I'm not sure what part of Florida you're in but low wages isn't my experience and no state income tax also helps. Housing is cheap. Maybe not Iowa cheap, but land and housing is definitely cheap especially compared to the Northeast where a lot of Florida residents move away from. Lol, beaches are not crowded at all. Florida is covered by beaches which means people are more spread out. Anywhere from Clearwater to Destin to Panama City Beach to Jacksonville to Cape Coral to Anna Maria island to Sanibel... All have been empty. Maybe you're referring more to SE Florida near Miami but I guess everyone has their own thresholds. Visit VA beach, OCMD, Rehoboth, or a Jersey beach and you'll see a crowded beach.