Moving from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut for Work: What Changes in Palm Beach County

If you are moving from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut for a job in Palm Beach County, the biggest changes are in how you pay for and buy a home. Florida has no state personal income tax, but you budget instead for property taxes, insurance and any HOA or CDD fees. The buying process is different too: Florida real estate agents write the offer, closings are usually handled by a title company, attorneys are optional, and the seller typically pays the owner's title policy and the deed transfer tax.

Many of my relocation clients come from the New York area, often with a job at one of the financial firms that opened offices in downtown West Palm Beach. The move itself is familiar to them. What surprises them is how differently the purchase works here.

How does the tax picture change?

Florida does not tax personal income at the state level, and there is no city income tax like New York City's. Federal tax still applies. What you budget for instead is tied to the house:

• Property taxes, which vary by city and by the home's assessed value.
• The homestead exemption, which reduces taxable value on your primary residence and caps how much the assessed value can rise each year at 3 percent or the change in inflation, whichever is lower.
• Insurance, which depends heavily on the roof, windows and flood zone of the specific home.

Leaving a high-tax state is also a paperwork project. The state you are leaving may look closely at whether you really changed your domicile, so talk with a tax professional and keep records of your move. My guide on establishing Florida residency the year you relocate covers the Florida side, including why December 31, 2026 matters.

How is buying a home in Florida different?

• Your agent writes the offer. Florida agents prepare and negotiate the purchase contract, usually on a standard statewide form.
• Attorneys are optional. Many closings are handled by a title company, and you can choose to hire a real estate attorney if you want one.
• The seller typically pays the owner's title policy in Palm Beach County, though it is negotiable.
• Transfer taxes are split by custom. The seller typically pays the documentary stamp tax on the deed, at $0.70 per $100 of the price. A buyer with a new mortgage typically pays the note stamps of $0.35 per $100 and the intangible tax of $0.20 per $100 of the loan.
• Insurance comes early. Inspections such as the 4-point inspection and wind mitigation inspection affect what it costs to insure the home, so they matter during your inspection period.

Here is how the steps unfold: what happens after your offer is accepted in Florida.

What is different if you are coming from New Jersey or Connecticut?

New Jersey and Connecticut both tax personal income at the state level, so the Florida change on your paycheck applies to you too. For many buyers from those states, the bigger surprise is how the closing works.

• New Jersey: Attorneys typically handle the sale, and standard contracts include a three business day attorney review period that starts after the fully signed contract is delivered. During that window an attorney can disapprove the contract. Florida contracts work differently, and an attorney is optional here, so decide early whether you want yours involved.
• Connecticut: Attorneys are involved in almost every home purchase, and since October 1, 2019, only Connecticut licensed attorneys can conduct closings for certain transactions. In Florida, closings are usually handled by a title company, and an attorney is optional.

Are condos here like co-ops in New York?

Not quite. Most Florida buildings are condominiums governed by an association, not co-ops with a board that owns the building. Associations can still have their own approval rules, and Florida now requires milestone structural inspections for many older buildings. Read the documents early, and see my guide on what the milestone inspection means for condo buyers.

Where do New York area transplants usually live?

It starts with the office. For a downtown West Palm Beach job, see where to live for a short commute downtown. For Boca Raton, see where to live if you work in Boca Raton. For the north county, see working in Jupiter or Juno Beach. Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach also makes trips back to the New York area easy.

Not sure which part of Palm Beach County fits you? Take the 2-minute quiz.

This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Talk with a tax professional about your situation.

More guides for buyers relocating to Palm Beach County

• Moving to Palm Beach County for work: commutes and where to live
• How to establish Florida residency the year you relocate
• Working in Palm Beach Gardens: where to live
• Working in downtown West Palm Beach: where to live
• Working in Jupiter or Juno Beach: where to live
• Working in Boca Raton: where to live
• Moving from California for work

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a real estate attorney to buy a home in Florida?

No. Florida real estate agents write and negotiate the contract, and closings are often handled by a title company. You can hire an attorney if you want one.

Who pays closing costs in Palm Beach County?

By custom, the seller typically pays the owner's title policy and the deed documentary stamp tax. A buyer with a new mortgage typically pays the note stamps and intangible tax. Many terms are negotiable.

Does Florida have a state income tax?

Florida has no state personal income tax. Federal income tax still applies, and homeowners budget for property taxes, insurance and any HOA or CDD fees.

Published: October 19, 2026