Even After Hurricane Ian, People Are Still Leaving Cities Like San Francisco, New York, And Chicago And Moving To Cape Coral And North Port

If you thought the hurricane would slow down the migration to Southwest Florida, think again. Redfin just released new migration trends that include the month of October and Cape Coral and North Port are both high on the list. But why? The entire month of October was nothing but headlines about how much damage this area took. Could it be that the threat of a hurricane is still better than the idea of living in one of those cities? Of the top 10 migration cities, 5 are here in Florida, “That’s despite the fact that the state was hit by Hurricane Ian, one of the deadliest, most destructive storms in U.S. history, in September,” Redfin reported. “Coastal Florida is especially popular, even after getting pummeled by Hurricane Ian.”

The price of a strip of sand in Fort Myers beach shows this:

That's more than a million dollars to buy some sand where a house used to be. My friend Chris is still kicking himself.

The report states “an unprecedented portion are relocating to new metros. Many are seeking relative affordability as near-7% mortgage rates and persistently high home prices make expensive parts of the country even more expensive.” And Florida is high up on the list of where they want to move. Including North Port and Cape Coral.

There's another interesting part of the study. It shows not just where people are moving to, but also where they're moving from. Specifically, the largest block of people currently moving to Southwest Florida are coming from Chicago. I get it. I've been to Chicago. Amazing food, amazing night life, a great sports town, but.... High crime rate, rats the size of dogs, and the cold. Even in the June, the way the wind rips through downtown, I was freezing.

There was a similar study conducted before the hurricane,  "A Record Number Of California And New York Residents Moved To Florida Last Month." If it seems familiar, it was the study that Governor DeSantis kept referring to during the election.

The Redfin migration analysis is based on about two million Redfin.com users.  The data set is from August 2022 to October 2022. Here's Redfin's Top 10 Metros Homebuyers Are Moving Into, by Net Inflow. Net inflow = Number of Redfin.com home searchers looking to move into a metro area, minus the number of searchers looking to leave

A net inflow of 3,700 over the 3 month period. The top origin from relocation is New York. makes sense, Orlando still has a lot of that international feel that a New Yorker is used to. Plus they have the world's largest McDonald's.

A net inflow of 3,800 with the top origin of Los Angeles.

A net inflow of 4,300 and the top origin is Chicago. That's and area that took a direct hit from Ian. 4,300 families decided that a hurricane is still less scary than Chicago.

A net inflow of 4,600 and the top origin is also Chicago. We may need an additional study as to why SWFL is so popular with Chicago people. Chicago Pizza on 47th Terrace about to get even busier.

The 'Florida of the West' saw a net inflow 4,700 with the largest group coming from Los Angeles.

A net inflow of 5,600 with the top origin being New York.

The net inflow was 6,500 and people didn't come from far. The top origin was Los Angeles.

A net inflow of 6,700 with the top origin being New York. I'm not surprised by this, I think every New Yorker wishes they lived in Miami.

A net inflow of 7,100 and the top origin is Los Angeles.

A net inflow of 7,800 and the top origin being San Francisco.

In a simple answer, nope. Sure, I know there's people that want out, but there's even more people looking to replace them. I had friends that stayed with me for awhile after Ian demolished their home. They're buying a place further north. As in 'near Orlando'. Staying in Florida. Many people would rather live where there are hurricanes, then live in some of those northern cities and all of their problems.

Christmas Events Happening in Southwest Florida

Thanksgiving is this week and that can only mean one thing...it's almost time for Christmas!  Yay!!!

I don't know about you, but I am ready to enjoy the Christmas tree, wear matching pajamas with my loved ones, watch Christmas movies on repeat and drink hot chocolate (yes, even in Florida).  And of course, listen to all my favorite Christmas music on Sunny 106.3!

If you're planning to participate in a few holiday festivities this season, we've put together a list of all of the events happening over the next month or so here in Southwest Florida!  We've got ideas for a fun date night.  A family fun night out.  Even ideas for some fun with your pets this holiday season.

We've included several options from Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers and even Marco Island!

By the looks of this list, all of  Southwest Florida is ready for some holiday cheer after another tough year.

Make sure to check back again for the latest updates as this is an ongoing list.  If you know of one, please let us know in the comments and we will add it.

Check out these Christmas Events Happening in Southwest Florida:

2 Day Event!
-Friday, December 2nd: 5pm-10pm
-Saturday, December 3rd, 10am-10pm

Free to attend!
*Lighting of the tree will be approximately 6pm on Friday, December 2nd

For more details, click here

Mark your calendars for the Annual Bell Tower Tree Lighting, Friday December 2nd 6pm-8pm!

Santa Claus will arrive to Bell Tower at 6:30 p.m. in a South Trail Fire Department fire truck at the main entrance near Grimaldi’s and Blue Pointe.

Following his arrival, the festivities will commence in Center Court with a special tree lighting ceremony and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, ideal for holiday photo opportunities. Filled with holiday cheer and decor, center court will also feature a bounce house, face painting and holiday games & activities plus so much more!

For more details, click here

Celebrate the spirit of the season with this annual holiday tradition! The Gulf Coast Symphony is joined by the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers, plus the Kellyn Celtic Arts Dance Academy, and, of course, Santa! The festive sounds of the season ring through the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, as the Gulf Coast Symphony presents your most favorite symphonic pops holiday medleys. From Leroy Anderson’s endearing Sleigh Ride, a medley of music from Christmas movie classics, to the Mannheim Steamroller Silent Night, and much, much more! Deck the Halls is your favorite Southwest Florida holiday tradition, perfect­ for the whole family!

For more details, click here

This Christmas, bring the whole family back to a simpler time with NUTCRACKER! Magic of Christmas Ballet! The acclaimed holiday tradition is LIVE in theaters for the 30th Anniversary tour. Gather friends and family to re-live your fondest childhood dreams, overflowing with larger-than-life puppets, breath-taking acrobatics and dazzling costumes. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing at the highest level of classical technique. Share in the message of Peace and Harmony and get tickets now at nutcracker.com!

Coral Oaks Golf Course

Come and Bring the family for a delicious breakfast and the kids get to meet SANTA!
$15. per Adult
$10. per child and 2 and under FREE

For more details, click here

Celebrate the season with Santa at Veterans Park Recreation Center.

Come join us for a magical Winter Wonderland event! Children can write letters to Santa, make holiday crafts, play games and use the photo booths for family holiday photos. Mr. and Mrs. Clause will arrive and children can put in their wish list in person and receive a gift. Hot cocoa & Cookies, dancers and a tree lighting will spread the holiday cheer!

For more details, click here

Come see the beautifully decorated trees at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for the 16th Annual Festival of Trees. $2 admission or bring an unwrapped toy for the toy tree which will be donated to Golisano Children's hospital. You may win your favorite tree and all the gifts with it. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. Proceeds support the SBDAC and Goodwill SWFL. 

For more details, click here

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2022 AT 10 AM – 2 PM

Come out to Santa's Block Party 2022 in front of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center downtown Ft. Myers. Santa will arrive by Fire Truck. Children's workshop bags include crafts, crayons and a coloring book, a Publix decorate a cookie kit, a toy, candy and a ticket to ride the Holiday Express train. Bags are only $6 each. Tables will be set out on First Street for families to work together on crafts. Kits can also be brought home. There will be music and tons of outdoor entertainment. Additional train rides are available for $2 each. After the fun, come in for a photo with Santa, view the trees and get your raffle tickets. You may be a lucky winner of a beautifully decorated tree with tons of prizes! 

What: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

When: Saturday, November 26th from 5-8 PM

Tree Lighting starts at 6 PM

Where: Gulf Coast Town Center, 10021 Gulf Center Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913

Located in the West Village

Thursday December 1st 6p-9p

Come join us for our annual Tree lighting at Immokalee Zocalo event pictures with Santa. FREE Event

Our 4th Annual Christmas at Farmer Mike's event kicks off Black Friday evening. We are excited to share the Holiday cheer with all of you !!!! The event will run on Friday and Saturday nights 6pm-9:30pm starting Black Friday for 8 total nights. Yes we will have fresh live Christmas trees here for you everyday starting on Black Friday until they're sold out. Santa will be here on event nights reading and singing to you in our 5 acre field of lights. New this year is our animated lightshow you will find in the field of lights. Come back out to the farm and relax with us and get into the holiday spirit!!

December 3rd 3p-9p

December 3rd is a Snowday! The 38th Annual Snowfest is celebrating Collier County’s 100th Anniversary! The event is set for Saturday, December 3rd, from 3-9pm at Paradise Coast Sports Complex!
SnowFest will feature three giant snow mountains made up of nearly 100 tons of snow for kids of all ages to enjoy.
Santa's Wonderland will be at SnowFest, along with an amazing Snow Maze, the great centennial snowball hunt and selfies photo booth, "Elf" starring Will Ferrell on the 32-foot-wide big screen, a holiday fun bounce land, a holiday train for kids, live music and performances, Domestic Animal Services pet adoptions, prize basket giveaways and more!
Entry wristbands are $5 in advance at PlayParadiseCoast.com, and $8 on Dec. 3 at the gate.
CAT Shuttle service will run free of charge from Golden Gate Community Center and Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
For more information visit PlayParadiseCoast.com.