8 Surprising Things About Living in Florida

As someone who was born in Florida but didn’t return to the Sunshine State until college, I’m an odd hybrid of a Florida native and transplant. Since I returned 14 years ago, I’ve traveled all over the state — from Key West to Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and more — and gotten acquainted with all the unique aspects of this incredibly diverse state.
Most people think of Florida as all white sand beaches and retirement homes. Trust me: this state is so much more than that. Here are some surprising things about Florida that most people don’t know: