I didn't realize how hard moving to Florida from France would be. I miss seasons, and the pace of life is different.

The author moved from France to Fort Lauderdale 10 years ago. Courtesy of Virginie Romary Before moving to Florida, I was aware that being far from family and friends or starting a new career would be difficult. Those challenges, I was expecting. I used to come to Florida on vacation, and I thought I knew it very well. However, living there is completely different from vacationing. At first, everything felt new and exciting. Then reality set in, and I faced difficulties that I never imagined before.I had to adapt to the heatComing from Paris, I was accustomed to four very distinctive seasons with a lot of gray and cloudy days. Before relocating, the prospect of year-round sun seemed appealing. Then I realized that between April and November, the heat in Florida is so intense that engaging in any outdoor activities during the day is a challenge. Even walking five minutes outside is a burden. At night, the humidity makes clothes sticky, and the mosquitoes are so relentless that, for me, being outside is difficult to enjoy.I had to get used to spending all day with AC running continuously, which initially caused me headaches. Opening the window for fresh air is not an option unless I want to let all the cold air out. I found the only enjoyable time in Florida to be winter, but it's also when waves of tourists flock here, making access to my favorite beach nearly impossible and the traffic extremely challenging.Life under the sun became boring and repetitive. I truly miss the seasons and all the various dynamics that they brought to my life.The pace of life is differentWhen working in Paris as a corporate communications manager, I never arrived at my office before 9:30 am and always left after 7 pm. Dinner was at 8:30 pm. It was quite a shock to discover that Floridians, due to the climate but also the culture, start their day much earlier and eat dinner around 6 pm. I had to change all my habits to become an early bird, which wasn't easy.In France, daily life is structured around set mealtimes. Dinner is particularly important as a time of socialization with family and friends. In Florida, I remain unsettled by the fact that my friends eat whenever they feel hungry, disregarding designated mealtimes and frequently while on the move. Seated dinner is often seen as too formal and a waste of time. They prefer to eat quickly before rushing to another activity. I miss taking the time to enjoy meals around a table and having meaningful conversations. Even with the challenges, the author still appreciates much about Florida. Courtesy of Virginie Romary Paris and Florida don't share the same social normsIn Florida, everyday interactions are less formal, which I initially found refreshing. Small talk is commonplace; manners are quite relaxed, and the dress code is very casual. At first, I was amused to see people wearing flip-flops and athletic wear in restaurants, beachwear downtown, and to hear them respond "Mmm-hmm" to a thank-you for holding the door. Now this casualness makes me feel like I don't belong here. I miss the little effort that Parisians put into their everyday appearance and manners.While it's acceptable to speak casually about money in Florida, this is often considered rude in Paris. I'm always uncomfortable when money comes up in conversations. The constant showing off of material possessions, like fancy cars or designer bags, causes me to feel out of my element. As a Parisian, I prefer a more low-key approach. While Paris is known as the capital of fashion and luxury, its residents tend to be more discreet and favor simplicity. I still find it challenging to appreciate the more flamboyant Floridian style.There are some things I enjoy, but I still think I'll eventually moveEven though I have been here 10 years, I often feel homesick. However, living in Florida isn't all bad. I continue to thoroughly enjoy the dynamism and cosmopolitan atmosphere of Florida, which makes it such a unique place to live. Still, I don't see myself here forever. I'll likely move somewhere that reminds me of France more in the future. Read next Health France Florida More