Where People Are Leaving Florida For

Florida may be the fastest growing state in the nation, but that doesn’t mean everybody likes it. It’s also the top state people are leaving, as shown by US Census migration data for 2022. Here’s why people are saying “goodbye” to the Sunshine State and what states they are putting down their roots. 

Why are people leaving Florida?

The Florida lifestyle seems attractive on the surface. You have over 900 miles of beaches on both sides of its coast. The winters tend to be mild, and for decades, the cost of living was relatively affordable. It attracted a lot of retirees looking to cut down on their living costs and escape winters shoveling snow in the north.

But there’s a problem when you’re extremely popular. When everyone wants to be where you are, well, a lot of people are joining you. Florida added over 700,000 new residents in 2022, pushing its population over 22 million to be the third-most populous state.

More people leads to more challenges in finding affordable housing. The roads become more crowded, pushing up the daily wait times for just about everything: drive times, restaurant times, appointments. And it drives up living costs across the board. Simply put, Florida is getting more crowded and not necessarily staying less expensive. 

Layer to that the increasingly charged political atmosphere, which both attracts or deters different populations. So yes, as many people want to live in Florida as want to leave it. 

The states people left Florida moved to

The top destination for former Floridians wasn’t very far, shows the American Community survey data. Around 51,000 ex-Floridians migrated to Georgia. This southern state’s popularity is rising both as a place to retire and find affordable housing. Georgia has waterfront real estate along its Sea Islands and the coastline up to Savannah. 

One new recruit moved an hour’s north of Atlanta. Nancy Appleton says besides the changing of the seasons, she loves the people, who are mostly genuinely kind and friendly.

Its expanding economy is a big boon, too, especially for young professionals and career-climbers. The state is way less crowded, with just under 11 million residents, and about half of that is concentrated in the Atlanta metro.

Texas was the second-most popular choice, with 41,000 de-camping for the Lone Star State. Overall, the state has a lot in common with Florida. There’s no state income tax, an expansive coastline, and a thriving economy in hubs like Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. While its real estate taxes are higher, it is still possible to find reasonable prices for ranch land, downtown condos, and spacious single-family homes.

Next runner-up North Carolina has long been the preferred vacation destination for generational Floridians. It’s not uncommon to see oranges on license plates in the western North Carolina mountains during the summer months. It makes sense that a lot of these vacationers and retirees are choosing to live full-time in the milder climate. 

Phil Uster moved to Asheville, NC. “The mountains, weather, four seasons, fewer fire ants and mosquitos, Blue Ridge Parkway…I could keep going. It’s just better here; there’s endless activities.”

Others cite they’re tired of the Florida crowds, and North Carolina’s fun mountain towns are still packed with all the entertainment, recreation, and dining they could want. 

Besides retirees, North Carolina also has attractive cities for young professionals and families. Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham are top-growing population centers because of their work opportunities, access to quality education, and a fun city culture.

California and Tennessee were two more top destinations for people leaving the Sunshine State. California has long been a migration hotspot for many states across the nation, while Tennessee’s mountains, lower density population, no state income tax, and growing economy are its attractors.

Growth still expected

Even with the high number of people exiting Florida, it’s not enough to stagnate its growth. Remember, this is the fastest growing state in the nation, although it’s the first time the state has been there since 1957. Still, it’s always been one of the top growers. 

New Yorkers are still de-camping for the Florida beaches in droves, with 91,000 new residents from the Big Apple. Runner-up was California, with over 50,000 moving from out West to the southern peninsula.

So even though Florida is the top state people are leaving, it’s still highly desirable as a place to live.