Escaping Florida!

Are People Really Fleeing Florida?

For various reasons, progressives have promoted the narrative that many people are leaving Florida in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

When Governor Ron DeSantis emerged as a leading GOP presidential contender, liberal critics seized the opportunity to paint him as an ineffective leader. They cited claims that thousands were leaving Florida due to his supposedly poor governance. Even after Donald Trump became the GOP nominee, attacks continued against his adopted home state, portraying Florida as a place people couldn’t wait to escape. But the truth is quite different.

Florida’s Population Is Growing, Not Shrinking

The idea that Florida is losing residents is simply false. While some residents inevitably move out and others move in, the overall trend shows substantial growth. Between 2010 and 2020, Florida’s population increased by 2.7 million people—a 14.7% jump—more than any state except Texas. From 2019 to 2024, Florida’s population is projected to grow by 7.5% (about 1.5% annually). There’s no sign of this trend reversing.

Why Florida Is Thriving

Florida’s appeal lies in its governance and quality of life. The state:

Has no personal income tax and exempts pharmaceutical items from taxes.
Provides homeowners with a $50,000 homestead exemption for their primary residences.
Boasts beautiful weather from October to May and tolerable summers.
Values personal freedom in its increasingly conservative culture.
Maintains safety in most areas outside of a few large cities.

Florida is well-managed and offers a lifestyle that attracts people from across the country.

Where People Are Actually Leaving

The real population decline is happening in states like California, New York, and Illinois. These states are becoming less attractive due to their high costs of living, rising crime rates, heavy taxes, over-regulation, and intrusive government policies. The numbers speak for themselves:

California: Lost 200,000 residents between 2020 and 2022.
New York: Lost 1.4 million people over the last decade, the highest of any state.
Illinois: Saw a population drop of 853,000 from 2010 to 2019 and continues to lose residents.

The Florida vs. California Comparison

The contrast between Florida and California is stark. California’s major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are grappling with homelessness, violent crime, rampant shoplifting, unaffordable housing, failing public schools, a high cost of living, and intrusive regulations.

California’s policies, such as banning gas-powered cars by 2035, are likely to increase expenses and reduce personal freedoms. Despite passing Proposition 36 (which aims to address crime and shoplifting), the state has struggled to enforce it. Under Prop. 36, thefts under $900 require two prior convictions before being treated as felonies—a lenient stance that doesn’t deter crime.

Even more problematic, Prop. 36 treats serious drug offenses leniently by offering offenders “mandated treatment” programs that provide housing, training, and psychological support, often resulting in charges being dropped. This approach lacks the accountability and deterrence needed to address criminal behavior effectively.

Florida’s Strong Approach to Law and Order

By contrast, Florida is a state of law and order. Laws are strictly enforced, and criminals face real consequences. Freedom and opportunity thrive in Florida because of its strong protections for its residents, including:

Effective policing.
Support for gun owners, such as permitless concealed carry.
A commitment to punishing those who victimize the vulnerable, particularly its large elderly population.

These measures ensure that Florida remains a safer state compared to others.

Florida’s Economy and Education

Florida offers:

High employment and a low cost of living.
A public education system ranked 25th in the U.S. for quality, outperforming California’s rank of 38th, despite spending far less.

While Florida’s schools could improve, they remain notably better than California’s failing education system.

Conclusion

The narrative of a “mass exodus” from Florida is far from accurate. The state continues to grow and attract residents because of its economic opportunities, lower taxes, better governance, and higher quality of life compared to states like California, New York, and Illinois. Florida’s balanced approach to freedom, safety, and opportunity ensures its continued appeal to Americans seeking a better way of life.

Why Florida Remains a Top Choice for Living

Florida continues to stand out as a desirable place to live, offering affordable housing, a low cost of living, and unique protections for retirees, making it attractive for families and seniors alike.

Affordable Housing and Cost of Living

Compared to states like California, Florida offers far more affordable housing. For example:

The median price of a home in San Francisco is $1.35 million.
The median price of a home in Orlando is just $399,000.

This affordability, combined with the absence of state income taxes and other cost-saving measures, makes Florida an economically appealing option for residents.

A Haven for Retirees

With 3.625 million retirees, Florida remains a top choice for seniors. While not a perfect paradise, it offers key advantages over states like New York, Illinois, and California:

Warm climate: Retirees enjoy year-round mild weather.
Low cost of living: In some areas, retirees can live on Social Security alone. Property taxes on modest homes are low, although insurance costs remain a challenge.
Safe communities: Gated retirement neighborhoods often provide enhanced security. For example, a large community of 20,000 residents in Florida has reported only one murder in the past 45 years.

Legal Protections for Retirees

Florida offers some of the strongest legal protections in the country for homes and retirement income:

Homestead Exemption: Homeowners cannot lose their primary residence in a liability lawsuit, even if they are at fault in an accident.
Retirement account protection: IRAs, SEP-IRAs, and funds in qualified retirement or profit-sharing plans are exempt from creditor claims.

These laws provide critical financial security, especially for retirees.

The Weather Factor

Yes, Florida has hurricanes and humid summers, but these challenges are balanced by the state’s spectacular winter weather. Hurricanes typically cause localized damage, mostly along the coasts. Meanwhile, Florida’s November weather often features dry conditions, sunny skies, and temperatures in the 80s, a stark contrast to the harsh winters experienced in northern states like New York and Illinois.

Florida vs. Negative Media Narratives

Despite media portrayals of Florida as a state in decline, the reality is quite different. Florida continues to attract both families seeking opportunities and retirees looking for a safe, affordable, and comfortable place to live.

The state’s booming economy and conservative governance provide stability and growth.
Florida remains a magnet for migration, with a consistent net population increase.

The liberal media may try to discredit Florida to undermine figures like Trump, DeSantis, and the broader conservative movement, but the numbers and quality of life tell a different story.

Conclusion

Florida remains one of the most well-governed and desirable states in the U.S., offering economic opportunities, retirement security, and a high quality of life. It’s no wonder that families and retirees alike continue to choose Florida as their home, despite the negative media narratives.