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☆ I grew up in Florida and used to want to live anywhere else. Now that I'm older, I wouldn't dream of leaving
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Ashley Archambault | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Now that I'm an adult, and I've traveled all around the state and country, I've grown to appreciate where I'm from. I spent the first 24 years of my life in Miami, and now live in a smaller Central Florida town off of the Space Coast. Although I wouldn't live in Miami again, I'll happily keep a quaint old Florida town near the beach as my forever home. Fortunately, I'd say it's really only brutally hot in Florida for three months out of the year, from July through September. Living near a beach is important to meI'm embarrassed to admit that I used to take the beach for granted.

Persons: —, I've, I'm, Alexander Spatari, Augustine, Ernest Hemingway, you've Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Sunshine States, Disney Locations: Miami, Florida, Central Florida, snowbirds, St, America, Key West

☆ I'm a Democrat who moved to Florida to be closer to my boyfriend. I was nervous about the politics and weather but have been most dismayed by the cost of living.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

David Maughan, 32, moved from Richmond, Virginia, to Oakland Park, Florida, last year. As a progressive, Maughan said he was nervous about Florida's culture war politics. Everyone says the weather in Florida is great, but they don't realize that Florida is hot hot. David Maughan and his boyfriend Brandon were long-distance for three years before David moved to Florida in August 2023. David Maughan said he's been able to make friends in the Florida LGBTQ community by joining an adult sports league.

Persons: David Maughan, Maughan, he's, —, David, Brandon, Richmond, I'm, They've, it's, I've, disenfranchisement, hasn't, David Maughan Florida, We've, It's, He's Organizations: Service, Sunshine State, Business, Democrat, Democratic, Oakland Park, Broward Young Democrats, Sunshine Locations: Richmond , Virginia, Oakland Park , Florida, Florida, South Florida, Central Pennsylvania, Virginia, Richmond, Oakland, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Wilton Manors

☆ This couple spent $30,000 converting a school bus they found on Facebook into a tiny home—take a look inside
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Tanya Nestoruk and Arya Touserkani bought a retired school bus and made it their tiny home on wheels. Tanya Nestoruk and Arya TouserkaniNestoruk found the retired school bus on Facebook Marketplace. The couple bought the school bus for $7,200, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. Tanya Nestoruk and Arya TouserkaniThe couple wanted to renovate the school bus outdoors, but the Canadian weather had other ideas. The couple spent roughly $30,000 and one year turning the school bus into their home.

Persons: Tanya Nestoruk, Arya Touserkani, Nestoruk, Touserkani, Arya Touserkani Nestoruk, Arya, wouldn't, There's, It's Organizations: CNBC, Facebook Locations: Canada, Mexico, Baja California

☆ A boomer couple left coastal Florida after 3 decades for rural Missouri because the Sunshine State 'is definitely not paradise anymore'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But after decades by the water in Florida, Meaders said Florida "is definitely not paradise anymore." Meaders wanted to be closer to her son and grandson, and the couple wanted a small-town feel. AdvertisementMany older Americans continue to flock to Florida, though some have recently told Business Insider they've had enough of the Sunshine State. Meaders and Dunne met in Brevard County after Dunne moved back. They've found the hospitality of everyone in their community much improved, noting that many people in her small Missouri city recently moved from California.

Persons: Sherry Meaders, James Michael Dunne, Meaders, they've, millennials, Missouri Meaders, Dunne, Rockledge, We're, it's, she's, They've, We've Organizations: Service, Business, Sunshine State, Bureau, Survey, Coast Guard, Bell System, Daytona, Kansas City Locations: Florida, Missouri, Virginia, Georgia, Texas, Kansas City, Rockledge, Brevard County, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Chicago, Pacific, Alaska, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Volusia County, Daytona Beach, Africa, Miami, America, Kansas, In Florida, California

☆ I regret moving from Pittsburgh to Tampa. Florida is not the paradise I thought it would be.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Jen Glantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cassie Leigh, a 29-year-old journalist who moved from Pittsburgh to Tampa. I've always heard people say Florida is a beautiful place to live, and I loved visiting the beach as a kid. In January 2018, I quit my journalism job in Pittsburgh and moved without knowing anyone. AdvertisementAfter only a few months in, I liked living in Tampa so much that I bought a house. Wind mitigation is crucial; your insurance company could charge you more if you don't have the right hurricane shutters.

Persons: —, Cassie Leigh, I've, hasn't, It's, homebuyers Organizations: Service, Business, Tampa, Florida Locations: Pittsburgh, Tampa, Florida, Miami, Orlando, Canadian, I'm, South Carolina

☆ I regret moving to Florida. Living here felt like paradise — until everything changed.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Jen Glantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cassie Leigh, a 29-year-old journalist who moved from Pittsburgh to Tampa. AdvertisementAfter only a few months in, I liked living in Tampa so much that I bought a house. Living here felt like paradise — but then everything changedAfter 23 years in Pittsburgh, I was mesmerized by the year-round warm weather, living so close to the beach, and being surrounded by people my age. Wind mitigation is crucial; your insurance company could charge you more if you don't have the right hurricane shutters. I love the beaches and the weather, but living here is not worth the price tag.

☆ Step inside Quartzsite, Arizona, where snowbirds flock for warmer weather and a cheap place to park their RVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementOne of those places is Quartzsite's La Posa long-term visitor area . Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIf off-grid living won't fit a visitor's needs, Quartzsite is home to more than 50 RV resorts . As I meandered around La Posa, I debated how close was too close to park next to a stranger. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIn 2020, Quartzsite became a Hollywood backdropMost people recognize the name Quartzsite from the Oscar-winning movie "Nomadland," which was released in 2020. There was a sense of freedom living on La Posa, and almost everyone I met was friendly and eager to chat.

Persons: It's, —, snowbirds, Monica Humphries, you'll, Quartzsite, Casey Osborn, he's, Osborn, He's, Osborn doesn't, Bob, La Posa, La, Fern —, Frances McDormand, Fern, Paul Winer, Winer Organizations: Service, of Commerce, Tourism, Land Management, Vehicles, La, Social Security, Reader's Oasis, Oasis, Quartzsite Yacht Locations: Quartzsite, Arizona, Quartzsite , Arizona, Mexico, La Posa, La

☆ The Florida city with cheaper homes and fun perks luring residents from Miami and New York
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

About 730,000 people moved to Florida between July 2021 and July 2022, according to the latest census data available. The typical mover to Florida is not a baby boomer, but a millennial or a Gen Xer from New York and California, according to Business Insider's Noah Sheidlower. "When it comes to people who can't get a starter home in South Florida, they're coming to Orlando," Smith said. "But if you move to Orlando, Florida, with $750,000 or $800,000, you're like, 'I get a yard? AdvertisementMore than 140,000 of the nearly 739,000 people who moved to Florida between 2021 and 2022 came from California and New York , according to Census data.

Persons: —, Noah Sheidlower, Freddie Smith, Shay Walker, Smith, Redfin, Orlando, jodi jacobson, Jenna Clark, Mark Kaley, Joe Raedle Organizations: Service, Business, Orlando, Walt Disney, University of Florida's, Economic, Business Research, Insurance, Disney, Census Bureau, Department of Housing, Urban Locations: Florida, New York, California, Cities, South Florida, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Los Angeles, Orange County, New York City, Central Florida, Orlando , Florida

☆ It's hard to make friends in Palm Springs because, in my 50s, I'm one of the younger residents. Many retirees move here.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Shelley Karpaty | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I'm in my 50s and live in a community in Palm Springs of mostly retired people. In the Coachella Valley, over 25% of residents are 60 and above, which means they are mostly retirees. My husband, two children, and I had visited Palm Springs in the past and enjoyed the activities and slower-paced vibe, and we decided to move during the pandemic to lay down new roots. On the first Sunday of every month, I visit the Palm Springs Vintage Market to find upcycled and reclaimed items to add to my home. I am honing the art of small talk, and I'm perfectly happy to take my time making connections.

Persons: I'd, foley, Dean Martin, I'm, Shelley Karpaty, I've, Joshua Tree Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Palm Springs, Coachella, Plenty, Canada, Pacific Northwest, Silicon Valley, Palm, Yucca Valley

☆ A millennial couple who moved from Baltimore to Florida explain why they bought a $65,000 mobile home as their starter house
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Mobile homes — a type of manufactured house — are a more affordable option for many. Jess Carpenter and her family are living in and renovating their mobile home in Sarasota, Florida. Housing advocates want to get rid of many regulations that bar manufactured homes from communities. AdvertisementJess Carpenter and her husband had never considered living in a mobile home when they moved from Baltimore to Florida in April 2022. In many states, mobile homes are categorized like cars or boats and don't qualify for home mortgages.

Persons: Jess Carpenter, —, Carpenter, Ringling, They've, Andrew Justus, Biden Organizations: Housing, Service, Carpenters, Sarasota, Sunshine State, Niskanen, of Housing, Urban Locations: Sarasota , Florida, Baltimore, Florida, Sarasota, Levittown

☆ I'm fleeing Florida after almost 40 years because 'Rolls Royces, Range Rovers and Maseratis took over' and my home insurance skyrocketed
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

David, 58, had loved the slow pace and friendly community in West Palm Beach, Florida, since 1987. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with David, 58, who is moving to Savannah, Georgia, next year after almost 40 years living in West Palm Beach, Florida. We would drive down to see them, and West Palm Beach held some mystique to me. I spent nearly 40 years in West Palm BeachWhen I first came to West Palm Beach, I moved into this great little area that I fell in love with. I lived in a condo for two years, and then I bought property for $150,000 back in 1989 or 1990.

Persons: David, —, Maseratis, Georgia Wilmington Island , Florida Matthew Propst, we've Organizations: Service, Palm Beach, Insurance Locations: West Palm Beach , Florida, Georgia, Savannah , Georgia, Chicago, Florida, West Palm, Palm, New York, I'm, Georgia Wilmington Island , Florida, Palm Beach, Savannah, Wilmington

☆ Forget snowbirds: 'Sweat birds' flee the heat of Texas and Arizona to spend summer in cooler northern climates
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It allows them to partake in outdoor activities in the summer and provides a change of scenery. "I have never been happy with the heat," Woudenberg told Insider. "Sweat birds" — or "fire birds," which Woudenberg prefers — ditch the heat and opt for a cooler experience in the summer by relocating north. Northern California provides some relief from the Dallas heat for one sweat birdChuck Anderson is originally from Nebraska but has lived in Dallas since 1980. He naturally gravitates toward warmer climates, he said, but Dallas' summer weather has become a bit too much.

Persons: Cindy Woudenberg, Woudenberg, it's, Mike Pennekamp, Galia, Mike, Chuck Anderson, Kim Anderson, Chuck Anderson Anderson, Anderson, Kim, Dallas, Realty Anderson Organizations: Service, Midwest, Dallas, Anderson, Realty Locations: Wall, Silicon, Phoenix, Woudenberg, Baldwin , Michigan, Grand Rapids, Arizona, Arizona and Michigan, Michigan, In Michigan, Lake Michigan, Florida, Idaho, Miami, snowbirds , Florida, South Florida, Driggs , Idaho, Jackson , Wyoming, North Carolina, Teton, California, Nebraska, Dallas, Colorado , Idaho, Montana, Truckee , California, Nevada, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Truckee

☆ Homebuyers who fled to Miami hoping to escape high taxes are in for a rude awakening
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Kelsey Neubauer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

New Yorkers moved to Miami in droves during the pandemic — fleeing high taxes in the Empire State. But property taxes in Miami were among the fastest rising in the US last year, a new report found. Overall, the South saw much higher property tax hikes than the Northeast, the data show. Florida's unique property tax lawsFor many people in Florida, this uptick came as a big surprise, Insider previously reported. So, even if their home values skyrocket as newcomers flock to the region, the higher tax bills may still be within their means.

☆ Sunbelt Traffic Jams Are Frustrating Drivers and Threatening Growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Konrad Putzier | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bruce Jordan, a 69-year-old retired corporate attorney, has lived in the Miami area for most of his life. But reaching either one is becoming increasingly difficult. Roads are often clogged by snowbirds, tourists and recent arrivals from the Northeast. Driving to a pharmacy less than a mile from his suburban home north of Miami used to be a breeze. Now, he says, it can take more than 45 minutes during rush hour.

☆ Hyundai launches 'no commitment' electric vehicle monthly subscription – here's why it's different from leasing
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-12 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The subscription program will allow users to rent an electric car for as low as $699 per month. The South Korean car manufacturer announced the start of its Evolve+ electric vehicle subscription service at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show on Thursday. The Evolve+ app is available on the Google Play store and the Apple App Store. It's also advertised as a way to test out an electric vehicle with no long-term commitment. "Evolve+ gives our customers the opportunity to try an electric vehicle and see if it is right for their lifestyle.

☆ Hyundai starts EV subscriptions for those who only need a car sometimes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Users can reserve Hyundai electric vehicles using a smartphone app. Porsche also has a car subscription program available in 14 cities, according to Porsche’s web site. However, the Hyundai Evolve+ program doesn’t include any support for charging such as help installing a home charger or included access to public chargers. “We’re currently exploring ways to include the charging with the subscription,” Hyundai spokesman Miles Johnson said in an email. “It also could be a way to help drive the adoption of electric vehicles, providing EV intenders a platform to test electric vehicles without the long-term commitment.”

☆ 6 reasons why moving to Florida can be a major disappointment, from surprisingly high tax bills to severe storms that 'should be an eye opener'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

"The appreciation rates that we've seen in South Florida have been much higher than the national average," Bordenaro said. Newcomers moving to Florida have also been shocked at property tax bills that are higher than they expected, Insider's Kelsey Neubauer reported. Because of rising sea levels, many homes in South Florida are at a higher risk for disaster, which makes it more expensive to insure them. According to Bordenaro, Miami is attempting to alleviate the traffic issue by constructing more lanes and new exits, but the going road work only leads to more traffic. "Depending on where you come from, it can be tough to make friends with the locals," Bordenaro said.

One of Asia's most popular travel destinations, Thailand is seeing a much-needed tourism boom, with 1.75 million visitors in November, quadruple the number received for the whole of last year when flights and foreign arrivals were limited by the pandemic. Russian arrivals in November represented about 60% of the number who visited in the same month in 2019. A top destination for Russians is Phuket, where they account for about a quarter of the island's visitors, helped by direct flights to there and Bangkok, according to Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). "In the evening you'll see Russian families strolling in the park along with locals," he said, adding some were staying until March. ($1 = 34.6200 baht)Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Orathai Siring; Editing by Martin PettyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Remote work is killing Florida as a retirement paradise
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-11 | by ( Gadel Valle | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Housing prices, combined with the rise of remote work, threaten to end the middle-class dream of spending your final days in Florida. "It does put the retirement industry at risk because it's going to become more and more difficult" to retire in Florida, he told me. The political influence of Florida retirees is so significant that national publications send reporters to The Villages before elections to check its political pulse. The dream of a Florida retirement is dying as housing prices make it too expensive for most. And for people who are retiring now, the Florida retirement dream is starting to look a lot less sunny.

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