With several stretches of sandy beaches, golf courses galore and plenty of amusement parks to enjoy, the Sunshine State has a lot to offer British ex-pats.
Already home to over 20 million people, Florida is a popular destination with newcomers of all ages. For retirees, the warm weather and relaxed pace of life is enticing. For families and professionals, bustling cities like Orlando, Miami and Tallahassee provide a blend of vast opportunity and leisure.
It’s important to remember that, although named the Sunshine State, Florida sees its fair share of cloudy days during the hurricane season, which runs from June-November each year.
Visas for moving to Florida
If you are thinking about moving abroad to Florida, one of your first considerations should be the legality of immigrating. The EB-5 visa is the most popular choice for the majority of Britons relocating to Florida, but working with an immigration specialist or solicitor can help you navigate the red tape.
Once you’ve sorted the paperwork, it’s time to pack your bags and arrange your items for shipping your items internationally.
Local Areas
Fort Myers is a popular place to settle for families following a move to Florida from the UK. Situated in Lee County, the city is home to white sand beaches along the Gulf Coast, along with an abundance of local amenities.
The Villages is a fast-growing retirement community, while Naples is ideal for professionals thanks to the variety of nightlife and luxury property available.
Amenities & Leisure
If you are emigrating to Florida, you’ll be moving to a state that is world-famous for its entertainment and amenities.
From the natural beauty of the Everglades and Sanibel Causeway to the sights and sounds of Disneyland and Universal Studios, there is a great deal on offer to enjoy at any stage of life.
There some 900 natural springs throughout the state, and you can snorkel in many of these year-round.
Theme parks aside, there are plenty of other good national parks to be close to, and in suburbs such as St. Johns and Longwood, you’ll be surrounded by local parks filled with baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and playgrounds to entertain children.
Transport in Florida
Florida is well serviced by a number of international airports, and there is a comprehensive network of interstates and highways available to make it easy to drive.
For those reliant on public transport, all major cities have impressive infrastructure in place, with Orlando and surrounding central Florida being serviced by the public bus system LYNX.
Schools in Florida
The state capital of Tallahassee is home to two of the state’s largest and most prolific universities, Florida State University and Florida A&M University.
There are over 14,000 schools across the state, and these are categorised as being private, public, or public charter. The latter school type receives public funding, and yet is able to operate independently of the local school system.
If you are moving to Florida from the UK with kids in primary (elementary) or secondary (high school) education, greatschools.org can help you locate schools in your new chosen neighbourhood.
For more information about moving to a new country with children, take a look at our guide on how to move abroad with kids.
If you and your family are planning on relocating to the US, Florida makes an ideal place to settle. If you need help moving your belongings over with you, contact us for a quote for international shipping to Florida. Florida is serviced by Fort Lauderdale Port and the Port of Tampa, making it easy to collect goods that have been shipped over.
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