In 2019, my (now ex) husband and I joined the mass exodus of Californians moving to less expensive states.
First, we settled in Atlanta. The bustling business hub seemed rife with career opportunities for both of us. Plus, it was familiar territory for me as I’d lived there a few times and had friends and family nearby.
After two years of living in Atlanta, we weren’t sold on the idea of settling there and preferred to explore our options. We wanted more perks of California living — sunshine, beaches, and proximity to theme parks — for a fraction of the cost.
After a wonderful spring-break trip in 2021, we realized we could find all of those things in Orlando. When my then-husband received an offer for his dream job there a year later, we finally made the move to Florida.
Living in Orlando felt like heaven on earth to me, but the honeymoon phase ended after about three years.
Although I love visiting Orlando, living there wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows
At first, I really enjoyed living in Orlando.
We had so much entertainment and fun right in our backyard: Our home was less than an hour from the beach, plus less than 30 minutes from Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld.
Soon, I realized some of the area’s not-so-great qualities were dealbreakers in my long-term living plans.
Since Florida is nicknamed the Sunshine State, I didn’t think to look much deeper into its year-round forecasts before we moved.
We enjoyed a lot of sun, but in our first year as residents, I was shocked to discover how much it rains in Orlando — even in the summer. The area has a rainy season that lasts months, and rainfall here is higher than the US average.
Worse, though, is living through Florida’s infamous hurricane seasons. Orlando is far inland and typically safe from hurricanes, but it isn’t always entirely in the clear from the storm’s path and local impact.
The city still gets heavy rains and flooding. In two of the three years we lived in Orlando, several hurricane warnings pushed us to evacuate. Plus, as we’re more inland, heavy winds can make the area susceptible to tornadoes.
Although our top-floor apartment was never damaged by storms, we saw our homeowner friends fork out thousands for hurricane-related repairs while dealing with the area’s rising insurance costs.
Combined with the rising risk of hurricanes and home prices, this all turned me off from the idea of ever buying a house in Florida.
Even if I didn’t own property, it became clear to me that hurricane damages and risks would likely impact all residents one way or another — be it higher rent payments or car insurance rates.
Unfortunately, the Sunshine State’s hot, humid, and rainy weather can also make homes especially susceptible to mold. When I began experiencing health issues related to frequent mold exposure, it felt like my final straw.
After three years, I’d had enough of living in Florida, and I was ready to leave, especially since my marriage was ending, too. I can’t say living in Orlando played a role in our split, but not having family or a village nearby definitely wasn’t great for us.
I moved back to a place where I knew I could settle with ease: Atlanta
Once our divorce was finalized, Atlanta welcomed me back with open arms.
Although the Georgia city experiences its fair share of tropical storms, the weather feels much calmer year-round, and I still get tons of sunshine. I’m closer to my family and friends, and feel comfortable settling down here.
I also like that there are so many thriving people in Atlanta who look like me. There’s a reason this city is nicknamed the Black Mecca of the South — and I’ve seen firsthand its dense population of successful Black professionals and moguls.
I’m excited for my new chapter in Atlanta. It turns out it was the right place for me all along — just at the wrong time.
Although Orlando didn’t work out as a permanent residence, it’ll always be my home away from home and a go-to vacation spot.
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