Why are people moving to Florida? With an estimated 1,218 people moving to Florida every day, there’s got to be a reason. I moved to Florida from Michigan many years ago, so I can speak to why someone would want to live here. Today I’ll be addressing several reasons, but the last one might surprise, or even upset you, so be sure to read through for that one.

Before we answer, “WHY are people moving to Florida”, let’s look at where they’re coming from. New Yorkers seem to love the Sunshine State more than any other state, with 91,000 New Yorkers moving to Florida for the year in a recent study. California was next with over 50,000 moving to Florida, followed by New Jersey, Georgia, and Texas rounding out the top five.  Over 250,000 people moved to Florida from abroad during this same year.

It’s important to note that it’s not just retirees that are moving to Florida. While a WalletHub study named Florida as the #1 state to retire in, one study reveals that Millennials are driving the surge of those moving to Florida these days. This study noted that they’re moving to Florida for largely the same reasons as retirees here, so let’s get into those reasons.

Weather

Forgive me for being Captain Obvious, but weather is one of the primary reasons people move to Florida. Sunshine is a cure for so many things, and we’ve got plenty of that here in Florida. I once heard that Florida averages between 230 and 250 days of sunshine each year.

Now I haven’t counted those days myself, but I can attest to the seemingly never-ending clouds that seemed so pervasive when I lived in Michigan, New York, Maryland, and North Carolina. I loved my time in each of these states, they’re wonderful places, but they just don’t shine like Florida.

Sunshine helps battle depression, and helps provide vitamin D for the body, which has all sorts of health benefits. I suppose shoveling snow has health benefits from exercise, but I’ll get my workout with a walk, run, or a swim on the beach all day long over that. Joint pain isn’t an issue for me just yet, but I hear Yankees that have moved to Florida lament the joint pain they endured BEFORE moving to Florida.

Play Year Around

Whatever you like to do, being able to do it year around is a huge benefit. Florida is NOT just beaches and theme parks, Much of Florida is quite rural. Florida has 11 national parks and 175 State Parks, has some amazing freshwater springs, and is 14^th in the US when considering the amount of public land. The Florida Keys speak for themselves, and north Florida has all sorts of caverns and the rural feel of some northern states, there’s really a lot to do here.

New Construction

Because of all this rural land, there is room for growth. As such, new construction has boomed here in Florida, which is big for that whole supply and demand thing we learned about many years ago. Plus, new construction often comes with financial incentives, often with lower interest rates or just plain cash if you aren’t using financing. In cities where there isn’t room for growth, these incentives just aren’t available.

Economy

The cost of living in Florida has increased in recent years, but as of today, Central Florida, where I live and work, is right around the national average for cost of living. Of course, it’s higher in South Florida, the beaches, and big cities, but much of Florida outside of these areas is quite affordable.

Plus, Florida’s economy is booming. One study I read noted an 86% increase in corporate headquarters established in Florida for the year, more of an increase than any other state. Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami are all in the top 10 US cities gaining the most corporate headquarters. Florida is generally regarded as having a light regulatory and business-friendly government. The corporate tax rate of only 5.5% allows plenty of growth opportunities for Florida businesses to thrive.

Keeping with the cost-of-living theme, Florida has no state income tax. States like California, Hawaii, and New Jersey are double digit income tax states. But even 5 to 8 percent, like New York, is a lot of money skimmed off your paycheck, and is yet another reason why so many are moving to Florida.

One study by US News and World Report noted that Florida had the #1 ranked economy in the US. It also noted that Florida was #2 for job growth and #7 for overall employment. Those are pretty solid numbers. While Florida isn’t perfect, if you combine these items with the weather, it helps to explain why so many people are moving to Florida.

Speaking of economics, if you’ve got real estate needs anywhere in Florida, please leave me a message, or simply pick up the phone and give us a call. Here in Central Florida, where I live and work, we’ve got all sorts of tech, medical, and administrative type jobs, but hospitality, and of course jobs down at the attractions are a big draw, too.

Florida is Not a “Southern” State

Those of you that have never been here might think of Florida as a southern state, but that’s just not the case. Yes, Florida is about as “South” as any state in the Continental US, but that does NOT mean we’re “Southern”. Grits, cornbread and sweet tea are more common north of here, say up in Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas than here in Florida.

We’ve got our own accents here, too, or maybe we just don’t have an accent. I’m not really sure. It’s sort of a mix between that New York accent and that Tennessee and Georgia twang, with a hint of Massachusetts Caaa sound. You’d think we’re a southern state, but we’re really not. So moving to Florida, does not mean you’re having to learn a new way to talk. You can just be yourself and fit in here just fine.

Diversity

Speaking of diversity, Florida has a very diverse population. Florida’s proximity to Puerto Rico and Cuba provides for a large Hispanic population for the state as a whole. But tons of tourists flock here from all around the world, many of whom end up appreciating our culture and take up residence here in Florida. This diversity has quite an impact on the overall culture here in Florida in a good way.

Politics

Florida is generally known as a Red State, which I’m sure about half of you won’t like, and I’m sorry for that. There’s no political stance being taken either way here. But as I record this today, we’ve got a Republican Governor and Florida tends to vote conservatively. Some people find that attractive.

Published on August 26. 2024 / no comments.