Orthodox Jews Exodus From NYC to Florida Amid Rising Antisemitism
Over 100 Orthodox Jewish families flee New York for Florida as antisemitism rises under Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
2 min read
As antisemitism escalates in New York City under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, more than 100 Orthodox Jewish families are relocating to Florida, seeking safety and stability. The migration is primarily directed to Lakefront Estates, a $300 million, 550-acre development in Glades County, Florida, where 60 families have already settled. The community officially opened in October with a synagogue, a yeshiva, and a kosher supermarket.
Relocation Driven by Antisemitism
CEO Yidel Perlstein of Lakefront Estates told the New York Post that Orthodox Jews made up the first wave of buyers due to the increasing climate of antisemitism in New York. While anyone can purchase a home in the development, the demand from Jewish families has been significant. Prices start at $460,000 for a four-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot house and reach $585,000 for a seven-bedroom, 3,700-square-foot home.
Families who have moved to Florida reported that the final push to leave New York was driven by City Hall. “You could feel the antisemitism everywhere; even my community Borough Park changed after Mamdani came in,” said Morris, a former Brooklyn resident who asked for anonymity due to fears of retaliation.
NYPD Data Shows Rise in Hate Crimes
NYPD data indicates that hate crimes in New York City have increased by nearly 16% from last year, with half of them targeting Jews. In a city with the largest Jewish population in the country, this statistic has raised alarms across all levels of government.
Mamdani’s response has been criticized as a political maneuver. His $30 million strategy includes an Interagency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, but it lacks a clear definition of antisemitism and fails to address Zionism or Israel. Critics argue that the plan is a ruse, as it even funds anti-Israel groups and does not formally recognize Israel’s existence.
Political and Economic Factors in the Exodus
New York State Rep. Aron Wieder (D-Rockland County) noted that 20 families from his heavily Orthodox district have already relocated to Lakefront Estates. “All my grandparents were Holocaust survivors, never would they have dreamed that their descendants would have to face what they faced in the leadup to the Holocaust,” Wieder said.
High taxes and housing costs have also contributed to the exodus. A Citizens Budget Commission study found New York has the highest state and local taxes in the country, at roughly $13,000 per person. The 2026 Realtor Housing Report Card ranked the state dead last in housing affordability and homebuilding. Orthodox families, often large, face challenges in finding suitable homes.
Florida offers a fresh start for these families, though not without its own challenges. While most locals have welcomed the newcomers, some online influencers stirred up trouble against the residents. Perlstein credited local authorities with protecting the community, and the families say they simply want to raise their children and be good neighbors.
Source: PJ Media
