Numbers Don't Always Tell the Full Story
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118435)
Gainesville, Florida
February 10, 2023 6:41pm CST
My good buddy Jim (@porwest) have been discussing Florida recently, and the fact that there is still pristine areas of the state left. Florida is the third most populated state in the US, with over 21 million residents, and over 1000 people per day move to Florida (not to mention the more than 100 million people who visit the state each year as tourists). Jim's been one of those people and has vacationed several times on St George Island in the panhandle of the state, an area that is still relatively undeveloped and hasn't been spoiled by urban sprawl and overpopulation. I was telling him that there isn't much of Florida left that hasn't been overdeveloped and overpopulated.
Then I came across this graphic. And boy was I wrong. Florida may be overpopulated, but it turns out that the entire state hasn't been as overdeveloped as I had thought. In fact, most of it hasn't according to the graphic. It seems like the majority of the population (almost 18 million) lives in very concentrated areas of the state, as shown in green in the graphic. I did a little more research, and a good portion of Florida is timberland (most of north Florida), farmland (most of central Florida), and swamp (most of south Florida). Really makes me look at the state in an entirely different way.
Considering Florida is a major tourist destination, have you ever visited the state? And if so, what part? And for those who may have moved to Florida from a different area of the country (or world), what was the deciding factor that brought you here?
26 people like this
27 responses
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
11 Feb 23
No, I've never been to Florida. When Pretty and I traveled we drove all over the Western part of the US (I owned a vacation home in Colorado for years.) and I drove twice from St Louis, Missouri to Meadville, Pennsylvania to take her to college before her freshman year and to pick her up from college after she graduated. I've also driven into Tennessee once. When I was 22 years old, I drove a mile into Mexico to meet a friend there.
That is the extent of my travels...
5 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc I met him in high school. His family got deported so I went to visit him when I could afford to drive there. 
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@DaddyEvil Oh, I see. Was his name Pedro, and did he have a friend named Napoleon Dynamite?
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
What kind of "friend" did you meet up with in Mexico? LOL
4 people like this
@askme123 (6150)
•
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc It is not bad if you have a strong roof and ensure no trees near the house.
Better than bustling through icy snow and skidding on snow ice roads.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@askme123 The buildings today can withstand the strong winds of a hurricane, but nothing can stop the tidal surge from the ocean. That is what causes the majority of the damage we see from hurricanes.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
There are three months out of the year (summer) that I would disagree with you on regarding weather. But yes, for the most part weather is deciding factor for many people relocating here to the state. Oh, and let me tell you, those people don't know what they're going to be up against when they go through their first hurricane!
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (458008)
• Switzerland
11 Feb 23
Oh yes, I have visited Florida, I do not know how many times we came, but I know it was MANY times.
We have been in the panhandle, we have visited the east coast and the west coast and the Florida Keys.
But also have visited places not on the coastline. We have also been to Okeechobee, but I cannot say it was an interesting area.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (458008)
• Switzerland
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc When we went to the Okeechobee is was already not the best lake, but surely it's even worst now. It is a shame because it is big. All around there is absolutely nothing interesting.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
You have told me over the years about your travels to Florida. Of all the places in Florida to visit, I can't believe you have actually been to Okeechobee!!! That must have been an interesting experience! I've been there many times with my family when I was a child, as we used to go on a lot of fishing trips to Lake Okeechobee. I wouldn't want to ever fish there now, because due to mismanagement over the decades, it's nothing but a toxic mud puddle now (although they are taking steps to clean it up). But outside of fishing, there's not really much to do in that part of the state. Everything surrounding the lake is either sugar cane fields, swampland or farmland.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@LadyDuck The entire area around the lake has so much potential, but because it is mostly agriculture/farmland, nothing really has ever been developed there. If they could clean up the lake and make it pristine again, and then build lakefront resorts, they could really attract tourist dollars.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Feb 23
I just guessed it was over developed too. I was there one time while in high school. Had a schedule as it was with the band.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc I could handle those open areas without the alligators. If I could avoid the hurricanes
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@wolfgirl569 Even in urbanized areas it's impossible to avoid the alligators. They are thriving everywhere. And well, avoiding hurricanes is a little tricky too.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
I guess it just depends on where you are in the state. When I lived in south Florida, it was nothing but concrete, asphalt and people as far as you could see.
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (115992)
• United States
11 Feb 23
My parents took my sister and I do Disney way back in the day when Epcot was brand new. I remember literally nothing of it. I've never been back to Florida. My only interest in the state these days is visiting Florida Keys like Islamorada, Marathon, and Key West.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
If you look at the biggest patch of green in the middle of the state, that's where Disney World is. Prior to Disney arriving in 1971, that area was nothing but orange groves and swamp land for as far as the eye can see. It won't be long before the entire area from west coast to east coast (Tampa-Orlando-Daytona) is a solid block of green across the state.
If you notice, the Keys have no green at all. Not a lot of people live down there, so it's still a great place to vacation.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@NJChicaa I've been to all three places you mentioned in the US. And I can agree, they're amazing places to see.
3 people like this
@NJChicaa (115992)
• United States
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc Legit the only places in the US I want to visit are the Florida Keys, New Orleans, and Hawaii. Otherwise you can find me in Cozumel.
3 people like this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
11 Feb 23
OMG a post from you. To what do we owe the honor my dear old man?
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
That you're one of the 3 million people in the state who do not live in the green areas! LOL
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@thislittlepennyearns Not THAT kind of green my friend.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (58134)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc i dont know abou tthat, we have a lot of green up here. lol
3 people like this
@shaggin (71664)
• United States
15 Feb 23
@moffittjc I love nature and warm weather. I would love that!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Feb 23
Yes, there are tons of places to hike here. The state has done an excellent job of preserving nature and creating award-winning state parks. And one of the largest national forests east of the Mississippi River is in Florida.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
17 Feb 23
@shaggin But you probably wouldn’t like the bugs that come with the nature and warm weather! Lol
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
11 Feb 23
I’ve never visited but I’ve watched lots of YouTubers who live in Florida! You can grow lots of amazing tropical fruit because of the weather! Born and raised in California - not moving! 
Born and raised in California - not moving! 2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (95001)
• United States
12 Feb 23
@moffittjc
It freezes in Florida?! I didn’t realize. There are so other exotic fruits you can grow in Florida! For example, have you heard of:
Atemoya, dragonfruit, sapote, sapodilla, longan, jackfruit?
The weather has been crappy and cold. Not to mention the crazy gas gas/electric bill. It’s been cold lately but the sun is coming out thankfully now!
How’s the weather going for you?
but the sun is coming out thankfully now!
How’s the weather going for you?1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Feb 23
@infatuatedbby Most of the freezes in Florida are in the northern part of the state where I live. Looking at historical averages, we can expect about 12-13 freezes each year. We are way below that this year, as we've only had 6 freezes so far this winter.
I've heard of dragonfruit, sapodilla and jackfruit, but I haven't heard of the others. I know in south Florida they grow all kinds of stuff I've never heard of.
It's been storming badly since Friday afternoon. The rain finally stopped this morning (Sunday), but it's still overcast. There is a high wind advisory today as the cold weather finally pushes through. Sadly, it will be hot again by Tuesday, as this time of year the cold fronts don't last very long.
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
Florida is very tropical in nature, and it seems that just about any type of crop from around the world will grow here. Citrus used to be king here, but due to citrus greening and many freezes in the past that have damaged or killed the trees, farmers are now diversifying and planting other things. We are starting to see lots of vineyards appear as researchers continue to develop grape varieties that thrive in our soil, and also blueberries and olive groves are becoming popular.
You live in a very nice part of California where it seems the weather is beautiful all year long. If the cost of living wasn't so high there, and if the political leanings weren't so liberal, I'd probably enjoy living there as well.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
You know me, so you do know at least one person in Florida! LOL
Living in Florida would be totally different than from where you live in Oregon. It would definitely be a drastic change.
I can't blame you for not wanting to live here. I've been here my whole life, and I wouldn't mind getting OUT of the state. haha
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 Feb 23
I lived in Fort Lauderdale for about a year at age 5 but have not been back since. Your Gov does not do much for tourism in my opinion.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
Tourism has been booming under DeSantis. I almost wish he could stop it; there’s too many people visiting here!
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@JamesHxstatic He is extremely popular in this state.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
Your country has a lot of catching up to do in terms of population! haha
Canada is like that too. Most of their population lives in a few big cities, especially near the borders of the US, and the rest of the country is very sparsely populated.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Feb 23
@JudyEv That's not necessarily true. Look at all those millions and millions of people who live in Northern Africa. It's a huge desert there and they seem to be doing okay. The key is that you have to drill for oil! haha
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc It's very difficult to live or make a living if there is little or no water.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
Panama City is a nice place to visit. I had family that lived there (distant relatives), and every couple of years or so we would visit and spend time at the beaches there (which are different from the beaches I grew up on in south Florida). And if you think it was hot in Panama City, you'd definitely not like other parts of the state then!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Feb 23
@RubyHawk I wouldn't necessarily compare the heat in Florida to that of an oven. An oven has no humidity! LOL. It would be more like the heat of an oven combined with the moisture of a sauna.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc That was the hottest place I've ever been. It was like stepping out in an oven.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
25 Feb 23
I am actually glad to see this. I find that Florida is one of the most attractive, beautiful states in the Union, and there is so much to do there and enjoy about it. I would love to see it stay that way.
Maybe DeSantis can propose a "Keep Florida a Sanctuary" bill or something like that?
I have been to many places in Florida in my lifetime, namely Treasure Island, St. Pete's Beach, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Apalachicola, St. George Island, Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach, Cape San Blas, even lived in Jacksonville when I was a very tiny lad.
Great state hands down. I'd love to live there year round if it weren't so darned hot in the summer.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Mar 23
@porwest I cannot argue with that statement one bit.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
26 Feb 23
DeSantis has done a phenomenal job of funding programs that buy up land for conservation and preservation here in Florida. He’s a native Floridian, so he’s seen firsthand what overdevelopment can do, and he wants to save what’s left of the natural beauty of Florida to save.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
2 Mar 23
@moffittjc Make America Florida. DeSantis 2024. [em]happy[/em. ]
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35084)
• United States
11 Feb 23
I have never been there, but when I was a lot younger, I always heard that Florida was a state where people would choose to retire.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
You should add Florida to your bucket list! haha
Florida has long been a desirable place to retire, but it's not quite so much as much now as it was before. We still have a lot of people retiring here, but the majority that relocate here are now doing so for economic reasons such as bountiful jobs and low taxes.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
11 Feb 23
Yes, many times. My former inlaws lived in Beverly Hills in Citrus County, and my grandparents had a home in Lakeland. Plus I visited just as a tourist several times. Except for the areas around Citrus county, and Disney of course, all the other visits were in the green so to speak. By the way, I would think the Keys would have a few people as well.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc Umm, well I never went to Florida pre Disney.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
Would you believe that most people in Florida have never heard of Beverly Hills, Florida? lol. I only know about it because my company has made deliveries to the area. And I am very familiar with Lakeland, as that is where my paintball team's home practice field is, so I'm there almost every weekend during paintball season.
Although the Keys does have a lot of people, it's not much in the grand scheme of things. One, it's incredibly expensive to live there; two, there's not much developable land; and three, hurricanes keep wiping everything out down there.
Can you believe (when looking at the map) how much green there is in central Florida between Tampa and Orlando? Prior to Disney arriving in 1971, that entire area was nothing but orange groves.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86757)
• United States
11 Feb 23
Never been to Florida and have no desire to Jeff.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86757)
• United States
11 Feb 23
@moffittjc I would not Jeff. It just is not my scene, I much prefer the North of the USA, the North shorelines with the cold and windy sea.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
Wow, that's actually surprising. There's only a handful of people I've met that have no desire to ever visit Florida.
What about the Florida Keys? Would you ever like to visit there? It's like visiting the Caribbean islands without ever having to leave the US.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
@RebeccasFarm That makes a lot of sense. Growing up in flat, low-lying and hot Florida, the northern climates do appeal to me in many ways. From my travels across this great country, I have always enjoyed many of the northern coastal areas. I always joke that if I could move anywhere in the US, I'd probably move to Alaska, or possibly to the Oregon/Washington area.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36438)
• Toccoa, Georgia
11 Feb 23
I have visited many times as a child and adult. The two main beaches my family then and now have visited are Fernandina Beach and New Smyrna Beach. Places I have visited once or twice are Disney World in Orlando, Panama City Beach, Clearwater Beach, Sanibel Island, Vero Beach, Stewart Florida and Miami.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36438)
• Toccoa, Georgia
12 Feb 23
@moffittjc Yes Fernandina Beach is special.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Feb 23
@LeaPea2417 I enjoy spending time in the quaint little downtown area, more so than in the ritzy beach resort areas.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
Out of all those places you’ve been, Fernandina Beach is probably my favorite, followed by Sanibel Island (before it was destroyed by the hurricane obviously).
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Feb 23
I wound up in Daytona Beach after I left Latvia because my friends had an empty apartment for me. Actually I was hoping to go where home has always been NYC where I was born and raised. Glad it did not work out that way the city is worse than ever, too many subway crimes, and way too expensive,
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Feb 23
I’m sure you look ve the Florida life better than the New York life!
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
14 Feb 23
My aunt used to live in Jacksonville, Fl. I have been to Jacksonville and Disney (of course). I had thought about moving down there a few times.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118435)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Feb 23
Jacksonville is alright as far as cities go. Not my favorite place in Florida, but not one I hate either.
1 person likes this
