From California to South Florida —trade the equity, keep the coast.
Sell into California equity, lose the state income tax, and still wake up near the water. The only hard part is buying and renovating from across the country — which is the exact part Academia handles end to end.
Moving from California to South Florida
Californians moving to South Florida are usually equity-rich and tax-tired: a coastal home sale that converts into serious buying power, minus a state income tax that's among the nation's highest. South Florida keeps the things California people actually want — water, warmth, an outdoor life — without the tax line.
But a cross-country move is the hardest kind to do well. You're buying a home you've seen only on a screen, in neighborhoods you don't know, with a renovation you can't watch. Academia is the brokerage and the licensed builder, so we do it for you: match you to the right submarket, read each home's true condition and insurability, and renovate it before you land. You close one chapter in California and open a finished one here.
Remote professional, family, or investor cashing in equity — one team owns the move from first call to keys.
Florida has no state income tax — versus one of the highest in the country in California. Pair that with the buying power of cashed-in coastal equity and you can often trade up in home and trade down in tax. (Your tax advisor can run your numbers; the direction is well-trodden.)
One company, the whole move.
Match — remotely
We shortlist homes to your actual life — schools, commute, beach, budget — and tour them for you on video. No guessing from listing photos.
Read like a builder
Before you offer, our in-house licensed trades read the real condition: roof age, impact windows, A/C, insurability, and a true cost-to-cure.
Renovate before you land
Because we're also the builder, we complete the work while you're still packing — so you don't inherit a project you can't supervise.
Keys, finished
You arrive to a move-in-ready home, handled by one accountable team from the first call to the closing table.
Where to land in South Florida
Fort Lauderdale & the beaches
Water, walkability, boating — the closest thing to the coastal life you're leaving.
Doral & Aventura
Newer construction, international, strong for remote-work professionals and investors.
Weston
Upscale, master-planned, top schools — the family equity trade-up.
Hollywood
Beach + historic charm — character and coast without California prices.
California to South Florida — start here.
Everything your move needs, in one place.
Moving to South Florida
Relocating is hard enough from across the country — you shouldn't also have to vet a contractor you've never met. Aca…
Explore→From New York
You already know why: no state or city income tax, real square footage, and winters that don't hurt. The hard part is…
Explore→From New Jersey
New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes in the country and a long gray winter. Florida has neither. The har…
Explore→From Chicago
Chicagoans have been heading to South Florida for years: no state income tax, no five-month winter, and a real-estate…
Explore→From Boston
Boston and New England send families and remote professionals south for the same reasons: no state income tax, no nor…
Explore→South Florida Market
Trends, price drops, and new listings before you commit to a move.
Explore→Moving from California — questions
Does Florida really have no state income tax versus California?
Yes — Florida has no state income tax, while California's is among the highest in the country. The personal impact depends on your situation, so confirm with your tax advisor. We handle the real-estate side.
Can I buy in Florida remotely from California?
Yes — most of our California clients buy remotely. Virtual tours, a builder's condition read, the offer and inspection, and renovation before you arrive, handled by one team.
What will my California equity buy in South Florida?
Often a meaningful trade-up — more home, a yard, sometimes water access — for a fraction of comparable California coastal pricing. We'll show you real comparisons for your budget.
Can you handle the renovation before I move?
Yes. As a licensed builder, we complete the work before you arrive so you walk into a finished home — exactly why relocating buyers use a brokerage that also builds.