"Boomers Ditch Florida for Appalachia: The New Retirement Hotspot"
Affluent baby boomers, dubbed "halfbacks," are increasingly leaving Florida for southern Appalachia to escape extreme weather and high costs. This migration has led to a population spike in rural counties, driving sustained development and upscale amenities in once heavily rural areas. The influx of new residents has also sparked concerns about suburban sprawl and the impact on local communities in southern Appalachia.