Boomers moving to Florida has been a common phenomenon for many years. What’s not to love? This Southern destination offered warmth, affordable housing, and a more comfortable space for retirees. According to Business Insider, Florida was listed as one of the top “10 Most Boomer-Friendly Cities”. However, the tide has changed, with more and more retirees starting to up and leave the Sunshine State in droves.
The reason for this reverse movement can in part be explained by the frustrating housing crisis that is prevalent everywhere in the country but spurred on by Hurricane Helene. As with all states, housing prices have gone up dramatically, making it harder and harder to purchase a home. Once (and if) one can buy a residence there at a reasonable price, there is the hefty cost of home insurance. The once picture-perfect Boomer paradise is not so perfect anymore. Then came the nail on the head: a storm named Helene.
In late September, Hurricane Helene arrived as a category 4 hurricane, wreaking havoc in Florida and other southern states. All over the news came reports of mass destruction, with schools closed and roads blocked off. Rescue crews had to be utilized to save those unable to evacuate. The devastation and panic was unimaginable, as were the pictures of whole towns destroyed and in complete disarray. With this disastrous hurricane, it was no surprise that so many have left the state.
While those evacuated search shelter elsewhere, those left are faced with yet another issue known as Hurricane Milton. Preparations have been mobilized while residents are still reeling after Helene. People with homes intact are faced with a problem of selling before the category 5 hurricane hits. With the previous reversal of the retirement to Florida trend combined with the catastrophic situation that Hurricane Helene has left Florida in, nobody wants to buy a house there. Additionally, even if a Floridian’s home is not touched by the approaching storm, many areas will be extremely challenging to live in. Since so many buildings got destroyed, many businesses are out of practice, including doctors, dentists, and grocery stores. This does not make Florida any more appealing to any buyers, and additional wreckages and necessary repairs will also drive up housing prices.
What was previously a normal housing issue has now become a complete disaster. The previously mentioned high home insurance will now skyrocket due to the effects of not one, but now two large and destructive hurricanes. Everything will be more expensive, so the allure of a lower cost of living as compared to the north is gone. Peoples’ livelihoods have been disrupted in the most severe way, and it will be even harder to start a new life in Florida because of the lack of jobs caused by the hurricanes. Residents that have not evacuated yet have been ordered to prepare for the worst, and now nobody has any desire to move there after everything is settled.
As Hurricane Milton makes its way, it is important to contribute and support any relief efforts possible to make it easier for the communities of Florida to recover.
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