I looked at Florida earlier this year and decided against it. The “no income tax” thing gives people the wrong idea - it’s not a cheap place to live unless housing is cheap, which is no longer the case. Property tax is similar to the situation in California. The house is reassessed when sold and then you have small increases until you sell. Newcomers bear the brunt of it and long-time residents pay very little. And then homeowners insurance anywhere close to the ocean!!!

Absolutely. Housing wasn't ever 'midwest cheap', but cheap compared to coastal cities. That was generally offset by highish property taxes and insane house insurance rates. As an example, I remember looking up a house in Vero Beach selling for $720k, which I thought was a bit insane for the area. I found it last sold for $280k in 2012. That kind of growth is untenable for any area, and it has no signs of slowing.

Moreso than that, I would only really recommend most parts of Florida to introverts. The people are generally unpleasant and cold compared to anywhere else in the whole Southeast. I think it's a state full of transplants, and well, people with a big family or friend network are less likely to up and leave their home. So we get the loners and the hated, so to speak.