The Ultimate Moving to Florida Checklist (2026)

8 Weeks Before Moving

Compare Florida cities by cost of living, climate, school districts, job market, and hurricane risk
Visit in person if possible — visiting in August gives you an honest picture of summer heat and humidity
Research flood zones for any property you're considering at msc.fema.gov
Check commute times — Florida traffic can be brutal; Google Maps timing at 8 AM and 5 PM tells the real story

Get at least 3 written quotes from licensed interstate movers (verify at FMCSA: fmcsa.dot.gov)
Understand what's included: full-service (pack and unpack), partial, or load-only
Ask specifically about Florida delivery windows — long-haul moves to Florida often have "spread" delivery windows of 1–2 weeks
Purchase moving insurance beyond the standard 60 cents/pound released value coverage

Get homeowners insurance quotes before closing — Florida rates can be $2,000–$6,000+/year more than you're used to paying
Budget for flood insurance if you're in or near a flood zone (separate from homeowners insurance)
Research vehicle insurance rates — Florida auto insurance is expensive compared to most states
Check HOA fees if buying in a community — Florida has some of the highest HOA fees in the country

Contact your current state's DMV about surrendering your license plates (most states refund unused registration)
Update your address with the USPS at moversguide.usps.com (for mail forwarding)
Notify employer HR for payroll address change
Update bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts
Notify Social Security Administration if on SS/SSI/Medicare

Request medical records from all current providers (give 2–4 weeks)
Request school records for children — Florida schools need immunization records and prior transcripts
Fill 90-day prescriptions before moving to avoid interruption
Research doctors, dentists, and specialists in your new area while you still have time to plan

Contact your Florida utility provider to schedule service start on move-in day
Electric utilities by region: FPL (Southeast FL), Duke Energy (Tampa Bay/Space Coast/Central), TECO (Hillsborough), JEA (Jacksonville), OUC (Orlando), LCEC (Southwest FL)
Set up internet — verify fiber availability at your specific address; schedule installation 2+ weeks out (popular providers book up)
If on public water/sewer: contact municipality. If on well/septic: get a pre-move well and septic inspection

Florida has year-round pest pressure: termites, cockroaches, fire ants, mosquitoes, and rodents
Get quotes for quarterly or monthly pest control service before you move in — having active service from day one prevents establishment of problem colonies
Ask about subterranean termite treatment (Termidor/borate) for the entire structure — this is standard in Florida and costs $800–$1,800 for a full-perimeter treatment

Document the condition of your old home with photos/video (for security deposit return)
Get a final inventory list from your movers and confirm delivery window
Carry important documents personally: passports, birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance policies, financial account info
Carry medications, one change of clothes, and valuables personally — not in the moving truck
Turn off water main at old home if leaving before truck departs

Check all appliances, HVAC, and plumbing before the movers leave
Locate the main water shutoff, electrical panel, and gas shutoff (if applicable)
Change all exterior door locks / rekey — you don't know who has existing keys
Introduce yourself to immediate neighbors — in a hurricane, your neighbors are your most important resource
Check that smoke detectors work (Florida building code requires them in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area)
Check that CO detectors are installed (required if home has gas or attached garage)
Locate your Florida evacuation zone — find it at your county's emergency management website

Get a Florida driver's license within 30 days — bring current DL, proof of SSN, and two Florida address documents to a DHSMV service center
Register your vehicle(s) within 10 days — do this at your county Tax Collector's office
Update vehicle insurance to a Florida-licensed carrier
Register to vote at registertoVoteinFlorida.gov
Update your address with financial institutions, subscriptions, and memberships

File homestead exemption if you own your home — deadline is March 1 for the following tax year. File at your county Property Appraiser's office.
Set up HVAC service — schedule a tune-up with a licensed HVAC company before summer. Consider a maintenance contract ($150–$350/year) for priority service during summer outages.
Set up lawn care — Florida lawns need mowing every 7–10 days from April through October
Set up pool service if applicable — Florida pools need weekly chemical balancing
Buy hurricane supplies: battery-powered weather radio, flashlights, 5+ gallons of water per person, non-perishables, generator fuel containers
Find a trusted local contractor for each major trade: HVAC, plumber, electrician, roofer — ask neighbors for referrals or use this directory

Run your AC year-round: Florida humidity requires continuous AC to prevent mold growth. Turning it off for a week while on vacation can result in a mold problem.
Gutters matter: Florida's intense summer rain events dump 2–4 inches in an hour. Clean gutters prevent foundation flooding and fascia rot.
Roach control is year-round: Florida palmetto bugs (large outdoor cockroaches) are everywhere. This is not a cleanliness problem — it's a Florida climate reality. Monthly perimeter pest control handles it.
Summer thunderstorms are daily: Florida has more lightning strikes than any other state. June–September afternoon storms are near-daily. Get surge protectors for electronics and don't be outside during afternoon storms.
License plates expire on your birthday: Florida ties vehicle registration renewal to your birth month, not the date of purchase.
No state income tax, but property taxes can surprise you: Florida has no personal income tax, but property taxes on non-homesteaded properties (vacation homes, rentals) can run 1.5–2.5% of assessed value annually — higher than many assume.

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