09/14/2026
How to know youโve officially become a Florida local ๐ด
1. You plan your dogโs walk based equally on the temperature, pavement, and radar.
2. You choose where to park based on shade, not proximity to the door.
3. You keep a sweater in the car year-round because Florida believes AC should feel like a walk-in freezer.
4. You plan parts of your year around Gasparilla + hurricane season.
5. You can tell when someone is new here based on how they pronounce โLutz.โ
6. Youโve developed a strangely specific attachment to Publix.
7. You know the unofficial rule about โif the afternoon storms hit, you just wait it out and then keep going.โ
8. Youโve caught yourself saying โItโs not that hotโ completely seriously.
How many are you guilty of?
And if being a true local means fully committing to the season too, Iโve got you.
Iโm Melissa, Tampa + Wesley Chapel local and real estate agent. Follow for Tampa listings, Wesley Chapel listings, and the best things to do here.