If you are moving to Florida from a walkable city like New York, Chicago, or London, you might have a clever plan. You might think you can save a lot of money by selling your car and relying on public transportation or walking.
However, the harsh reality is quite different. In Florida, living without a car feels like being stranded on a desert island, even if you live right in the middle of a big city. The state is not designed for pedestrians.
Florida’s infrastructure and lifestyle are built around driving culture. Below are four reasons why buying or renting a car must be the priority on your to-do list when you move here!
4 Major Reasons You Need a Car In Florida
The Reality of Urban Sprawl
Unlike cities that build upwards with tall, crowded apartment buildings, Florida cities grow outwards. Places like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa are prime examples of extreme urban sprawl. Everything is spread out across flat land.
Because of this layout, your grocery store, gym, office, and child’s school are rarely located on the same street. You cannot walk out of your apartment and grab a coffee at the corner. A normal trip to the supermarket often requires a 15 to 30-minute drive on a busy, multi-lane highway.
This massive distance makes walking or cycling for daily errands almost impossible. When you are looking for an apartment, never trust the map when it says a place is “close” to your job.
Five miles in Florida can take a very long time if you have to drive through multiple red lights, so you need a car to test the commute yourself.
The Brutal Florida Weather
Many newcomers have a romantic idea of walking or riding a bicycle to work in the beautiful Florida sunshine. Unfortunately, they quickly forget how brutal the tropical weather can be. During the summer, the temperature reaches 95°F (35°C) with an exhausting 90% humidity level.
If you try to walk to a bus stop, your clothes will be soaked in sweat before the bus even arrives. Furthermore, summer afternoons in Florida almost always bring violent, sudden thunderstorms. Heavy rain and dangerous lightning will ruin your commute if you are stuck outside.
A personal car acts as your mobile shield against these extreme weather conditions. When you buy a car here, make sure you prioritize a strong air conditioning system and dark tinted windows to protect yourself from the intense daily heat.
The Lack of Reliable Public Transportation
Florida does not have a massive, connected subway system like New York City or a vast train network like Europe. While cities do offer local buses and a few commuter trains like the Brightline or SunRail, they do not cover every neighborhood.
Public buses in Florida are notoriously slow and often run behind schedule. Because the cities are so spread out, bus routes are long and indirect. A quick 15-minute drive in your own car can turn into a frustrating 90-minute journey if you have to wait for and transfer between multiple buses.
You also cannot rely on rideshare apps for your daily needs. Taking an Uber or Lyft to work and the grocery store every single day will quickly become much more expensive than paying a monthly car loan.
Unlocking the Real Florida Lifestyle
One of the biggest reasons people move to Florida is to enjoy the amazing outdoor lifestyle. You probably want to spend your weekends visiting gorgeous beaches, swimming in crystal-clear freshwater springs, and exploring world-famous theme parks.
However, the best and most beautiful attractions in Florida are almost never located in the center of the city. If you want to pack up your family for a weekend trip to Cocoa Beach, go camping in Ocala, or drive down to the Florida Keys, you cannot do it without a personal vehicle.
Having a car gives you the total freedom to explore the state whenever you want. To make the most of your weekends, consider buying an SUV or a hatchback so you have plenty of trunk space for beach chairs, umbrellas, and large coolers.
The Hidden Cost: Florida Car Insurance
Once you accept that you need a car, there is another major factor you must prepare for. Florida has some of the highest car insurance rates in the entire United States. Many newcomers are shocked when they see their new monthly insurance bill.
There are a few reasons why insurance is so expensive here. Florida is a “no-fault” state, meaning your own insurance pays for your medical bills after an accident, regardless of who caused it. Furthermore, the state has a high number of uninsured drivers and a constant risk of vehicle damage from hurricanes and floods.
You must budget for this hidden cost before you officially move. It is a very smart idea to call your current insurance provider and ask for a price quote using your future Florida zip code, so you are not caught off guard by a massive price increase.
Navigating Toll Roads and Unique Driving Culture
When you finally get your car, you will notice that Florida loves toll roads. Cities like Orlando and Miami are surrounded by expressways that require you to pay a fee to use them. If you drive through toll plazas without paying, you will receive expensive penalty bills in the mail.
To make your life easier, you should purchase a SunPass or E-Pass immediately after getting your vehicle. This small electronic transponder sticks to your windshield and pays your tolls at a discounted rate, allowing you to drive right through without stopping.
Finally, you must prepare yourself for Florida’s unique driving culture. Every day, you will share the highway with lost tourists in rental cars, slow-driving elderly seasonal residents (known as snowbirds), and aggressive local commuters.
You must always drive defensively and leave extra space between cars, especially when the summer rainstorms make the roads slippery.
Conclusion
Ultimately, owning a vehicle in Florida is not a luxury; it is a survival tool. The state’s vast layout, intense weather, and limited public transit make driving a daily necessity. If you want to live comfortably when moving to Florida, you need your own set of wheels.
If you are currently planning your big move, make sure you include a car budget in your financial plan from day one!
