Common Misconceptions About Living In Florida
Alligators, Thunderstorms, and “Florida Man,” Oh My!
When you’ve lived and worked in Florida for as long as I have, it’s easy to forget that when I first moved here, I had absolutely no idea what living in Florida was like. Now, I know my area like the back of my hand, but it was certainly not always that way.
When I have clients moving in from out of town, even across the globe, their questions and (sometimes) misconceptions about living in the Sunshine State remind me of what that transitionary period was like, armed only with experiences from Disney trips and “Florida Man” articles. Having spoken to so many newcomers to Florida at this point, I’ve found some very common misconceptions seem to come up more often than others.
So, what is it like living in Florida? Is every day filled with alligators, thunderstorms, and the latest baffling “Florida Man” article? The answer might surprise you.
Are Alligators Everywhere In Florida?
I know you might be hoping this one is a misconception (I sure was before moving here), but this one is true…well, partly true.
Alligators are all around you in Florida, hanging out in the still pond waters and occasionally taking a stroll where they probably shouldn’t be, like golf courses or local pools. In fact, my family and I constantly drive by little pockets of pond or lake water, shake our heads, and in a perfect impression of my dad’s voice, say, “that’s some gatah watah.” A good tip to follow is that if it looks like an alligator could live in it…chances are a gator lives in it.
Truth is, alligators are wildlife, just like deer back where I grew up in Virginia. When my two oldest were going to college in the Virginia mountains, I would get nervous when they drove anywhere, knowing a deer could jump in the road at any moment and cause an accident. Now, with my youngest son approaching that same age, I instead get nervous when he and his friends take a boat out onto a lake.
Despite my worries (parenthood, am I right?), I didn’t hate the deer for living in the forests and mountains where my children drove–those woods were their home, too. Alligators are no different. It's important to respect alligators as a beautiful but potentially dangerous part of nature, but they needn’t be feared to the extent that many out-of-towners often approach them with. Just remember never to feed them, like any other wild creature, and do your best to avoid “gatah watah” so you’re never encroaching on their space. This is their home just as much as it’s ours!
Oh, and if you’re a fan of Miami Vice like our good friend Brian, let’s also get this misconception he shared with us out of the way…no, Florida is not “all cocaine and alligators.”
Does It Rain Every Day At 3PM In Florida?
This one is most definitely a thing, but reports of it being a year-round staple of Florida living are vastly exaggerated. In the hot summer months, Florida storms are a fact of life, but in the cooler months (yes, we do have cooler months) we can go days without so much as a drizzle just like anywhere else.
If you’re like me, and the idea of regular thunderstorms is not exactly a highlight for you, trust me on this: after living in Florida for a while, you come to appreciate those summer afternoon storms. They’re usually here and gone in less than half an hour, and they provide a much-needed reprieve from the hot, dense air.
Is All That “Florida Man” Stuff True?
We’ve all seen the pages and pages of google results that come up when you search “Florida Man,” often telling some outrageous story about what some Floridian man did that boggles the brain. “Florida Man Tosses Alligator Through Drive-Thru Window” comes to mind as a very Floridian example.
Well, yes, these news reports are often true, when coming from a reputable news source, but when people ask me if “Florida Man” is a common truth of Florida life, the answer is…well, no, not really. In fact, as funny as those memes are, “Florida Man” is actually the result of a 1991 law intended to help the public have more access to government documents and legal proceedings.
The Sunshine Law makes many reports and articles accessible that other states do not release to the public. There are exceptions, of course, but the truth is that wilder things have happened elsewhere in the country than “Florida Man” taking his latest nude trip to the basketball court–it’s just not public knowledge the way it is here.
Combine this law with the fact that Florida is a large state with a diverse style of living, and it’s no wonder “Florida Man” became such a meme. But now, we get funny articles to read AND a law made to promote ethical standards, prevent corruption, and develop public trust. I’m all for that!
These are far from all the misconceptions people have about living in Florida, but they are some of the more frequent (and occasionally hilarious) ones I hear in my work as a Realtor. If there are any other misconceptions you have or have heard from others, I’m happy to be your friendly neighborhood compass for what’s fact and what’s fiction.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to know about living in Florida is this: they don’t call it The Sunshine State for nothing. Florida, with all its quirks, is truly a paradise. Especially in my area of expertise of Horizon West, Florida,, tucked snuggly beside Disney and Universal, there is just no better place to relax by the pool or take a short drive to grab a Mickey ice cream at the parks.
If you’re looking to start a new adventure in Florida, shoot me a text to my cell at 407-848-8042 or fill out a wish list here on my website. There’s no better way to combat Florida misconceptions than to come see it for yourself!