---
The decision usually starts the same way. A cousin moves to Aventura. You visit for Pesach. The sun is out, the apartment is three times the size of yours at a comparable price, and there's a kosher restaurant two blocks away. By the time you're back in Brooklyn, something has shifted.
Moving from Brooklyn to South Florida is one of the most common relocation patterns in the country — and for genuinely good reasons. But the families who land well are the ones who did real homework before signing anything.
This is that homework.
The financial case is hard to argue with. Florida has no state income tax. For a dual-income household used to New York's tax burden, that difference isn't gradual or theoretical — it's felt in the first paycheck.
Beyond taxes, you get considerably more space per dollar. A home with a yard, a garage, and room for a second refrigerator — that's not an unusual ask in South Florida. In Brooklyn, that's a fantasy for most families.
But it's not just economic. Over the past two decades, South Florida has built real community infrastructure for Jewish New Yorkers. The corridor between Aventura and Boca Raton now has established shuls across denominations, eruvin, kosher dining and shopping that rivals Flatbush or the Five Towns, and a critical mass of families who've made the same move you're considering.
That social ecosystem is often what seals it.
Not all of South Florida is the same, and choosing the wrong pocket for your lifestyle is the most common mistake transplants make.
Aventura & Sunny Isles Beach — If you're used to Brooklyn's density and energy and aren't ready to give that up, this corridor feels most familiar. Walkable areas, high-rises, ocean proximity, and a strong Jewish presence. Sunny Isles in particular draws families who want urban feel with beach access.
Hallandale Beach & Hollywood — A step more relaxed than Aventura but still well-connected. Hallandale has grown significantly and has a substantial Jewish community. Hollywood offers tree-lined residential streets and a small-town pace while remaining close to both Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Surfside & Bal Harbour — Boutique, established, and quiet. If you're looking for something upscale without the high-rise energy, this pocket has long attracted Northeast transplants.
Boca Raton — Further north, but arguably the most complete Jewish community infrastructure in South Florida. Excellent day schools, a wide range of shul options, eruv, and a large network of families from New York. Boca tends to attract families where schools and community come first.
Delray Beach — More space, a slightly slower pace, and a community that's expanded meaningfully in recent years. It flies under the radar compared to Boca or Aventura, but many families find it hits the right balance.
South Florida housing has moved considerably in recent years, so calibrate your expectations to current conditions — not what someone told you when they moved in 2019.
That said, you're still likely to get more home for your dollar than in Brooklyn. The tradeoffs are different rather than simply better: you may be in a car-dependent area, you'll manage a pool, you'll navigate HOA rules, and you'll prepare for hurricane season every year.
A few things worth knowing before you fall in love with a listing:
If you're managing this search from out-of-state, local expertise genuinely matters. The team at The Neuman Group are former New Yorkers who've navigated this move themselves — they work specifically with Brooklyn and NYC families relocating to South Florida and know the difference between a good deal and a mistake in these specific markets.
For families with kids, this is often what determines not just *whether* to move, but *where* to land.
Day schools: Boca Raton and Aventura both have established Jewish day school options. Quality varies, and waitlists are real — start this research before you finalize your neighborhood, not after.
Shuls: From Hallandale to Boca, you'll find Modern Orthodox, Yeshivish, Chabad, Conservative, and more. Eruvin exist in several areas, most notably Aventura and Boca. Visit before you decide — shul fit affects everything.
Kosher infrastructure: The corridor has matured significantly. You won't feel like you're giving up much here. Grocery options, restaurants, butchers — it's well-covered in the main Jewish neighborhoods.
Community feel: Transplants frequently describe finding a closer-knit community than they expected — partly because nearly everyone is a transplant. There's a shared experience that creates connection quickly.
Timing your move: Summer is peak season for South Florida moves — and also the start of hurricane season. Late spring or fall tend to be smoother, cheaper, and less stressful.
Establishing Florida residency: If the tax advantage is part of the appeal, it requires real steps: Florida driver's license, vehicle registration, updating voter registration, and spending the majority of your time in-state. If you have significant New York income ties, talk to a CPA before assuming the transition is automatic.
Moving companies: An interstate move from New York to Florida is a full operation. Get at least three quotes, read reviews carefully, and get every detail in writing.
The 30-day rule: Florida requires you to update your driver's license and vehicle registration within 30 days of establishing residency. Don't let it slip.
The adjustment is real, even for people who genuinely wanted to leave.
The pace is slower — sometimes frustratingly so. Nearly everything requires a car. The summer humidity is a force of nature that takes a full season to respect. And Brooklyn-style pizza is, regrettably, hard to replicate below the Mason-Dixon line.
Most families report that within six to twelve months, the adjustment fades and the lifestyle takes over. But go in clear-eyed. This is a real relocation, not an extended vacation.
The families who do it best chose their neighborhood deliberately, started building community before they felt like they needed it, and treated the whole process as a long-term decision — not a reaction to a bad winter.
---
For most families, yes — primarily because Florida has no state income tax, and housing costs generally offer more space per dollar than Brooklyn. The full financial picture depends on your income, lifestyle, and whether you're buying or renting, but the tax difference alone is significant for most households.
The most popular destinations are Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Hallandale Beach, and Boca Raton. Each has an established Jewish community with shuls, kosher options, and day schools. Boca tends to attract families prioritizing schools; Aventura and Sunny Isles draw those who want a more urban feel.
You can establish Florida domicile relatively quickly by getting a Florida driver's license, registering your vehicle, updating your voter registration, and spending the majority of your time in-state. Florida law requires the license and registration within 30 days of residency. Consult a CPA if you have ongoing New York income or business ties.
Renting for six to twelve months before buying is a widely recommended approach, especially if you're unfamiliar with the specific neighborhoods. It lets you test commute times, community fit, and lifestyle before making a long-term financial commitment.
Choosing a neighborhood based on price alone, without accounting for community infrastructure, school options, and daily lifestyle. South Florida is geographically spread out — the right neighborhood for a Boca-focused family looks very different from the right neighborhood for someone who needs to be close to Miami. Do the neighborhood research before the housing search.
← Back to The Neuman Group