Big Tech Moves to Miami, Leaves California Behind

Billionaires are swapping sunny California for warm Florida. Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Meta, has just bought a massive home on Miami’s Indian Creek. The deal is worth somewhere between $150 million and $200 million, according to a recent report. The seller is linked to the founder of Jersey Mike’s, adding an interesting twist to the transaction. The new house sits on a private island that also hosts another wealthy car dealer, Norman Braman. Braman’s wife said Zuckerberg would be moving in by April, and she welcomed the new neighbor. Zuckerberg already owns several luxurious properties across the country— in Palo Alto, Lake Tahoe, and even on a Hawaiian island. But this latest purchase adds to his growing portfolio in Florida.The move is part of a larger trend: many tech founders are eyeing Miami for its tax-friendly environment. Larry Page has already spent close to $188 million on multiple homes there, and Sergey Brin is in talks for a $50 million Miami Beach house. California lawmakers are proposing a one‑time 5% “billionaire tax” to help fund strained health care. Some business leaders are moving their companies out of California to dodge the tax, and real‑estate agents say it’s driving wealthy buyers toward Florida. The governor of California says the tax is poorly designed and already hurts the state’s economy, but critics argue it could push more billionaires out of California altogether.