Daytona Moving Bins Co.Your totes are on the way…

Daytona Moving Bins Co.
Menu
Book bins

Snowbird Moving Checklist for Ormond and Daytona Beach

Short answer: Each fall, bring only what you cannot buy or leave in Florida, and set up USPS temporary forwarding before you leave home. Each spring, close up the Florida home for hurricane season and humidity: FPL suggests 80 degrees and humidity under 60% for a non-programmable thermostat. Homestead and a Florida license only apply if Florida becomes your permanent home.

By , co-owner ·

Splitting the year between the north and Ormond Beach or Daytona Beach means two moves a year, every year. The trick is to make each one smaller than the last. That means leaving the right things in Florida, closing up the house properly, and keeping your mail and paperwork in order.

This checklist follows the season. It starts with the fall trip south, then covers closing up for summer, mail, residency and storage. Rules and rates are as of Oct 2026.

Researched and checked October 28, 2026. Prices and rules change, so confirm with the source before you rely on them.

What should snowbirds ship versus bring in the car?

The cheapest move is the one you do not make. After your first season, leave a full set of Florida basics in the house, so each trip south is mostly clothes, medications and paperwork. Shipping is worth it for a few heavy or bulky items, but rarely for everyday household goods.

How do you close up a Florida home for the summer?

Humidity, not heat, is the main risk to an empty Florida home. FPL's spring 2026 tips for seasonal residents focus on keeping air moving and moisture down. For a programmable thermostat, FPL suggests cooling to 72 degrees for two hours before sunrise, then 88 degrees for the rest of the day. For a non-programmable unit, set it to 80 degrees and keep indoor humidity below 60%.

If your system has no humidity control, FPL suggests dehumidifiers set to about 58%, one per 1,000 square feet, placed near sinks and showers. It also suggests these steps before you leave.

Sources: wusf.org/fpl-tips-florida-snowbirds-p

What hurricane prep should you do before leaving Florida for summer?

You will be gone for the whole Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 to November 30. Its peak is from mid-August to mid-October. Prepare the house in spring as if a storm will come while you are away.

Volusia County uses evacuation zones A through E, based on storm surge, and you can look up your zone on the county site. The county suggests photographing your property and valuables for insurance, and covering windows with shutters or plywood. It also suggests moving valuables to higher ground or waterproof containers, and securing outdoor items.

Check your flood coverage before you go. FEMA notes most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, and an NFIP flood policy typically has a 30-day waiting period. Sign up for AlertVolusia so you get county alerts wherever you are.

Sources: foxweather.com/why-atlantic-hurricane-seaso, volusia.org/evacuation-and-safety-inform, fema.gov/NFIP

How does USPS mail forwarding work for snowbirds?

USPS temporary change of address is meant for stays of 15 days up to one year, which fits a seasonal move. You file at moversguide.usps.com, and filing online costs a $1.25 identity verification fee. USPS advises allowing at least 7 to 10 business days after approval for forwarding to start.

Temporary forwarding covers mainly First-Class Mail and periodicals, not most marketing mail or packages. If you want all your mail in one weekly bundle, Premium Forwarding Service Residential sends it by Priority Mail. It has an enrollment fee plus weekly charges, and USPS lists current rates on its site.

Sources: usps.com/forward, faq.usps.com/Mail-Forwarding-Options

Can a snowbird claim the Florida homestead exemption?

Only if Florida is your permanent residence. The Volusia County Property Appraiser requires you to own the home, live there and make it your permanent residence on or before January 1. Applications are due by March 1 of the year the exemption begins.

The exemption is $25,000. Homes assessed at $76,411 or more can get up to $26,411 more, though not on school taxes. Each owner needs a Florida driver license or ID card. You also provide a Florida vehicle or voter registration if you have one, and Social Security numbers.

Own or recently sold a home in another state? The appraiser may ask for a letter showing you claim no residency-based exemption there. You can file online, by PDF or in person.

Sources: vcpa.vcgov.org/homestead

Do part-time Florida residents need a Florida driver license?

Not usually, as long as you stay a nonresident. Under Florida Statute 322.031, a nonresident needs a Florida license within 30 days only after taking a job here. Enrolling children in Florida public school has the same effect.

Once you become a resident, the rules change. FLHSMV says new residents must get a Florida license within 30 days. They must also title and register vehicles within 10 days. FLHSMV may treat you as a resident if you work here, enroll children in public school or register to vote. Filing for homestead or living here more than six consecutive months also counts.

That last point matters for snowbirds. Filing for homestead or staying past six months in a row can trigger the license and registration deadlines. Talk to a tax advisor before changing residency, because your home state has its own rules.

Sources: flhsmv.gov/new-resident, flsenate.gov/322.031

Can snowbirds get a Florida ID?

FLHSMV's document list asks for proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number and two documents showing a Florida residential address. Out-of-state addresses are not accepted.

Accepted address documents include a deed, mortgage statement or lease, a utility bill, a homeowner or auto insurance policy, and a bank statement. A snowbird who owns or rents in Ormond or Daytona can often meet that list. Getting a Florida card may affect how your home state views your residency, so check first.

Sources: flhsmv.gov/u-s-citizen

Where should you store things between seasons?

Store seasonal items in the Florida home in sealed plastic containers, off the floor, and away from exterior walls. Cardboard soaks up humidity over a summer and can attract pests. Keep linens and clothing in containers with a moisture absorber, and keep paperwork in a waterproof box on a high shelf.

For the items that live in the north, use the same approach in reverse. Label each container by season and by room, so the next trip is a matter of grabbing the right stack.

When do rental totes make sense for snowbirds, and when don't they?

Our totes are rented by the week, so they are not a storage solution for the off-season. For that, buy a set of your own lidded containers and leave them in the house.

Rental totes do make sense for your first season or a bigger change. Examples include moving into an Ormond or Daytona condo, switching homes between seasons, or finally making Florida your permanent home. We drop off clean totes, you pack and move, and we pick up the empty totes at your new address.

How tote rental works

  1. We deliver: Clean totes, lids, labels and a dolly at your door.
    1We deliverClean totes, lids, labels and a dolly at your door.
  2. You pack and move: Snap the lids on, stack, and load your truck or car.
    2You pack and moveSnap the lids on, stack, and load your truck or car.
  3. We pick up the empties: Stack the empty totes by the door and text us.
    3We pick up the emptiesStack the empty totes by the door and text us.

Questions people ask

How can I be a snowbird on a budget?

Leave a full set of household basics in Florida so you are not shipping or rebuying them. Use USPS temporary forwarding rather than paid mail services if you get little mail. Close up the house well each spring, since humidity damage costs more than any of these steps.

What thermostat setting does FPL recommend for an empty Florida home?

For a non-programmable thermostat, FPL suggests 80 degrees with indoor humidity below 60%. For a programmable one, it suggests 72 degrees for two hours before sunrise and 88 degrees the rest of the day.

When is the Volusia County homestead deadline?

March 1 of the year you want the exemption to begin. You must have made the home your permanent residence on or before January 1 of that year.

How long can USPS forward mail temporarily?

USPS describes temporary forwarding for stays of 15 days up to one year. You choose the start and end dates when you file.

Does living in Florida six months make me a resident?

FLHSMV lists living in Florida for more than six consecutive months as one sign of residency. Residency also has tax effects in your home state, so get advice before you pass that mark.

Related guides

Sources for this page (10)