How to survive moving from New Jersey to Florida?
Photo by Jorge Vasconez on Unsplash
The expression that goes, “Look before you leap!” is never truer in life than when one is making a decision as critical as moving permanently to a new location. Moving to a location, away from where one has lived for a long time, can be stressful physically, psychologically, and emotionally. And more so if one has a family. It can be the best decision ever made like when a person finds a high-paying job, a school, lower cost of living, etc. It can also be the worse decision as well, such as moving in “hopes” of greener pastures.
Some moves take a higher toll on health and finances than others. However, there are few as nerve-racking and frustrating as moving to Florida. Does this mean Florida is not a good place to live in? Absolutely not! Florida is a beautiful place to live in. The problem is people do not get their facts right before making the decision to move to Florida.
Millions of people flock to Florida as tourists during the winter because it is warmer than most other states. They then think that because they enjoyed their time vacationing in Florida that it must be a good place for them to live in. They are always wrong. The internet is froth with a lot of people expressing their regrets about moving to Florida, in less than pleasing words. Many of these people move from NY, GA, or even NJ to FL for certain reasons, only to find out that the reality is far from what they assumed or imagined.
Yes, Florida does have its bad side, but it is not completely empty all year round. There are people who have lived there for most of their lives. And so, if you have moved to Florida, you can still live a fulfilled life amidst the problems. How do I do it? That’s what you will find out in this article. Here we have outlined the major challenges Floridians face and how to deal with them.
Heat and humidity
Florida is called The Sunshine State. And, yes, the sun does shine, sometimes a little too much. This is the number one reason a lot of people swear never to return to Florida. Most of them come in during the winter as tourists and believe that the temperature is the same all year round. They move to Florida only to find out it is not what they thought. Florida witnesses hot and humid climates for about 9 months in the year. Temperatures of up to 95°F are not uncommon. To deal with this, you should stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water, wearing loose clothing (especially cotton), putting on sunglasses and hats to protect you from the sun and also applying sunscreens if you are going to be spending time outdoors. You should also avoid going outside during noon hours such as 12 o’clock to 3 o’clock. Go here to learn more on how to stay cool every night in Florida without spending too much on power bills.
Hurricane season
Florida lies on the coast of the North American continent, and so is very susceptible to powerful tropical storms – Hurricanes. Every year, it gets assaulted by strong, violent winds and rain from May through November. And so, being prepared is very imperative if you must enjoy your stay in Florida. Some parts of Florida most affected by hurricanes include southeast Florida, southwest Florida, west Florida, central Florida, and Florida Keys. If you live in any of these areas, then you need to take some steps in preparation for the hurricane season. These steps include getting a backup accommodation where you and your family would stay during the high hurricane season; having a specific route to follow when evacuating; having emergency supplies for yourself and family (even pets); storm-proofing your home or building a storm-proofed one; having a muster point or location in a safe zone where you all could meet in case of cellular network failure, and many more. www.ready.gov/make-a-plan has a comprehensive guide for hurricane preparedness for kids, pets, disabled individuals, etc.
The natural fauna
Given its tropical and subtropical climate, Florida is froth with diverse animal life, some good, and others, not so good. Many other states in the US are too cold to support the life-cycle of some creatures, especially insects. Some of the major pests to look out for include mosquitoes, roaches (palmetto bugs), biting midges (No-see-‘ums), yellow fly, Carolina wolf spider, dog tick, stable fly, termites, and fire-ants. Florida is also home to two iconic animals – Alligators and snakes.
About the insects, you could put certain measures in place such as sealing your foundation and exterior walls, use exterminator services frequently, install screen doors and door sweeps, keep food items away until when they are needed, clean up frequently (especially sugary spills or crumbs), and check every item before they brought into your home including bags, boxes, shoes, etc. These steps will keep bugs from invading your home.
About snakes: Florida is home to more than 10 species of snakes, a good number of which are venomous. Snakes only attack when provoked, cornered, startled, or threatened, and would normally avoid confrontations. Keep your surroundings clear of things that might attract them such as rodents, tall grasses, wood piles, or crevices.
Alligators live in natural water bodies, which are abundant in Florida. Avoid standing at the bank of rivers, lakes, or streams and don’t even think about swimming in one. Watch out for alligator signs posts. Build tall, sturdy wired fences around your home and keep pets and poultry confined.
Social life
A lot of people think that Florida is a place where social life comes to die due to the number of aged retires that live there. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are young vibrant people living, working, schooling, or vacationing in Florida. You just need to look in the right direction. To meet young, like-minded people like yourself, you could attend professional meet-ups, visit book clubs, go to the gym, the cinemas, and even university campuses, etc. These locations and events would greatly improve your chances of meeting people you would like to hang out with.
These four are some of the most common challenges you would have to deal with when you move to Florida. Handling them will surely have a significant impact on your personal/household finances. However, dealing with them will make your stay in Florida not just bearable but enjoyable. If you are considering moving to Florida, take out time to do your research to be sure it is the best place for you and your family. Florida is a great city but not for everyone.