Why do old people flock to Florida and when did this thing start?

Old people get cold because of a decline in the efficiency of their circulatory systems...

Florida is warm year round...

You do the Math!

Still better than winters in New England.

Look up men like Henry Morrison Flagler... He was a New Yorker and Standard Oil Tycoon who brough the railroads to Florida and is credited for developing much of the state's Atlantic coast...including the city of Miami.

In short, Florida was the winter playground of wealthy Northeasterners. They invested heavily to facilitate transportation up & down the East Coast and develop the area. This created jobs and opportunity for working class folks. In addition, they used their money & influence to create a more favorable tax structure than they had back home.

The establishment of the railroads (and later the highways) made it possible for working and middle class northeasterners to also enjoy Florida's climate. Again, this created a massive tourism industry that supports the state to this day.

Between the climate and favorable tax structure, many who visited opted to retire to Florida so that they could actually enjoy the money they had earned in their working years...rather than give it to some northeast politician.

...and to think... some people today still call this "trickle down..."

Way too hot and humid, I prefer the beach cities in LA.

Jerry Seinfeld said it is because they are old people and that is the law.