What Not To Do in Florida

If you're getting ready to relocate to Florida, or maybe just planning a visit to the Sunshine State, and you're not familiar with the area and want to make sure that you don't get yourself into a bad or maybe uncomfortable situation. I'm going to give you a list of what not to do in Florida. And, even if you're a recurring visitor, and just need a few reminders, I got you covered as well.

All right, so, what not to do in Florida?

1. PLAN A VACATION

If you are visiting, please don't forget to check the weather forecast before making your way down here. You want to make sure, especially between June 1st and November 30th, and a hurricane season that you don't run into a storm at the same time that you have your trip planned. Just make sure that there's nothing ruin or projected to come to the area that you plan on visiting, or maybe a storm out there brewing in the Atlantic or in the Gulf of Mexico. Probably see some storms that are out there but not projected to head towards Florida and might head up more North or over Easter or even West. But, just make sure that you check that before you plan because I'd hate for your whole trip to be ruined by thunderstorms and rains and strong winds, hurricane baby. There are lots of activities afforded to enjoy indoors, but I'm sure if you are planning a trip down here, you have a lot of outdoor activities planned as well. So, please don't forget to check the weather forecast before you have your family trip down here because we wouldn't want that to be ruined by all the storms that may be projected to head this way.

2. INTERFERE WITH WILDLIFE

Please don't interfere with Wildlife. I know from other areas coming to Florida, that you might see some awesome-looking animals that you may not be used to seeing. But, just make sure especially alligators or snakes, baby cubs, just don't interfere with them. Mind your business just like they're trying to mind their own too. We wouldn't want you or your family to get injured or you just want to interfere with their natural habitat. That's what zoos are for. If you do want to feel that, you know, have animal exhibits where you can feed the animals. But, just make sure if you're out and about and you come across paths with any of the wildlife, just make sure you leave them alone just for your safety and for theirs.

3. SUNSCREEN

Don't forget your sunscreen. I mean, we are the Sunshine State so, Sunshine is out even on rainy days. Sometimes, the sun can be very brutal, the humidity is real too. So, if you sunburn easy or even if you're not sure you're from up north and you're not used to wearing sunscreen, make sure you pack it anyway and lather it up. We wouldn't want you to walk around all burns and crisp and uncomfortable during your stay here. Of course, us locals, some of us can be a little hard-headed too and think that we don't need sunscreen. When in fact we do because the sun is the sun, it's going to do what it does to our skin. So, just make sure you protect yourself and don't forget that sunscreen.

4. TRY TO GET AROUND WITHOUT GPS

Try not to get around without using a GPS. Even as a local resident in Florida, I do rely heavily on my GPS to get around especially when I'm showing properties in areas that I'm not familiar with. I don't know what I'd do without GPS because if I make a wrong turn at least GPS will reroute me and tell me the direction I need to go in order to get right back on track or maybe even an alternate route to get to where I'm going. So, I can only imagine what people that are not from the area can go through when they get lost and have no idea where they're going or not familiar with the back streets. But just make sure, especially with all the extra roads or the bigger cities like Orlando or Miami. Make sure that you do have access to a GPS, or some sort of system that will help you get around. I don't want you to spend most of your day just getting lost and trying to find where you're going when you could be out enjoying some of the fun activities that you had planned.

5. FORGET FLIP FLOPS

Don't forget the flip-flops. Even if you're not used to wearing flip-flops, get used to wearing them in Florida because they're so convenient, and so comfy, especially if you plan on going to the beach. You don't want to walk out on the beach with your sneakers on and just get them filled with sand. Or, of course, with the heat, you don't want your feet to get all smothered in your sneakers and get all funky. But flip-flops is just a big part of life here in Florida, especially for me. I like to wear them until the wintertime to where I really just can't bear the feel of my toes getting done because it did get a little cold. But, we do see a lot of local residents wearing flip-flops even in the wintertime because that's just are in our nature to be comfortable, regardless of the weather. It's just very convenient to wear, especially if you're just going from maybe, from the beach straight to a restaurant. At least you have shoes that you can slip on very quickly. But, even if you don't have flip-flops or able to purchase them where you're from, there are several stores here in Florida. Almost every store, even dollar stores or big retail stores that will be able to sell them to you. So, just make sure that you do have plans to pack or buy some flip-flops.

6. ASSUME ALL BEACHES ARE NUDE BEACHES

Don't assume that all beaches are nude beaches. So, if you do plan on walking around as a free bird, make sure you check into the local area and find a place where that is allowed. You don't want to walk around the beach area and come across a family where they get super offended because they have small children with them. Or, if you are in your birthday suit in a prohibited area, you might end up leaving nothing but a set of handcuffs. So, if you do plan on wearing your birthday suit on the beach, make sure you check into the rules in the area. Make sure that it is allowed so you don't get into any trouble.

7. DRIVE SLOW IN THE LEFT LANE

Do not drive slow in the left lane and that pretty much goes for everywhere, not just in Florida. So, that's just for your safety and everyone else is. Of course, they're not just the tourists in the crowded areas, there are a lot of local residents too just trying to get to where they need to go. Whether it is to work or they're trying to get their kids from school. They don't want to be thrown off by someone that's driving below the speed limit and end up causing a rear-end collision or any of sort of accident. So, if you are not familiar with the area or you just generally like to drive slower than the speed limit, just get over in the right lane. Or, if you need to pull over and you need time to figure out where it is that you're trying to go. But again, for your safety and everyone else's, do not drive slow in the left lane. You also don't want to cause road rage by other people that absolutely cannot stand that.

8. BUY THEME PARK TICKETS FROM A "STREET VENDOR"

Do not buy tickets of any sort from a street vendor. What I mean by that, is that you might plan on going to Disney World or Universal or any other well-known parks in Florida, but they are super expensive for a lot of families. So, if you feel like someone selling them on the street has a great discount that's within your budget, don't assume that they're legit tickets. So, we wouldn't want you to buy those tickets at a discount and then end up getting to the theme park realizing that you can't even get in because they are not legit tickets. So, just make sure that you don't purchase any of your fun tickets from a street vendor.

9. ASSUME AN ESTABLISHMENT IS FILTHY

Don't assume that an establishment is filthy because you saw one palmetto bug. I've seen a lot of reviews for restaurants or hotel rooms where someone said the place was just completely gross because they saw the one palmetto bug. It's very common because, I mean, it's Florida, in this area you're going to see them whether a place is spotless or maybe needs a little cleaning doesn't matter. You don't want to just put down an establishment because of that. It's very natural to see palmetto bugs. A lot of people just will call them roaches. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that the place is just filthy. So, I'd hate for a lot of our awesome business to get put down because of the one palmetto bug when it's very natural, a sight to see them in our area. So, just don't assume that an establishment is completely gross because you see a palmetto bug.

10. IGNORE BEACH FLAG WARNINGS

Very important. Do not ignore the beach flag warnings when you go to the beach. Make sure that you understand what each flag means. So, if you do see a green flag out, that means there's a low hazard. So, there are calm conditions out in the water but you still need to make sure you exercise caution. You see a yellow flag, there's medium hazards. So, there's moderate surf or moderate current. So, it's still safe for you to be out there and enjoy your time in the water. Now, if you see red flags, there's high hazards. It's high surf and or strong currents, so you could probably better for you to stay out of the water. But if not, just make sure you use extreme caution while you're out there. Now, if you see double red flags, the water is closed to the public. Meaning, it is not safe to be in there. So, make sure if you do see the double red flags, you can still stay on the beach, stay on the sand but do not go in the water. And, if you see a purple flag out, that just means that there are marine pest presents. So, you may come across jellyfish or stingrays, or other dangerous fish. You don't want to get stung, just stay outside of the water while you see the purple flags out.

Well, that's all I have for you today on what not to do in Florida. If you have any questions or want to show your thoughts, please feel free to call/text us at 850.320.7757 or email us at Admin@WhittemoreGroupRE.com