A number of major New York investment and technology firms are saying goodbye to New York to move into South Florida, like Citadel, Blackstone, Goldman Sachs, and more. GlobeSt.com sat down with R&B Realty Group’s Head of Development and Acquisitions, Shelby Rosenberg, whose company made its own exodus to the south.

The pandemic has introduced a lot of uncertainty and a lot of questions, Rosenberg says—but the general migration from the northeast down to Florida has been building over the past several years, especially because of the tax benefits, quality of life, and of course, the great weather. “New York will continue to be a vibrant place to do business, but Miami also has a lot to offer—the weather, cost of living, great schools—all amenities that attract a high-quality workforce,” he says. “Top CEOs and executives are coming to these conclusions, so although this has been a trend for years, the pandemic has actually increased the momentum, and now we’re seeing the migration at an accelerated rate.” Following are excerpts from the conversation.