A Culture War is Causing the Florida Mass Exodus

However, it’s now become clear that Florida isn’t the land of perpetual vacation, as people expected. The intense political division, increasing taxes and insurance costs, and the ongoing culture war led many new Florida residents to move out almost as soon as they’d unpacked their bags.

But that very same year, about 500,000 residents of the Sunshine State left the beaches behind. While each person certainly had their own reasons for leaving, the majority of them fell into one of the following four categories: Increase in property taxes, soaring insurance costs, extreme weather and frustrating traffic, and the ever-intensifying culture war.

Unfortunately, that’s not exactly what happened. The median property tax in Florida increased from $2,226 in 2019 to $3,003 in 2023, and experts believe that number will continue to increase by 6% every year for the foreseeable future.

However, new Florida residents have noted that their home insurance costs are astronomical compared to what they paid in other states, and that certainly has to do with their location.

So now, Florida homes are just as expensive in Florida as in other states, the property taxes are equal or, in some cases, even higher, and the homeowner’s insurance costs are through the roof. For many, that would be enough to leave the state behind.

However, many Americans who moved to Florida over the past few years reported that was not what they found. Instead, they were worried about hurricanes wrecking their homes and felt stuck in their suburbs due to the horrific traffic throughout the state.

Hurricane Idalia hit Keaton Beach, Florida, on August 30, 2023, causing extreme flooding and destroying almost 6,000 homes.

Jodi Cummings, who moved from Connecticut to Florida in 2021, told the press, “It wasn’t the utopia on any level that I thought it would be. I thought Florida would be an easier lifestyle, I thought the pace would be a little bit quieter, I thought it would be warmer. I didn’t expect it to be literally 100 degrees at night. [It’s] not anything like I thought it would be.

As Barb Carter, who moved from Kansas to Florida to be closer to her grandchildren, explained, “You cannot engage in a conversation there without politics coming up; it is just crazy. We’re retired. We’re supposed to be in our fun time of life. I learned quickly [to] just keep your mouth shut because I saw people in my own community break up their friendships over it. I don’t like losing friends, and especially over politics.”

Governor of the Sunshine State, Republican Ron DeSantis, has made many decisions over the past few years which have created an extreme divide among residents. From passing the “Don’t Say Gay Bill” to removing books about race in schools, fighting publically with Disney, and changing abortion laws, DeSantis has single-handedly created an internal culture war throughout the state.

Democratic US Representative Maxwell Frost from Florida told the press, “What’s been happening … in Florida should scare every single person across the entire country… [it] should frighten anyone who values democracy, voting rights, civil rights, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.”

If things don’t change, Florida will likely see far more residents packing their bags in 2024, including many of those who just arrived and found themselves wildly disappointed.

This makes Texas potentially a better option for retirees and working individuals, as long as they aren’t too reliant on government services.

These shifts influence local economies, potentially increasing demand for services tailored to these varied groups, yet also straining existing infrastructure.

This environment can affect social well-being, with community tensions high and personal stress levels potentially increasing.

Policies influencing book bans and curriculum changes are causing concern among parents about the educational quality and freedom, making Florida less attractive for families prioritizing diverse and comprehensive education.

A stable and welcoming political environment may be necessary to maintain its reputation as a business-friendly state.

The market might face a downturn if these financial pressures continue without relief, affecting overall housing affordability.

These challenges affect not just the natural landscape but also the viability of living in coastal areas, prompting a need for significant environmental policies and focus on addressing climate change.

Effective planning and investment in infrastructure are crucial to accommodate the growing population and prevent systemic breakdowns (via the Florida Chamber of Commerce).

This discrepancy can lead to disillusionment among new residents who (perhaps naively) expected a permanent vacation.

Enhancing these aspects could improve living conditions and help balance the state’s challenging aspects.

Addressing these concerns could make Florida a more hospitable state for retirees seeking a tranquil post-retirement life.

However, if current trends continue, Florida might see an increasing number of residents choosing to leave in search of better living conditions elsewhere.