OPINION
Why is everyone moving to Florida? This seemed like a simple question at first, one that directly reflected current personal plans, but I wondered how far this in fact goes.
I have lived in Illinois for the better part of the past 5 years. Coming from Europe, my initial decision to relocate centered on economic opportunities as well as intrinsic values. I knew multiple people who had resided in the Chicago area when I had decided to make the change. I have discovered a waning appreciation for this region as time passes by.
Coming from Bulgaria, I am more accustomed to a more tropical climate. Well, maybe not tropical, but definitely not Chicago. The first year here, weather only mildly taxed my emotions. As time passed, the weather has become downright unbearable. I have no understanding of how people endure this weather their entire life.
This desire for warmer climates served as the impetus behind another planned relocation. While in the planning stage, I had noticed certain trends. Whether anecdotal remarks from friends expressing their jealousy, or simply the number of individuals who expressed a desire to move, either way, it seemed I was not alone in my wants. Thus, I thought it best to separate fact from fiction and see if there really was something to it.
First, I want to make mention, I do not think every person in Illinois wants to move to Florida, in fact, with the housing market becoming more and more expensive, obviously some people want to stay. However, the overwhelming majority of articles tend toward a picture of southwardly migration. “Since 2014, the State of Illinois has been the top state for outbound moves according to the Moving Migration Report. According to the study, 63% of all moves in Illinois in 2023 were people leaving the state rather than moving into the state.” (Bullock) Further data shows the overall population in Illinois “declined by 32,826 residents from July 2022 to July 2023.” (Sharkey).
U.S. News released net migration rates by state between 2021 and 2022. Their findings show Illinois had one of the highest negative net migration rates at -0.93%. For this time period, only New York and Maryland had higher net negative migrations and the list goes on. Any simple search of moving trends and relocation patterns will continually show Illinois to be on the losing side. Let’s face it, people really are moving away from Illinois.
But are people really moving to Florida? The same U.S. News report from 2021 to 2022 cited Florida as number 4 for inflow of migrations. Conversely, earlier this year, Andrew McMunn of a news affiliate out of Louisiana published a study failing to list Florida on the top 10, though it was not to be found on the outmigration list either. However, other studies side with Florida as a migratory powerhouse. “Among large states (those with a population above the 50-state average), the net-domestic-migration winner over the 13-quarter period after Covid-19’s arrival was Florida.” (Anderson) Forbes Home published an article in September of 2023 placing Florida at the #2 spot behind Texas citing “taxes, affordable housing, sunshine, and relaxed Covid restrictions” (Biermeier and Allen) as the leading cause behind such relocations. Coincidentally, this article also placed Illinois as the number 3 for outbound migration. Regardless, I think it is safe to assume that our first two premises are indeed correct. Why? Why are people leaving Illinois? Why are people going to Florida?
When I set out on this article, I already had the held belief that the following two premises were true. Granted, I understand the level of bias inherent in those statements, as they directly reflect my decision making paradigm, but, in an effort to gain some objectivity, I realized I required the assistance of an outside source, or a hundred for that matter. Hence, we come to the tool of our efforts; the ever ubiquitous online poll. I really just wanted to get a feel as to the held beliefs of a larger population.
I originally made a post on social media that simply asked for those who want to or have moved to Florida, what was the driving impetus. I would like to take this moment to thank all of the respondents for their insight. While there were many wonderful answers I would have never considered, there also existed a great deal of overlap allowing me to understand in the best terms this desire for certain relocation patterns. Overall, I received a total of 65 responses. The number 1 response, above and beyond all other responses was… the weather. You guessed it. People want Florida for the weather. Almost every person stated they enjoyed the warm climate. Most respondents indicated they were attempting to flee colder weather from states like Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vermont, etc. This should not come as a surprise. Logically, when one vacations, they normally vacation in nicer weather, it serves people would thus want to have an endless vacation. Many cited how various weather systems in different regions of the country negatively affect their disabilities. Amongst the responses were: “No more Midwest winters, lots of sun, my chronic pain conditions are much better in FL”, “Moved here 7 years ago because I have a health condition that required me to be in warmer weather. My body couldn’t take the snow, ice, and cold weather anymore”, “Going to be leaving Vermont for sunny days, warm weather and activities. We went 70 days this winter without sun”, “My family and I are making the move to warmer weather (tired of Minnesota winters)”.
The number 2 reason for Florida relocation was attributed to outdoor activities and scenery. People discussed beach access, outdoor walks, various locales, water sports, and general activities which require a warmer climate. “There are so many more opportunities for dog sports in Florida because of the weather!”, “East coast offers much more in ways of salaries, night life, activities”, “We retired here for the warm weather, the beach and the laidback, Golf Cart lifestyle” – some of the responses stated.
Coming in at number 3: Politics. While the answers related to politics were somewhat more nebulous, people merely stated they did not agree with local and state politics. Some of these people may have stayed in their locales despite the weather were it not for their political views. The discussion of taxes ranged from income taxes to property taxes to every other kind of tax one can imagine. I think it is fair to say, we all feel we pay too many taxes, I just now want to see if Florida is really that tax friendly: “Yes it has gotten more expensive, yet I still pay 1/5th of what my friends pay up north in property tax. There is no state tax. You don’t have to seek permission or a permit to replace a window like my friends in Illinois do”. “Minnesota is still terribly run, I’d love to move (to Florida)”, “Covid did it – no more lockdowns and lots of sunshine”, “Many factors went into where we moved, but we only considered TX and FL for political and personal freedom reasons”.
Rounded out the top ten responses included affordability, mental health, vacation, crime, and opportunity. I think it is interesting to note, many of the respondents conveyed retirement as the last underlying reason for their move. The other aspects simply provided insight as to motivational factors regarding why people chose Florida as opposed to other “idyllic” destinations – “I mean Hawaii is great, but I don’t want to live on an island. I want warmth, green and water all year!”
In conclusion, Florida isn’t considered solely a retirement destination anymore. Many young people, like myself, choose to move to Florida because of good weather, outdoor activities, salaries, no income tax, lower property taxes and political freedoms.
