Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

As cost of living rises, fewer people are moving to Florida — and more are leaving
Miami Herald ^ | December 17, 2025 | Max Klaver

Posted on 12/17/2025 12:31:49 PM PST by Miami Rebel

Once the darling of American transplants, Florida’s appeal seems to have dimmed. Just three years ago, Florida ranked among the nation’s top destinations for people making a move. But that momentum seems to have faded. Florida still offers the warm climate and favorable tax structure that remain major draws, but it’s lost ground on the crucial affordability factor. In the year through November, just over half of global moving company Atlas Van Lines’ Florida-related moves were inbound, the firm said in its annual Migration Patterns Study — a near-even split between people moving in and moving out that marks a sharp shift from the pandemic era, when Florida ranked among the nation’s strongest inbound states. During the COVID-era peak, 60% of Atlas’ Florida moves were inbound — then the fourth-highest ratio in the country — as the state became the fastest-growing in the U.S., per Census estimates. But in 2025, for the second consecutive year, inbound moves accounted for only about half of the company’s Florida relocations, among the lowest shares Florida has posted in more than a decade. While the moving company cites Florida’s warm climate and lack of a state income tax as serious draws, rising housing costs, insurance premiums and climate concerns are increasingly pushing out residents, said Chellsie Parker, a representative of Atlas. Nationally, moving has slowed to its lowest level in decades. Only about 11% of Americans moved in 2024, down from more than 14% a decade earlier, according to Atlas, thanks in part to high housing costs nationwide.

States such as Arkansas, Idaho and North Carolina — where housing costs are generally lower — topped Atlas’ inbound migration rankings this past year, outpacing Florida’s middle-of-the-pack showing.

(Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: affordability; fakenews; florida; itsashithole
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-109 next last
To: Bobbyvotes

I’m a Hoosier but have spent a lot of vacations in Florida

Grandparents were one of the first snowbirds that started wintering on the Gulf at Bonita Springs in the late 40s


61 posted on 12/17/2025 2:47:48 PM PST by digger48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: mass55th

When we get bigger snow storms, the building will have some creaks and groans but we don’t have to worry about falling ice or snow. The craziest thing I’ve seen is one of my front tires was incased with ice from the gutter flow refreezing. My parking spot is next to the building. The apartment complex had/has rock salt so I was able to chisel my way out after a few hours..


62 posted on 12/17/2025 2:49:14 PM PST by EVO X ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: napscoordinator

“A truth that’s told with bad intent, Beats all the lies you can invent.”

William Blake

The enemedia has learned that lesson well.


63 posted on 12/17/2025 2:50:33 PM PST by mewzilla (Swing away, Mr. President, swing away! 🇺🇸 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

State income tax in AZ is small.
SS is fully deductible and medical expenses too.
Property taxes are, depending on location, also reasonable. You just have to avoid progressive areas.

I figured out that I pay less overall taxes then what I would pay if I moved to no-tax Texas. There are very high property taxes and expensive tool roads.
I did not looked into FL, but I suspects it is the similar.

But, even if there were 0 taxes or even if they pay me to live there, I would not.
There is just something in the air, which makes me sick!


64 posted on 12/17/2025 2:50:43 PM PST by AZJeep (sane )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: dragnet2
110 - 120 in the desert with the sun beating down on you. Both environments are not ideal. I live in Fort Lauderdale and I've been to the desert.
65 posted on 12/17/2025 2:51:35 PM PST by Chgogal (The NYT is the mouthpiece of the violent left-wing Democrat Party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

Do you ever have a clue about anything?


66 posted on 12/17/2025 2:54:55 PM PST by Dartoid
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy

They have. But rates in other states are not far behind. Insurance companies might talk a big game about risks and the need to protect your home. What they really mean is they think it very unfair to risk their profits just because you’ve paid your premium for decades.


67 posted on 12/17/2025 3:11:36 PM PST by lastchance (Cognovit Dominus qui sunt eius.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Chgogal

Maybe the low desert, ie Phoenix about 1100’.

But that’s not what I’m talking about. It’s never reached those temps were I am. High desert regions are whole different venues. But you need to do the homework.


68 posted on 12/17/2025 3:16:23 PM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Miami Rebel

Stopped reading at “affordability .”


69 posted on 12/17/2025 3:18:25 PM PST by atomic_dog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

Hurricanes, yes. But California has Newsom and wildfires caused by Newsom type idiots.


70 posted on 12/17/2025 3:23:43 PM PST by Responsibility2nd (Import the third world. Become the second world.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Macoozie

Well I for sure ain’t on the lean or fat side of rich. I never had though myself half grinding dirt broke ghetto neither. In fact your words hurt me so much I felt compelled to prove you wrong. I took the plastic geraniums out of the old toilet Abner pulled from the dump and washed them all purty and put a fresh coat of glitter spray on them. Now didn’t they make the whole yard shine. I then got on Abner’s behind and made him restack the tire nice and straight like so now the mailbox don’t wobble none. I’d have set the goats on mowing the yard if we had one instead I made sure all their bells had clappers. It does make music purty as any of them wind chimes they sell at the dollar store. Abner is worried I’m gonna put on airs, what with the spruced up yard and all, and start going to the Walmart for my clothes. Dayum I told him. The day I can’t sew my clothes from a potato sack is the day you put me in my grave. Oh that reminds me I gotta get that cesspool covered up.


71 posted on 12/17/2025 3:25:30 PM PST by lastchance (Cognovit Dominus qui sunt eius.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Miami Rebel

This is excellent news! Has anyone set up a GoFundMe to help them leave faster?

I’ve noticed that the ones leaving my community are choosing to go back to Libtardian states in the northeast and upper midwest. I hope this is the trend throughout Florida.

Yeah home owners insurance is higher than I paid up north and property taxes about the same, but I’m not paying income taxes and moonbat politicians aren’t constantly in my business and restricting my freedom. My quality of life is excellent. And if DeSantis gets his way my property taxes may disappear.

If I never have to go further north than Sarasota again I will consider myself exceedingly blessed.


72 posted on 12/17/2025 3:29:06 PM PST by chickenlips (Neuter your politicians)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bobbyvotes

Do you use some method to self insure like a dedicated savings account or you just use the “fingers crossed” method?


73 posted on 12/17/2025 3:29:53 PM PST by suasponte137
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: chickenlips
I’ve noticed that the ones leaving my community are choosing to go back to Libtardian states in the northeast and upper midwest. I hope this is the trend throughout Florida.

At this time of year when the weather is pleasant in Florida and can be brutal up north? They can’t wait six months?

They’re not the sharpest tools in the shed, are they? 😏

74 posted on 12/17/2025 3:33:04 PM PST by Allegra
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: AZJeep

Yes humidity combined with 100+ temps is unbearable for a picnic. But it is always breezy and tolerable temp on beach at 7 AM. I have not been sick since moving here in 2016. Best part is I can jump on a last minute discount cruise with 90 minute drive to second largest cruise port in Port Canaveral.
In 9 years I am here, did 20+ cruises of 4 to 7 days. Zero state income tax paid for all the cruises. When I croak, my kids will not pay state death tax in Florida. I am already 85 so I plan on dying in FL. I dropped home insurance 5 years ago. Chances of house burning down are ridiculously small. Also pay no auto liability insurance, since in FL one can self insure by showing $40k in assets.
Only thing I dislike in FL is I gave up golf. Weather is too hot for 8 months to walk 18 holes. That is the only thing I miss from WA-OR border where 9 months were great weather for golf.


75 posted on 12/17/2025 3:37:07 PM PST by Bobbyvotes (Work is worship! .... Bhagavad Geeta)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: AZJeep

You are right about state income tax in AZ is now flat 2.5%
It used to be based on income bracket and I remember my tax rate was high when I retired in 1999.


76 posted on 12/17/2025 3:43:34 PM PST by Bobbyvotes (Work is worship! .... Bhagavad Geetald )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

We tried CA in 1999 for a year. Taxes were high for everything.


77 posted on 12/17/2025 3:44:52 PM PST by Bobbyvotes (Work is worship! .... Bhagavad Geetald )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: EVO X
"The craziest thing I’ve seen is one of my front tires was incased with ice from the gutter flow refreezing."

That is bizarre. I've lived here for 26 years, and have a handicapped parking spot. This past winter was the first time I got stuck in my parking lot and couldn't get my car out. I park to the left of the walkway, so when the plow clears the walkway and parking lot here, my car gets plowed in on that side of my car and in the back. We'd had so much snow that it was blocking my car doors from opening, and of course I was plowed in at the back. I got as much snow out of the way as I could all around, but there was ice under all that snow that my car wheels were spinning on. I couldn't even rock my car out, so ended up having to call AAA and have a guy come to pull me out. They were so busy because of all the ice and snow we'd had, that I had to wait hours for them to come. I don't want a repeat of that this winter.

78 posted on 12/17/2025 3:55:05 PM PST by mass55th (“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ― John Wayne)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: Nervous Tick

“If I had hell and Texas I’d move to hell and rent out Texas.”

2 miserable years at Shepherd AFB.


79 posted on 12/17/2025 4:13:54 PM PST by Organic Panic ('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden in response to her father joining her in the shower)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: digger48

Ohio Friends are moving back because of the summers in Florida


80 posted on 12/17/2025 5:11:50 PM PST by griswold3 (Truth, Beauty and Goodness)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-109 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson