What to expect when moving to Florida

What to expect when moving to Florida | Waypointe Realty

Are you thinking about moving to Florida? If so, then there are some essentials that you need to know about.

That’s because Florida is unlike any other state, and while there are theme parks aplenty, this state is about so much more.

If you are new to Florida or are considering a move here, then keep reading. You’ll gain some valuable insights that will help you make a smooth transition into being a Floridian.

Always Assume There's a Gator

Florida is home to lots of alligators. In fact, there are so many of these crocodilians that it’s always wise to assume that there’s a gator lurking in every freshwater lake, river, marsh, pond and canal. That applies equally to natural and manmade water features.

Despite the large number of alligators, deaths by alligator are rare. Since 1973, there have been just 23 such fatalities. Some of these have come about because people think that it might be fun to feed their picnic lunch to an alligator. Because alligators have a superb sense of smell, it’s wise to never swim or sunbathe in close proximity to bodies of water, and it’s never a good idea to feed alligators.

Sinkholes

sinkhole in Florida

Chances are good that if you’ve been thinking about moving to Florida, then you’ve encountered news stories about sinkholes. While these phenomena do happen, they’re not as frequent as you might fear.

Sinkholes are depressions that form as a result of a collapse at the surface level of the planet. Some sinkholes are small while others are large enough to swallow whole buildings or neighborhoods.

The western side of Florida is more prone to sinkholes than the eastern side. Accordingly, if sinkholes frighten you, it might be wise to live on the eastern side.

Even if you decide to live in Florida’s Sinkhole Alley in Hillsborough, Hernando and Pasco Counties, you don’t have too much reason to worry. Most sinkholes are not catastrophic.

Hurricanes Happen, but There's Time to Plan

Hurricanes in Florida