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Planning to move from Connecticut to Florida? Whether it’s because you’re a fan of snowbirds and pristine beaches or want to live in a place that has better infrastructure, Florida has attracted a lot of people in recent years. Although Connecticut is known to have a good standard of living and excellent educational opportunities, Florida too isn’t behind in all these amenities.
Moving to a new place is no doubt a significant change in your life. That’s why it’s good if you start planning beforehand and plan your move. If you’re moving from Connecticut to Florida, there are several things you need to know. After all, everyone wants a seamless moving experience, right? Read on as we take you through everything you need to know about moving from Connecticut to Florida.
CALCULATE MY MOVE
If you’re a person who likes a cool climate and enjoys snow, then Connecticut is the state for you. People who reside in the northern part of the state generally experience cold winters and a decent amount of snowfall while the summers there are somewhat humid. But if you go towards the southern part of the state, the climate is cool in winters and people also experience unexpected snowfall, rains, and really humid summers. Living here means getting used to hurricanes and thunderstorms, especially in the Connecticut River Valley.
Florida is also known as ‘The Sunshine State’. The name itself tells you that flip flops and summer shorts are going to be your favorite attire here. If you’re planning to move from Connecticut to Florida, you’ll have to say goodbye to cool winters and hello to sunny days. That’s because summers are uniform in the state of Florida. During summers, you’ll experience heavy rainfall here whereas the winters here tend to be quite dry. Hurricanes are a common problem, especially in areas near the coastline. So you might want to consider a neighborhood where hurricanes won’t be a problem.
Here’s the difference in temperature between both these states:
Average temperature during summers in Connecticut: 85°F (29.4°C) to 100°F (37.8°C)
Average temperature during summers in Florida: 70.7°F (21.5°C)
Average temperature during winters in Connecticut - 1°F (-17.2°C) to 3°F (-16.1°C)
Average temperature during winters in Florida - Northern part: 40°F (4.4°C) to 45°F (7.2°C), Southern part: 60°F (15.6°C) to 65°F (18.3°C)
Also See: Hurricane Proofing Homes
The cost of living is one of the most important factors you should consider before moving to a new state. If you’re wondering about the cost of living in Connecticut and Florida, both are somewhat similar.
Here’s a difference with respect to the housing costs in both these states:
Median Value Of Homes In Connecticut: $334,304 (according to Zillow)
Median Value Of Homes In Florida: $348,732 (according to Zillow)
As you can see, there’s only a little difference in housing costs in both the states. So, if you’re moving from Connecticut to Florida, you’ll be paying almost the same amount that you paid in Connecticut.
If you want to live comfortably in both the states, you’d need an income of five figures. Speaking of Florida, a salary of around $60-70k annually is what would make your living easier in this state. But, in Connecticut, you need a salary of $80-90k to be able to live here comfortably. Do keep in mind that these figures are just estimates to give you an idea of how much money you’d need to spend on your overall living expenses. So, make a mental note of the fact that your individual income, lifestyle habits and neighborhood will also play a key role in determining what salary would set the seal on your comfortable living in the state.
Lastly, one of the reasons that’s swaying people to move from Connecticut to Florida is the tax burden. If you live in Connecticut, you’ll have to bear the burden of paying high sales and property taxes. As opposed to that, the Sunshine State can be considered as the ‘Low Tax State’. That’s because Florida doesn’t require you to pay any income tax to the state!
To give you an insight, your sales tax in Connecticut will be around 6.5% and the average effective rate for property tax will be almost 2.4% as revealed by SmartAsset. In Florida, your sales tax will be between 6%-7.50% while your average effective rate for property tax will be almost 0.83%. So, if you’re worried about paying high taxes in Connecticut, you won’t have to worry about that if you live in Florida.
There are three main sectors that dominate the economy of Connecticut - the finance and insurance, manufacturing, and dairy sectors. So, getting a job here has been the dream of many people since Connecticut is considered among the top states with a low unemployment rate and a high standard of living. To give you an insight, the state has an overall unemployment rate of 4.1%. Some of the best neighborhoods in Connecticut with a low unemployment rate are Milford, Stamford, Middletown, and Norwalk.
Speaking of the job market in Florida, the state is dominated by its tourism, transportation, finance, and real estate sectors. So, if you end up getting a job in any of these sectors, you can rest assured that your annual income will be high for a comfortable living here. Just like Connecticut, Florida too has a thriving job market and so, the state has an unemployment rate of only 3.3%.
To give you a perspective on the annual income:
Overall, we’d want to remind you that having a low household income in Florida shouldn't put you off from moving here. That’s because the state’s overall cost of living is not as expensive as Connecticut’s.
See Also: The Best U.S. Cities for Job Seekers
When it comes to transportation, Connecticut definitely scores over Florida. That being said, it’s always best if you have your own car as it makes it easier for getting around within the state.
While Connecticut has the CTtransit which is a state-owned bus service and is the largest service provider in the state, your options in Florida are somewhat limited. That’s because the commuting options in Florida aren’t as widespread across different cities within the state as compared to Connecticut. Don’t let that deter you from moving here though. You’ll be glad to know that most cities in Florida are walkable.
In Connecticut, you could particularly take advantage of the following services:
Trains
Buses
In Florida, you can avail of the following transportation services:
In Florida, when it comes to transit options, you can either get your own car or rely on the buses and car rentals that operate in the state. However, there are several walkable cities in the state like Key West, Orlando, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and many more.
If you’re an outdoor person, Naples is the place for you. A thriving job market, pedestrian-friendly downtown area, shopping centers, and tons of restaurants is what draws people to this city. So, living here means you’d certainly bump into several tourists who come to visit here especially to relax at the pristine sandy beaches here. But don’t let that sway your decision to move here. That’s because there are plenty of fun things to do here like spotting the dolphins, fishing, enjoying water sports at the beaches, etc.
Median Home Value: $988,500
Median Rent: $1,357
A beachy atmosphere and amazing food culture are what you’ll experience in Sarasota. The city is known for its sugar-white beaches, making it one of the most beautiful cities in Florida. When speaking about Sarasota, the city’s rich and vibrant arts scene can’t be forgotten. Right from orchestras, ballet, opera, museums to blues artists, the city has a very unique charm to it. When it comes to dining options, one can’t miss out on trying the Sarasota craft beers. The city’s low housing costs have made it one of the best places for retirees in Florida.
Median Home Value: $268,400
Median Rent: $1,134
One of the most popular metropolitan cities in Florida is Jacksonville. This city is a mixture of culturally diverse and aesthetic neighborhoods, especially in the downtown area. It resides in the northeast of Florida, along the Atlantic shore. You’ll never get bored in this city for sure. That’s because the city is full of restaurants, beaches, and several entertainment options for you to be occupied. Let’s not forget the famous universities that reside here, namely The University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Florida State College.
Median Home Value: $173,200
Median Rent: $1,065
Tampa is a blend of both laid back lifestyle and amenities that a metropolitan city offers. One of the most famous areas here is the Tampa Bay area where you’ll find various museums and an array of entertainment and dining options. If you’re considering relocating with your family, then you should know that Tampa has many schools and universities and so, is an ideal place for families. So, if you’re looking for a city that has tons to offer you but at the same time give you opportunities to relax, Tampa is one of the cities in Florida that you can consider.
Median Home Value: $238,900
Median Rent: $1,131
Fort Myers, or The City of Palms, is known for its recreational activities and a laid back lifestyle. Here, there’s no shortage of beautiful sandy beaches or awesome restaurants. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, then Fort Myers has tons of activities for you. Golfing, boating, fishing, and hiking are some of the most popular outdoor activities here. When it comes to livability, Fort Myers is affordable compared to many other cities in Florida.
Median Home Value: $238,700
Median Rent: $1,033
The average driving distance between Connecticut and Florida is around 1,247 miles. To give you an insight into the moving expenses, your average moving cost will range between $2,800 to $4,000. Of course, this cost will depend on several other factors like the kind of services you ask for, the number of items to be moved, the size of your move, etc.
If you have a tight moving budget, you can always choose to pack your belongings yourself. That way, you’ll save expenses for movers packing your belongings. If you need help with loading and unloading your items or furniture disassembly, you can always seek help from professional movers.
Another important thing you need to be mindful of is giving your moving company all the details about your move. If you want an accurate moving quote, see to it that you give the movers your ZIP code and the exact date and time of your move. Always start packing your items in advance so that there’s no rush on the day of your move. Lastly, make sure you carry all your essentials like important documents, jewelry in a separate bag with you on the day of your move.
Also See: Hiring Movers Vs. DIY Move | Moving from Colorado to Florida
Final Thoughts
If you want your move from Connecticut to Florida to go smoothly, we suggest that you hire professional movers to help you with packing and storage of your items. Keep in mind that your journey from Connecticut to Florida is going to be long and tiresome. Planning your trip in advance will save you a lot of time and money. We are here to help you find the right movers for your move so that it becomes a stress-free and seamless experience for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Move From Connecticut To Florida?
Your average moving cost from Connecticut to Florida will fall in the range of $2,800 to $4,000. The overall cost of your move will depend on various factors like the kind of services you ask for, the date and time of your move, etc.
Is Florida Better Than Connecticut?
When it comes to the weather and tourist attractions, Florida surely ticks off all the boxes as it not only gives you a vacation vibe, but also various other modern amenities. In terms of amenities, Connecticut doesn’t lag behind. It has some of the best schools and universities and a fast-paced lifestyle. So, both states are good when it comes to the overall standard of living. But if you’re an outdoor person and enjoy sunny weather, Florida comes out to be one of the best states to live in.
Why Shouldn’t You Live In Florida?
One of the biggest disadvantages Florida has is natural disasters. Hurricanes are a common phenomenon here which is one of the reasons why you shouldn’t live in Florida. Also, if you love snowy winters, Florida simply isn’t the place to be!
What Salary Do You Need To Live Comfortably In Florida?
If you want to live comfortably in Florida, you will need a salary of five figures to be able to cover all your living expenses and other utilities. A salary that falls in the range of $60-70k annually would suffice your stay in the Sunshine State.
Also Read: Moving to Florida | Moving from Virginia to Florida | Moving From Massachusetts To Florida – Expert Tips & Advice
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