UK Residents Who Have Moved To Florida

[mariechez]

My son is moving to Florida in January for 4 years with the military and I have lots of questions.

He will need a phone contract but doesn't know where to start, any advice from people who have moved out there?

He needs to by a new/nearly new car so any tips. He is young and inexperienced so I don't want him getting ripped off (he was told to go out of state as it would be cheaper).

Is he classed as an actual resident (for purposes of buying park AP for instance ).

He will be getting a bank account but I don't if he will be able to get credit for a car so will most likely pay outright.

Is he better of leaving his money in the bank over here (savings etc) or moving them with him?

TIA

Any other tips

[N52939]

Will try and help.

1. A few options on the phones, but first thing is to find out where he will be staying to get the best option for coverage. Monthly costs are higher than UK with even the base plans around $30 per month. The major companies are Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint (although Sprint are close to are being bought by T-Mobile).

2. Car buying is an experience in the US. Not sure about buying out of state as that would require registering the car in that state and then having to register again in Florida ($$). Maybe take a look at Carmax.com or offleaseonly.com for nearly new cars with less haggling. I would strongly suggest he gets a Florida drivers license as that will help a lot, but also be prepared for a shock on car insurance rates, especially if he is under 21.

3. If you have proof of Florida residency (e.g., Florida drivers license works great) then he would be eligible for resident discounts.

4. As well as banks, he should look at Credit Unions for an account that maybe doesn't have monthly fees if he doesn't have a salary being paid in. Fairwinds are pretty big in the Orlando area.

[ClaireNJ]

No advice, but what a great experience for your sonhope he has a Fab Four years & how nice that you can visit too 🇺🇸

[zoe3003]

If he is going as part of the UK military there will be loads of help and advise he can get from his Unit or other Brits who are there already.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Slightly different scenario but there is a Lady Dibber on here from the UK but she married a US Serviceman and lives in the Panhandle if my memory serve me right.

It may be worth looking for her on this site and contacting her.

Also there are quite a few ex pats in Florida that I know of on here. Plus another one in Texas.

[Orlando 2004]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Slightly different scenario but there is a Lady Dibber on here from the UK but she married a US Serviceman and lives in the Panhandle if my memory serve she me right.

It may be worth looking for her on this site and contacting her.

Also there are quite a few ex pats in Florida that I know of on here. Plus another one in Texas.

See more...

MmmBlondie is the Dibber.

[mariechez]

Thank you all. He is being stationed on an American Airbase so not many UK guys there that he is aware off. He was away on deployment when he was offered the posting and has been back a few weeks and we are planning for his wedding next month so it’s all hands on deck.They are trying to get their heads around everything.

It’s an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to see them settled.

We are going out in Feb to do a split stay. 😉

[N52939]

Does he know which airbase he will be stationed? The larger ones in Central Florida are Patrick AFB near Cocoa Beach and McDill AFB in Tampa.

[mariechez]

Originally Posted by N52939

Does he know which airbase he will be stationed? The larger ones in Central Florida are Patrick AFB near Cocoa Beach and McDill AFB in Tampa.

See more...

Yeah he is going to Eglin up north.

[cornishfrogboy]

Eglin is a nice area, just behind Destin, which has Beautiful beaches!