Startling Florida exodus accelerating despite NY reopening after COVID restrictions

New York has absolutely reopened after the strict restrictions imposed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — however migration from the Empire State to Florida has accelerated this 12 months, in accordance with new knowledge.

A complete of 21,546 New Yorkers swapped their driver’s licenses for the Sunshine State model throughout the first 4 months of this 12 months — a 12% improve from the identical interval in 2021.

The 2022 totals are 55% larger than the primary 4 months of the final pre-pandemic 12 months of 2019.

Mayor Eric Adams has speculated that the Florida exodus would wane — and that some evacuees would return — as soon as the town reopened.

Hizzoner has addressed the Florida drain instantly and even launched billboards within the state to coax erstwhile Gothamites again to their metropolis of origin.

However the finish of COVID-19 restrictions and the return of full-time education have to this point didn’t stem the outward tide to cities like Miami, Palm Seaside and Jacksonville, in accordance with knowledge from the Florida Division of Freeway Security.

A complete of 61,728 New York state residents switched to Florida licenses final 12 months — a determine that might be surpassed in 2022 if present tendencies persist.

Some observers have argued that high quality of life woes have taken root in New York rather than the coronavirus and are persevering with to drive flight.

Tony Palm Seaside County took in probably the most New York defectors this 12 months to this point with 2,935, adopted by Broward County at 1,946 and Miami-Dade at 1,777.

Migration from New Jersey to Florida has additionally elevated this 12 months by 9%.

A complete of 10,580 Backyard State residents have turned of their licenses in comparison with 9,664 throughout the identical span in 2021.

Rounding out the tristate, official Connecticut departures to Florida this 12 months are up by 4%, going from 3,950 within the first 4 months of 2021 to 4,119 this 12 months.

A complete of 9,645 California residents have turn into formal Floridians in 2022, a marked 18% hike over the identical span final 12 months when 8,166 made the transfer.

After New York, New Jersey, and California, Pennsylvania has had probably the most outbound migration to Florida this 12 months to this point with 8,412 license swaps adopted by Illinois with 8,149.