I sold my house in Miami and moved to rural North Florida. My cost of living and stress are down, and productivity is up.

Cheryl Patella. Courtesy of Cheryl Patella Cheryl Patella transformed her life by moving from Miami to rural North Florida. Her move cut her commuting costs, improved her quality of life, and aligned her work with personal values. Embracing remote work, Patella now enjoys nature, reduced expenses, and intentional living in Florida. At 6 a.m. every morning, I gather fresh eggs, check the vegetable garden, breathe in the cool North Florida air, watch my dogs race across five acres, and walk into my home office to begin a virtual meeting with a client. Five years ago, my mornings began very differently. Before sunrise, I had already left my home in Miami and was in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Interstate 95.