Nature bats last, no matter what Governor DeSantis or Senator Scott say.

Florida Residents Could Abandon Condos Over Spiraling Costs

That's the least of their worries. Home insurance has become unaffordable in Florida, if it's even available. Of course, only working class people and retirees are negatively affected.

Florida Residents Could Abandon Condos Over Spiraling Costs

I think they were finally able to shake off the macabre "only in Florida" stories like the bath-salts-cannibal or Casey Anthony. "Come on vacation, leave on Probation" was becoming the State motto with all the out of control cowboy cops and their Prison Industrial Complex.

Public safety, infrastructure, fewer barriers to businesses and individuals. Other things benefit Florida as well, but you have several at the top of the list Rob. From Forbes:

Florida is the most popular state to move to. This growth can be attributed to a variety of factors, including Florida’s warm, sunny climate, job opportunities, diversity and more.

Florida experienced an 86% net gain of new companies in 2023.
In addition to the increase in residents, Florida has also seen significant growth in the number of companies calling the Sunshine State home.

Most residents moving to Florida came from New York and California. U.S. Census data show that the majority of those moving to Florida (91,201 individuals) came from New York, followed by Califonia (50,701 individuals) and New Jersey (47,000 individuals).

Why are people moving to Florida? Florida’s annual average temperature is 73.3 degrees Fahrenheit. One very obvious appeal of Florida is the weather. Another huge draw to living in Florida is that it’s one of seven states without income taxes. Florida’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average. Florida’s job growth rate is higher than the national average in 2024. Florida’s cost of living is on par with the national average. Florida is one of the most diverse states in America. In 2024, World Population Review ranked Florida as the seventh most diverse state in the country.

Ask the folks in Sanibel-Captiva and Ft. Myers how it's going. Or St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Places I've lived that unfortunately depend 100% on tourism, and when natural disasters hit, most folks were simply out of luck. Lots of people lost jobs that may never return, not anytime soon for too many. A lesson also being learned in Acapulco, where the diversification of the economy has also been discussed, but never implemented thanks to caciques not wanting to lose their grip on impoverished people, people easy to manipulate who don't realize they're just a commodity. And now they're poorer than they've ever been. I've seen this movie a few times.

Florida is the most popular state to move to. This growth can be attributed to a variety of factors, including Florida’s warm, sunny climate, job opportunities, diversity and more.

Florida experienced an 86% net gain of new companies in 2023.
In addition to the increase in residents, Florida has also seen significant growth in the number of companies calling the Sunshine State home.

Most residents moving to Florida came from New York and California. U.S. Census data show that the majority of those moving to Florida (91,201 individuals) came from New York, followed by Califonia (50,701 individuals) and New Jersey (47,000 individuals).

Why are people moving to Florida? Florida’s annual average temperature is 73.3 degrees Fahrenheit. One very obvious appeal of Florida is the weather. Another huge draw to living in Florida is that it’s one of seven states without income taxes. Florida’s unemployment rate is lower than the national average. Florida’s job growth rate is higher than the national average in 2024. Florida’s cost of living is on par with the national average. Florida is one of the most diverse states in America. In 2024, World Population Review ranked Florida as the seventh most diverse state in the country.

Todo Santos - another Pueblo Mágico comes to mind here for me- it’s evolved into a sanctuary for artists, and its local shops are filled with charming and unique hand made ‘objetos de arte’, textiles, Talavera, and culinary goods.
It’s also in a prolific agricultural region and its restauranteurs and fishermen have brought a ‘farm to table’ movement to life and create meals that are a local and seasonal EXPERIENCE.

This is the vibe that elevates the tourist experience and gets those with money to spend it.

Side note here: The produce available in Zihuatanejo is so wonderful and varied and fresh and healthy and restaurants could easily find a way to stand out by showcasing the outstanding seafood delicacies we are gifted with in this slice of paradise with inspired regional accompaniments, instead of the ho-hum circle of rice with buttery vegetables at seemingly every restaurant which ironically -I think- is what is perceived that we all want…..

How do you diversify the economy away from a tourist destination with a nice climate on the ocean especially from November to April? I think about towns that are known for something. There are several on the way to Morelia. Santa Clara de Cobre, Quiroga and Tzintzuntzan. Copper, furniture and stone carvers with a small archaeological site to visit. These are more about an abundance of copper, forest products and sandstone with towns that have created an industry for generations around transforming nearby natural resources into finished products they are known for and people will buy.

Oaxaca has some of this. They have ruins and many species of wild agaves that they turn into mezcal. However, it has a reputation for being a foodie capital with many great restaurants. There are galleries with beautiful alebrijes made locally. There are artisans making rugs and bedspreads on looms in their stores, but it's not like there are a lot of sheep and cotton growing in the area. There is diverse local production that benefits the economy, not all resource based.

As a tourist in Oaxaca, I wanted to try nicer, more expensive restaurants and bought more items that were made there. Merchants that have ubiquitous stuff made somewhere else just doesn't get my wallet out. Being a seasonal resident in Ixtapa, I do take advantage of price differentials compared to the US. That means professional services like dental work, medical checkups and prescriptions for the offseason that are often 20% of the cost in the US. I don't see medical tourism as a significant growth opportunity for Zihuatanejo. For something beyond the basics, I'll go to Morelia or Mexico City.

I lived in several communities in Florida that did so, including Sarasota and Bradenton. So that when tourists don't come, for whatever reason, there are still jobs, and families continue to have incomes. It all starts with good infrastructure, especially roads so that goods can easily come and go, and public safety so that businesses aren't getting extorted and their workers aren't getting robbed.

Oaxaca has some of this. They have ruins and many species of wild agaves that they turn into mezcal. However, it has a reputation for being a foodie capital with many great restaurants. There are galleries with beautiful alebrijes made locally. There are artisans making rugs and bedspreads on looms in their stores, but it's not like there are a lot of sheep and cotton growing in the area. There is diverse local production that benefits the economy, not all resource based.

As a tourist in Oaxaca, I wanted to try nicer, more expensive restaurants and bought more items that were made there. Merchants that have ubiquitous stuff made somewhere else just doesn't get my wallet out. Being a seasonal resident in Ixtapa, I do take advantage of price differentials compared to the US. That means professional services like dental work, medical checkups and prescriptions for the offseason that are often 20% of the cost in the US. I don't see medical tourism as a significant growth opportunity for Zihuatanejo. For something beyond the basics, I'll go to Morelia or Mexico City.

What a beautiful Saturday in Zihuatanejo! It got a bit warm around the late afternoon, but once the sun set a nice refreshing breeze from the south cooled things down. A rather large storm passed by our coast, but the rain that had been forecast to accompany it never materialized. All we saw were some of its picturesque clouds.

However, intense rains are predicted for our region this Sunday as Onda Tropical #15 passes by.

Another slow sales day for us and our merchant friends. The wandering vendors weren't having much luck either. So sad to see our community suffer from the lack of tourists with money to spend when we have no other industry, no other means of employment. We need to diversify our local economy! Unfortunately I don't expect the next 3 years to bring any additional prosperity to the working-class people of Zihuatanejo, only its politicians. I hope I'm wrong.

Only 2 more weeks of summer vacation before students return to school across Mexico. Then a long slow period for local merchants with almost no sales until mid-November or so.

An excellent way to enjoy our coastal region is from the ocean with its majestic views of the mountains. For your adventure on our local waters I highly recommend the services of Zihuatanejo Ixtapa Charters. They have vessels for all occasions. Take your pick and enjoy an unforgettable day on the ocean in our paradise.
Activities in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoQueremosBlueFlagEnLasPlayas
#PreservemosPlayaManzanillo
#DenunciaElEcocidioEnLaRopa

Una panga pesquera se prepara para salir a trabajar durante el amanecer en Playa Principal mientras otras pangas buscan cardúmenes de peces en la bahía de Zihuatanejo.