For a while, it felt like everyone was moving south.

The trend took off during the pandemic, when remote work gave more Americans the flexibility to live wherever they wanted. Many headed to states where housing was more affordable and jobs were easier to find.

Southern states such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina became real estate market favorites, attracting waves of newcomers. But in the years since, some transplants realized that the grass wasn’t greener after all.

In July, I wrote about Sandra Bonola, a New England native who was drawn to the South by news stories and social media posts that portrayed the region as an affordable paradise. He moved twice from his home state of Connecticut to South Carolina: first to Charleston in 2021 and then to Beaufort, a small coastal town, in 2023.

None of the moves turned out the way she expected. Bonola told me that Charleston was busier, more expensive, and less realistic than he expected. And while Beaufort was more affordable (allowing her to buy a big, beautiful house), the heat kept her indoors most of the time, making her feel miserable and isolated.

In 2024, Bonola sold his Beaufort home and returned to Connecticut, this time for good. Since returning, Bonola said he has fallen in love with the state all over again and can hardly believe he ever considered leaving it behind.

Commenters debated whether the moving company did its research.

The article garnered a strong response from Business Insider readers, receiving more than 100 comments. Some proud southerners defended their states, while others sympathized with Bonola’s regret over relocation. Several readers also felt that she hadn’t done enough research before moving.

One commenter argued that Bonola chose the wrong southern city if he was looking for affordability.

“You picked one of the most expensive cities in the South,” one commenter wrote, adding that “Charleston is wonderful, but it sounds like you didn’t do your research. There are plenty of other beautiful places in the South that aren’t as expensive.”

They are right about Charleston’s relative affordability. While the city is cheaper than major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and New York, its cost of living is significantly higher than in smaller, less popular nearby cities. Data from RentCafe, an apartment search website, shows that Charleston’s cost of living is 4% below the national average but 6% above the South Carolina average.

Several readers made the same distinction between Charleston and smaller cities in other parts of the state.

“Charleston, while beautiful, does not represent a typical South Carolina city,” another commenter wrote. “Charleston has been overrun with tourism, expensive housing and trendy restaurants for tourists to spend their money on. A smaller city would have provided a much better experience and shown how nice this state can be.”

Others suggested locations they believed would have been more suitable.

“Should have visited Greenville,” one commenter wrote. “Downtown is great. It’s not as expensive as Charleston. So is Asheville. Made a big mistake.”

Readers also questioned Bonola’s expectations about the southern climate.

“I have a hard time understanding your logic,” one wrote. “She felt Charleston was too hot, so she decided to try a city even further south?!”

Another commenter offered a blunt climate warning to anyone considering a similar move.

“If you’re thinking about moving to the Southeast, take note of a few things,” they wrote. “It’s hot here. We have mosquitoes, large cockroaches, snakes and various other wildlife. From mid-June to mid-September, you’ll have to learn to enjoy sweating or spending many daylight hours indoors.”

Not everyone dismissed Bonola’s experience. Some commentators who had taken similar measures said they, too, were surprised by how hot it was in the south.

“I agree with you about the unbearable summer weather,” one commenter wrote. “I miss summers in New York, where I could walk my dog ​​and breathe.”

Another reader said moving from California had left them with similar regrets.

“We feel the same way,” they wrote. “I moved out of California. I can’t seem to find the greener grass. The weather in California was beautiful all year long. We miss it. We’re doing our best to look on the bright side. I just can’t find it with this ugly weather.”

Regardless of which side readers took, the comments underscored the cultural impact that moving to a new place can bring and how important it is to know what you’re getting into.