5 Surprises You’ll Discover When Moving to Parrish, Florida

Parrish, Florida, is a booming area that’s quickly gaining attention. If you’re searching for an affordable new construction home in Florida, chances are Parrish has already popped up on your radar.

Our family made the big move from the Florida Keys to Parrish for better medical access and schools for our kids. While the transition was a big one, we’re happy with our decision. That said, there are a few things I wish I had known before settling here.

Even after experiencing these things firsthand, we’d still choose Parrish, Florida. None of them are deal-breakers—just little surprises I hadn’t considered. Here’s my list of the five things I wish I knew before making the move to Parrish:

Rain
Rain in Parrish, Florida, is next level. When I say it rains hard, I mean buckets. From May through October, we’re in full-on rainy season mode. Picture this: it’s around 3:30 or 4:00 p.m., the sky darkens, and then—bam!—a torrential downpour hits like someone flipped a switch.

Every day, we cross our fingers, hoping to avoid getting drenched during the school bus drop-offs. Driving in this kind of rain? Let’s just say it’s not for the faint of heart. The rain comes down so fast it floods the streets, making it nearly impossible to see anything in front of you. It’s like driving in a car wash, but way less fun.

If you’re moving to Parrish during rainy season, plan to get everything done by 3 p.m. because after that, you’re probably going to get soaked. The good news? The rain doesn’t last all night and usually wraps up around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. The bad news? Everything outside is soggy, so evening plans might need to wait.

Bugs in Parrish, Florida

Let me just say—I was not prepared for the sheer number of bugs in Parrish, Florida. I’ve never seen dragonflies so big or grasshoppers that could practically cover the palm of your hand. Big bugs, little bugs, crawling bugs, flying bugs—Parrish has them all.

If you’re buying a new construction home, brace yourself for even more bugs. I think it’s because the ground is being stirred up so much during construction. Thankfully, the bug population seems to have gone down a bit now that construction has moved farther away and more homeowners have moved in. I think everyone is spraying their yards, and it’s helping!

Now, let’s talk about love bugs. Did anyone warn you about these? Because no one warned us! And guess what—it was love bug season when we first moved in. If you’re unfamiliar, love bugs are these little black insects with wings, and when they’re in season, they’re everywhere.

Love bug season in Parrish, Florida, happens twice a year:

• Spring (April to May)
• Fall (September to October)

During these times, they’ll swarm around your house, your car, and just about everywhere else. Opening your front door becomes a race to get inside before they follow you. And don’t even get me started on your car—they’ll splatter all over it. Be sure to clean them off quickly because if left too long, they can damage your paint job. Gross, right? But hey, it’s all part of the Florida experience!

The Drinking Water

Oh, the drinking water in Parrish. When you first move into your home, you’ll be greeted by plenty of solicitors—especially the water treatment guys. And honestly, they have a point, because the water here? It’s pretty terrible.

For us, the biggest issue was the sulfur smell. It was awful. You’d wash your hands, and the rotten egg smell would stick to you. It was hard to ignore. We talked to a few water sales reps, but they all quoted us anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 for a whole-house water system.

So, we tried to be “smart” about it and went the cheap route, buying a water system online. Well, $1,000 later, we realized that wasn’t exactly working as planned. After some more research (and frustration), we ended up splurging on a fancier water system. It cost a lot more, but hey—our water doesn’t stink like eggs anymore, so no complaints here!

The moral of the story? Don’t try to cheap out like we did. Trust me, your nose will thank you!

It’s Hot in Parrish!

I’ve lived in Florida for 20 years—mostly in the Florida Keys and a few years in Delray Beach. I was always close to the water, just a few miles away. But Parrish, Florida? This is the first place I’ve lived this far inland, and let me tell you—it’s a whole new level of hot.

Sure, it’s hot in those other parts of Florida, but Parrish? It’s hot hot. Like, fry-an-egg-on-the-pavement hot. I think it’s because we don’t have that ocean breeze to cool us down. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be this intense, but here we are.

Luckily, it’s only a few months out of the year, but by the end of September, you’ll feel like you’re losing it, counting down the days until cooler weather arrives. It’s that sticky, sweat-the-second-you-step-outside kind of heat that tests your patience.

But here’s the funny thing—when the cooler months finally come, you totally forget how miserable the summer was. You’re just out there enjoying life, sipping your iced coffee in 70-degree weather, as if you didn’t just survive a sauna for three months straight. Florida life, right?

Traffic in Parrish, Florida

Okay, I know I heard the traffic could be bad, but folks, once you’re living it, you’ll realize those people weren’t lying. Parrish, as you know, is a developing area, and what does that really mean? Construction. Everywhere. New roads being added, bridges being built, and some not-so-great right-of-ways. All this construction makes getting around a challenge.

And if that wasn’t enough, with the area growing so quickly, more people are moving in, which only adds to the congestion. Highway 75 around Parrish? It’s no joke. If you need to be somewhere during rush hour, plan to leave early—trust me on this one.

Oh, and let’s not forget the Florida drivers. There are definitely a few wild ones out there, so be on alert and stay sharp when driving in the area.

Conclusion

So, those are my 5 things I wish I knew before moving to Parrish, Florida. Do I still love where I live? Absolutely! Sure, these quirks can drive you a little nuts sometimes, but Parrish is still an amazing place to call home and the best value. We’re so happy with our decision to move to this fantastic area. Every place has its little surprises, and Parrish is no different—but the charm, community, and opportunities here more than make up for it.

If you’re moving to Parrish, Florida, one of the first things you’ll need to consider is whether your property is in a flood zone. Be sure to check out our post Is Parrish, Florida in a Flood Zone? to understand flood risks in this area.

Meet the Team

Amy Prumo

Amy Prumo is an Elite agent with extensive experience and deep local expertise, known for delivering outstanding results in the Parrish real estate market. Amy’s attention to detail, strong communication skills, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made her one of the most sought-after agents in the business. 

Thomas Carden

Thomas Carden brings a wealth of knowledge from his background in building, planning, zoning, and development. With over 20 certifications from the International Code Council, including Planner Review and Certified Building Official, he is a recognized expert in his field and an expert legal witness in construction.