finance
Three Native Floridians Relocate to North Carolina, Virginia, and New York for Affordability and Lifestyle Changes
Three longtime Florida residents have relocated out of state, citing factors including affordability issues, traffic congestion and desires for different lifestyles. Their moves reflect broader trends in housing prices and migration patterns. Business Insider reported on their experiences and reasons for departing.
Apr 25, 7:45 AM·3m read1 source
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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.'
