How To Live In Florida and Why It's So Different Than the NORTH

When moving to a warm climate like Florida, you should be prepared for a variety of changes in both lifestyle and psychology.

MANY PEOPLE MOVE to Florida to escape the cold winters. They often find that changing to year-round warmth causes more adaptations than they expect. If you’re moving from a northern province to a warm climate like Florida, you should be prepared for a variety of changes in both lifestyle and psychology. The following will help you to understand those differences. The Heat Though many people move to warm states like Florida for the warm climate, they are sometimes not prepared for how intense nor how lengthy the hot period is. Florida is a long state, extending for 500 miles from north to south. Temperatures in the northern section of the state may be cooler during the spring, fall and winter than in southern

areas. In the central section, temperatures can stay in the 80s or more throughout the year. South and Southwest Florida often see temperatures in the mid-80s to 90s from March to November. Coastal areas may benefit from offshore breezes. Inland communities often have intense heat with fewer cooling breezes. Many people find the humidity difficult to tolerate. When outdoors, always keep water or other fluids on hand. Wear sunscreen at all times. Keep a hat and sunglasses in easy reach. For all residents, your airconditioning system is your lifeline for survival. Many people contract with home equipment repair companies to ensure that air-conditioning repair costs remain within their budget. Fortunately, many HVAC contractors operate in the state, and most people can get their a/c units repaired within hours. Expect your electrical costs to rise significantly during the hot months, and fall somewhat during the winter months. You may choose a year-round payment plan from your electrical utility company to spread the costs more equally throughout the year.

The Summer Rains Another feature of Florida that many people moving from the North may not expected is the daily summer rainstorms. In the North, rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. In Florida, rainfall is concentrating during the summer months, with very little rain during the winter. These storms produce large amounts of rain, often with thunder and lightning. As a Floridian, you will soon become accustomed to carrying an umbrella with you at all times in the summer. You will also learn to avoid the dangerous lightning strikes that give Florida the name “Lightning Capital of the U.S.” This pattern of monsoon rains in summer and little rainfall in winter may cause seasonal shifts in your water bill as you try to keep your lawn from browning during the low rainfall months. Water costs can also vary from season to season if you have a swimming pool that needs topping off during the dry months

Bugs Some people are alarmed and horrified at the number, variety and size of bugs that they find in and around their homes in Florida. In the North, bugs are generally a summertime phenomenon, with the winter cold killing off most species or causing them to go into dormancy. In fact, the warm climate and periodic rainy periods of Florida, as well as the tropical foliage, do produce a wide range of insects as part of the specialized ecology. People are often horrified by the size of the famous “Palmetto Bug,” and frustrated by the dogged determination of ghost ants. Many people contract with pest control companies to ensure regular visits to keep down the bug population in their homes and in their lawns. You can also do your own pest control, but ensure that you read all labels and handle pesticides with care. Regardless of what you do to keep bugs away from your house, you can always expect that one or two will find their way inside. Keep a can of bug spray on hand for these occasions and accept that this inconvenience is an unavoidable part of living in a climate that is warm all year long.

Hurricanes New residents often pay particularly close attention to hurricane warnings and preparations. However, after a few years pass they generally begin to take the yearly summer hurricane warnings and watches in stride. Of course, the violent winds, rains and flooding from hurricanes should not be ignored. Generally, people become accustomed to buying fresh batteries and keeping extra food and bottled water on hand from June through November. Paying attention to weather reports during these months become second nature. Stores usually have extra supplies on hand so that residents can stock up for the possibility of extreme weather. Storm shutters that are either installed manually or close electrically are a popular way to prevent damage to homes. Information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones during a hurricane is widely available on radio, on TV and in print. Florida residents generally look after each other’s well being during and after extreme weather. FEMA and other agencies spring into action quickly if the worse occurs.

Shopping Because Florida is so hot, new residents will find a wealth of warm weather gear available. Some of the clothing is very bright and colorful to suit the beachy, tropical atmosphere of the state. However, much of this apparel would feel out of place if you still travel to northern provinces a lot. You may find that your wardrobe contains fewer and fewer sweaters and jackets and more shorts, tee shirts and sundresses. Florida stores generally keep a sufficient amount of cold weather gear on hand for those who travel north. However, you may not find the same trendy northern styles. Fortunately, the Internet allows Florida residents to get whatever they need in the most current styles with the touch of a button.

Visitors It has become a truism that if you live in Florida, you can expect lots of visitors from out of state. You may find that your home has become something of a bed-andbreakfast, with friends and family coming from all parts of the country to enjoy the warm weather in winter. Living in a state that is a “vacation destination” has both and upside and a downside. Caring for a continuous stream of visitors can be expensive and can upset your normal routine. Ensure that visitors understand they cannot stay indefinitely. Put a limit on the number of days you can accommodate them for lodging and food. Enlist their help for meal planning, food preparation and clean up. Encourage them to get out on their own to explore so that you can attend to your normal tasks and activities. Don’t be afraid to impose a moratorium on houseguests for a while if the burden becomes too great.

Changes in Your Mental State For some people, the change in weather causes a change in psychology as well. Some people become rejuvenated when they are free to engage in swimming, golf, tennis and other activities more frequently. Others may find the summer heat oppressive and find themselves spending more time indoors, with a resultant increase in isolation and depression. Many people have to make a special effort to find new activities in air-conditioned environments to help them meet new friends and freshen their perspective. Bridge, tai chi classes, zumba, learning a new language, cooking classes or learning new computer skills can help people from becoming housebound and unhappy during the summer months. HL