YOU'LL NEVER WANT TO LEAVE CENTRAL FLORIDA

By Theresa Swanson

It all started with my grandparents some 60 years ago, when they relocated to Central Florida with the Glenn L Martin Company. My parents soon followed and Daddy decided Central Florida would be a great place to stay and raise a family. 

And so, decades later, here we all are. With the exception of one sister, my siblings all still live here, and we’ve all raised our own families.  

Central Florida was a wonderful place to grow up, even without the theme parks. After all, we had uncluttered beaches, clean lakes and fabulous year-round weather — why would anyone want to leave?

My folks figured something out early on: Florida is a great place to be. In fact, a recent Harris poll revealed that Florida is the top choice of where — excluding their own states — people would most like to live. 

In the past year, an astonishing 365,000 of those people have relocated to Florida, second only to Texas in the sheer number of relocators. The Sunshine State is now the third-most populous state, behind California and Texas.

So, who’s moving to Florida? Simple answer — everyone. Florida has always been known as a retirement destination, and that hasn’t changed. Our state still attracts more than 30 percent of the nation’s retirees. 

But Florida isn’t just about the 55-plus market. Millennials, who in other markets have started to shy away from homeownership, buck the trend locally. Fueled by excellent career opportunities, Central Florida has earned the distinction of being named a “millennial boomtown.” 

When younger people come here, they plan to stay. 

So, whether you’re a retiree ready to savor the good life or a millennial looking for a dynamic place to build your future; welcome to my hometown. Pull up a chair and sit a spell. If you’re like me, you’ll never want to leave.