Florida growth goes from wild to mild

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/orl-mgrowth2206dec22,0,5850232.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines&track=mostemailedlink

For those who gripe that Florida is growing too fast, you may have gotten your wish. A U.S. census report out today shows that the boom for the Sunshine State has slowed, with Florida growing only 1.8 percent in 2006 after back-to-back years of adding more than 2 percent to the population. So, is this just a blip? "No," said Stefan Rayer, research demographer at the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. "It's back to normal." In 2005, Florida was ranked No. 4 in the list of fast-growing states, just behind Nevada, Arizona and Idaho. This year, Florida slips to No. 9.

William Frey, a demographer with The Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C., think tank, said economics is playing a role. "Generally, people are moving where it is not so pricey," he said. And that is not Florida, he said. Before, a few states were the select hot spots. Now, people are spreading around, Frey said. "They are going where housing is affordable." Florida's existing-home median price -- half the homes sold for more, half for less -- tops $240,000. Costs are higher in markets such as Orlando -- at a quarter-million dollars -- and South Florida, where many homes are fetching $350,000.

On top of a mortgage, for those who do buy, insurance costs have skyrocketed. Some premiums are up by more than 25 percent since the 2004 hurricane season. The impact is starting to ripple throughout the state: Home sales are down more than 20 percent, school enrollment shrank in the fall student count, and state government is preparing for a revenue drop based on population projections. "Florida is still strong economically, and that will continue," said Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Economic Competitiveness. "But the momentum has slowed."

at least in the tampa area (though I love St. Pete). I'm only here for family. If it wasn't for my in-laws I would be back in MN. Way too expensive and the pay sucks as does the heat. Although all the pictures from Denver the last days kind of make me remember snow isn't all that either.

The huge population growth and cookie cutter houses going up everywhere not to mention the traffic has devestated the area.

destination for a LONG time... at the end of retirement comes?? you got it.. check out time. Lots of people who flocked there with juicy fat pensions during the 60's 70's 80's are either dead, in nursing homes or under care of grown kids.

People who are set to retire or who retired recently, have seen their pensions wither away, get looted or the high costs have eaten them up..

I foresee modest growth for a long time to come for Florida.

It's not the only warm place..and housing prices are quickly pricing the "new" older folks out of the market.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/business/content/business/epaper/2006/11/28/1128housing.html

PBC housing prices drop 12 percent

By Linda Rawls

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

The median price of an existing single-family home in Palm Beach County declined 12 percent in October, to $365,600 from $416,500 in October 2005, the Florida Association of Realtors said today.

Sales of single-family homes fell 2 percent, to 618 from 630. Home sales in October 2005 were affected by Hurricane Wilma, which hit Southeast Florida during the last week of that month.

I lived through that hurricane season. And they are right. Do NOT move here. You would hate it. A third world country according to Tancredo.

That being said...I am going out on the porch to drink my mojito. It is 80 right now.B-) :hi:

it's way too hot here for december, I hate the idea of wearing shorts and a tank top and having to drink cold beer on the deck at this time of year.

I've been here for 30 some years and everything that made this area (st pete) attractive has been kicked down the road. So, please don't move here, there are no jobs that are worthwhile, the pay sucks, the insurance premiums are outrageous, the real estate taxes are going crazy, and you'll find out it's just like Jacksonville or Philedelphia.

Best not to even try to live here. Take my word for it.

people do not even realize how awful it is here. Having the AC on at this time of year is just wrong.

You have no idea how much I was sweating after running today. I had to drink a frosty beer just to get over it. But my tomatoes are growing well...lol

Hey there fellow Flordinian!:hi: Actually it is kinda warm for this year even for us, huh?

this was the norm years ago, with the freezes being freakish. I do have a theory that cutting down all the orange groves and building houses has affected the weather here though. Do you remember the time there were few 15 story condos lining the beaches and we'd get rain every summer morning and afternoon? I wonder what happened to those days.

...the recent frequency of natural disaster in all of that. Hurricanes have taken the national stage of late.