Why Move to Florida

Time to Move to Florida?

Considering a move to Florida? You aren’t the only one. The 2023 U.S. Migration Report published by North American Van Lines analyzes population shifts in the United States. With this data, we can better understand which states have the highest uptick in outbound and inbound movers. Florida was ranked the fifth top inbound state in 2023. 51% of the moves were inbound new residents and 49% were outbound.

There are many reasons why people are choosing to relocate to Florida. For starters, the state has beautiful beaches, relatively low taxes and retiree-friendly prices. Three counties in the state are experiencing a significant influx of movers. Here’s how they compare:

1. Lee County

Lee County is located on the Gulf Coast and includes popular cities like Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Captiva. The county is known for its pristine beaches and outdoor recreation. While the county population is only around 800,000, experts suggest this number could surpass one million by 2030. The county is experiencing drastic growth due to the influx of job opportunities and a competitive housing market.

In the past few years, companies like Amazon and Ferguson have built massive facilities, opening doors to new job opportunities in the area. According to BestPlaces, the average cost of a home is around $380,000. Even though this is slightly higher than other counties in Florida, it’s still relatively affordable compared to other states and cities.

2. Sarasota County

Along the western coast of Florida is Sarasota County, home to just over 433,000 residents. It’s known for its great weather, superb school districts and always-growing workforce. U.S. News and World Report ranked Sarasota County #18 as the best place to retire and #11 as the best place to live. The median age for the county is around 50 years old. However, since the county is also home to some of the best colleges in the state, there’s also a larger college student population. While many college-aged residents will part ways with Sarasota when they graduate, retirees are ready to settle down for good and enjoy everything Florida offers.

According to Zillow, the average cost of a house is $463,088, an increase of 0.8% year over year. As the county continues to grow and sees a significant uptick in inbound movers, this may continue to drive housing costs in the next few years.

3. Collier County

Perfectly situated on the south end of Florida is Collier County, with a slightly smaller population of around 375,000 and home to three different Florida cities: Everglades City, Marco Island and Naples. The county is known for its white sand beaches, outdoor attractions, and proximity to the Everglades’ wildlife. Many families and individuals are moving to neighborhoods in this county because of the lower property tax, quality of life and accessibility to some of the best beaches in the state.

Over the years, property inventory has significantly increased. According to the Naples Area Board of REALTORS®, the overall inventory increase is 45.9%, with over 1,000 more homes added to the market than in 2022. Even with the significant increase in inventory, demand has continued to push the cost of housing up.

According to Zillow, the average cost is around $612,024, a 2.2% increase year-over-year.

Florida is a predominant destination because of affordable housing, cost of living and the quality of life. We expect Florida to continue to see an influx of new residents over the coming years. According to the 2023 Migration Map, the rising cost of inflation and lack of affordable housing is causing many Americans to wave goodbye to states like Illinois, California and Pennsylvania to settle down in a state that can provide a better quality of life – and Florida is one of the best places to consider.