Joel Freudman and his spouse visited Florida many instances throughout their childhoods. However when the Canadians vacationed within the state two years in the past, they determined that this time, they’d stick round.
In February 2022, they traveled to the Sunshine State to flee the Toronto winter and the tail finish of the town’s COVID-19 lockdowns, Freudman stated. They deliberate to work remotely in Florida untill the tip of March.
However their plans quickly modified.
“Inside a month, we have been wanting into Florida neighborhoods and have been going to both lease long-term or purchase,” the 38-year-old informed Enterprise Insider.
They determined to purchase a house within the Fort Lauderdale space, and by that August, they’d stated goodbye to Toronto.
Freudman is one among many individuals who’ve moved to Florida in recent times. The state’s inhabitants grew 1.9% from 2021 to 2022, in response to Census Bureau estimates, making it the fastest-growing state within the nation. Heat climate, extra inexpensive housing, and the dearth of a state earnings tax are among the many perks drawing movers to Florida. However some newcomers say there are additionally downsides to the Sunshine State, together with excessive insurance coverage and healthcare prices, extreme climate, and a “trip really feel” that finally wears off.
Whereas Freudman and his spouse Eva do not remorse their transfer, he stated they’re torn on whether or not they wish to keep in Florida long-term, notably if they’ve youngsters.
Enterprise Insider requested him what the most important professionals and cons have been of his Canada-to-Florida transfer.
Florida has heat climate, cheaper housing, and is nice for enterprise
Freudman stated the climate is the most important edge Florida has over Canada.
“The colourful setting in South Florida, in comparison with the chilly, sunless grey of Toronto throughout winter, is a recreation changer,” he stated, including, “My spouse loves going for a seaside stroll most mornings.”
Florida has additionally been useful for his profession. Freudman, the founder of a service provider financial institution, stated South Florida is crammed with “nice small companies and entrepreneurs” that he is been capable of join with. Florida had the third-highest fee of new enterprise formations per capita in 2022, in response to the Financial Innovation Group.
Whereas housing within the Fort Lauderdale space is dearer than in some areas of the US, Freudman stated it is usually extra inexpensive than in Toronto. The standard Toronto residence prices about $816,000 in comparison with $784,000 in Fort Lauderdale, and it is even cheaper in Wilton Manors, the Fort Lauderdale “suburb” the place the couple technically resides.
Freudman additionally appears to be like ahead to benefiting from Florida’s lack of a state earnings tax within the years forward. He stated different professionals of the Fort Lauderdale space embrace the recent seafood, the protected group, and the accessibility to Miami.
Excessive dwelling prices and conservative insurance policies have raised issues
Whereas housing could also be extra inexpensive in Fort Lauderdale, Freudman stated many issues price greater than they did in Toronto.
“Groceries, eating places, tradespeople, and so on. are all dearer, plus in our case, property taxes and positively healthcare are far more pricey,” he stated. Canada has a common healthcare system funded by taxes.
South Florida additionally is not walkable, Freudman added, so proudly owning a automotive is a “should.”
Whereas he likes a few of Florida’s pro-business insurance policies, he stated he and his spouse have some issues concerning the state’s politics.
He stated homelessness, gun violence, and earnings equality are extra prevalent in Florida than Canada, and that a few of its extra conservative insurance policies — notably its six-week abortion ban — appear to be “severe steps backward.” He stated he and his spouse are additionally frightened about what affect one other Donald Trump presidency might need on the US.
“It does trigger us to query whether or not to have youngsters whereas in Florida, and whether or not to lift them there longer-term,” Freudman stated, “or whether or not to return to Canada for education with ‘Canadian values.’ That is an ongoing dialogue.”
However for now, Freudman stated the professionals of Florida outweigh the cons.
“It is not low cost,” he stated. “However the high quality of life improve is effectively price it.”
Have you ever lately moved to a brand new state and are prepared to share your story? Attain out to this reporter at jzinkula@insider.com.
