When moving to Fort Myers for the first time, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

This is especially true for those who are not familiar with Florida. Based on the experiences of those who have been here before, there are several common things to take care of during the initial settling period. I've organized them in a checklist format.

The first is obtaining a driver's license and registering your vehicle. When moving to Florida, you need to switch to a Florida driver's license. If you're coming from another state, the written test is waived, but a vision test and some documents are required. If you are an immigrant, you will need to prepare your Social Security number, proof of legal residency, and proof of residence. The Lee County DMV operates by appointment, so it's best to make an appointment online before visiting to save time. You also need to convert your vehicle registration to Florida within 30 days of moving.

The second is home insurance. Florida home insurance is significantly more expensive than in other states due to the risk of hurricane damage. Especially after Hurricane Ian, many insurance companies have reduced or withdrawn their operations in Florida, and the remaining companies have raised their premiums significantly. When buying a home, it's essential to include insurance costs in your monthly housing budget. The state-run Citizens Property Insurance is also one of the options. Flood insurance must be purchased separately, and it is mandatory in low-lying areas.

The third is hurricane preparedness. The hurricane season runs from June to November. As soon as you move in, check if your home has shutters, and if not, consider installing them. Prepare an emergency kit (water, food, medications, batteries, flashlight, copies of important documents, etc.) in advance. Registering for the Lee County emergency evacuation information site and the Lee County alert system will allow you to receive notifications during a disaster. It's also important to identify evacuation zones in advance.

The fourth is establishing a primary care physician and a hospital network. The Lee Health system has several hospitals and clinics, and medical access within Lee County is relatively good. If you have health insurance, select a primary care physician from the doctors included in your insurance network.

It's also a good idea to get a basic health check-up in the year you move in. Finally, make sure to secure contact information for immigrant support organizations or the Korean community in the Fort Myers area. Trying to handle everything alone can be exhausting. The experiences of those who settled here first can significantly shorten your initial settling time.