More Floridians relocating to Carolinas

Floridians are leaving the Sunshine State - which they say is overpriced and too hurricane-prone - and heading to the Carolinas.

• Florida has taken the top spot as the Carolinas’ largest in-migration market - overtaking New York in a 2005 survey of those wanting to move to the Carolinas.

• Florida ranked fourth in 2004. In the past 20 years, it ranked sixth or lower. New York, which ranked first in 2004, dropped to second in 2005.

The real estate industry calls them “half-backs” - Northeasterners who move to Florida, end up unhappy, and move “halfway back” to the Carolinas.

• Builders say these buyers want a change of seasons, lower cost of living and closer location to family and friends back home.

• The majority of relocators are not retirees, studies show. About 39 percent of relocators surveyed are older than 50, and 61 percent are younger.

• Experts agree that Florida has fueled the economy of the Carolinas, but whether the phenomenon is a short- or long-term trend remains to be seen.

• The survey shows the median household income of the incoming families is $117,000 and 77 percent have college degrees.

Why they move -

• Hurricanes

• Cost of living

• Taxes

• Overcrowding

• Closer to home

Source: Jenny Burns, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, SC