Every winter, the license plates around Venice tell the story: Ohio, Ohio and more Ohio. Folks from Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Akron have been finding their way to our little corner of the Gulf Coast for generations. Some come for a few months, some come for good. If you are a Buckeye thinking about making the move, here is what I tell people every week, using Columbus as our yardstick, from someone who has lived in Sarasota County for more than 40 years.

Trade the Snow Shovel for a Beach Chair

Here is the simplest comparison I know. In January, Columbus averages a high of about 36° and a low of about 21°. Venice averages a high of about 72° and a low of about 52°, with Gulf water around 66°. That is roughly 36 degrees warmer, every day of the month. February is even nicer. Our winters are dry, sunny and mild, which is exactly why snowbird season runs from about November through April.

Summer is the trade-off: hot, humid, and short afternoon thunderstorms most days from June through September. Most of my Ohio clients say they will take that deal in a heartbeat. For the full picture, see my Venice weather by month guide.

Venice weather right now. Go ahead, compare it to your forecast back home.

Taxes: Ohio vs. Florida

This is usually the first money question I get, and it is a good one.

• Ohio: a flat 2.75% state income tax on income above $26,050 starting in 2026, plus local city income taxes. In Columbus, that city income tax is 2.5%. Many Ohio school districts add their own income tax, too.
• Florida: no state income tax. None. That includes pensions, Social Security and investment income.
• Property taxes: Florida homeowners who make it their primary residence can qualify for the homestead exemption, which lowers the taxable value and caps how much the assessed value can rise each year (here’s my post on the Florida homestead exemption). Big news for 2027: voters just approved Amendment 3, which greatly expands that exemption on non-school property taxes, and people who are Florida residents by December 31, 2026 get the bigger savings sooner. Here is what Amendment 3 means for you.

The Honest Part: Insurance and Flood Zones

I will not sugarcoat it. Homeowners insurance costs more in Florida than in Ohio, and some homes need flood insurance. The good news is that it varies a lot by location, elevation, roof age and construction, and there are plenty of Venice neighborhoods outside the higher-risk flood zones. Before you fall in love with a house, read Venice FL flood zones: what every homebuyer needs to know, and get an insurance quote early. I help my clients do both before they make an offer.

Getting Home to Ohio Is Easy

Family visits, doctor appointments, football Saturdays in Columbus: you will be flying back and forth, and the good news is that Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is about 30 to 40 minutes from Venice. According to Sarasota Magazine’s 2026 list of SRQ nonstop flights, you can fly nonstop to:

✈️ Easy Flights From There to Here
Every major airport within 100 miles of Venice, Florida

• Columbus: two ways home, year-round. Southwest flies nonstop to John Glenn Columbus International (CMH), and Allegiant flies nonstop to Rickenbacker (LCK).
• Cincinnati: Allegiant to CVG (year-round)
• Akron-Canton: Allegiant (year-round) and Breeze (seasonal)
• Cleveland: Southwest (seasonal)
• Toledo: Allegiant (seasonal)

Airline schedules change, so always check before you book. Tampa and Fort Myers airports offer even more choices. My easy flights to Venice post has more.

Still Working? Your Lanai Is Your New Office

Not everyone moving to Venice is retiring. Many of my Ohio buyers are CPAs, attorneys, consultants, engineers and tech folks who keep their practices and careers going, just from a better view. Swap the office tower and the winter commute for a laptop on the lanai, a pool a few steps away, an outdoor kitchen for lunch and maybe a boat tied up at the dock for after work.

For working professionals, the tax math can matter even more than it does for retirees. Leave behind Ohio’s 2.75% state income tax plus your city income tax (2.5% in Columbus), and the same paycheck can go further here. How your income is taxed depends on where you live and where you do the work, so this is one to run by your tax specialist.

Plenty of Venice homes are built for it: a quiet room for video calls, fast internet, and a screened lanai that makes a pretty great corner office. Tell me how you work, and I will help you find the setup that fits.

What Does a Home Cost Here?

Venice has a little bit of everything: condos and villas, single-family homes, new construction in Wellen Park, golf and country club communities, and waterfront homes with boat docks. Prices range widely depending on how close you are to the Gulf, the age of the home and the community amenities. I keep an updated overview on what Venice FL real estate costs, and you can browse current listings with my click-and-go searches by price, city and neighborhood.

Fun You Can’t Find in Cleveland

Shark tooth hunting on Venice Beach. Sunset at the fishing pier. Dinner on the water in January. Pickleball, golf and kayaking all winter long. I put together a list just for you: You Can’t Do This in Cleveland, Pittsburgh or Indianapolis: 13 Fun Things to Do in Venice, FL.

Buying From Ohio? I Do This Every Week

Many of my buyers start their search hundreds of miles away. I can preview homes for you by video, help you understand communities and HOAs before you visit, and line up your inspections, insurance quotes and closing so the move goes smoothly. We Buy Our Clients A $500 American Home Shield® Warranty at Closing, when you buy with Bill & the Sandcastle Group. It is part of our Venice Insider Plan (VIP).

Start with my complete Venice relocation guide, then give me a call. Real people answer the phone here, and I am happy to help.

Call or text Bill Garrison, RE/MAX Palm Realty, at 941-400-2307.