The Challenges of Florida's Rapid Growth

Florida is being overwhelmed by rapid population growth, skyrocketing housing and insurance costs, a condominium crisis, traffic congestion, a diminished Everglades and extreme pressure to provide adequate clean water and to deal with all forms of human waste. Over a thousand people a day move to Florida making it now the fastest growing state in the Union. The average cost of a home in Florida is still dependent on its location but median prices range from $324,990 for a condo or townhouse to $600,000 for a home in the Miami/Dade Metropolitan Area. But there are still costs for insurance, Interest and utilities. That eats more than 60% of the incomes of many Floridians. Condominium fees have grown because of a requirement for periodic structural inspections. And storm surges and aging Sewerage systems have caused astounding sewerage spills threatening the ecosystems, marine environments, sources of clean water and the health of residents and visitors. Although the migration is part of a greater movement south, many Floridians are beginning to migrate northward within the state and to neighboring states with cheaper options. And Florida's Everglades is a shadow of its former greatness.

COL (Ret) Walter L. Steve Mayew left Florida for the armed forces at the age of seventeen during the 1950s believing that Florida was an incredibly durable playground of sun, beaches and opportunity. After four years of active duty in the U. S. Marine Corps and thirty in the U. S. Army he now lives in Niceville, Florida. His previous publications include Dealing with the Decades II, Because War Is A Failure and Optimizing Military Force Effectiveness.