If there is one thing that you will experience when living in Florida, it is what seems like eternal summer with its semi-tropical climate.
Florida has the warmest climate in the United States and experiences an average temperature of 82.4°F.
The summers are extremely hot and humid, while the winters are somewhat cool.
You may experience an odd cold spell during winter.
The best aspect about living in Florida is that you always feel like you are on vacation.
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Pros of Living in Vero Beach
Situated along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Vero Beach, also known as the Treasure Coast, is a small city in Florida, with its beaches facing the Atlantic coast.
The city is located across from the Indian River Lagoon on a barrier island.
The city is known for being a golf, fishing, and water sports destination.
1. Access to World Renowned Beaches
Florida is a top vacation destination for those living in the North of the United States wanting to escape the cold winter.
Many Florida cities are well known for having some of the best beaches in the country, and Vero Beach is no exception.
Vero Beach has 26 miles of public beaches that visitors and residents can access.
For example, Tracking Station Beach is widely known for having some of the best surfing spots in all of Florida.
Round Island Park is known for having some of the best manatee viewing spots in this area.
There is so much more to do here than just relaxing on the beach or eating at a restaurant with a view of the beach.
You could go kayaking for the day, surfing, having a picnic, and so much more.
If you are looking for a family-friendly beach, then Jaycee Beach is the spot for you.
Ambersand Beach is known as a loggerhead sea turtle nesting area and is considered to be protected.
Wabasso Beach is a local surfing and treasure hunting hotspot.
Some well-known beaches include:
- Sebastian Inlet State Park
- Turtle Trail Beach
- Treasure Shores
- South Beach
- Sexton Plaza Beach
- Seagrape Trail Beach
- Golden Sands
- Humiston Park
- Jaycee Beach
Many of the beaches offer facilities such as restrooms, pavilions, and lifeguards.
2. Excellent Gold Courses
For those that love golf and enjoy the view of pristinely maintained greenways, Vero Beach offers 23 golf courses that are spread out across the city.
These golf courses consist of private, public, and municipal golf courses.
Many of these well-maintained golf facilities feature pro shops where you can purchase golfing gear, get lessons from pro golfers, or simply pick up a tip or two to improve your golfing game.
There are a plethora of private country clubs in and around the city that feature some of the best golf courses in the world.
And the main sport played here is golf.
3. Improved Mental Health
Several studies have been conducted on the benefits of living near the beach. In fact, you don’t really need to reference a study to know that living near the ocean is really good for your mental health.
It greatly reduces stress and anxiety due to the fact that you experience higher levels of relaxation and calmness.
Simply sitting on the beach and inhaling the fresh ocean air has a very calming effect on people.
That is why so many people flock to this city in search of refuge from the stress and anxiety produced by working a very demanding job.
In addition, living near the beach promotes physical activity.
You could go walking on the beach, take some surfing lessons, kayaking in a lagoon near the beach, or even take a bike ride along the beach.
In general, living near the beach not only promotes an overall sense of well-being but also promotes better sleep due to a likelihood of increased activity and increased levels of calmness.
It’s a win-win situation and makes it easy to understand why people want to live near the beach.
4. Many Restaurants
Vero Beach has a plethora of restaurants featuring some of the best cuisines from all over the world.
If you are a foodie, then this is the place to be.
One of the best features of these restaurants is that there is something for every budget.
If you simply want to grab a quick breakfast on the weekend, there are several chain restaurants that offer great American-style breakfasts.
Or, maybe you want to relax somewhere close to the beach.
Hit up one of the tiki bars and enjoy a fresh cocktail with casual-style food.
Or, maybe you are a serious foodie that really enjoys high-end fine dining.
Perhaps some French or Italian cuisine is up your alley.
Maybe you would like to sample some Brazilian food. It’s all here in Vero Beach.
One of the things this area is most known for, though, is the exceptionally fresh seafood.
And, one of the most popular seafood dishes, apart from Mahi-Mahi, Cod, or Striped Bass, is the Lobster Roll.
Whatever fancies your taste buds, you are most likely going to find it in Vero Beach.
5. Great Shopping Malls
Maybe you are more of a shopaholic.
No problem. Vero beach is home to some excellent malls.
Take Indian River Mall, for example.
This massive mall hosts upward of 70 different stores.
You will find your favorites like Macy’s, Victoria‘s Secret, Aéropostale, and American Eagle.
But you will also find smaller, less-known stores with a lot of treasures to find.
Vero Beach is also home to an outlet mall where you can find many discount deals on designer brands.
Apart from your standard malls, there are also other types of markets where you can find great deals.
There are several farmer’s markets, such as Farmer’s Market Oceanside, and other flea markets, such as B&A Flea Market, located in the nearby town of Stuart.
6. Higher Property Value
It’s no secret that properties located closest to the coast have a higher value.
And, due to the standard of living in Vero Beach, the properties continuously see an increase in value, year-on-year.
The downside of this is that you are also going to have to reach deep into your pockets when purchasing a property in Vero Beach, as these properties do not come cheap.
Vero Beach is considered a good property investment due to several factors, such as good weather, low property taxes, a lower cost of living compared to nearby cities and towns, and an overall higher standard of living.
In addition, the city has some great amenities that help to push property prices up each year.
Cons of Living in Vero Beach
Keep in mind that there are a few downsides to moving to this coastal city.
1. Summer is Brutal
While the weather was listed as a pro, the summers can be listed as a con.
These summers are brutal, to say the least.
If you are someone that struggles to get used to high heat and high humidity, you may find it somewhat difficult to adapt to these summers.
During the height of summer, it is not uncommon to see temperatures soar well into the 100°F mark.
Most facilities such as malls and restaurants have air conditioning but this does very little to help fight off the heat as you move between your vehicle and the facility you are entering.
Some find these temperatures unbearable.
That is why many of the retirees in Florida travel north during the summer.
Not only is the high heat a problem, but so is the humidity, which can climb to 60% or even higher.
High levels of humidity can worsen asthma, it can cause bacteria to grow, and dramatically make allergens worse.
2. Extreme Weather
Apart from scorching summers, Florida is known for extreme weather such as hurricanes.
In fact, Florida in general has the largest number of thunderstorms in the US.
The state experiences between 80 and 110 days of storms each year.
And, while a thunderstorm may not sound so bad, it is what these thunderstorms can produce that is the problem.
For example, dangerous weather conditions may exist as a result of thunderstorms.
These include lightning, tornados, heavy rainfall that could lead to flooding, especially in low-lying areas, hail, and strong winds.
In fact, did you know that the state of Florida sees an astonishing 1.4 million ground lighting strikes each year?
Another severe weather condition is the heat, which may lead to wildfires.
And, with global temperatures rising due to climate change, these are only going to be exacerbated in the future.
3. Lack of Seasons
Staying on topic, some people love to experience every season of the year.
Each season brings with it its own festivities.
Have you ever experienced a warm Christmas or Halloween?
When moving to Florida, or more specifically, Vero Beach, this is something you are going to have to get used to.
Fall and winter are not nearly as cold as in some parts up north.
In fact, you can say goodbye to snow altogether!
There is no snow in Florida, ever!
Except in the northern part of Florida, Jacksonville, for example.
4. Bad Drivers
This one is really going to hit hard.
Florida does have a lot of traffic, especially in the winter months when most people travel down to Florida for their vacation.
In addition, Vero Beach is known as a retirement city with many of the residents being of retirement age.
The average age in Florida is around 55 years old.
That means that many older drivers are on the road and they may not be as alert or as sharp as they used to be.
Furthermore, many older drivers on the road may experience eyesight problems which could worsen their driving ability.
According to a survey, Florida has the worst drivers in all of the US.
And granted, each state has something to say about the drivers of another state, but, most agree that the worst drivers come from the state of Florida.
If you plan to move here, make sure that your vehicle insurance is up to date and covers all types of road accidents.
Pros and Cons of Living in Vero Beach, FL – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Vero Beach | Cons of Living in Vero Beach |
|---|---|
| 1. Access to World Renowned Beaches | 1. Summer is Brutal |
| 2. Excellent Gold Courses | 2. Extreme Weather |
| 3. Improved Mental Health | 3. Lack of Seasons |
| 4. Many Restaurants | 4. Bad Drivers |
| 5. Great Shopping Malls | |
| 6. Higher Property Value |
Vero Beach Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Vero Beach Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vero Beach a good place to move to?
All things considered, Vero Beach is an excellent place to live.
What color is the water in Vero Beach?
Most of the water in this area is tropical blue.
Is Vero Beach a wealthy area?
Yes.
Vero Beach is known as the Hamptons of the South.
Are there alligators in Vero Beach?
Yes, most of Florida has alligators and sharks.
Does Vero Beach get hit by a lot of hurricanes?
Vero Beach is considered at high risk when it comes to hurricane weather.
The city has been hit by more than 70 hurricanes since 1930.
How much is homeowners insurance with hurricane insurance cost with a 400,000 dollar value?
It is also often considered a top retirement destination due to its relaxed atmosphere, cultural amenities, and healthcare facilities. That is something I consider as well when I retire.
The “Bad Drivers” entry is a little tricky. As you mentioned, it is especially bad in the winter months when many older drivers are here. They fled the cold. Which means they aren’t Floridians. As a born and raised Floridian who doesn’t claim to be a perfect driver, but I know to actually get in the turn lane to turn instead of stopping beside it with my turn signal on in the passing lane. Yes, this happens in my town every year during Spring Training. That’s just one example. Honestly from my town, the worst drivers are from Canada, Ontario specifically and Michigan.