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Moving to Central Florida from South Florida: A Step-by-Step Relocation Checklist
Thinking about trading Miami or Boca Raton for Orlando, Kissimmee or Lake Nona? This checklist walks you from choosing an area to your first week in the new home.
By Lorena Moscoso, Realtor®
Every year, South Florida residents look north to Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Davenport and Lake Nona for more space, newer homes and a different pace. Moving within the same state still involves a lot of moving parts. Use this checklist to keep them in order.
Step 1: Decide what you want from the move
Write down your priorities before you look at a single home: the size and style of home, your monthly budget, your commute, and whether you want a community with amenities and an HOA or more freedom with fewer rules. Ranking these makes every later decision easier.
Step 2: Compare the areas
Central Florida's communities feel quite different from each other. Look at drive times to work and airports, nearby shopping and parks, new construction versus established neighborhoods, and the fees that come with each community. Our neighborhood pages are a good starting point, and visiting on a weekend and a weekday tells you more than any listing.
Step 3: Build the full budget
The price of the home is only part of the picture. Plan for:
- Down payment and closing costs
- Homeowners and, where needed, flood and wind insurance, which you should quote before making an offer
- HOA and CDD fees, and property taxes (see our guide to HOA and CDD fees)
- Moving costs and the overlap between your old and new housing payments
Step 4: Decide what to do with your current home
You can sell first, buy first, or keep the home as a rental. Each choice affects your financing and timeline. A realistic estimate of what your current home is worth is the right first step, and you can request one at our home valuation page.
Step 5: Shop from a distance if you need to
If you cannot visit often, live video tours can narrow the list. Ask the agent to show the street, the neighbors' homes, the roof and the water heater, and to point out what a camera may not show, such as noise and traffic. Plan one in-person trip to see your top two or three homes before you offer.
Step 6: Handle the paperwork early
Get pre-approved with a lender before you tour. Start gathering your documents, and ask your lender and an insurance agent about timing. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so insurance availability and underwriting can take longer during those months.
Step 7: Plan your first weeks
- Set up utilities, internet and trash service before you arrive
- Update your address with the post office, banks, employer and subscriptions
- Check the Florida rules and deadlines for your driver license and vehicle registration on the official state website
- If this will be your primary residence, ask the county property appraiser about the homestead exemption and its filing deadline
- Locate the nearest pharmacy, urgent care, grocery store and your new doctors
Need a hand coordinating all of this?
Lorena works with buyers and renters relocating from South Florida and from abroad, and can coordinate tours, services and timing in English or Spanish. See the relocation page or browse current homes.
This guide was written with AI assistance for general information. It is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice; rules and costs change, so confirm the details for your own situation with the relevant professional or official source.