Barb Carter’s move to Florida did not turn out to be the postcard life she had envisioned. She faced challenges like an armadillo infestation that caused significant damage to her home and difficulty finding a surgeon to remove a tumor from her liver. After a year in Florida, she decided to move back to Kansas, selling her Florida home at a loss.
Florida has experienced a population boom in recent years, with hundreds of thousands of people moving to the state attracted by the beautiful weather, no income tax, and lower costs. However, nearly 500,000 people left the state in 2022 due to soaring insurance costs, a hostile political environment, worsening traffic, and extreme weather. Some newcomers found it difficult to make friends, and costs such as car insurance, rent, and food were higher than expected.
Rising costs have been particularly severe in South Florida, with consumer prices increasing, homeowners insurance rates rising, and car insurance costs above the national average. Property prices have also surged in Florida, making it one of the more expensive states to buy a home in. Many residents, like Carter, found the costs to be prohibitive despite initially moving to the state for its weather and beaches.
Some newcomers, like Louis Rotkowitz, found that the Florida they had envisioned was far different from their expectations. High costs, long commutes, difficulty accessing services like dishwasher repairs, and concerns about safety due to the proliferation of guns led to their decision to leave the state. Rotkowitz also cited conservative policies and the state law allowing concealed weapons without a license as factors contributing to his dissatisfaction.
For some residents, the increasing conservatism in Florida’s policies and the overtly political climate, marked by heated disagreements among neighbors and friends, prompted their decision to leave. Rising insurance costs and political tensions drove longtime residents like Donna Smith and Noelle Schmitz to relocate to other states where they felt more comfortable. Some newcomers cited politics as a draw to the state, while others expressed concern about the political climate impacting their daily lives.
Despite the challenges she faced in Florida, Carter found solace in returning to Kansas. She now lives in a more affordable community near Wichita and is able to save money on rent compared to what she paid in Florida. While she misses certain aspects of Florida, she is content with her decision to move back to Kansas and feels like she has found her true home. The challenges she faced in Florida, from high costs to political tensions, were significant factors in her decision to leave the state.
