Neocon, I would have to agree with you about Miami and Palm Beach. As a matter of fact, I think I can safely say that just about any place that is between Miami and Palm Beach, should be renamed "Southern New York". And New Yorkers, such as my husband will be the first to agree.
Here in Tampa, where I live, it seems that most of the people are transplants from all over the country. It's very similar to southern California in the mid-50's when my family moved there from Oregon. They can't build roads fast enough to handle the population explosion. Housing developments, apartments, office complexes and strip-malls popping up every time you turn around. I think Tampa and Orlando are gradually merging. Much in the way that LosAngeles and San Diego did in the 50's and 60's. I've only been in Florida since 1987, and I've seen a drastic change. The price of land is still relatively low. But I've seen it more than double in 10 years. I'm not that familiar with Jacksonville. When we do go up north to Georgia, it's like going into another country. I was in Atlanta the summer of '96. Didn't see any of the games, but I thought it was a very nice place, except for the freeways at rush-hour. I almost felt home-sick. I learned how to drive on the L.A. freeways. Getting back to Florida, the gulf beaches are really beautiful, serene and relaxing. Not at all like the wild Pacific Ocean where I grew up.
Having said all of that, I think the main attraction to Florida is that you can afford to live here, and have a good quality of life, relatively speaking, of course. C Kahn |
