New York-born Mr Trump has been spending more time at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach. The Republican president has been at odds with Democrats – New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was delighted at his departure. He tweeted: “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out or whatever.”
Mr Cuomo challenged Mr Trump’s assertion he had paid his taxes, adding: “He’s all yours, Florida.”
Mr Trump has kept his personal tax details private and has refused to release his returns.
Mr Trump, who is hoping for a second four-year term in next year’s presidential election, has owned the Mar-a-Lago resort since 1985.
He told how he still loved New York but was moving on.
Mr Trump said: “Unfortunately, despite the fact that I pay millions of dollars in city, state and local taxes each year, I have been treated very badly by the political leaders of both the city and state. Few have been treated worse.”
It is understood Mr Trump, 73, and his wife Melania, 49, first filed for residency in Florida back in September, with his “other places of abode” listed as the White House and his private golf club in New Jersey.
He has been based in Trump Tower in Manhattan since 1983 but he has not made clear if he will keep the property.
Since being elected president, Mr Trump has spent 99 days at Mar-a-Lago compared with 20 days at Trump Tower.
A source close to the president indicated the move was due to tax purposes as Florida does not have a state income tax or inheritance tax.