I'm a native Floridian who left after 60 years. The high prices, traffic, and bad weather made it unlivable.

Kimberly Jones and her husband

Courtesy of Kimberly Jones

• Native Floridian Kimberly Jones said her state has become unrecognizable.
• Lots of construction, traffic, and higher costs made Jones feel no longer at home.
• In 2025, she and her husband moved to a small town in North Carolina, where she's happier.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kimberly Jones, a 60-year-old native Floridian who moved to North Carolina in 2025. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.