Moving to El Portal? 7 Things You Need To Do Immediately!

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Settling Into Village Life in The Metro: Utilities You'll Need First

Moving to El Portal often comes with an assumption that life will instantly slow down. 

Maybe it stems from the tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and that unmistakable "small village" feel, making it seem like everything in El Portal is simpler by default. 

And in some ways, it is, especially when it comes to utilities, since El Portal still runs on the same metro-wide systems as the rest of Miami-Dade.

Let's walk through it in the order that makes the most sense for El Portal.

Set up electricity through the Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), whether that means opening a new account or transferring service from another Miami address. 

New customers typically submit valid identification, the full service address, and connection date, while existing FPL customers must schedule the transfer and confirm their move-in date. 

A minimum deposit of approximately $25, plus initial setup fees, may apply.

If your home uses natural gas, service is available through providers such as Florida City Gas or TECO Peoples Gas; however, you must confirm availability at your exact address.

After you do, submit basic identification, choose a connection or transfer date, and expect deposits and connection fees according to home and usage.

Finally, check water and sewer availability through the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD). 

New customers must create an online account and prepare the standard deposits and connection fee.

Meanwhile, existing homeowners should settle outstanding balances before transferring service.

Once these essentials are in place, everything else becomes a lot easier.

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Upgrading From Visitor to Local: Florida Driver's License, Explained 

There's a moment when living somewhere stops feeling temporary. 

No, it's not when the boxes are unpacked or when you learn the fastest route to the grocery store—it's when the state officially recognizes that you're no longer just passing through. 

It's when you get your Florida driver's license.

Once you establish residency, Florida law gives you 30 days to either obtain a Florida driver's license or update your existing one. 

To take care of it, visit a local Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office or any authorized service center offering driver's license services, with documents you're required to bring depending on your residency status:

• U.S Citizen 
• Immigrant 
• Non-Immigrant
• Canadian

For fees, expect $48 for a standard Class E license (including learner's permits), $75 for a commercial Class A license, and $25 for a Florida ID card. 

Need a full breakdown of fees? Click here. 

If you already hold a valid driver's license from another state or country, you may be exempt from written exams, driving tests, or drug and alcohol courses, though vision and hearing tests are still required.

For those with an existing Florida driver's license, don't forget to update your address to reflect your new El Portal home — skipping this step can lead to fines and unnecessary headaches later.

Vehicle insurance is also non-negotiable, as Florida requires you to title and register your vehicle within ten days of establishing residency.

Once your license matches your address, you've officially made the shift, in real life and on paper.

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Where Community and Civic Duty Meet: Voting in El Portal 

Becoming a part of a community like El Portal doesn't start and end with showing up, but ensuring your voice is formally part of the system that shapes what happens next.

Registering to vote is one of the simplest ways to do that. 

Aside from being a civic responsibility, it's what allows you to weigh in on decisions that affect your neighborhood, county, and the state as a whole. 

In a small village, those choices can feel especially personal, which is why this step matters more than many new residents expect.

If you're a U.S. citizen of legal voting age and meet Florida's eligibility requirements, you can register through the Florida Department of State or the  Miami-Dade County Elections Department, online, by mail, or in person at the Elections Department or a local Elections Branch Office—whatever fits your moving timeline best.

You must submit valid identification, and most current IDs with a photo and signature—such as a Florida driver's license or U.S. passport—are generally accepted. 

If you don't have either, click here for the list of other accepted forms of identification.

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A Tiny Village That Grows on You: Livin' La El Portal 

Are you ready to slow things down without losing your connection to the city?

Moving to El Portal is about easing into a neighborhood that reveals itself little by little, and if you did your homework before moving here, you probably already know that El Portal is small, residential, and tucked between some of Miami's busiest areas, which means you get the best of both worlds — at least, on fine print.

But have you actually taken the time to experience it?

The walks under the tree canopy along the El Portal Nature Trail, neighbors who eventually become familiar faces, and streets near Sherwood Forest Park that feel like a portal to another dimension—it's all part of the charm. 

There may not be crowds or constant events, but what El Portal offers sneaks up on you.

So take a break from settling in. 

Go for an aimless walk, sit outside a little longer than planned, and let the village introduce itself in its own way, not far from places like Upper Buena Vista when you're ready to reenter the city's rhythm.

For more on what makes your new home special, check out our guide, El Portal, Miami, Florida —  EVERYTHING You Want to Know, and start discovering how El Portal grows on the people who choose it.