People from all over the world have long loved visiting Florida, also known as the “Sunshine State.” But not all Floridians are glad to live there. SelfStorage actually looked at Google search data and found that there are a lot more people in the state who want to move to other parts of the country. There are many reasons for this migration, but some of the most important ones are:
Rising cost of living: In the past few years, home prices, rents, and taxes in Florida have all gone up sharply, making it harder for people on a fixed income or a tight budget to live there. A single-family home in Florida went up in price by $150,000, or 60%, in just five years. Also, the median rent in the United States is lower than the average rent in big areas like Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.
Hail, storms, and heat waves are common in Florida and can do a lot of damage to buildings and infrastructure. They can also be dangerous to people’s health and safety. storm Ian, which hit Florida in 2022, was the third-worst storm in U.S. history and the costliest in Florida’s history. It killed over 150 people and caused over $112 billion in damage. Many people have had to move because of the damage from the storm or the fear of more disasters.
Florida has been in the middle of a lot of political unrest because of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s controversial laws and policies, which have been criticized and backfired on by many groups and people. Some of these laws limit care that affirms a person’s gender, make people use bathrooms that match the gender they were given at birth, ban vaccine passports, and lower people’s ability to vote. Some people who live in the state now feel unwelcome, unsafe, or unhappy because of these rules.
Which towns do the most people leave? From Google Search and other sources, here are seven of them:
1. The shores of Palm Beach
Imagine turquoise water lapping against white sands, and high-end homes shining in the sun. This beautiful seaside paradise is right where the rising sea levels start. A study from the University of Florida says that coastal erosion and floods could cause Palm Beach Shores to lose up to 86% of its land area by 2100. About 1,200 people live in the town, which is already frequently hit by storm waves, saltwater intrusion, and beach erosion. A lot of people are selling their homes and moving to areas with better ground.
2. A farmstead
Homestead was once a great place to find cheap homes, but now it’s become a victim of its own success. The town, which is about 30 miles south of Miami, has grown a lot in the last ten years, bringing in many people from across Florida and the country. But this growth has also brought problems, like road jams, crime, pollution, and too many people living in one place. Hurricanes can also do a lot of damage to Homestead. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Ian in 2022 did a lot of damage. A lot of people are looking for better and quieter places to live.
3. Belle Glade
The small town of Belle Glade is in the middle of the Everglades. It is known for growing sugar cane and having a high rate of poverty. About 18,000 people live in the town, which has a lot of social and natural problems, like unemployment, crime, disease, and dirty water. Many people in Belle Glade get their drinking water from Lake Okeechobee, which is the biggest freshwater lake in Florida and a threat to the town. The lake is polluted by water from farms, and its old dike is prone to algae blooms and breaks. A lot of people are moving Belle Glade to find better jobs and places to live.
4. The Apalachicola
Apalachicola is a unique Gulf Coast town known for its oysters and seafood business. About 2,300 people live in the town, and the Apalachicola Bay and River are very important to its business and culture. But the bay and river are in danger because of too much fishing, drought, and a water disagreement with Georgia and Alabama that has been going on for decades. The number of oysters has dropped by a huge amount, which has hurt the jobs and health of many fishers and their families. A lot of people are leaving Apalachicola in search of jobs that are more stable and pay better.
5. City of Everglades
In the small town of Everglades City, which is on the edge of the Everglades National Park, you can go swimming and see wildlife. About 400 people live in the town, which is surrounded by nature and wildlife, making for a unique and beautiful way of life. But Everglades City is also far away and open to the effects of climate change, like rising sea levels, storm waves, and saltwater getting in. Several hurricanes have been very bad for the town. Hurricane Ian flooded most of the town and damaged many houses and other infrastructure. A lot of people are leaving Everglades City to live in places that are safer and easier to get to.
6. St. Cloud
St. Cloud is a town in Central Florida that is close to Orlando. The town, which has about 54,000 people, has grown and changed a lot in the last ten years, bringing in a lot of families and seniors. There are, however, many problems in St. Cloud, such as traffic jams, noise pollution, urban sprawl, and the loss of green area. Also, St. Cloud is close to a number of theme parks, including Disney World and Universal Studios. These parks bring in a lot of tourists and money, but they also make a lot of noise, mess, and trash. A lot of people are leaving St. Cloud to live in places that are quieter and have more land.
7. Beach in Fernandina
This town is on the coast of Amelia Island, close to Jacksonville. About 12,000 people live in the town, which has a rich past and a charming downtown area with lots of shops, restaurants, and things to do. Besides its beaches, Fernandina Beach is also known for its golf courses, concerts, and other events. But Fernandina Beach is also under a lot of stress from things like rising property prices, gentrification, and too many people. Fernandina Beach is also at risk of floods and erosion because it is on a barrier island that is always shifting and changing shape. A lot of people are leaving Fernandina Beach to live in places that are safer and cheaper.
The Cost to People and the Effects on Others
Moving away from Florida is not just a personal choice; it’s also a social and business trend. It changes the environment, politics, society, and population of the state. For example, if a lot of people leave, the city might lose tax money, public services, skilled workers, and individuals from different backgrounds. It could also change the political balance of the state, since Florida is a “swing state” that often decides who wins the presidential race.
Also, the people leaving Florida could have an impact on other states and areas as they try to handle the large number of newcomers. This could bring both possibilities and problems to the host communities. For example, there could be more demand for housing, infrastructure, and services, and people could fight over resources, values, and identities.
In Conclusion
Florida is a state of extremes, meaning that living there has both pros and cons. A lot of people still like living in Florida, but a lot of others are leaving for different reasons. The towns that are losing the most people are the ones that are having the most problems, like high prices, bad weather, political unrest, environmental damage, and social issues. The movement of people out of Florida is a complicated and changing process that affects both the state and the country. It is unclear whether this trend will continue or change in the future, but it is clear that Florida is going through a big change.