Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced on Thursday that he is departing Seattle for Miami.
“Seattle has been my home since 1994 when I started Amazon out of my garage. That’s my dad behind the camera in this video, touring Amazon’s first “office.” My parents have always been my biggest supporters. They recently moved back to Miami, the place we lived when I was younger (Miami Palmetto High class of ’82 — GO Panthers!)” Bezos wrote on Instagram. (RELATED: Jeff Bezos Announces He’s Going To Space With His Brother)
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He shared that his parents decided to move to Miami, and that he wanted to remain physically close to them. He also added that his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez loves the city and that some of his business operations are moving into southern Florida.
“I want to be close to my parents, and Lauren and I love Miami. Also, Blue Origin’s operations are increasingly shifting to Cape Canaveral. For all that, I’m planning to return to Miami, leaving the Pacific Northwest,” he added.
Blue Origin is an aerospace manufacturer and space technologies company that makes rocket engines for spacecraft and satellites. The company says that it wants to create reusable rockets to meet the needs of both defense and commercial customers.
“I’ve lived in Seattle longer than I’ve lived anywhere else and have so many amazing memories here. As exciting as the move is, it’s an emotional decision for me. Seattle, you will always have a piece of my heart,” he concluded.
Bezos joins the growing number of wealthy individuals to leave liberal enclaves in favor of red states. Hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin announced that he would depart Chicago for Miami, citing violent crime rates.