Are you considering relocating to Florida? You can save money from your moving cost and avoid a lot of stress with this complete guide for moving to Florida. Get all the information you need to become a resident of Jacksonville, Tampa or Orlando.

These 3 cities are some of the most popular moving destinations in the United States. It is not so surprising since the Sunshine State offers sunny weather most of the year, amazing scenery, outdoor sports, and so much more. Florida’s population is estimated at 18.8 million and is expected to hit 21 million by 2020. Approximately 23% are senior citizens mostly based in Charlotte, Citrus, Highlands, Hernando, and Sarasota.

For people who want to avoid snow and the cold weather, Florida is the most ideal place to relocate. Depending on which city you decide on, the cost of living varies. Whether you choose to move to Tampa, Jacksonville or Orlando, there is much to enjoy about living and working in the Sunshine State.

At 5moversQuotes, we know how difficult it is to plan a move, especially when coming from another state or another country. To make it easier for you to relocate to Florida, we have prepared a complete moving guide with:

1. Facts you need to know before moving to Florida
2. Moving tips to help lower your moving costs
3. Steps to take to protect yourself and your belongings during the move
4. List of 15 moving companies in Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa with customer reviews
5. A to-do list every new arrival in Florida must know as a new resident

At the end of this article, you will know everything you need to have an enjoyable and cost-effective move. You can also receive 5 moving quotes free from our network of professional movers to get you started.

3 Unique Benefits When Moving To Florida

Aside from the temperate weather and beautiful beaches, there are many reasons why millions of people love living in the Sunshine State.

1. No personal income tax
   Many wealthy people prefer to reside in Florida because compared to other states like New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois, the state of Florida has no income tax for residents.  In fact, it is one of only 7 states in the US that does not collect income tax.  This is a very compelling reason to move here.
2. Asset protection benefits
   This state offers residents with various asset protection benefits.  Even wealthy people and the average American who is afraid to lose assets due to a lawsuit or creditors can get protection from laws like the homestead creditor protection, tenancy by the entirety, protection for IRAs, and assets held by a legitimate business entity.
3. Property tax benefits
   If you will buy a property in Florida and declare it as your primary residence, you can benefit from two other tax incentives – property tax exemption up to $50,000 and a tax law that caps the annual tax assessment of your property at 3%.  This is a big deal for property owners as it allows them to build equity and benefit from an increasing value of their property over the years.

The city of Miami FL is another favorite moving destination. If you are moving to Miami, we have a complete guide to affordable Miami moving companies and how to make your Miami relocation affordable at https://www.5moversquotes.com/affordable-miami-movers-best-ways-to-move-to-miami-with-your-budget.

You can be a Florida resident and take advantage of these huge tax benefits when you move to Florida and make it your primary residence.

Relocation Tips To Florida – How To Move To Florida

If you are moving to Florida, you should know that June to August means average temperatures in the 90s. Moving during the summer months can be extremely uncomfortable especially for seniors and families with young children.

The most advisable time to relocate to Florida is from November to May although this is also the busiest period as temporary residents seeking to avoid the cold winter flock here from other states.

If you are moving to Tampa or Orlando, consider the rush hour traffic.  It is heaviest in these areas from 8am to 9am and from 4pm to 6pm.  You can reduce your moving cost by avoiding these traffic-ridden times.

Learn a few useful phrases in Spanish.  Florida has a large minority population that speaks Spanish. You can make friends faster and get help about things you need when you speak their language.

Below are more moving tips as well as information on popular moving companies in 3 cities in Florida with verified customer reviews for your convenience.

Regardless of which city you are moving from, you need a reliable, fast, and efficient Florida moving company to help you move.

Moving To Jacksonville

In terms of area and population, Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida.  The city’s cost of living is a little below the national average, which means it costs less to live here than in other cities in the US.

Housing and healthcare are also a lot more affordable. However, the city does not have an extensive public transport system that you find in other cities so you may need to have your own car to get around.  There are buses travelling downtown but no light rail in the city.

While unemployment in the city has increased in recent years, it has slowly begun a downward trend. The biggest employer in Jacksonville is the US Navy. There are also big retailers and banks.

If you are moving to Jacksonville without a solid job offer, you can look for jobs using the following resources:

http://jacksonville.com/jobs  (Florida Times Union)
http://www.simplyhired.com/local-jobs/jacksonville-fl

Review Of 5 Professional Movers In Jacksonville

We have listed 5 moving companies serving Jacksonville and surrounding areas for your convenience.  These companies are arranged in no particular order. Included are information on company background and moving reviews by customers for your easy reference.  See which moving company in Jacksonville is right for you and your budget.

MOVING COMPANY # 1 – THE FLORIDA MOVERS

This moving company in Jacksonville FL provides moving services in Jacksonville, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, and St. Augustine.  It was established in 2010 and has 20 years of experience as movers.

The company offers up front pricing for your move so you get no hidden charges or surprises on moving day. It proudly gives discounts to military.

As a fully insured and bonded moving company, it offers affordable and stress-free residential and commercial moves.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY # 2 – B PATRICK MOVERS

This moving company began in 2002 and has been providing excellent moving services in the north Florida region. For household moves, the company offers full service moves that include moving truck and crew, and packing services.  You can also choose to get moving labor only for unloading your PODs or rental truck.

As a business accredited with the Better Business Bureau, it serves Jacksonville, Orlando, Sarasota, West Palm, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and South Beach for local and long distance moves.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY # 3 – BELLHOPS

Bellhops is a moving company offering friendly and affordable moving services.  The average moving price advertised on their website is $165. Their movers are mostly college students.

You can hire their movers to help you organize your new home or for other home projects.  One bellhop costs $40 an hour and they bill for the exact time worked.  A travel charge is also included in your bill for $.025 per minute starting from your location to destination.

Moves are insured for a maximum of $1,000 but they don’t have insurance to carry antiques, pianos, and other valuables.

The company can be a good choice for small scale and medium scale moves such as small apartments and dorm moves.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY # 4 – TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

This moving company began in 1997.  It is the 4th franchise in the state of Florida.   The company offers household and business moving services, storage, and moving supplies.  The company serves Jacksonville, Callahan, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach.

The company can provide you with well-trained, courteous and uniformed movers to help on moving day.  They boast of a 96% customer referral rate which means majority of their customers are satisfied with their services and gladly refer them to friends.

Is this your best moving company? Know more about this moving company from their video below.

 

MOVING COMPANY # 5 – 1ST CHOICE MOVERS

This moving company started operations in Florida in 1995 .  It is accredited with the Better Business Bureau in 2014 and has an A+ rating.  It is licensed and bonded moving company offering affordable local, long distance moving, packing, and storage services.

The company also offers monthly moving deals you can take advantage of.

 

Moving To Tampa

If you are planning to make Tampa your new home, you will need to know more about the city and the best ways to move to Tampa.  The city was voted best outdoor city by Forbes.

It is located on the western side of Central Florida with a humid subtropical climate.  If you want warm temperatures, you will love it here.  Summers last with consistent temperatures in the 70s-90s from June to September although thunderstorms and winds do come once in a while.

Tampa leads in job creation and the minimum wage in Florida went up to $7.79 starting 2013.  Most of the city’s economy rely on jobs in service, finance, retail, tourism, insurance, shipping and real estate.  The Department of Defense employs more than 15,000 military personnel.

The city’s cost of living is about 8.7% less than the national average and 6.7% lower than other Florida cities.
To get around the city, you’ll find many taxi services, buses and trolleys.  However, it can be very uncomfortable to wait for public transport during hot summer months.

Review Of 5 Moving Companies In Tampa

You can get many advantages with moving with professional Tampa movers.  You can spend just a little more and let them do all the heavy work. However, you need to be careful when choosing your movers.  Below are 5 moving companies serving Tampa that can make moving easy and fun.

MOVING COMPANY # 1 – TAMPA PROFESSIONAL MOVERS

This moving company located in Tampa, Florida began in 2005.  It offers flat, hourly, all inclusive rates for moving services with fully-equipped trucks and well-trained moving personnel.  Their services include local moving, long distance moving, commercial moving, labor moves, and storage.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY # 2 – GULF COAST VAN LINES

This moving company was established in 1978.  It is accredited as a professional moving company with the Better Business Bureau with an A rating. They specialize in complete commercial and household moves, local relocation and interstate moving.  Their services include packing, disassembly and re-assembly of furniture, complete moving supplies and free secure storage.

For long distance moves, this company computes charges by cubic feet.

 

MOVING COMPANY # 3 – BROTHERS EZ MOVING

This Tampa moving company serves the Tampa area.  It is accredited as a moving company with the Better Business Bureau with a rating of A.  The company has won the Super service award for 3 consecutive years on Angie’s list.

The company performs drug-test and background checks on their moving crew for your protection.  Their services include packing, loading/unloading, car hauling, piano moving and other moving services for commercial and household moves.

Is this the right moving company for you? You can check it out from their video below.

 

MOVING COMPANY # 4 – SAM’S MOVERS

This Tampa moving company is family-owned and has become a favorite moving company in the city since 1990. The company offers local, state to state, and long distance moving services. They also offer hourly rates.

The company is accredited with the Better Business Bureau with a rating of A. It serves the Tri County area for all types of moving and storage needs.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY # 5 – U PACK MOVING

This moving company serves the Tampa Bay area and specializes in long distance moves.  They target customers who want an affordable move by doing their own packing and getting only help in driving to the new location.

They will provide you with a ReloCube, or a moving container with 3 days to pack.  It works like a do it yourself move but has one additional feature – you have someone to deliver your belongings.  This means you don’t have to worry about driving long distance with a heavy load.

If you are looking for a way to move long distance without overspending, you can see more about how it works from the video below.

 

Moving To Orlando, Florida

 

The “Happiest Place on Earth” is in Orlando but the city has more to offer new residents besides Disney World and other local theme parks.  Considered the Hollywood in the East, it has a pulsating nightlife and music scene.

Weather

Like other Florida cities, the climate here is subtropical with 2 major seasons in a year.  Hurricane season from June to October is rainy while dry season from April to May has warm temperatures and little rainfall.  The summer months are in the 90 degree range which cools down to the 70s in the spring and winter months.

Jobs, Housing and Cost of Living

The city has around 100 neighborhoods and communities.  The greater Orlando metropolitan area has a population of more than 2 million and is famous for its attractions including Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Disney World.

The tourism, film, and the gaming industries are major players in Orlando’s economy. Over 50 million visitors come to see the theme parks and space center tours annually and help provide thousands of jobs locally.

Compared to other US cities, the cost of living in Orlando is 9.5% less than the national average in 2012. Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment costs from $600-$1200 depending on the location.  While housing is cheaper, food, entertainment, and fuel costs are higher.

Review Of 5 Moving Companies In Orlando

There are many moving companies in Orlando you can choose from.  They differ in terms of price and quality of service. To help narrow your search for the best moving company in Orlando, we prepared a list of 5 Orlando moving companies and what customers have to say about them.

MOVING COMPANY # 1 – BEST USA MOVERS

This moving company offers high quality moving services in Central Florida at affordable prices.  The business started in 2007 in Virginia and expanded to Florida in 2012.  They offer piano moving, moving labor and delivery, professional full moving services, packing/unpacking, and storage.

Check out their rates:

 

They may charge gas fee and moving supplies depending on distance and size of move.  You should ask for a free site visit to get an accurate quote.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY #2 – ATHLETES MOVERS

This moving company started in 2005 and serves the metro Orlando area. It is a national moving company operated by independent contractors across the eastern United States.  The company is licensed and insured to carry out any kind of move in areas they serve.  Each branch has the local touch to deliver personalized service to its customers.

It has offices in Orlando, Jacksonville, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. It offers truck rental, loading and unloading services, commercial moving, residential moving, and long distance moves.

While it is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau, it has been rated A+ and resolved previous customer issues.

These movers charge upfront hourly pricing.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY # 3 – J & J METRO MOVING AND STORAGE

This moving company was established in Winter Park, Florida in 1968. It built a new facility in Orlando in 1987. As a leading moving company, it offers long distance moves anywhere in the US. It also offers do-it-yourself moves for those who only need to rent a truck.

The company specializes in local and long distance moves, and residential and commercial moves. They also accept requests for emergency moving services.

Is this the right movers for you? You can get more details from the video below.

 

MOVING COMPANY # 4 – HILLDRUP MOVING AND STORAGE

This moving company was founded in 1903. It is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association and accredited with the Better Business Bureau.  It offers commercial moving, corporate relocation, residential moving, and government and military moving.  It also offers automobile transport and storage services.

he company is one of the biggest residential movers for United Van Lines. It can handle any kind of move across the
United States.

 

 

MOVING COMPANY # 5 – 1776 MOVING AND STORAGE

This moving company started in 2012 as a family owned and operated business.  It specializes in local moves and point to point moving in Florida.  It is a fully licensed and insured Florida mover and offers household moving, commercial moving, and storage services at competitive rates.  They provide senior citizen and military discounts.

The company also provides moving labor for loading or unloading rental truck or storage unit or for moving furniture in your residence.

The company is a member of the American Moving and Storage Association and the Florida Movers and Warehousemen’s Association.

 

 

After The Move – To Do List For Florida New Arrivals

 

Every prospective Florida resident has to know state requirements for new residents.  Below are some of the most important things to do after relocating to Jacksonville, Tampa or Orlando.

DRIVER’S LICENSE / MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

When applying for a Florida license, you need proof of completion of the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course, proof of identify, social security number and proof of residence.

Renewal of driver’s license can be done online at https://services.flhsmv.gov/virtualoffice/Lobby.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1.

New arrivals have 10 days to register their motor vehicles with the DHSMV from the time they establish a Florida residence (rental or purchase), register children in a Florida school or begin employment in Florida.
You can check on Florida requirements for registering out of state vehicles in Florida at https://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/car-registration.php#Registering-a-Vehicle-in-Florida.

SCHOOLS

Check on information about Florida school districts, state and community colleges, independent post-secondary institutions and universities at http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice.

COMMUNITIES

You can check on communities in any Florida city for ideal places for you to live at http://fchr.state.fl.us/resources/55_housing/directory_of_55_housing_communities.

BUSINESS

If you plan on starting a business after your move, you can obtain information about new businesses in Florida at http://www.stateofflorida.com/corporations.aspx.

HOW TO PICK YOUR FLORIDA MOVERS

You are ready to begin your search for the best Florida mover.

How much do moving companies in Florida cost? Professional moving companies offer different moving rates so the best way to choose your mover is to compare moving quotes. You can get free movers quotes when you click Request Quote for the best moving rates in your area.

It is a good practice to check the moving company’s background, services, and customer feedback. Reputable movers are accredited with the Better Business Bureau and professional moving organizations.

To lower your moving cost and avoid unnecessary stress, follow relocation to Florida tips and hire a professional moving company from our network.

Have a pleasant move with 5moversQuotes!