3 months before your move
- Pick your Florida area. Visit if you can, and compare commute, schools, flood zone and HOA rules, not just home prices.
- Get insurance quotes before you choose a home. Homeowners, wind and flood coverage can vary a lot by address in Florida.
- Check the flood zone and evacuation zone for any address you're considering. Most Florida counties offer an online lookup.
- Set a moving budget. Our Florida moving cost guide covers typical ranges and hidden costs.
- Start decluttering. Interstate moves are priced by weight. Sell or donate snow gear, extra furniture and anything you won't use in Florida.
2 months before
- Get moving quotes based on a real inventory. Send our room-by-room inventory form or book a free video walk-through.
- Check your mover. For interstate moves, look up their USDOT number on the FMCSA website, and get a written estimate.
- Book your moving date. October to April is snowbird season, and June to November is hurricane season. Flexible dates help.
- Request school records and start school enrollment if you have kids.
- Book car shipping if you're flying down or have more than one vehicle.
1 month before
- Buy homeowners or renters insurance for your Florida home. Insurers often pause new policies when a storm is approaching.
- Buy flood insurance if you need it. NFIP policies typically take 30 days to start.
- Set up utilities. Florida's large electric providers include FPL, Duke Energy, TECO and JEA, depending on your area. Water and trash are often run by the city or county.
- Arrange internet installation for your first week, especially if you work from home.
- File a USPS change of address and update banks, credit cards and subscriptions.
- Confirm condo or HOA move rules: elevator reservations, move hours, certificate of insurance and any move-in fees.
- Plan for pets. Get vet records and confirm rabies vaccinations, and check Florida Department of Agriculture pet-entry requirements.
2 weeks before
- Pack non-essentials and label boxes by room.
- Refill prescriptions, and transfer them to a pharmacy near your new home.
- Don't pack plants or soil without checking Florida's rules. Citrus plants in particular are restricted, and many movers won't carry live plants.
- Use up or give away items movers can't carry: propane, paint, gasoline, pool chemicals and aerosols.
- Confirm your delivery window and your mover's weather-delay policy.
Moving week
- Pack a first-night box: sheets, towels, toiletries, chargers, medications, basic tools, snacks and a fan.
- Keep important documents with you: IDs, Social Security cards, passports, deeds, insurance papers and school records.
- During hurricane season, check the National Hurricane Center forecast daily (nhc.noaa.gov). See our hurricane-season checklist.
- Photograph valuables and note existing damage before loading.
- Confirm truck parking at both homes.
Moving day
- Walk through the home with the crew lead and point out fragile and do-not-pack items.
- Check that the inventory sheet matches what's loaded, and keep your copy.
- Do a final walk-through: closets, attic, garage, cabinets.
- At delivery, inspect items and note any damage on the paperwork before you sign.
Your first week in Florida
- Get Florida car insurance. Florida requires at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability, and you need it before you register.
- Title and register your vehicle, generally within 10 days of becoming a resident. Out-of-state vehicles need a VIN verification.
- Find your evacuation zone, and build a basic hurricane kit: water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit and copies of documents.
- Locate your nearest urgent care, hospital and pharmacy.
- Enroll kids in school. Florida schools generally require a Florida Certification of Immunization (form DH 680) and a recent health exam for new students.
Your first 30 days
- Get your Florida driver license, generally within 30 days of becoming a resident. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of identity, your Social Security number and two proofs of Florida address.
- Register to vote at your new address (you can do it when you get your license).
- Schedule a termite and pest inspection if your new home doesn't have a recent one. Pest control is a normal Florida expense.
- Learn your HOA's hurricane rules, such as shutters, storm panels and what to bring inside before a storm.
Within your first 60 days, and by March 1
- Apply for the homestead exemption with your county property appraiser if you own your primary home. The deadline is March 1 for that tax year, and it can significantly lower your property taxes.
- Consider filing an optional Declaration of Domicile with your county clerk as extra proof of Florida residency.
- Talk to a tax professional about your final part-year return in your old state. Florida has no state personal income tax.
- Update your address with the IRS, Social Security and your employer.
- Review insurance again before hurricane season starts on June 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon do I need to register my car after moving to Florida?
Florida generally requires new residents to title and register their vehicle within 10 days of establishing residency, for example after starting a job, enrolling children in school or signing a lease. Out-of-state vehicles also need a VIN verification. Check FLHSMV.gov for current requirements.
How do I officially become a Florida resident?
Common steps include getting a Florida driver license, registering your vehicle and to vote, and, if you own your home, applying for the homestead exemption. Some people also file an optional Declaration of Domicile with their county clerk as extra evidence of residency.
Do I need flood insurance in Florida?
Standard homeowners policies usually don't cover flooding. If your mortgage lender requires it, you'll need it, and many Floridians outside high-risk zones buy it anyway. National Flood Insurance Program policies typically have a 30-day waiting period, so buy early.
What's the best time of year to move to Florida?
Late spring (April and May) avoids both the peak snowbird season and the heart of hurricane season. Fall can work too, but moves into Florida get busier from October through April as seasonal residents arrive.
What car insurance do I need in Florida?
Florida requires at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability, and you'll need Florida coverage in place before you register your car. Many drivers carry more. Ask your insurer what fits your situation.
What documents do kids need to enroll in a Florida school?
Florida schools generally require a Florida Certification of Immunization (form DH 680) and a recent school-entry health exam for students new to the state, plus proof of address and age. Contact your new school district for its exact list.
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