It’s not just snowbirds and retirees: All generations are flocking to Florida for a number of reasons, including no income tax and nice weather.
About 730,000 people moved to Florida between July 2021 and July 2022, according to the latest census data available. The typical mover to Florida is not a baby boomer, but a millennial or a Gen Xer from New York and California, according to Business Insider’s Noah Sheidlower.
Cities in South Florida — like Miami or Fort Lauderdale — are often movers’ top destinations, but Orlando is sneakily gaining popularity, according to real-estate agent Freddie Smith, who moved from Los Angeles to Orlando himself in 2022.
Orlando’s housing market is booming, real-estate agent Freddie Smith said. Shay Walker
Data from moving company Pods shows that Orlando ranked third in long-distance moves in 2023, up from ninth in 2022. According to Census data, between 2017 and 2021 more than 100,000 people moved to Orange County, where Orlando is located, from a different country, state, or county — and 50,000 of those 100,000 people moved from other parts of Florida.
Orlando offers less expensive homes than other Florida cities and is still a short drive away from the beach for tranquility and relaxation, Smith said. It also has entertainment and recreation options, including concerts and sporting events, that you’d expect from a large city, one local told Business Insider.
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“Orlando is a very hot place,” said Smith, who posts about the Orlando market as well as national real-estate trends on TikTok, where he has more than 500,000 followers. “You might only think of Walt Disney World, but Orlandohas expanded so widely in the past three years that you can enjoy the tourism if you’d like, but there are so many pockets.”
Census data shows that the population is steadily growing, from 238,300 in 2010 to 307,573 in 2020. According to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Orlando ranked fifth among Florida cities in population change, with an addition of 19,415 residents from 2020 to 2023.
And while Orlando (where Redfin found the typical home sells for $394,950) might still be more affordable than Miami (where one goes for $500,000) or New York City (where it costs $800,000), its popularity has boosted the housing market.
According to a Zillow report from September, Orlando was one of the top six housing markets that gained the most value since the start of the pandemic. It was valued at $382 billion as of June 2023, up 72.3% since 2019.
South Floridians are heading north to Orlando for affordable starter homes
Orlando’s homes remain cheaper than in other large cities in Florida — which makes it a great place to buy your first house, Smith said.
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“When it comes to people who can’t get a starter home in South Florida, they’re coming to Orlando,” Smith said. “You can still grab one for $375,000-ish, maybe $350,000 if you’re lucky. That’s a huge difference compared to $700,000 in South Florida.”
A housing development in Orlando. jodi jacobson/Getty Images
It’s getting more expensive to live in Florida overall, though, thanks to rising insurance rates across the state due to the increasing risk and cost of damage from climate disasters like hurricanes and flooding. Skyrocketing homeowners insurance premiums make already-pricey cities like Miami even more costly. Insurance is getting more expensive in Central Florida as well, but the lower home prices in Orlando soften the blow.
It’s still tough for retirees and people with more modest incomes, Smith said.
“The thing that’s hurting them is the increasing HOAs, property taxes, and insurance,” he said.
Out-of-state movers are attracted to savings on bigger homes
Smith added that people from states like New York and California are making their way to Orlando to snatch up luxury homes at what they view as discounted prices.
“If you come from a place like Los Angeles, like I did, $1 million is a shoebox,” he said. “But if you move to Orlando, Florida, with $750,000 or $800,000, you’re like, ‘I get a yard? I have a pool, palm trees, and no state tax?’ So affluent neighborhoods are selling so fast here.”
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More than 140,000 of the nearly 739,000 people who moved to Florida between 2021 and 2022 came from California and New York, according to Census data.
A few examples: Native New Yorker Jenna Clark moved to Orlando in 2023 to be closer to Disney World. Mark Kaley, meanwhile, moved from New York to Orlando in 2004 for a bigger house — and found that there’s much more to Orlando than Disney.
An aerial view of Disney World in Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
If it continues on an upward trajectory, Orlando could look very different in the coming years, Smith predicted.
According to Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development data compiled by moving company MoveBuddha, Orlando ranked fourth in new home construction in 2023.
“Orlando is massive. You’ll see an entire city and community, and then you’ll see just acres and acres. There’s so much room to expand here,” Smith said. “Orlando is expanding now because of the affordability and the space to do so.”
MIAMI — Dustin May attacked the strike zone and got ahead in counts, allowing his arsenal to play at its best in the Cardinals’ 5-3 win over the Marlins at loanDepot park on Tuesday.
The right-hander consistently set the tone early, either landing a first-pitch strike or inducing a foul
The Miami Heat are heading into another crucial offseason, and they MUST make changes. This team has been mediocre for the past few seasons and has been stuck in the Play-in Tournament. The Heat can’t currently compete with the way the roster is constructed. They need to trade for a star who can lead this team, and if a star becomes available, Miami will be involved. The real question is which direction actually makes the most sense.
The Heat could go after three potential targets this summer: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Donovan Mitchell. Who should Miami target? Let’s stack rank them based on fit, risk, and potential.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Only Move That Changes Everything
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Apr 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoys a moment during warmups prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat need to go all-in for Giannis. This is a trade that would completely reshape the franchise. Giannnis could potentially turn the Heat into a contender overnight. Even with his recent injury cutting his season short, nothing about his overall impact has changed. He still bends defenses in a way very few players can. Teams build entire game plans around simply trying to slow him down, and most of the time, it doesn’t work.
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The Miami Heat have desperately needed a true superstar who can take over games late in crunch time. The Heat have been relying on undrafted players and role players to create and execute their offense. Giannis flips that instantly by creating advantages on his own, possession after possession.
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I think the most interesting part will be pairing Giannis with Bam Adebayo. They would automatically become the best defensive frontcourt duo in the NBA. Giannis and Bam could both guard 1-5, and their switchability and rim protection would be elite. Offensively, Bam’s versatility allows Giannis to stay aggressive without needing to adjust his game too much.
The risk is obvious. Injuries have started to creep into the conversation, and committing everything to one player always carries weight. Still, Miami has never been a franchise that plays it safe. If Giannis is available, the conversation starts and ends there.
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2. Donovan Mitchell: The Cleanest Basketball Fit
Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after a made basket during the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images
If Giannis is the bold swing, Mitchell is the move that makes the most basketball sense from top to bottom. At this stage of his career, Donovan Mitchell knows exactly who he is as a player. He can control tempo, create offense in isolation, and take over stretches of games when things stall out and that is something Miami has struggled with consistently.
This is less about transforming the roster and more about fixing a specific problem. The Heat have lacked a reliable perimeter engine. Mitchell fills that gap immediately. What makes him especially appealing is how easily he fits into different lineups. He doesn’t need the ball every possession to be effective, but he can handle that role when needed. That flexibility matters on a team that values structure as much as Miami does.
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There’s also a timeline advantage here. Mitchell is younger than the other options and doesn’t come with the same long-term durability concerns. He gives Miami a clearer runway to build around, rather than a shorter window that demands immediate results. He may not bring the same overwhelming presence as Giannis, but he raises the overall level of the team in a way that feels sustainable.
3. Kawhi Leonard: Elite Talent With Too Many Variables
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Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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When Kawhi Leonard is available and healthy, he’s still one of the most controlled and efficient players in the league. His season with the Los Angeles Clippers was a reminder of that. Playing 65 games was a big step, and when he was on the floor, he looked like himself, methodical, physical, and impossible to speed up. From a pure basketball standpoint, he fits Miami’s identity. He defends, doesn’t force offense, and thrives in structured environments.
The hesitation comes from everything outside of that. Kawhi’s availability has been unpredictable for years, and even in seasons where he plays a high number of games, there’s always uncertainty about how things will hold up deep into a playoff run. Age adds another layer. Miami wouldn’t just be trading for a player; they’d be betting on a timeline that may already be shrinking. There’s no denying the upside. A healthy Kawhi still moves the needle in a big way. It’s just harder to justify that gamble compared to the other two options.
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Final Take
Each path offers something different. Giannis is the all-in swing that could put Miami back in the championship conversation overnight. Mitchell is the calculated move that stabilizes the offense and fits long-term. Kawhi is the wildcard, still elite, but with more uncertainty than the Heat can comfortably ignore.
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If Miami is serious about breaking out of the middle, they need to pick a direction and commit fully. Giannis is the dream, Mitchell is the smartest bet, and Kawhi is the toughest sell.
MIAMI (WSVN) – A 21-year-old man was arrested on a charge of sexual battery on a minor by an adult and lewd or lascivious molestation stemming from an alleged incident involving a 10-year-old girl, according to an arrest report.
According to the report, Alvin Davis was arrested due in connection from an alleged incident that occurred Oct. 16, 2025, in Miami. The child’s mother, who became suspicious and placed a recording device in the child’s bedroom.
The report states the girl told investigators that Davis touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.
Authorities said Davis was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being held without bond.
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