7 LIES ABOUT FLORIDA YOU NEED TO KNOW IN 2025!!!

Ah, Florida—the land of endless sunshine, beachfront bliss, and worry-free living... or is it?

If you’ve been eyeing a move to the Sunshine State or just curious about what it’s really like to live here, there’s a good chance you’ve heard a few too-good-to-be-true stories. I’m here to clear the air and debunk seven of the most common lies about Florida that continue to spread in 2025.

Lie #1: You Can’t Get Insurance in Florida Anymore

Let’s start with the big one. Many people are saying it’s impossible to get homeowners insurance in Florida. That’s simply not true.

Yes, insurance has its challenges here—but none of my clients have had issues securing homeowners insurance this year. The key is understanding what insurers are looking for:

• Roof age: Insurance companies prefer roofs with at least five years of life left. Composition shingles last about 15–19 years, while tile roofs have a lifespan of 25–30 years.

• Water heater: If it’s over 10 years old, expect scrutiny. Leaky heaters mean water damage risk.

• Doors & windows: Especially in hurricane-prone areas, strong and storm-rated materials matter.

• Electrical panel: Older than 40 years? It may need updating for safety reasons.

And yes—there are ways to lower your premium. I recently sold a home with a brand-new roof, and the buyer’s insurance rate dropped by 50%.

What about flood insurance? If you’re not in Flood Zone X and you have a mortgage, it’s required. The rate depends on your location, elevation, and condition of your home—but again, it’s available and manageable.

Lie #2: You’ll Save a Fortune Because Florida Has No State Income Tax

Technically, this one is partly true—we don’t have a state income tax. But before you go planning how you’ll spend all that saved cash, consider this:

• Florida has one of the highest gas taxes at 38–39 cents per gallon

• Sales tax averages around 7%

• Insurance premium tax and utility tax (2.5%) are quietly baked into your bills

• Doc stamps and intangible taxes apply to financial transactions like deeds and mortgages

There’s even talk of eliminating property taxes—but realistically, that would create a $50 billion shortfall. Any offset (like a 10–12% sales tax) would cost residents more, not less. So yes, we skip income tax—but we make up for it in other ways.

Lie #3: Florida Is Just for Retirees

Yes, we do have a large retiree population—21% of Floridians are over 65—but that means 79% are under 65. Our communities are diverse, and Florida is full of:

• Young professionals

• Growing families

• College students

• Singles of all ages

While places like The Villages, Venice, and Boca Raton cater more to seniors, cities like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa are vibrant with youth and energy. Florida is for everyone, not just snowbirds.

Lie #4: Florida Gets Hit by Hurricanes Every Year

Let’s set the record straight: No, we’re not slammed by hurricanes annually.

Statistically, Florida has about a 45% chance of a hurricane making landfall each year. But with 8,400+ miles of shoreline, the where and when vary greatly. In fact, much of the Atlantic Coast hasn’t seen a direct hit in years. The Gulf has seen more activity recently, but hurricanes are unpredictable and don’t just target Florida.

So no, you won’t need to brace for impact every single year.

Lie #5: Florida Homes All Look the Same

Think everything in Florida is a concrete jungle of cookie-cutter homes? Think again.

Sure, we have lots of new construction and production builders, but Florida also boasts decades-old neighborhoods with stunning:

• Craftsman bungalows

• Tudor-style homes

• Spanish cottages

• Towering oak trees and charm-filled streets

From Sarasota to Gainesville, our communities are rich with variety and personality.

Lie #6: The Weather Is Always Perfect

Florida is known for sunshine, but let’s talk real weather.

• Winter: In the Panhandle, it can dip to 40°F. Head to Miami or Naples, and it’s a pleasant 70–85°F.

• Summer: Yes, it’s hot. But so is most of the U.S. in summer. What makes Florida different is the duration—heat starts in May and sticks around until October.

Personally, I think September is the toughest month—it's still hot, hurricane risk is higher, and everyone else is enjoying fall.

Want milder weather? Consider northern cities like Jacksonville or Gainesville for cooler temps.

Lie #7: Everyone’s Leaving Florida

The biggest lie of them all? That Florida is being abandoned.

Not even close. While growth slowed from 2021 to 2023, we saw a net increase of 475,000 residents in 2024 alone. That’s not a ghost town—that’s a boom.

Rumors about abandoned neighborhoods and failing builders? Also false. Videos showing “empty” communities were filmed on Sunday mornings when crews are off. Drive through any other day and you'll see:

• Active construction

• Busy contractors

• People living and thriving in new homes

Yes, some people leave Florida—just like they do everywhere. But millions are choosing to stay and call it home.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—seven lies about Florida that you can stop believing in 2025.

✅ You can get insurance
✅ Our taxes aren’t all sunshine and savings
✅ We’re not all retirees
✅ Hurricanes don’t hit every year
✅ Homes aren’t all the same
✅ Weather is diverse, not perfect
✅ And yes, people still love Florida

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing here, I’d love to help. I’m Lisa McBride with Sarasota Neighborhood Experts, and my team is always ready to guide you through Florida real estate with honesty and experience.