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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.
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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.
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