For decades, Florida has been widely recognized as a magnet for individuals seeking a tranquil and enjoyable place to spend their retirement years. With its year-round sunshine, scenic coastline, and favorable tax conditions, the state naturally attracts retirees looking for comfort and relaxation. However, a new trend has been steadily reshaping Florida’s economic and social landscape: an increasing influx of freelancers, independent contractors, and other self-employed professionals drawn by the same appealing conditions that long lured retirees. These modern workers are discovering that the Sunshine State offers not only leisure but also fertile ground for flexible, independent livelihoods.
A comprehensive study conducted jointly by the freelance platform Fiverr and the market research firm Illuminas has shed light on this change. Drawing upon official government data, the report sought to identify which major metropolitan areas across the United States have experienced the most notable growth in the number of independent professionals between 2019 and 2024. Since the most recent verified figures available were from 2023, Illuminas developed a forward-looking estimate for 2024 based on broader macroeconomic indicators and recent national labor trends, ensuring the projection would reflect the latest shifts in employment dynamics.
According to the findings, Michelle Baltrusitis, Fiverr’s head of community, described what she characterized as a significant “freelancing boom” taking place across major Sun Belt cities—a stretch of rapidly growing urban areas spanning the southern and southwestern United States. Among the thirty large U.S. metropolitan regions evaluated, Orlando and Miami emerged as the clear leaders, each reporting an impressive 32% increase in the number of self-employed professionals. Nashville followed closely behind, exhibiting a 24% rise. Notably, every city rounding out the top ten was also located within the South or Southwest, reinforcing the notion that this part of the country has become the epicenter of modern independent work.
As Baltrusitis explained in her remarks to Business Insider, the Sun Belt presents an especially desirable balance between quality of life and economic opportunity. She noted that the region’s combination of affordable cost of living, hospitable climate, and robust, expanding economies creates an environment where flexible workers can thrive. This synergy—where lifestyle advantages meet growing markets—has encouraged a diverse array of professionals to build sustainable careers outside traditional employment structures.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau complements these findings, revealing that in recent years, the flow of people into Florida has exceeded the number leaving the state, a pattern mirrored across the broader southern United States. This migratory trend underscores the appeal of the region not only for retirees escaping colder climates but also for mobile professionals seeking autonomy and economic potential.
In an era marked by a somewhat stagnant job market, where full-time employment opportunities can often be scarce or heavily contested, many individuals are turning to alternative forms of work as a means of financial independence and career resilience. Establishing small businesses, pursuing freelance opportunities, or engaging in contract-based work has grown into a compelling solution for those eager to chart their own professional paths.
Baltrusitis also emphasized that this surge in independent employment is not merely a temporary reaction to economic conditions, but part of a longer-term societal shift. She predicts that the momentum of the freelancing movement will continue to spread throughout the Sun Belt and the entire country. Workers today, she observed, increasingly prioritize autonomy, the flexibility to design their schedules, multiple income sources for financial security, and above all, direct control over the trajectory of their professional lives.
Supporting this interpretation, additional statistical evidence from ADP Research indicates that the number of independent contractors has grown by approximately fifty percent between 2019 and 2024. This rise has been steady and consistent, particularly since 2021, when the labor force began to recover from the severe disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, economist Ege Aksu of Revelio Labs found that the proportion of job switchers who have transitioned into entrepreneurship has sharply increased in recent years, even as overall corporate hiring rates have slowed.
Aksu interpreted these changes as reflecting deeper cultural transformations in how individuals perceive work. He remarked that the modern labor market increasingly celebrates personal autonomy and flexibility—values that resonate strongly with those seeking to redefine their relationship with traditional employment. Yet he also acknowledged that for some, the shift toward self-employment may arise from necessity rather than pure aspiration, driven by limited job openings and fluctuating hiring trends.
For those aiming to embark on a freelance career, Baltrusitis offered practical advice. She encouraged aspiring independents to thoughtfully assess which of their skills are most marketable and to approach self-employment with patience and persistence, understanding that trial and error are integral to success. In addition, she recommended researching how other freelancers showcase their talents and promote their services online, particularly through established platforms like Fiverr, where visibility, presentation, and niche targeting can significantly influence opportunity and income.
Taken together, these insights portray a labor landscape in transition—one in which Florida and the greater Sun Belt region serve as both symbol and catalyst of a larger national movement toward flexibility, innovation, and self-directed careers. The same forces that once made the region a haven for retirees are now transforming it into a thriving frontier for the future of work.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-moving-retirement-freelancer-self-employment-independent-workers-2025-12
