Is Florida Just for Rich People Now?
5/27/202620 min
Florida, once an affordable haven, is rapidly transforming into a state for the wealthy. As a result, living costs are rising and population growth is slowing overall. WSJ’s Arian Campo-Flores reports on the affordability crisis and speaks with Republican Senator Rick Scott about what the state can do to create better-paying jobs and housing. Ryan Knutson hosts.Further Listening: - The Florida Cops Who Act as ICE Agents
- California Billionaires Are Freaking Out Over a New Tax ProposalSign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRyan Knutson· Host0:00
[music plays] For generations, people have been moving to Florida, the Sunshine State.
Arian Campo-Flores0:10
It's been a magnet for people for decades.
Ryan Knutson· Host0:14
[music plays] That's our colleague Arian Campo-Flórez, who lives in Miami.
Arian Campo-Flores0:20
Obviously, a lot of retirees have, you know, dreamed of having a little, you know, bungalow on the beach and spending their golden years, you know, fishing and hanging out near the water.
Ryan Knutson· Host0:31
It's not just retirees, though. Florida has drawn people from all walks of life, and a big reason is that the state has historically been very affordable.
Arian Campo-Flores0:42
It has, uh, drawn people in other age groups, people who are blue collar workers, who are, you know, nurses, who are teachers, cops and firefighters. You know, they could find a place to maybe start a new chapter in their lives and live in a new development.
Ryan Knutson· Host0:59
As a result, Florida's population only seemed to move in one direction, up. But in the past few years, something has changed. That population growth has slowed dramatically, and the only people who seem to be moving to Florida these days are rich.
Arian Campo-Flores1:17
That appeal that it has long had and that accessibility that it has long had for people around the country who are more maybe middle income or even