Bethenny Frankel Says Miami is the 'New LA'

The former 'Real Housewives of New York City' star says Florida's Sunshine State is now the cultural hub for America's rich and famous.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Bethenny Frankel, the former star of 'Real Housewives of New York City', has moved from New York to Miami, Florida, and says the Sunshine State is now the 'new LA' - the cool, aspirational place where the rich and famous want to be. Frankel cites Miami's booming real estate market, influx of billionaires, and growing social media influencer presence as evidence that the city has surpassed New York and Los Angeles as the cultural center of the country.

Why it matters

Frankel's move from New York to Miami reflects a broader trend of Americans, especially the wealthy and influential, leaving major coastal hubs like New York and LA for the Sun Belt. This migration is reshaping the cultural and economic landscape of cities like Miami, which is seeing an influx of high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and social media stars.

The details

Frankel, 55, joined a wave of New Yorkers relocating to South Florida last March, settling on the coast with her teenage daughter. She says Miami has the most million-dollar property listings in the US, surpassing even New York, and has attracted a number of billionaires like Ken Griffin, Jeff Bezos, and Larry Robbins. Frankel also notes that Miami has the highest number of top Instagram creators per capita of any US city, ahead of New York and LA. She says the influx of new wealth has changed Miami's cultural landscape, with the city now a hub for shopping, art, nightlife, and social media.

  • Bethenny Frankel moved from New York to Miami in March 2025.
  • A January 2026 Bank of America Institute study found that New York recorded the second-largest population loss of any US city in the fourth quarter of 2025, after Los Angeles.

The players

Bethenny Frankel

A former star of 'Real Housewives of New York City', an entrepreneur, and a social media influencer who recently moved from New York to Miami.

Ken Griffin

The CEO of Citadel, who has relocated from a northern city to Florida in the past four years.

Jeff Bezos

The founder of Amazon, who has also relocated from a northern city to Florida in the past four years.

Larry Robbins

The CEO of Glenview Capital Management, who has relocated from a northern city to Florida in the past four years.

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What they’re saying

“Miami is the new LA. In the way that LA was the cool place to be, and aspirational people wanted to be there.”

— Bethenny Frankel (Business Insider)

“Rich people are moving down here. Miami's exploded, real-estate-wise.”

— Bethenny Frankel (Business Insider)

The takeaway

Bethenny Frankel's move from New York to Miami reflects a broader trend of Americans, especially the wealthy and influential, leaving major coastal hubs for the Sun Belt. This migration is reshaping the cultural and economic landscape of cities like Miami, which is now seen as the new 'it' destination for the rich and famous.