Why Florida and South Florida keep growing: pros lead the population surge
Florida now has more than 23 million residents and is the third most populous state in the union. South Florida is home to more than 6 million people across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Like every place, South Florida has its pros and cons, but the pros clearly outweigh the cons, which is part of why Florida has surged past 23 million residents and ranks third nationally, with one of the fastest growth rates in the country.
The trick to relocating or retiring to South Florida is knowing the pros and cons before you make the move (the same goes for businesses — see the pros and cons of moving your business). Below are the pros of living in South Florida and the cons — most of which surround the move itself, where many things go wrong.
Florida and South Florida: Key Takeaways
- South Florida pros: no state income tax, world-class beaches, sunshine, entertainment, cultural blend, major events (Art Basel), no snow, water activities, and easy community-building.
- South Florida cons mostly surround the move itself: inexperienced movers, not knowing the area, and wrong-size homes — plus hot summers, traffic, and geographic isolation.
- Florida’s population exceeds 23 million; South Florida has 6 million+ across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
- Good Greek serves all of South Florida: Palm Beach (561) 683-1313, Fort Lauderdale (954) 227-5000, Miami (305) 508-3433.
The pros of moving to South Florida
South Florida’s pros draw 6 million+ residents to Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Pro 1 — No state income tax
No state income tax is South Florida’s biggest financial advantage. Compared with high-tax states like New York, California, New Jersey, Illinois, and Massachusetts, Florida residents save thousands a year. For executives and high earners, the savings can reach tens or hundreds of thousands annually — a major driver of relocations, including the “Wall Street South” finance migration.
Pro 2 — World-class beaches
South Florida offers world-class beaches from Palm Beach Island through Fort Lauderdale to Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, and beyond. Year-round warm weather means the beaches are usable all twelve months.
Pro 3 — More entertainment than just about anywhere
South Florida packs in world-class dining (Miami’s Michelin-starred restaurants), nightlife (Miami Beach, Wynwood, Brickell), pro sports (Heat, Dolphins, Marlins, Inter Miami, Panthers), arts (Norton Museum, NSU Art Museum), music venues, and cultural events including Art Basel Miami Beach and the Miami Book Fair.
Pro 4 — A blend of U.S., Latin American, and European culture
South Florida culture blends the best of the U.S., Latin America (Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico), and Europe. Miami functions as the U.S. gateway to Latin America, with a bilingual workforce, international cuisine, multicultural neighborhoods, and global business connectivity.
Pro 5 — Major events like Art Basel and the Miami Book Fair
Art Basel Miami Beach is the world’s largest contemporary art fair, held each December. The Miami Book Fair is one of America’s premier literary festivals. Beyond these, South Florida hosts Ultra Music Festival, the Miami International Boat Show, eMerge Americas, the Miami Open, and dozens more events each year.
Pro 6 — You’ll never shovel snow
Snow shoveling is unknown here. The ice storms, snow accumulation, and freezing temperatures that affect the Northeast and Midwest simply don’t reach South Florida — one of the most cited reasons for relocating, especially for retirees and remote workers from up north.
Pro 7 — Sunshine and world-class water activities
With sunshine most of the year, the outdoor lifestyle runs year-round. Boating, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are world-class, thanks to the Intracoastal Waterway, the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, and the Everglades.
Pro 8 — It’s easy to make friends and build community
Many South Florida residents are themselves transplants, which makes meeting people and building community far easier than in established cities with deep-rooted social networks. Whether you’re a young professional or a senior, plenty of people your age have moved here — and more arrive every day.
The cons of moving to South Florida — mostly mistakes around the move
Most cons surround the move itself, where many things go wrong. These are the mistakes to avoid.
Con 1 — Hiring inexperienced movers
Inexperienced movers cause the most expensive problems. Make sure your mover offers accurate free estimates, is licensed with Florida DACS (intrastate) and the FMCSA (interstate), and has a solid reputation across the BBB, Google, and other platforms. The mover you hire can make or break your move — so hire a moving company you can trust.
Con 2 — Not knowing the area before moving
South Florida is huge — 6 million+ people across three counties, dozens of cities, and hundreds of neighborhoods. Inspect potential neighborhoods in person (or via Google Maps and Street View) and talk to locals. Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach each have a distinct character.
Con 3 — Getting too little (or too much) house
South Florida pricing can be deceiving. Compared with higher-cost markets like San Francisco or NYC, prices may seem affordable — leading buyers to purchase more home than they need. Retirees, on the other hand, often underestimate the space they’ll want. Do an honest evaluation, especially seniors planning to downsize when they move to South Florida.
Con 4 — Hot, humid summers
Summer heat and humidity are real, especially for newcomers from cooler climates — which is why air conditioning is essential year-round. Most residents adapt within a year; hot summers are the trade-off for warm winters.
Con 5 — Traffic and crowding
Like most major metros, South Florida has heavy traffic, especially along the I-95 corridor. You’ll learn which roads to avoid and when. Brightline rail (West Palm Beach to Miami) and Tri-Rail offer traffic-free alternatives for some routes.
Con 6 — Driving far to leave the state
Florida’s geography means long drives to leave the state, but Miami International (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) airports compensate with hundreds of direct U.S. and international flights — erasing the isolation concern for most travelers.
Good Greek Moving & Storage: South Florida’s most trusted moving company
Good Greek serves all of South Florida with regional direct lines: Palm Beach (561) 683-1313, Fort Lauderdale (954) 227-5000, Miami (305) 508-3433, Treasure Coast (772) 310-4446. Full-service moving, packing, climate-controlled storage, junk removal, auto transport, and Total Relocation Solutions.
Keeping these pros and cons in mind helps you plan for your move successfully. It’s a great place to call home — and Good Greek helps you get there. 2024 ATA Mover of the Year. A+ BBB rated. Florida, Nevada, and serving nationwide.
Moving to South Florida: Frequently asked questions
What’s the biggest pro of moving to South Florida?
No state income tax is the biggest financial pro, saving relocators thousands a year versus high-tax states. Beyond money, world-class beaches, sunshine, entertainment, and cultural diversity keep driving the region’s growth.
What are the biggest cons of moving to South Florida?
Most cons surround the move itself: hiring inexperienced movers, not researching neighborhoods, and buying the wrong-size home. Beyond that: hot, humid summers, traffic, and geographic isolation (though MIA and FLL airports compensate).
Is South Florida a good place to retire?
Yes, it’s one of America’s premier retirement destinations, thanks to no state income tax, mild winters, no snow, beaches, sunshine, water activities, active-adult communities, and an environment where many residents are also retirees, making it easy to build community.
Does Good Greek serve all of South Florida?
Yes, Good Greek serves Palm Beach (561) 683-1313, Fort Lauderdale (954) 227-5000, Miami (305) 508-3433, and Treasure Coast (772) 310-4446 with full-service moving across all South Florida counties.