Forget the Hamptons and Malibu, the rich and famous have an unlikely new go-to destination.
Known as the ‘Redneck Riviera’, Florida’s panhandle is attracting celebrities in droves.
Taylor Swift, Vince Vaughn and Addison Rae are just some of the A-listers who have been drawn to the region’s quaint towns and stunning beaches.
The panhandle was even given an unexpected boost after the city of Destin was name-checked by Swift in her song ‘Florida!!!’
The Sunshine State has long appealed to wealthy elites looking to escape high income tax in the likes of New York and California.
But while Miami used to be a hotspot, overcrowding, soaring house prices and a lack of privacy are pushing A-listers to explore other parts of the state.
Celebrities are shunning the Hamptons and Malibu in favor of Florida. Travis Kelce has been hunkering down at this $20million Boca Raton mega mansion as he bulks up for his final NFL season
Kelce is living at the ultra exclusive Royal Palm. Royal Palm membership is invitation only and patrons pay annual dues of around $30,000, plus a one-off fee of $210,000, to access ‘world class amenities’
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were recently spotted on a date night in West Palm Beach (Pictured in New York City), which is also proving popular with A-listers
Luxury realtor Aaron Buchbinder told the Daily Mail that Boca Raton has emerged as a celebrity favorite and is currently where Travis Kelce is camped out in a $20 million mansion.
Whether they are escaping high income taxes or the prying eyes of paparazzi, A-listers are increasingly fleeing New York and Los Angeles for more anonymous Florida towns.
The decision to relocate to Florida, or at least spend 183 days of a year there, brings huge financial benefits as residents do not pay income tax.
According to the National Taxpayers Union Foundation Florida, ‘remains the undeniable winner from movement of taxpayers and their dollars from state to state’.
But for many celebrities privacy is just as important, which is in part leading to an exodus from the likes of New York and Los Angeles, according to Buchbinder.
Instead, many are opting for the ‘Hamptons of the South’, a stretch of highway on the panhandle which boasts Rosemary Beach, Seaside – the new urbanist town where The Truman Show was filmed – and the quirky Alys beach.
The decision to relocate to Florida, or at least spend 183 days of a year there, brings huge financial benefits as residents do not pay income tax. Pictured: Pensacola on Florida’s panhandle
The Florida panhandle or the ‘Redneck Riviera’ is increasingly attracting A-listers thanks to its stunning scenery and secluded communities. Pictured: Rosemary Beach
The panhandle offers an alternative to Miami, where the rich and famous have historically flocked, thanks to its laidback pace of life and ample space. Pictured: Alys Beach
Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Jerry Jones, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, and Vince Vaughn all own homes in the area. Most recently, Russell Brand, Megan Moroney, and Riley Green have been spotted vacationing nearby.
It is also a hit with reality stars and influencers like Brielle Biermann, Hannah Brown, and Addison Rae.
With a raft of multi-million dollar homes, many areas have waitlists to buy up real estate on the powder white beaches.
While Miami was the place to be during the pandemic, the busy city quickly became overrun with traffic and fewer opportunities to build new homes, driving up prices and leaving buyers looking for calmer areas and more privacy and space.
In the Mediterranean-inspired panhandle community of Alys Beach, a recently built oceanfront property sold for $24 million, the highest figure on record for the region.
By comparison, the most expensive waterfront home ever sold in Miami went for a whopping $120 million in March.
Alys Beach, a preplanned, Mediterranean-inspired community, is one of the state’s most sought after places to live and is located on the panhandle
Beyond the panhandle, West Palm Beach has become a haven for finance bros, or hedge fund ‘hedgies,’ after they discovered it as a means of escaping the Covid-19 lockdown.
Travis Kelce and Swift were also recently spotted in the area, enjoying a romantic $400 date night at Harry’s restaurant.
The town is close to another playground for the ultra rich, Palm Beach, where President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort is based.
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Luxury real estate agent Aaron Buchbinder, based in Boca Raton, has noticed a definite, ‘shift in the celebrity migration pattern.’
The Compass agent told the Daily Mail that stars are attracted to the ‘more low-key lifestyle’ that these cities offer.
‘Areas like Miami and the Hamptons became incredibly saturated during and after the height of the pandemic, and for some the traffic and constant attention are deterrents,’ Buchbinder said.
‘That’s where places like Boca Raton come in. These areas offer the best of both worlds: large estates with plenty of land and privacy, gated communities for safety, and a true sense of seclusion, while still being within reach of Miami and Palm Beach.’
Boca has a long history of celebrity residents, including Ariana Grande, Adam Sandler, rapper Bhad Bhabie, rocker Chris Carraba, and tennis pros including Chris Evert, Andy Roddick, and Coco Gauff.
A newly built oceanfront property in the ritzy Alys Beach neighborhood sold for $24 million, a record in the area but still well short of the $120 million record for a beachfront Miami mansion
Buchbinder said the hottest neighborhood in Boca is the ultra-exclusive Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club, where Kelce is camping out in his $20 million mansion.
Royal Palm membership is invitation only and patrons pay annual dues of around $30,000, plus a one-off fee of $210,000, to access ‘world class amenities’ in the preppy private community.
Chris Wands of Douglas Elliman, who specializes in South Florida real estate, told the Daily Mail that celebrities are looking for ‘luxury, security, and discretion.’
‘These areas are low-key yet ultra-upscale, with world-class golf courses, private beach clubs, and gated communities. They are ideal for celebrities who want comfort and access without the flash,’ Wands said.
Gated communities provide an increased level of privacy from snap-happy fans and paparazzi alike.
Chris Wands, who specializes in South Florida real estate, told Daily Mail celebrities are looking for ‘luxury, security, and discretion’
Wands believes that Kelce chose Boca because he wanted to avoid the ‘chaos of Miami or the Hamptons.’
Kelce’s go-to trainer also lives nearby, who has been prepping him for what could be his final NFL season.
It is also slightly less expensive to buy in Boca or West Palm Beach, as opposed to the luxurious Palm Beach, known for its socialite scene, or star-studded Miami, where Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Ivanka Trump reside.
He has also noted an uptick in celebrities vacationing on 30A, which refers to the 24-mile stretch of road in South Walton County.
Wands believes the southern area, ‘offers a level of anonymity that’s hard to find in high-profile destinations like Miami or Malibu.’
‘Gated communities, private beaches, and a slower pace make it ideal for high-net-worth individuals looking to unwind without constant media attention,’ Wands said.