Moving is as exhausting as it is exciting, and before you start planning for your big move, you should always make sure you’re prepared for everything. Knowing what to expect from your move from Florida to California can save you a lot of stress in the long run, so that’s what this article is for.
On top of preparing for the move itself, you’ll also want to learn some things about the Golden State, and what to expect from it, so here you go.
1. Expect a way larger expanse of land.
One of the biggest surprises people get moving from Florida to California is the different road lengths. Did you know that the whole of Florida only makes up about 40% of California’s size? So, if Florida has 65,755 square miles overall, California racks up an impressive 163,696 square miles. That means that distances here are going to be longer, and trips between places will take more, too. In some cases, like if you’re traveling from San Diego to Sacramento (8+ hours drive), it might be more efficient to fly than drive.
2. Living costs are higher, too.
Another common complaint people have, when relocating from Florida to California, is the higher cost of living. Of course, it all depends on the city you’re leaving, and the one you’re moving to. But for instance, a move from Tampa to San Diego could see you pay almost 60% more on groceries, housing, and leisure, just to maintain your standard of living.
Of course, not all cities will cost quite so much but bear in mind that it’s not uncommon to be paying 15-20% more on these basic things, just to maintain the lifestyle you’re accustomed to. This is why, if relocating from Florida to the Golden State, it’s advisable to also have a job lined up to support you through this transition.
3. You can see snow!
Now, to the untrained eye, Florida and California might seem the same in terms of weather, except that’s not quite true. While Florida and California get similar temperatures and heat, there are a few key differences. For one thing, Florida is more prone to hurricanes, and tropical storms, whereas those things don’t happen in California.
On the other hand, California is more predisposed to forest fires.
Not only that, but in California, you could also get to see snow, something you wouldn’t dream of in Florida. Granted, the snow only ever sets on the mountains, but it makes for some pretty sick skiing in the winter!
4. You’ll want to acquaint yourself with the local wildlife.
Before your big move, we recommend that you visit controlrodent.com (likely animals can be encountered in Florida homes), to learn a bit more about the types of nuisance wildlife you should expect in your new California home.
In California, you’ll see your fair share of raccoons, weasels, deer, coyotes, skunks, squirrels, and pretty much anything else you can think of. It’s a good idea to prepare yourself for this eventuality, and ideally, have your home assessed by a professional wildlife removal company before you settle in. not only will this remove any actual animals, if there are any, but it could also point you towards any weak spots that might attract nuisance wild animals, in the future.
5. Expect a spike in taxes.
Hopefully, if you’ve reached the moving stage, you’ve already considered the financial aspects beforehand. But just in case you haven’t, be advised that California has a whopping tax rate, especially when compared to Florida. Whereas in Florida you’re getting a neat 0% income tax, and a reasonable (1.06%) property tax and (6%) state sales tax rate, California will take you for a bit of a wild ride.
If the other two even out, with a lower property tax rate (only .86%) and a slightly higher state sales tax rate (7.25%), the real problem comes with income tax. In the Golden State, income tax can range from 1% to 12.3%, so you can expect to be paying a lot more to the state, out of your monthly paycheck.
7. The Golden State is way more exciting.
While there’s nothing wrong with Florida, the simple fact of the matter is, it can get a bit dull after a while. Florida’s landscape is a bit linear, especially for more adventurous tastes, which makes California the ideal place to relocate to.
In the Golden State, you’ll get little opportunity to be bored, with the tremendous natural scenery and parks (think Death Valley National Park or Yosemite National Park), or all the many entertainment venues (like Disneyland, or a quiet getaway on Lake Tahoe) that are available to you.
At the end of the day, both states have their pros and cons – what matters is that you find a place that puts you at ease.
We hope you found this blog post: What to Expect Moving From Florida to California?, useful. For additional tips and advice, check out also: 8 Factors to Consider Before Moving to a New State blog post article. Additionally, we put together this newsletter to share with your friends and family.
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