Every winter, thousands of people from cold-weather states make the decision to escape snow, ice, and freezing temperatures for the sunshine and warmth of Central Florida. Whether you’re retiring, taking a new job, or simply seeking a better quality of life, relocating from the North to Orlando is a significant transition.
While the appeal of year-round warm weather is obvious, moving from a cold climate to Florida involves more than just trading your snow shovel for sunscreen. From what to bring (and what to leave behind) to understanding Florida’s unique lifestyle and requirements, successful northern transplants know that preparation makes all the difference.
Here’s your comprehensive guide to making the transition from cold-weather living to Orlando’s subtropical paradise.
Why Northerners Are Choosing Orlando
Florida has always been a popular destination for northern transplants, but Orlando specifically offers unique advantages beyond just warm weather.
Orlando’s Appeal:
No State Income Tax: Florida has no state income tax, which can save you 3-10% of your income annually compared to states like New York, New Jersey, or California.
Affordable Cost of Living: While not the cheapest Florida city, Orlando’s cost of living is significantly lower than many northern metros. Housing, in particular, offers more value per dollar.
Strong Job Market: Beyond tourism, Orlando has growing tech, healthcare, aerospace, and finance sectors providing diverse employment opportunities.
Year-Round Outdoor Activities: Golf, tennis, swimming, and other outdoor activities are available 365 days a year, not just three months of summer.
No Snow Removal: Never shovel snow, scrape ice off your windshield, or worry about frozen pipes again.
Family-Friendly: World-class theme parks, excellent schools in many areas, and countless family activities make Orlando ideal for families.
What to Leave Behind
One of the biggest mistakes northern transplants make is bringing everything from their cold-weather home. Florida living requires different items, and some things simply don’t make sense here.
Winter Gear and Clothing
Leave These Behind:
Heavy Winter Coats: That down parka rated for minus 20 degrees? You’ll never wear it. Orlando’s coldest days rarely drop below 40°F, and even then, it’s usually just for a few hours in the early morning.
Snow Boots and Winter Boots: Heavy, insulated boots have no place in Florida. You’ll live in sandals, sneakers, and lightweight shoes.
Wool Sweaters and Heavy Knits: Florida’s “winter” means you might need a light sweater or hoodie occasionally, but heavy wool sweaters will sit unused in your closet.
Snow Removal Equipment: Snow shovels, ice scrapers, snow blowers, and roof rakes are all useless in Florida. Don’t waste truck space bringing them.
Extreme Cold-Weather Accessories: Heavy scarves, thick gloves, ear muffs, and thermal underwear won’t be needed.
What to Keep:
- One light jacket or fleece for the occasional chilly evening (50-60°F feels cold after you’ve acclimated)
- Long pants and long-sleeve shirts for air-conditioned offices and restaurants
- A light sweater or two
You’ll be shocked how quickly you adapt to Florida temperatures. What feels like pleasant 70-degree weather now will feel “cold” after a year in Orlando.
Furniture and Home Items
Items That Don’t Translate Well:
Heavy, Dark Furniture: Dark wood furniture that looked great in your northern home can feel oppressive in Florida’s bright, sunny environment. Many people prefer lighter, airier furniture in Florida.
Humidity-Sensitive Items: Florida’s humidity can damage certain materials:
- Untreated wood furniture may warp
- Leather can develop mildew if not properly maintained
- Certain fabrics may not hold up well
- Paper items deteriorate faster
Heavy Drapes and Dark Window Treatments: Florida living emphasizes light and brightness. Heavy curtains that kept out cold drafts are replaced with light-filtering or blackout shades that block heat while allowing light.
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves: Obviously unnecessary in Florida. If your new home has a decorative fireplace, it might be used 2-3 times a year at most.
What Florida Homes Need Instead:
- Lighter-colored, humidity-resistant furniture
- Ceiling fans (essential in every room)
- Window treatments that block heat and UV rays
- Dehumidifiers for closets and storage areas
- Hurricane shutters or impact windows
Outdoor and Seasonal Items
Leave Behind:
- Snow blowers and winter lawn equipment
- Ice melt and snow removal supplies
- Winter sports equipment (skis, snowboards, ice skates)
- Heavy outdoor winter decorations
- Heated outdoor furniture or hot tub features
What You’ll Need Instead:
- Lawn mower suitable for year-round use (grass grows all year in Florida)
- Hurricane preparedness supplies
- Pool equipment and maintenance supplies (many Florida homes have pools)
- Sun protection for outdoor spaces (umbrellas, shade structures)
- Outdoor fans and misting systems for summer heat
What to Bring (That You Might Not Expect)
Summer-Weight Everything
Clothing Essentials:
- Lightweight, breathable fabrics (cotton, linen, moisture-wicking materials)
- Sun protection clothing with UPF ratings
- Multiple swimsuits (you’ll swim year-round)
- Sandals and flip-flops (you’ll wear them constantly)
- Rain jacket or poncho (for afternoon summer storms)
- Professional lightweight clothing for work
Important Note: Plan to build a mostly new wardrobe. What constitutes “summer clothes” up north is your year-round wardrobe in Florida.
Documents and Important Items
Bring and Keep Accessible:
- Birth certificates and Social Security cards for all family members
- Marriage certificates, divorce decrees
- Vehicle titles and registration
- Medical records and prescription lists
- School transcripts and records
- Professional licenses and certifications
- Tax returns for past 3-7 years
- Insurance policies
You’ll need many of these for Florida driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, school enrollment, and other transition tasks.
Understanding Florida’s “Winter”
One of the biggest adjustments for northerners is redefining what “winter” means.
Florida Winter Reality
Temperature Ranges:
- December-February average: 60-75°F during the day
- Nighttime lows: 45-60°F
- Occasional cold fronts: Can drop to 35-45°F for a day or two
- Rare freezes: Maybe once every few years, usually only a few hours
What This Means:
- You’ll still swim in winter
- Air conditioning runs year-round (though less in winter)
- Outdoor dining and activities happen daily
- Grass keeps growing and needs mowing
- Garden plants grow through winter
The Adjustment Period:
After your first Florida winter, something interesting happens: you’ll start feeling cold at 65°F. Your body acclimates to the warmth, and what once felt like pleasant spring weather will have you reaching for a jacket. This is normal and happens to everyone.
Florida-Specific Requirements and Changes
Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration
Timeline: You must obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency.
Requirements:
- Surrender your out-of-state license
- Provide proof of identity (birth certificate or passport)
- Provide proof of Social Security number
- Provide two proofs of residential address
- Pass vision test (written and driving tests waived if you have valid out-of-state license)
- Pay fees (approximately $48 for first license)
Vehicle Registration: Register your vehicle within 10 days of employment or enrolling children in school, or within 30 days of establishing residency.
Requirements:
- Out-of-state title
- Proof of Florida insurance
- Completed application
- VIN inspection (if vehicle is from out of state)
- Pay registration fees and sales tax on vehicle value
Important: Florida doesn’t require annual vehicle safety inspections or emissions testing, unlike many northern states.
Homeowner’s Insurance
Major Differences:
Wind/Hurricane Coverage: Often requires separate policy or rider. Not included in standard policies like northern homeowner’s insurance.
Flood Insurance: Essential in many Florida areas. Standard policies don’t cover flood damage. If you’re in a flood zone (and many areas are), you’ll need separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Higher Premiums: Florida homeowner’s insurance is among the most expensive in the nation. Budget 2-3 times what you paid up north.
Different Concerns:
- Hurricane damage instead of ice dam damage
- Mold and moisture instead of frozen pipes
- Termites and pests (common in subtropical climate)
Voter Registration
Register to vote in Florida within 29 days before an election to be eligible to vote in that election. Florida is a closed primary state, meaning you can only vote in your registered party’s primary.