Florida man and Insider global editor-in-chief Nich Carlson wondered what the heck was going on in his home state. Sunshine State readers unloaded on him.

• Insider's global editor-in-chief asked Floridians how they feel about the US' fastest-growing state.
• Within hours, he received more than 50 responses from current and former residents.

There's just something about Florida. Love it or hate it, one thing's for sure: Americans can't stop talking about it.

In Monday's Insider Today newsletter, Insider Global Editor-in-Chief and Tampa native Nicholas Carlson asked Floridians for their take on how life was changing in the fastest-growing state in the nation. He got over 50 responses from current and former residents within 24 hours of publishing his piece. (You can sign up for the newsletter here.)

While there was widespread disagreement on the wisdom of moving to Florida, one thing was for certain: the state is changing, and not all for the better. Rising housing costs and traffic, for instance, drew almost universal disdain, while opinions on the state's weather, politics, taxes, and overall cost of living were mixed and highly polarized.

"Florida is awful," said one reader who's planning to move out. "I moved here twenty years ago and the quality of life has decreased every year since then."

Another resident was frustrated by the "influx of new residents" but says it's all worth it for the weather. "Florida is as close to Eden as states can get."

Florida's year-round warm climate, tax-friendly policies, and even its controversial politics have drawn many to the state over the past few years. Florida gained 320,000 new residents through domestic migration in 2022.

What is it about Florida that has so many people talking? Well, a lot. So, If you're planning a move to — or out of — Florida, here's what residents have to say.

'Welcome to Sunny Florida. Population – FULL!'

Everyone seems a little torn about the influx of new residents. This includes those who lived in Florida before people swarmed to the Sunshine State during the pandemic.

Tony Stanol, who moved to Sarasota from Connecticut nine years ago, worried that the cat's out of the bag on the pleasures of Florida. He wrote to Nich that he doesn't want people to know "just how good it is," in the state.

"We see new people coming here all the time and there is reason for concern," he wrote "Restaurants are packed and there is slightly more traffic than before. Housing prices are skyrocketing."

He has lots of company. The complaint about Florida simply being too crowded was a common one. One city near Miami saw traffic increase 2,741% with newcomers.

Stanol was so desperate to make it stop he said he wanted to hang up a sign: "Welcome to Sunny Florida. Population – FULL!" to deter newcomers.

People are hot and cold on the weather

The warm climate is among the top reasons people move to Florida, but it's not for everyone.

Keith Prewitt told Insider the "weather was beautiful" in Florida when he moved there in December of 2021, but then "May hit."

"The average temperature was 90-plus," and it felt like 120, he said. It was among the reasons he moved out last year.

Readers were divided on what to make of the annual threat of hurricanes, just months after Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $65 billion in damage. One said Floridians are "storm savvy" and prepared to deal with these storms when they arise.

"We're all going to die of something anyway and you have to take the bad with the good," another replied.

One former resident, however, said that the tens of thousands they spent on repairing damage from hurricanes and the thousands each year they spent on insurance ultimately drove them out of the state.

Is Florida affordable? Depends who you ask.

Cheap is relative.

Matt Horowitz, who moved to Florida from Maryland more than two years ago, wrote to Nich that Florida's affordability is one of the reasons he loves his new home.

"Utility costs are dirt cheap, property taxes are stable," he said.

He's right, relative to some places, Florida is cheap. Take the cost of buying a typical home, for example. Even with newcomers pouring into Miami, and home prices there rising nearly 50% since early 2020, the typical Miami home costs $510,0000. That's much cheaper than a typical home in New York City, which costs $745,000.

But, for others, the state has become too expensive as newcomers flock in. A recent study found that Florida is indeed the most expensive state overall.

It's something that Alexandra Elman has seen happen over the past couple of years.

"The paradise that I wanted to live in is definitely not what it was even three years ago," she said, lamenting the rising cost of living.

The state's politics are unsurprisingly divisive

Some Floridians love the state's politics, some aren't fans, and some don't care all that much.

Keith Prewitt, a California resident who moved to Florida said they benefited from the lower taxes, but ultimately grew weary of the state turning decidedly red — and moved back to the Golden State.

"I ultimately decided it was worth paying it again to live in a progressive state," he said.

Another reader said they are big fans of Governor Ron DeSantis, even though they "don't agree with some of his policies and are not Republicans."

A third called their move to Florida two years ago the "best move ever," despite the fact they think the governor is "crazy."

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to clarify that Florida gained 320,000 new residents through domestic migration in 2022.