Why I Think Florida Is Truly Our Greatest State

Sun, sea, sand, snowbirds and no state income tax. What’s not to love?

Marcia Kester Doyle,

AARP Experience Counts

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Published September 19, 2024

a postcard with the oranges and the words greetings from florida the land of sunshine

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This is an opinion piece that only reflects the views of the writer and not necessarily those of AARP Experience Counts.

I was born and raised in South Florida. I thought I'd eventually move out of state for a change of scenery. But no matter how many places I traveled to, the Sunshine State always lured me back.

Florida has swaying palm trees, sandy white beaches, sweet Naval oranges and frozen concoctions that would have made Jimmy Buffet proud. Even Taylor Swift sings about my unique home state in her latest song, “Florida!” What’s not to love?

For those of us who live here, Florida is a tropical paradise with a 24/7 vacation vibe that offers high-quality living in a melting pot of diverse cultures.

Yes, my state is also the butt of numerous jokes and has a bad rap when it comes to snowbirds, aggressive traffic and rising crime. But that’s not so different from other states with booming metropolitan areas, popular vacation spots and transient occupants.

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You read so many funny newspaper headlines from Florida because we have an open record law that makes it easy for reporters to access bizarre information—such as backyard gator wrestling, Grand Theft Auto chases on highways or people using giant snakes as "emotional support" pets.

Despite comical stories of “Florida Man” and the weird crimes here that may have you questioning humanity, there's a good reason why the Sunshine State is still desirable to so many visitors and why we natives love it so much.

We have the longest coastline in the U.S., with 825 miles of accessible beach. Average temperatures year-round range from 88 degrees in the summer months to lows of 57 degrees in the winter. The relaxed, beachy environment and cosmopolitan atmosphere in the larger cities are a big draw for most tourists.

Of course, there are other, countless reasons why Florida is a great state to live in. These are among my favorites:

1. It's the fishing and boating capital of the world

The joke is that if you don't own a boat, make friends with someone who does because there is no better way to spend a weekend than out on the turquoise waters fishing and catching a tan. It's also one of the best places in the U.S. for great seafood.

2. An abundance of National and State Parks

If you love camping or RVing, Florida is a gold mine for natural parks. It has 175 state parks, 38 state forests, three national forests, and 12 national parks, preserves, seashores and monuments. A trip to Florida would not be complete without an airboat ride in the Everglades, kayaking in Itchetucknee Springs or a guided tour through the Florida Caverns State Park.

3. Numerous Theme Parks for Family Fun

If roller coasters, spinning teacups, water parks and interactive shows are your jam, your family will never run out of things to do at Florida's famous theme parks. Walt Disney World has four world-class parks and two popular water parks perfect for adventurous families. However, other theme parks are equally entertaining for people of all ages, such as Universal Studios, Seaworld, Busch Gardens and LEGOLAND.

4. Abundant Wildlife

We have it all, but our most famous critters are alligators, crocodiles, panthers, sea turtles, manatees and dolphins, plus over 516 species of birds.

5. Year-Round Pro Sports and Outdoor Activities

Florida has numerous professional sports teams, and chances are you can catch a game any time of the year with three football teams, two basketball teams, two baseball teams, two hockey teams and two Major League Soccer teams. Since the weather is almost always reasonable, plenty of year-round outdoor activities include tennis, swimming, golfing, pickleball, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, scuba diving and volleyball.

6. The Best Nightlife

Despite its lengthy coastline for beach lovers, Florida also boasts an active nightlife in some of its largest cities, such as Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa and Orlando. If you're looking for top-notch dining, concerts, luxury resorts, museums, theaters, festivals and more, these are the cities to explore.

7. Plenty of Must-See Sites and Landmarks

Besides the nightlife, Florida has some of the most remarkable landmarks and sites tourists must see. Check out the Florida Panhandle for a trip to the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum or travel to the tip of Key West to see the Southernmost Point of the U.S.

Visit the remote island of the Dry Tortugas, the Coral Reefs we're famous for, or explore the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral on Merritt Island.

Take a step back in time by visiting St Augustine to experience the nation's oldest city (settled in 1565), or head south to Zoo Miami, home to 2,500 animals and over 4 miles of walking paths.

Some other reasons why Florida is my favorite state:

We have several of the U.S. highest-ranked public schools and universities in America
There's no state income tax.
It's the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Never-ending job opportunities, especially in tourism.
It's senior-friendly with a warm climate perfect for retirees.

How can you not fall in love with a state almost surrounded by water with beaches nearby no matter where you live? It's summer year-round, so grab your bathing suit and flip-flops and soak up some sunshine in the greatest of these United States.

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Marcia Kester Doyle is a Yahoo Life Columnist and the author of Who Stole My Spandex? Life In The Hot Flash Lane. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, The Independent, U.S.A. Today/Reviewed, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, AARP, Woman's Day, Country Living, House Beautiful, and many others. You can find her at marciakesterdoyle.com.

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