Barb Carter had always dreamed of moving to sunny Florida, where she could live a more laid-back lifestyle, be nearer to her children and grandkids, and enjoy the sunshine. But after just a year, her experience swiftly devolved into a string of unanticipated difficulties, forcing her to leave the Sunshine State. Carter’s tale captures the nuanced reality that many recently arrived Floridians must contend with as they adjust to the state’s shifting demographics and changing environment.
Carter’s first significant challenge in Florida was discovering an armadillo infestation in her house. This unforeseen issue resulted in $9,000 in damages, which made her new life challenging. This was only the start of a string of regrettable incidents. A hurricane struck shortly after, which made her move even more difficult. In Florida, hurricane frequency and intensity have been rising, putting residents and their property at serious risk. Carter saw the hurricane as a sobering reminder of how susceptible the state is to severe weather.
Carter faced social and political problems in addition to environmental ones, which made her new house feel unwelcoming. Particularly in recent years, there have been a lot of heated arguments and differences in Florida politics. Carter struggled to feel at home since she was surrounded by political feuds that never stopped. Her expectations of a tranquil and happy community stood in sharp contrast to this strained climate.
Getting access to healthcare was among Carter’s biggest obstacles. She had a hard time finding a physician who would do the necessary surgery to remove a tumor from her liver. Many people in Florida frequently struggle to get healthcare services, a problem made worse by the state’s expanding population and overburdened medical system. One of the main reasons Carter decided to leave was the inadequate medical care.
After a year filled with hardships, Carter decided it was time to return to her home state of Kansas. She packed her car with whatever belongings she could fit and left Florida, selling her home at a $40,000 loss. The financial hit was another blow, adding to the emotional strain of leaving behind the family members she had moved to be closer to.
Carter’s experience is not unique. While Florida has seen a population boom, with more than 700,000 people moving there in 2022 alone, it has also seen significant numbers of residents leaving. Nearly 500,000 people barb carter florida left the state in 2022, driven away by factors such as soaring insurance costs, a hostile political environment, worsening traffic, and extreme weather. For many, the allure of beautiful weather, no income tax, and lower costs of living is overshadowed by these challenges.
Looking back on her stay in Florida, Carter cautions anybody considering relocating there to proceed cautiously. “I am asked this question a lot: ‘Why would you relocate back to Kansas?’ I always tell them the same thing: you need to take off your travel sunglasses,” she remarked. Living in Florida was not at all what Carter had imagined it would be like. Her experience serves as a sobering reminder to anyone thinking about relocating to the Sunshine State of how important it is to weigh all the pros and downsides of doing so.