ORLANDO, Fla. — A new study from Florida Atlantic University reveals nearly half of Floridians surveyed would consider leaving the state, citing the high cost of living and quality of life concerns as major factors.
What You Need To Know
A new Florida Atlantic University study shows nearly 50% of Floridians surveyed are considering moving out of the state.
Housing costs, insurance rates, and the overall cost of living are the top concerns driving frustration.
Housing advocates say more development is needed to bring prices down.
Despite challenges, more than half of Floridians still believe in the American dream.
Researchers say the results underscore growing frustration over housing prices, rising insurance rates and everyday expenses that continue to climb.
Matthew Grocholske has been feeling that frustration firsthand while searching for an apartment in Central Florida.
“I’ve been searching for apartments all day. I’ll be looking at more tomorrow,” he said.
Grocholske said prices have risen sharply in just the past year. “Prices have gone way up,” he added.
He’s hoping to find something soon — but says most listings are out of reach for average renters.
“We need more actually affordable housing,” Grocholske said. “Not just unattainable housing that is very, very expensive in our neck of the woods.”
The study, led by Assistant Director for Business and Economic Initiative Eric Levy, surveyed 1,000 adults across the state.
About 37% held a bachelor’s degree or higher, and nearly half earned below $75,000 per year.
Levy said the findings were eye-opening.
“Which is a shocking number,” he said. “I mean, that’s not what we set out to find. Is that what we thought we would find?”
Levy said inflation, housing and health care topped the list of concerns for most respondents.
“Those numbers are high — 89%, 80%, 83% — so those are seriously weighing on the minds of Floridians,” he said.
Housing advocates like Eric Grimmer, a member of Orlando YIMBY — which stands for “Yes In My Backyard” — say those concerns are no surprise.
“One of the reasons people come to Florida, at least traditionally, you think about it’s been cheaper to live here,” Grimmer said. “And that used to be true, but it’s no longer true here.”
Grimmer believes the solution lies in allowing more housing construction around growing cities like Orlando.
“We need to provide the kind of environment that will allow new housing to be built and keep those costs either where they are or preferably lower them even more,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Levy says the survey showed a glimmer of optimism among Floridians.
“We found out that 53% of Floridians are still believing in the American dream, still think it’s alive and well,” he said.
For Grocholske, that dream includes finding a place to call home — one that doesn’t cost more than he can afford.