- A millennial moved from Canada to Florida in part for the weather and cheaper housing.
- But he said high healthcare costs and the state’s abortion ban have raised concerns.
- Florida was the fastest-growing US state between 2021 and 2022.
Joel Freudman and his wife visited Florida many times during their childhoods. But when the Canadians vacationed in the state two years ago, they decided that this time, they’d stick around.
In February 2022, they traveled to the Sunshine State to escape the Toronto winter and the tail end of the city’s COVID-19 lockdowns, Freudman said. They planned to work remotely in Florida untill the end of March.
But their plans soon changed.
“Within a month, we were looking into Florida neighborhoods and were going to either rent long-term or buy,” the 38-year-old told Business Insider.
They decided to buy a home in the Fort Lauderdale area, and by that August, they’d said goodbye to Toronto.
Freudman is one of many people who have moved to Florida in recent years. The state’s population grew 1.9% from 2021 to 2022, according to Census Bureau estimates, making it the fastest-growing state in the country. Warm weather, more affordable housing , and the lack of a state income tax are among the perks drawing movers to Florida. But some newcomers say there are also downsides to the Sunshine State, including high insurance and healthcare costs , severe weather, and a ” vacation feel ” that eventually wears off.