Whats it like moving to Florida from California? What should we expect?
This depends a lot on where you lived in California, where you are moving to in Florida, your age, and if you are moving there as a single person or with kids. Both are very large states with a lot of variety in what you get with location. California ranges from the SoCal beaches to the desserts, mountains. Florida has a lot of beaches, big cities, small towns. To generalize either state is difficult. But statistically speaking, in Florida you will have a lot more humidity year round, a lot more rain (but it is often a warm rain), and a larger percentage of the state is seniors. Also, depending on where you live, it clears out for the summer. There are many areas where you have ‘snow birds’ and will find your neighbors move in and out with the seasons. If you post more info, you can get some more specific answers. A good thing about moving from CA to FL, no state income tax.
You can expect to know when a hurricane is coming so you can get the heck out (unlike an earthquake!) You can skip state income taxes You can pay less at the pump for gas Your children will most likely get a lesser education Your hair will frizz Forget skiing but enjoy beaches that have water you can really swim in Forget surfing but enjoy beaches that have water you can really swim in Your governor won’t have as great a body but still be a Republican (actually -both CA and FL have decent governors even if they are GOP) Hoards of retirees will congest the supermarket isles instead of commuters on the CA freeways. There is a Hollywood but there are no big letters on a hill. There are no hills. You’ll squeeze fresh FL orange juice rather than California oranges for Breakfast And the other OJ (Simpson) got here a few years ahead of you. Welcome to the Sunshine State!