The Way Things Used to Be

After living in Louisiana for a few years, my family and I moved to Florida in the 1970's when it was still an inexpensive yet fabulous place to live. We had the beaches, the sun and no freezing cold or snow to deal with during the year. There was no traffic and owning a home was feasible even for poor folks like us.

Going to the beach was pure joy for my brother and me . My father would rent a room at one of the old art deco hotels that faced the ocean, and we would cross the street and play on the sand or go for a swim in the ocean. It looked nothing like today, no fancy cars parked along the strip, no famous movie stars or athletes walking by, no expensive restaurants or happening clubs. All I saw were old folks or couples with children. Sometimes a band would play in the outdoor theatre, but the crowd was always small. Looking back, it was actually run down and even sad looking.

Then some guy named Tony Montana came along in the 1980's and changed everything. The movie Scarface was a hit, a big hit, but it also depicted Miami and the Cuban community in the worst light. Then, some movie producers decided to continue degrading the city but capitalize on its fame and so Miami Vice was introduced. I know I am oversimplifying matters, but you get the idea. After that came the conservationists and the developers and the rest is history I suppose.

Today, there are so many high-rises, condominiums, hotels, restaurants and shopping centers along the coast that I can longer see the sand or the water. We stopped going to Miami Beach a long time ago, and we started heading north to Hollywood and Ft Lauderdale beach where life is still a little slower and more low key, but that is changing too.

Nothing is like it used to be and I know progress always has a price. For instance, we have great roads, highways, parks and yes, my children attend a great charter school in my area. I have seen the infrastructure in other states, and I am amazed at how good we have it. However, we pay dearly for those comforts. Property taxes, car insurance and home owner's insurance are unbearable. Home prices in my area tripled in the past few years, but now some people find themselves unable to pay for their homes, and so they sell, if they can, and move away.

Although I am far from the city and the major hot spots, I am still greatly affected by traffic and noise. If I were to step outside right now, it would be impossible for me to hear silence. The only time I hear silence is when I go home to the western North Carolina mountains. As I stand at the edge of our property and look to the west, I can see forever. And when I close my eyes, it still amazes me that I could hear nothing at all and that silence could sound so perfect.

Florida is where I live, work and raise my children. It is where my family and friends live. It is where my father's body rests. It is a great place for vacation, and if you love the nightlife, the beaches, boating, and hot summer days and afternoon thunderstorms, then it is perfect for you. There are countless opportunities in a variety of fields, and you will meet people from all over the world, for it is most definitely a melting pot.

I have no regrets. Living here has provided me with great opportunities and advantages I may not have found in another place. I do however know that my heart lies in those quiet woods where the tall trees speak to me. In my old age, God willing not too old, I will head north to the cold winters and mild springs while everyone else is heading south.