From cold Alaska to the Sunshine State
Are you ready to leave your winter boots behind and switch to wearing flip-flops most of the time? In Orlando, it is legal to drive in flip-flops or even barefoot! What can be bolder than moving from Alaska to the Sunshine State? This decision is hard to make if you’re used to living in Alaska, but at the same time it can be very exciting and thrilling. Life in Florida is completely different than a lot of other states in America, especially compared to Alaska.
Located in the northwest extremity of North America, Alaska is the 3rd least populous state in the US. Florida, on the contrary, is the third most populous one. Unlike the former, which is the most sparsely populated state of all, Florida is the 8th most densely populated.
Embracing the new climate
Southeast Alaska has a mid-latitude oceanic climate. The Anchorage and the south central part of Alaska has a mild climate and gets more snow than southeast Alaska. When you move to Florida, the cold and the snow will be replaced by sunny weather and sometimes hurricanes and tornadoes. Most parts of the Sunshine State have a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot and humid summers.
The transition can be a bit jarring, because you will need to get acclimatized to your new location. However, many people want just that, since the sunny weather also boosts up your mood!
Housing costs in Florida
To really estimate the difference in housing and living costs, you should first decide in which city in Florida you want to reside. While the State of Florida can be more expensive than other states in general, when compared to Alaska, some cities in Florida can be more affordable. If we compare both capitals of Alaska and Florida, for example, the cost of living in Tallahassee, is 24% less expensive than in Juneau.
The Median Home Cost is also cheaper in Tallahassee with up to 55% lower costs. If you are currently living in Anchorage — the largest city in Alaska, you might find some cities in Florida way more expensive to live. Read more comparisons between Juneau and Tallahassee as well as other cities on Numbeo.com.
The economy of Florida compared to Alaska
The economy of Alaska is dominated by the oil and gas industry, fishing, military bases and tourism, which is growing every year. Agriculture in Alaska represents a fairly small part of the economy, while the manufacturing industry is mostly limited.
Florida has one of the richest economies in the US and just recently surpassed the $1 trillion mark. Mainly fueled by manufacturing, trade, financial services, transportation services, and construction, the economy of Florida is also fueled by tourism. The state attracts hundreds of millions of tourists every year.
Activities in the Sunshine State
Florida is much more than its usual attractions such as the Kennedy Space Center, Universal Orlando, Duval Street, Mallory Square, or Daytona 500 International Speedway. You can also visit the Giraffe Ranch, Epcot Theme Park, Florida Keys, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or even Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Other great locations are the Busch Garden in Tampa, the South Beach, SeaWorld in Orlando, Sanibel Island, Magic Kingdom, the Everglades National Park, and the Dry Tortugas National Park.
The state is perfect for everyone who loves nature and loves to practice their favorite outdoor sports. Whether you want to go surfing, biking, camping, hiking, swimming, kayaking and more, you can do so in Florida, no matter which city you pick to live in.
Moving to Florida with a car
Once you establish your move to the Land of Flowers, you have up to 30 days to register and title your vehicle with your local DHSMV. Just make sure you read more about all the documents you need to prepare in advance, to make the registering process easier. Check out the official site of DMV for Florida for more info.