I began coming to South Florida for vacations in the 1970s, and then moved here full-time in 1999 after I retired.
At that time, Fort Lauderdale was considered a wonderful place to retire, and the cost of living was very affordable. Since then, the city has grown and improved, attracting more retirees, younger professionals with families, affluent investors and of course tourists. Most people call that progress — and I agree.
However, during the time I have been here, I have changed, too. I am no longer a lifelong Republican due to Florida’s divisive politics and MAGA Republicans like Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and Matt Gaetz, among others, who are self-absorbed, lie and mislead us.
I don’t feel completely safe with our gun laws and the number of serious accidents on our congested roads, and I am discovering that health care is becoming more overwhelming for doctors and caregivers as our city expands. Our beloved city has changed for better and worse over the years.
At least I can and will vote to elect local, state and federal representatives who are interested in making things better for all of us.
Roger Williams Jr., Fort Lauderdale
I moved to Boca Raton 40 years ago to a paradise of lower property taxes, cheaper car insurance and no Florida income tax, and relished places like Woolley’s, King’s Market and the Wildflower, a popular nightspot on Palmetto Park Road.
What has occurred since those many years ago, politicians call urban renewal. Sociologists call it concentric circles of urbanization, I call it the new Florida.
Like toothpaste after it’s squeezed out of the tube, we can’t go back to the Camelot we lived and loved with all of our photos and our memories.
Moving to a new destination sounds too overwhelming, so I’ll just keep standing in line, wait for the endless freight train to pass by, pay the exorbitant premiums and, fittingly for South Florida, order my next new car without directional signals.
David Arlein, Boca Raton
I still love my Tamarac paradise after four years. I came for the weather, the delightful people, and to escape the pandemic in my hometown.
My goal was to spend winters only, but I’ve come to see Tamarac-ans as delightful neighbors, lovers of Pickleball, and friends we haven’t met. We have nice businesses, helpful civil servants in government, an award-winning fire-rescue and an enthusiastic mayor and District 3 commissioner who cheerlead for our city. I love exchanging hellos with people from various backgrounds.
Are there warts? You bet. But with elections, we have the means to throw out “dem bums” and make Tamarac an even better place to live, work and play.
Barney M. Agate, Tamarac
A big reason I love Florida is that I’m a sunshine person. I find overcast days depressing. If it rains here, you can be sure the glorious sun will come out soon.
Another reason I love it here is that people always seem happy. Being the melting pot we are, with people moving down and tourists from foreign lands, we have such a unique variety of foods, styles, religions, music and events. How can this not be paradise?
Sandra Hill, Tamarac
Absolutely, I love Florida more today than when I arrived in 2020 to begin permanent residency.
I love the weather, still enjoy the reasonable expenses compared to the Northeast, but most of all, the supermajority conservative Legislature led by a great governor, Ron DeSantis, who every day fights to rid us of every liberal social program.
Roger Conceicao, West Palm Beach
