the positivity rate in the 25 to 44 age group remains high, children aged between 5 to 14 years old now contribute the most to the newest COVID-19 cases.

Based on data from HHS.gov, as of Monday, August 22, there were 257 pediatric cases across Florida, 176 of which were hospitalized.

The predominant strain is the highly contagious Delta variant which affects all age groups. The median is 34 years.

August 9 – Hospitalizations skyrocketing in Florida as DeSantis defend unvaccinated citizens

The number of current COVID hospitalizations is “unlike anything the state has seen before,” said the head of Florida’s largest hospital association earlier today.

Even in the face of irrefutable evidence, Gov. Ron DeSantis will maintain his “no-mandate” mandate which means that zero coordinated actions will be taken to control the spread.

He also added that the media is just being “judgmental,” against those who are unvaccinated.

However, DeSantis’ press secretary Christina Pushaw recognized that only 6% of hospitalized people are vaccinated.

“We recognize that cases and hospitalizations have shifted to a younger demographic because we have been so successful with vaccinating seniors,” said Pushaw.

July 15 – COVID-19 cases in Florida on the rise while Gov. DeSaints forbids companies to safely resume activities

The Department of Health of Florida has reported an unusual increase in COVID-19 activity over the last week.

Over the last 7 days, the state counted 23,747 new cases with a positivity rate of 7.8%. The trend was at about 4% positivity in the past weeks. Also, Florida reported 172 new deaths.

Even considering the figures, Gov. Rob DeSantis continues to refuse to allow companies to require customers of “risky activities” to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

As reported by The Washing Post, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has sued Florida’s surgeon general, accusing the state of preventing the company from “safely and soundly” restarting operations.

June 29 – Florida to resume cruise ships with both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers next week

Cruise ships are set to safely resume operations next week in Florida.

Local mayors of South Florida had sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to reconsider his refusal to ask cruise travelers to present a vaccine certificate, but their claim was not heard.

“There aren’t restrictions either way, whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated that shouldn’t limit your ability to participate,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody told reporters.

This does not mean cruises won’t be safe. Unvaccinated travelers will need to bring a negative COVID-19 test, get retested in the embarkation hall prior to boarding. Furthermore, some cruise venues will be “for vaccinated people only.”

June 14 – Florida to lift all COVID-19 related restrictions on July 1

Effective July 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis will lift all COVID-19-related restrictions across the state. So far, only 48.8% of the population has received at least one jab of a vaccine, which is insufficient to reach herd immunity according to the CDC.

According to the governor, “If we have widespread vaccinations that are over 99% effective, what’s the evidence basis for somebody to wear a mask now?”

Over the course of the pandemic, he has refused to follow most of the epidemiology guidelines because he did not want to “take the same approach as other lockdown governors.”

With this new executive order, DeSantis will make sure that “local governments cannot arbitrarily close [our] schools or businesses.” Additionally, he barred businesses from requiring employees to provide proof of being vaccinated.

Source https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/pros-and-cons-of-moving-to-florida/

Source https://ohdeardreablog.com/2018/07/should-i-move-to-florida.html

Source https://www.travelinglifestyle.net/is-it-safe-to-visit-florida-during-covid-19/