The Ultimate Moving to Florida Checklist

Planning a move to Florida? 🌴

From choosing where to live and preparing for your home search to organizing the logistics of an out-of-state move, there’s a lot to think about before moving to the Sunshine State.

Use this Florida relocation checklist as a starting point for planning your move—whether you’re considering Vero Beach, the Treasure Coast, or another Florida community.

Moving to Florida sounds simple enough...

Pick a sunny place. Find a house. Pack some boxes. Head south.

And then approximately 47 other things appear on your to-do list.

An out-of-state move has a lot of moving parts, especially when you're trying to figure out a new area, buy or rent a home, coordinate dates, transfer everything you own, and somehow remember which company currently provides your internet.

So, let's make this easier.

This checklist walks you through the move from the early planning stages all the way through getting settled in Florida.

☀️ PHASE 1: BEFORE YOU DECIDE WHERE TO LIVE

Florida is a big state—and different parts of it can feel very different.

Before you start scrolling through houses, spend some time figuring out what you actually want your day-to-day life to look like.

Choose Your Florida Location

☐ Decide whether you want to be near the coast, inland, or somewhere in between

☐ Consider how close you want to be to a major airport

☐ Research commute times and typical traffic patterns

☐ Compare proximity to beaches, shopping, restaurants, healthcare, and entertainment

☐ Research school districts if schools are important to your move

☐ Consider whether you prefer a larger city, suburb, small town, or quieter coastal community

☐ Research nearby communities—not just the city names you already recognize

☐ Compare housing prices between the areas you're considering

☐ Look at property tax differences by county

☐ Research homeowners insurance considerations in each area

☐ Check whether flood zones are common in the neighborhoods you're considering

☐ Research HOA and non-HOA communities

☐ Consider access to hobbies and activities that matter to you—boating, golf, beaches, parks, nightlife, etc.

☐ If possible, visit your top areas before making a final decision

Florida tip: Don't choose your location based entirely on where you vacationed once. Loving somewhere for five days and loving your everyday life there are two very different things. I personally recommend the Treasure Coast... but I'm biased 😉

🏡 PHASE 2: PREPARE FOR YOUR FLORIDA HOME SEARCH

Once you've narrowed down where you want to live, it's time to figure out what buying there will realistically look like.

Get Financially Prepared

☐ Determine your comfortable monthly housing budget

☐ Speak with a lender before seriously shopping for homes

☐ Get pre-approved if you'll be financing your purchase

☐ Ask your lender about Florida-specific loan considerations, if applicable

☐ Estimate your expected cash needed for closing

☐ Budget separately for moving expenses

☐ Leave room in your budget for immediate repairs, furnishings, or improvements

☐ Consider potential HOA or condo association fees

☐ Factor homeowners insurance into your estimated monthly costs

☐ Ask about flood insurance when applicable

☐ If you're selling another home first, determine how that sale affects your Florida purchase timeline

Define What You're Looking For

☐ Make a list of your true must-haves

☐ Make a separate list of nice-to-haves

☐ Decide whether you're open to new construction

☐ Decide whether you're comfortable with an HOA

☐ Consider whether you want a pool—and the maintenance that comes with it

☐ Think about garage and storage needs

☐ Consider hurricane protection such as impact windows, shutters, or other systems

☐ Think about how much yard maintenance you're willing to do year-round

☐ Consider whether you'll need space for visiting family and friends

☐ Decide how close you want to be to the beach versus how much you're willing to pay for that proximity

🔎 PHASE 3: START YOUR HOME SEARCH

This is where the fun part finally starts.

Mostly.

There will also be insurance quotes and inspection reports, because apparently we can't have everything.

Before Touring Homes

☐ Connect with a Florida real estate agent who understands relocation

☐ Share your timeline, budget, preferred areas, and priorities

☐ Set up a home search for properties that match your criteria

☐ Learn what your budget buys in each community you're considering

☐ Compare recent sales—not just current listing prices

☐ Research neighborhoods as carefully as individual houses

☐ If you're searching remotely, discuss virtual showings and video tours

☐ Keep notes on homes and neighborhoods so they don't all start blending together

When You Find “The One”

☐ Review comparable sales with your agent

☐ Discuss an appropriate offer strategy

☐ Understand the contingencies included in your offer

☐ Review expected deposit requirements and deadlines

☐ Know your inspection period

☐ Confirm your financing timeline

☐ Understand the estimated closing timeline

☐ Make sure the closing date works with your move from your current state

🔍 PHASE 4: UNDER CONTRACT IN FLORIDA

Congratulations—you found a house.

Now begins the glamorous part of homeownership where you suddenly become extremely interested in roofs, electrical panels, water heaters, and insurance deductibles.

Inspections & Due Diligence

☐ Schedule your general home inspection

☐ Review the inspection report carefully

☐ Schedule any additional inspections recommended for the property

☐ Ask about the age and condition of the roof

☐ Check the age and condition of the HVAC system

☐ Check the age of the water heater

☐ Review electrical and plumbing information

☐ Confirm whether hurricane shutters or impact-rated windows are present

☐ Determine whether the property is located in a flood zone

☐ Obtain homeowners insurance quotes early

☐ Obtain a flood insurance quote if applicable

☐ Review HOA or condo documents when applicable

☐ Review community restrictions that could affect you, your pets, vehicles, rentals, renovations, or other plans

☐ Confirm any permit or property information that requires additional research

Financing & Closing

☐ Submit requested documents to your lender promptly

☐ Complete your appraisal if required

☐ Avoid opening new credit accounts before closing

☐ Avoid financing major purchases before closing

☐ Keep your lender informed of any major financial changes

☐ Review your closing disclosure when received

☐ Confirm the amount and approved method for bringing funds to closing

☐ Verify wiring instructions independently before sending money

☐ Arrange your final walkthrough

☐ Confirm how and when you'll receive your keys

📦 PHASE 5: PLAN THE ACTUAL MOVE TO FLORIDA

Remember when this was just about buying a house?

Now we have to move everything you own.

6–8 Weeks Before Moving

☐ Decide whether you'll hire movers, rent a truck, use moving containers, or DIY the move

☐ Get multiple moving quotes

☐ Verify the mover's credentials and insurance

☐ Confirm your moving date

☐ Create a moving budget

☐ Start decluttering before packing

☐ Sell, donate, or dispose of items you don't want to move

☐ Begin using up frozen and pantry food

☐ Order moving supplies

☐ Start packing items you rarely use

☐ Create an inventory of valuable belongings

☐ Photograph valuable items before they're packed

☐ Gather important documents into one secure place

☐ Make arrangements for transporting vehicles if necessary

☐ Plan how pets will travel

☐ Plan overnight stops if you're driving a long distance

☐ Book hotels that allow pets if needed

🗓️ PHASE 6: 2–4 WEEKS BEFORE MOVING

Things are getting real now.

Update Your Address & Accounts

☐ Submit your change of address with USPS

☐ Update your address with banks and credit cards

☐ Update insurance policies

☐ Update investment and retirement accounts

☐ Update employer/payroll information

☐ Update subscriptions and recurring deliveries

☐ Update online shopping accounts

☐ Notify important healthcare providers

☐ Transfer prescriptions to a Florida pharmacy if needed

☐ Update your address with friends and family who still mail things like it's 1997

Set Up Your Florida Home

☐ Schedule electricity activation

☐ Arrange water/sewer service if required

☐ Set up internet service

☐ Arrange trash and recycling service if necessary

☐ Arrange gas service if the property uses it

☐ Schedule any immediate repairs or services

☐ Arrange lawn or pool service if needed

☐ Confirm HOA move-in procedures if applicable

☐ Determine whether your community has rules for moving trucks, pods, or delivery vehicles

☐ Schedule locksmith service or plan to change/rekey locks after closing

📦 PHASE 7: THE FINAL WEEK

At this point, your house will probably be 80% cardboard.

You're almost there.

☐ Confirm your movers and arrival window

☐ Confirm utility activation dates

☐ Finish packing

☐ Label boxes by room

☐ Clearly label boxes you'll need immediately

☐ Pack a separate first-night bag

☐ Keep medications with you—not on the moving truck

☐ Keep IDs and important documents with you

☐ Keep closing documents easily accessible

☐ Keep chargers and essential electronics with you

☐ Pack basic toiletries separately

☐ Pack pet food, bowls, medications, leashes, and supplies separately

☐ Set aside cleaning supplies

☐ Photograph electronics before disconnecting them if you'll need help remembering where everything plugs back in

☐ Empty and clean your refrigerator if it's moving with you

☐ Take photos of your previous home after it's emptied

☐ Confirm keys, garage remotes, and other items are left where required

🚗 PHASE 8: MOVING DAY

Today's the day.

Florida awaits.

☐ Do one final walkthrough of your old home

☐ Check closets, cabinets, attic spaces, garage, and outdoor storage

☐ Confirm movers have the correct Florida address

☐ Keep valuables and important documents with you

☐ Keep your phone charger accessible

☐ Keep water and snacks handy

☐ Make sure pets are safely secured during loading

☐ Take final meter readings if necessary

☐ Lock windows and doors before leaving

☐ Take a photo of the moving truck and identifying information

☐ Confirm expected delivery timing at your Florida home

And then...

☐ Head to Florida 🌴

🔑 PHASE 9: YOUR FIRST DAYS IN YOUR FLORIDA HOME

You made it.

Before you immediately buy twelve palm-tree decorations because you're a Floridian now, handle a few practical things first.

☐ Change or rekey exterior locks

☐ Test smoke detectors

☐ Test carbon monoxide detectors where applicable

☐ Locate the main water shutoff

☐ Locate the electrical panel

☐ Locate your hurricane shutters and/or learn how your hurricane protection works

☐ Confirm your homeowners insurance policy is active

☐ Confirm flood insurance coverage if applicable

☐ Save important home-service contacts

☐ Update your emergency contact information

☐ Meet your neighbors

☐ Learn your trash and recycling schedule

☐ Locate your nearest grocery store, pharmacy, urgent care, hospital, and—obviously—coffee shop

☐ Save HOA or community contact information if applicable

☐ Start unpacking the rooms you use most

☐ Take your time with furniture and decorating—you don't have to finish the entire house in three days

🌴 PHASE 10: BECOME AN OFFICIAL FLORIDA RESIDENT

Moving into the house doesn't quite finish the administrative side of relocating.

Florida Residency To-Dos

☐ Review Florida requirements for obtaining a driver's license

☐ Transfer your driver's license within the required timeframe

☐ Update your vehicle registration and title as required

☐ Update your auto insurance for your Florida residence

☐ Update your voter registration if applicable

☐ Update your address on important legal and financial documents

☐ Review whether your estate-planning documents should be updated after changing states

☐ Update pet registration or licensing if required locally

☐ Find new doctors, dentists, veterinarians, and other providers

☐ Transfer medical and veterinary records when needed

If You Bought a Primary Residence

☐ Learn about Florida's Homestead Exemption

☐ Determine whether you're eligible

☐ Confirm the filing deadline for your county

☐ Gather the documents needed to apply

☐ File with the appropriate county property appraiser

☐ Keep confirmation of your application for your records

🌀 PHASE 11: PREPARE FOR FLORIDA LIFE

This is the part of a Florida moving checklist that's easy to forget until hurricane season arrives.

Hurricane & Storm Prep

☐ Learn your hurricane evacuation zone

☐ Know whether your home is located in a flood zone

☐ Learn your county's emergency notification system

☐ Identify your nearest evacuation routes

☐ Create a household hurricane plan

☐ Create a plan for your pets

☐ Build a basic hurricane supply kit

☐ Keep flashlights and batteries available

☐ Have portable chargers or backup power options

☐ Keep important documents protected and accessible

☐ Learn how to install or operate your home's hurricane protection

☐ Know where your water shutoff is

☐ Review your insurance deductibles and storm coverage before you actually need them

☐ Keep an inventory or photos of valuable belongings

🌺 PHASE 12: ACTUALLY ENJOY LIVING HERE

You've researched. You've packed. You've moved. You've changed approximately 400 addresses.

Now go enjoy Florida.

☐ Explore your new neighborhood

☐ Find your favorite local restaurants

☐ Find your go-to coffee shop

☐ Visit your nearest beach

☐ Explore local parks and outdoor spaces

☐ Check out farmers markets and community events

☐ Find local Facebook or community groups

☐ Meet people—even though making friends as an adult is weird

☐ Explore nearby towns instead of staying within your immediate neighborhood

☐ Give yourself time to adjust

☐ Remember that you don't have to figure out your entire new life immediately

☐ Buy sunscreen. Seriously.

Thinking About Making the Move?

I help buyers and relocating clients plan their move to Florida's east coast—from narrowing down communities and understanding the local market to finding the right home and coordinating the details that come with an out-of-state move.

Whether you're considering Vero Beach, the Treasure Coast, or somewhere else in Florida, we can start with where you are now and figure out what comes next.

Thinking about moving to Florida?

ASHLEY CANNARD, REALTOR® | REAL BROKER, LLC | VERO BEACH, FLORIDA | ASHLEYCANNARD.COM