I left Florida for North Carolina after 60 years. It became unlivable.

I was born and raised in Miami and spent my entire life in South Florida, but in 2025 my husband and I moved to a small town in North Carolina. Rising costs — homeowners’ and auto insurance, groceries, eating out — and constant congestion made staying feel impossible.

I used to spend 2.5 hours a day commuting, and we wanted a slower pace of life. South Florida felt unrecognizable to me, full of cranes and new high-rises. I worried who could afford those places when teachers, grocery workers, and hospitality staff were being priced out.

Young adults with degrees often need a partner to cover half the bills; my daughter works two jobs and my son has a secondary income. My daughter bought a condo when prices and interest rates were lower, but my son will likely rent for the foreseeable future. Seasonal weather was another factor.

miami, south florida, north carolina, living costs, homeowners insurance, auto insurance, commuting, housing prices, high-rises, interest rates