Apartments for Rent in Florida

Florida

Florida is almost entirely surrounded by water, being a large peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. As one of the southernmost states, it is largely humid subtropical with some areas – including the Florida Keys that are truly tropical. Florida apartments nearly all have some type air conditioning due to the hot, wet spring and summer weather. The winters tend to be cool and dry but not severe. Some residents go all year without having to use any form of heating in their homes. Florida apartment residents should keep in mind, however, that rolling black-outs sometimes occur when the power grids are over-taxed during extreme temperature peaks.

The economy of Florida hinges primarily on tourism. Major attractions like Disney World, Universal Studios Florida and the Kennedy Space Center are more recent, but the state has always drawn visitors for the outstanding beaches, fishing and amazing variety of animal and bird species. Also essential to the economy is agriculture, with citrus orchards and sugar cane fields spreading across the central portion of the state down to the southern tip. The vast majority of all citrus fruit consumed in the U.S. is from Florida. Aerospace is also a booming industry with the regular space shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.

Outdoor Attractions

The Sunshine State is aptly named for long, sunny days with balmy temperatures; however, in the spring and summer mid-afternoon thundershowers often hit for an hour or so. These are quickly followed by a return to sunny skies. It is the perfect climate for one of the most popular activities in the state – golfing. There are over 1,250 golf courses in Florida, more than any other state. The state also boasts the most PGA events and many apartments in Florida rent on a monthly rather than yearly lease to accommodate seasonal visitors.

Because of the 1,200 miles of sandy beaches, water sports abound, including surfing, wakeboarding and saltwater fishing. Diving and snorkeling are also very popular, with the coast having numerous natural and man-made coral reefs. The Intercoastal Waterway provides amazing boating and fishing opportunities as well. For animal lovers, wildlife is abundant in the mangrove swamps and the Everglades. Bird-watching is especially popular.

Colleges and Universities

The state university system includes eleven universities. Some of these are Florida International, Florida State and the University of Central Florida. There are also twenty-eight community colleges and some private colleges such as the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

Real Estate and Housing

The cost of living in Florida closely matches the average for the country as a whole, although some regions such as Miami tend to be higher. Florida apartments vary widely in cost from around $600 a month to the mid-$1000's, depending on the location and quality.

Apartments in Florida are generally a wise investment since there is a constant demand due to the influx of retirees who prize the climate and range of activities in the state. When considering a Florida apartment, keep in mind that the yearly cost may be more than offset by the fact that this is one of the few states with no state income tax!