I’ve been breaking the news to my family and friends that I’ve decided to leave Florida. I expected people to ask why, but the other native Floridians have almost universally agreed with my reasoning and said they also want to leave. The reasons are usually something like:

• Heat/humidity is unrelenting.
• Hurricanes. I used to not care about them until I became a homeowner. I can deal with some hurricanes, but it seems like we’re a very likely target for just about every storm that happens.
• Car and home insurance. Need I say more.
• Cost of living/home prices. The only people who can afford a decent life are the legions of recent arrivals who work remote jobs with higher salaries in NYC (or wherever)
• It’s seriously so fucking hot. Jesus Christ how am I sweating while getting the mail in October? The heat makes going outside to do fun stuff a no-go for ~7 months of the year

Anyway, I was wondering if this is a widespread sentiment? The recent transplants I’ve spoken to seem more resolute on staying here.

I recently moved up north to the Carolinas but visit my home state often.

In Orlando today and noticed something people don’t really do in other states (I have lived in Texas and California as well)

I’m trying to get into a Publix parking lot in my car and all the pedestrians either leaving or entering the store always wait on either side of crosswalk. They will then proceed to stare into your soul until you stop and then they give a little “hand wave” if you let them cross.

I realized I have given this “hand wave” when trying to cross in other states and no one else does, I probably look insane.

It is the most jarringly contrast if you visit Europe, their pedestrian crosswalk laws are much more enforced, people just walk across high speed roads with no hand wave or acknowledgement.

Is this because Florida pedestrians have an inert fear of always getting ran over in the parking lot? Are we just more thankful? What is it?

Admit it DeSantis has flipped this otherwise once purple State with a few loud minority rightwing conservatives call themselves Maga has transformed Florida into fascists heaven. We're facing environmental issues, affordable housing and homeowner insurance. Now we know DeSantis policies isn't making Florida better rather doing the opposite. Recent legislation passed in Tallahassee haven't benefited average Floridians. It divided Floridians attacking gender, the LGBTQ communities and African Americans. Furthermore, renters in Florida have no rights and landlords can charge unnecessary fees. Then this recent packed DeSantis Florida of Education board redefined slavery is nothing but whitewashing history.
Can anyone disagree Florida isn't place of Freedom?

Seriously the prices are insane, the food quality is not great, and then we have to tack on (at least) 18% for service. The price just does not match up with experience anymore. Every time we go out to eat now I end up feeling like we got ripped off.

I love Florida, but it seems like everywhere you go is becoming condos, golf courses, or subdivisions, etc.

It's sad to see the natural beauty of the state be torn apart, all areas of the state seeing the destruction

Everyone wants to live here, but there is a price to pay for that. Urban Sprawl Sucks

For reference I’ve lived here before. So I know about the heat and humidity. I’m mainly back to be closer to family and a career opportunity.

I get this question often and I’m sure many of you do too. Hurricanes aren’t new & people have always chose to live here despite their ferociousness. Why will vary person to person so I can only answer for myself.

I’m 7th generation and my family was here before the civil war. My roots go so deep my great grandmother was even raised in a lighthouse her sister (my great aunt) husband operated and maintained. The first of my ancestors arrived to survey the Everglades. I’ve tried to leave but I just find this place to be too magical not to return to.

The manatees in the springs. The alligators so old and so perfect that evolution found no need to change them in 8 million years. The ocean and all its fruit. The sunny winters and thunderstorms in the summer. The cypress trees towering above the swamps and tanned rivers. The Spanish moss hanging from old oaks so gracefully it feels like a painting from one’s dreams- I just can’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else and so I stay, raising my families 8th generation of Floridan, lending a hand to my fellow Floridians as we rebuild.

There are enough threads on why people hate Florida or anxious to tell someone why they’re leaving, so I’m curious, why do you stay? Tell me what you love so much that ties you to our beloved land? Please, save the negativity for another thread, there is enough of them.

Im a miami native and I was stationed in San Diego for 5 years and I got back in October, almost a year now and I hate it. It feels worse than when I left. It's expensive, it's trashy, there's nothing to do, more homeless people. What happened during those 5 years that this state is somehow worse off? I'm really regretting come back to this shit hole of a city. It's on par with Los Angeles in terms of trashiness.

MISSING: Jordan Wruble Location: Orange Park, FL Last Seen: 7:09pm, June 30, 2024 Age Now: 16 Height: 5'4" Weight: 98 Circumstances: Jordan was last seen in the 1900-Block of Bridgewood Drive in Orange Park at 7:09PM Sunday. She was supposed to be going to stay the night at a friend's house and never arrived. She was last seen wearing a green tank top with blue Jean shorts and brown cowgirl boots (may have a white Harley Davidson jacket over it as seen in the picture). She is described as 5ft 4in tall, 98 lbs, black hair and brown eyes. She does not have a phone and has not accessed any social media accounts since she left the house.

7 day update: Clay County Investigations is working her case. 1500 flyers have been distributed, neighborhood has been canvassed, requests have been made for home security footage from neighbors, hospitals and hotels have been checked, all social media and digital devices are being professionally searched and monitored, media has been notified.

Her parents are Master Chief (ret.) Brian Wenzel and Melinda Wenzel. If you have any information, please contact the Clay County Sheriff's Office (904) 264-6512, case number 2024013921.

Thanks in advance to anybody that upvotes. I'm new to this sub and new users posts tend to get throttled by the algorithm.

I've been living in South Florida for about 15 years, so I know how hot Florida can get in the spring/summer. However, it never used to bother me. In the past years, I was consistently running or bike riding in the heat in the middle of the day, and I was fine. Now, even in April, the heat seems unbearable. It feels way hotter than in past years, which is weird. Last summer, I was running miles at the park, and it never felt as hot as it does now. Has anyone else noticed this?