Three Native Floridians Relocate to North Carolina, Virginia, and New York for Affordability and Lifestyle Changes

Three native Floridians have relocated to other states in recent years, driven by rising costs, infrastructure strains and personal lifestyle preferences, according to accounts detailed in Business Insider reporting. Kimberly Jones, 60, born and raised in Florida, expected to live in South Florida for the rest of her life.

But after COVID, an influx of out-of-staters strained the infrastructure there, leading to new construction, crowded grocery stores and traffic-jammed commutes.

The influx also drove up housing costs in South Florida. In 2021, Jones and her husband moved from South Florida to North Carolina. They now live in a custom-built lakefront home on 1.5 acres — the kind of property Jones said she couldn’t have afforded in Florida.

Jones stated, 'Our reasons for moving were multifaceted. A major factor was affordability — the cost of living in Florida had gotten out of control. Prices increased for everything — homeowners' and auto insurance, and even for everyday expenses like groceries and eating out.'

The median home sale price in Florida increased by 19% between March 2021 and March 2026, reaching $417,000, according to Redfin data cited in Business Insider. Jones noted that her son has little chance of buying a home anytime soon and will be renting for the near future. She added, 'My daughter managed to buy a condo a few years ago, when prices were lower, and interest rates were still low.'

In North Carolina, Jones and her husband enjoy lower home insurance costs, as well as cheaper groceries and restaurant prices. Jones transitioned to remote work after the move. She stated, 'We love [North Carolina's] slower pace of life and the fact that people are very nice up here.'

Natalie Alatriste, a 35-year-old native Floridian, observed significant changes in her home state. She stated, 'There's a pre-COVID Miami and a post-COVID Miami, and the post-COVID version is completely different.' In 2024, Alatriste seriously started thinking about leaving Florida.

She and her partner rent a three-bedroom, three-story townhouse that's about 2,500 square feet in Shirlington for roughly $4,350 a month. During the 2024 presidential election, everything Alatriste voted for regarding amendments and candidates went in the opposite direction, contributing to her decision to leave.

In 2025, Alatriste moved to Shirlington, a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia. 'My quality of life feels much better in Virginia. I don't feel like I'm wasting so much time or spending so much money just to live,' she said. 'I also have greater peace of mind and can breathe easier because I'm part of a community that feels more aligned with my values.'

Karen Meadows, 62, moved from Panama City Beach, Florida, to New York City in 2024 along with her husband. Meadows sold her home in Panama City Beach and now lives in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in Brooklyn, New York. She stated, 'Many people move to Florida to retire because it's quiet and has a slower pace of life.'

She has run the New York City Marathon several times and the Boston Marathon several times. In New York, Meadows volunteers with North Brooklyn Angels and the food rescue organization City Harvest. Meadows has also joined the North Brooklyn Runners Club and started a book club.

She stated, 'I know I probably could have moved somewhere more laid-back, warmer, and with lower taxes, but I love New York. I'm almost 63, and I feel better and more alive than ever.' These relocations highlight individual responses to Florida's evolving economic and social landscape, as described in the Business Insider accounts.

Jones, Alatriste and Meadows each cited distinct yet overlapping factors in their decisions to depart after years in the state.