Beaches and Beyond: 10 Reasons Floridians are Thankful

While 2025 has had its share of challenges, living in Florida still has its perks. As we gather around the Thanksgiving table and list our blessings, let's raise a glass and make a toast to life in The Sunshine State.

1. There’s no state income tax, so your paycheck actually feels like yours.

   
   

2. The weather is warm and sunny almost all year, with more than 230 days of sunshine. If you hate shoveling snow, you’re in the right spot. Sure, hurricanes, tornadoes and lightening are the price we pay for living in paradise. We will add this to our list of Festivus grievances, which Florida Experience will share in December.

   
   

3. The beaches are seriously next-level. Where else will you find 825 miles of accessible beaches, along with 1,350 miles of coastline? Think Siesta Key or Clearwater, with white sand and clear water—perfect for chilling out or diving into water sports.

   
   

4. Celebrities. You never know who you’ll bump into; celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, Celine Dion, Tiger Woods and Carrot Top hang out here. Wild, right? They could live anywhere, but they picked Florida.

   
   

5. Life here just feels outdoorsy. Boating, fishing, kayaking, hunting down natural springs—people stay active because the weather lets them.

   
   

6. And the food scene? It’s a dream. Authentic Cuban sandwiches, real-deal key lime pie, fresh seafood caught that morning, and restaurants that actually win awards. You can go fancy or grab smoked fish at Ted Peters Famous Smoke Fish in St. Pete.

   
   

7. Culture Florida’s got a cultural mix you don’t see everywhere. Every city brings something different—festivals, food trucks, traditions from all over. Not to mention each town, large or small, has a vibrant arts scene. From New Smyrna Beach to Miami and Sarasota, the arts are alive in Florida.

   
   

8. Theme Parks If you’ve got kids (or you’re a kid at heart), you have Disney World, Universal, and a ton of golf courses in your backyard. Yes, theme parks have their downside, but for today, we are grateful.

   
   

9. Nature’s wild here too. Manatees, dolphins, birds you’ve probably never seen before—they’re all part of the scenery.

   
   

10. Economy Sure, things are getting more expensive, and some places aren’t as cheap as they used to be, but compared to a lot of other states, you can still have a great life without breaking the bank. That’s why Florida keeps landing on those “best places to retire” lists.