I MOVED TO FLORIDA FROM CALIFORNIA WITH NO REGRETS: MORE MONEY SAVED AND A RICHER LIFE

California is known for its pristine beaches, laid-back lifestyle and status as a magnet for transplants — but so is Florida, only it’s not synonymous with infamously high living costs like its West Coast counterpart.

But are the rigors and expenses of a cross-continent move worth the effort?

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For one family, the answer has been a resounding yes.

Danny Margagliano, owner of DestinPropertyExpert.com, has won multiple awards for excellence during his more than 10 years as a realtor in Destin, Florida, a Panhandle hotspot perched between Pensacola Beach to the West and Panama City Beach to the East and touching the coasts of both the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay.

He’s shepherded several families from the Golden State to the Sunshine State, with most having no regrets and never looking back thanks to a higher quality of life at a lower cost.

“I have a lot of experience working with customers who have made this adjustment, and I can tell you that moving from California to Florida can significantly affect their financial situation,” Margagliano said. “Potential cost savings include everything from housing and utilities to transportation, taxes, and general living expenses.”

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The Thompson Family’s Journey

For Margagliano, one family’s cross-country relocation, in particular, stands out.

“Allow me to tell you the tale of the Thompson family, who relocated to Destin, Florida, from San Diego, California,” he said. “This is a first-hand account that highlights the significant advantages and adjustments that come with this kind of shift.”

James Thompson, a software engineer, and his wife, a school teacher named Maria, lived in a modest three-bedroom house in San Diego valued at around $750,000.

“The family of four grappled with the high costs of living, from steep property taxes and utilities to spiraling healthcare costs,” Margagliano said. “Despite their combined income, the dream of financial freedom seemed elusive.”

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The Big Decision

Uprooting and moving more than 2,000 miles from San Diego to Destin is an unnerving prospect no matter how much greener the grass might be on the other side of the hill.

For the Thompsons, it was a nerve-wracking decision.

“The idea of moving was daunting but driven by the desire for a better quality of life and financial stability, they considered Florida,” Margagliano said. “After extensive research and consultation, they chose Destin for its vibrant community, excellent schools, and, most importantly, its affordability.”

More for Less: A Family Finds Financial Freedom

The Thompson family’s gamble paid off. As it turned out, the grass truly was much greener on the other side of Interstate 10 — and they could spend much less green to finance a fancier lifestyle.

“Upon relocating, they purchased a sprawling four-bedroom beachfront home in Destin for approximately $600,000 — a property that would easily command millions in California,” Margagliano said. “The immediate reduction in living expenses was stark. They were pleasantly surprised to find their annual property taxes reduced by over 60%, and with no state income tax in Florida, their disposable income significantly increased. James could even transition to remote work, maintaining his California salary, further maximizing their financial benefits.”

A Better Quality of Life and New Educational Opportunities

It wasn’t just financial advantages. The Thompsons discovered a newfound quality of life in Florida that had been out of their price range back home.

“The warm, welcoming community of Destin, coupled with its pristine beaches and outdoor activities, offered them a lifestyle California could scarcely match,” Margagliano said. “They reveled in the everyday savings on essentials, from groceries to healthcare, freeing up resources for travel and savings.”

There are plenty of good school districts in California, but since property taxes fund school systems, they’re often out of reach for all but the wealthiest families. But in Florida, their California salary was more than enough for the cost of entry.

“Maria particularly noted the educational opportunities for their children, which were both accessible and of high caliber, a considerable improvement from their previous situation,” Margagliano said.

The Pleasant Surprise of Panhandle Life

Despite being West Coast transplants, the Thompson family acclimated easily and grew deep roots quickly in their new home.

“Perhaps the most delightful surprise was the rich social life and community engagement they found,” Margagliano said. “Far from being a transient or seasonal town, Destin was full of like-minded families and individuals eager to form lasting friendships. The Thompsons quickly integrated into local groups, contributing to their new sense of belonging and happiness.”

As a real estate agent hungry for commissions on the receiving end of eastward migration from California to Florida, Margagliano naturally wants the trend to continue — but he’s not only in it for the money and he thinks the positive results are all the sales pitch he needs.

“By telling the Thompson family’s experience, I hope to draw attention to the many people’s overall improvements in quality of life, in addition to the financial feasibility of relocating from California to Florida,” he said. “Stories such as this serve to highlight the job that I perform in assisting families in achieving their aspirations for a better life.”

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Moved to Florida From California With No Regrets: More Money Saved and a Richer Life

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