Living in Florida

Big Advantages to Living in Florida

  • No state individual income tax. State revenues are raised through sales taxes and other fees.

  • Depending on where you live, you can enjoy a "laid-back" lifestyle or experience vibrant big-city living.

  • An average of 237 days of sunshine per year, with a average temperature of  70.7°F. Florida is the warmest state in the union!

  • If you like water, Florida has 8,436 miles of beaches, nearly 7,000 lakes, 700 fresh water springs, rivers and streams for swimming, fishing and boating. Florida has the longest coastline in the U.S, except for Alaska.

  • Florida's cities and towns offer a wide diversity of cultures and lifestyles.

  • Florida has one of the strongest economies in the nation.

  • The state is ranked #1 for higher education opportunities, with its large system of state universities and community colleges.

  • Florida is the center of the cruise industry with five major cruise ports, from which the world's largest cruise lines transport passengers all over the world.

  • Florida is rich with history, with numerous historic-designated sites to visit such as St. Augustine.

Unique Attractions That Make Florida a Major Tourist Destination

Walt Disney World

Located in Lake Buena Vista, Walt Disney World is the flagship of Disney’s worldwide theme park empire and the world’s largest and most-visited theme park resort.

Universal Orlando Resort

After opening in 1990, this location is the largest of all the Universal Studios Theme Parks. The resort boasts two theme parks, three resort hotels, a nightclub and restaurant complex, and a boardwalk.

Sea World Parks and Resort

Sea World Parks and Resort is comprised of three separate parks and several hotel resorts including Sea World Orlando, Discover Cove, and Aquatica Orlando. Sea World is a theme and marine zoological park. Its sister park, Discover Cove, is a unique all-inclusive day resort where you can experience exciting animal encounters in a tropical atmosphere. Lastly, Aquatica is a water park that combines up-close animal encounters with thrilling rides, sandy beaches and a serene lazy river.

Kennedy Space Center

Since 1968, the Kennedy Space Center has been the launch site for every US human space flight. It currently operates as a launch site for unmanned rockets. The Visitor Complex offers museums, movies, a rocket garden and bus tours of important shuttle preparation and launch facilities.

Beaches

Whether you're looking for a family beach (Panama City Beach), one with an active social environment (South Beach), a beach for your dog (Bonita Beach), or just a secluded stretch of sand where you can swim and soak up the sun (St. George Island), Florida has a beach for everyone.

St. Augustine

The city of St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in the United States and full of old-world charm. Located in this historic city is Castillo de San Marcos. Build in the late 1600s, this structure is the oldest masonry fort in the United States.

Amelia Island

One of the southernmost Sea Islands in a chain of barrier islands that stretch from South Carolina to Florida. The island is home to sunny beaches, historic buildings, world-class golf courses, and more.

Florida Keys

A string of tropical islands stretching over 120 miles off the southern tip of Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The Florida Keys are home to tropical hardwoods, winding creeks, three state parks, a national park, two national wildlife refuges, and two national marine sanctuaries.

Florida Everglades

This incredibly unique ecosystem may appear to be a big swamp but it is actually a vast, shallow, slow moving river of grass. At the height of the wet season, the Everglades extend from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay.