Florida sits in the south east corner of the United States of America and is referred to as the `Sunshine State`. For many years, it was a swamp infested, low lying region that attracted few visitors. Nowadays, it is one of the top visitor destinations in the world with a wide variety of family and ecological attractions.
Florida forms a natural isthmus that forms a barrier between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Its eastern shores are bathed by the gentle waves of the Atlantic whilst the prevailing south westerly drives warm gulf waters onto the western shores. During the July to November period, the area is prone to hurricanes that feed on the warm waters of the area and sweep in an clockwise direction from the Atlantic into the Caribbean and up into the US. Whilst the coastal areas are most at risk from storm damage, the land mass is narrow and the storm`s power can cause structural damage well inland.
It was during the Second World War that Florida started to grow in importance. The armed services used the area as a vast training base to prepare soldiers, sailors and airmen for battle and, as a result, a significant investment was made into sea ports, airports and road infrastructure that serve the state well to this day. With a mild winter climate, many Canadians and residents from the northern states of the US spent time avoiding the colder months and the demand for holiday and rental property increased to satisfy the demand. At the same time, the military presence expanded, in part boosted by the NASA space programme based at Cape Canaveral (now Cape Kennedy) on the east coast and the entertainment industry started to expand as economic wealth made travel and relaxation an increasing priority.
Disney invested heavily during the latter part of the 20th Century into developing a series of theme parks that have attracted millions from all over the world. With an excellent airport infrastructure, good weather and a booming hotel and property market, central Florida became one of the top destinations for tourists in the world.
Throughout the 1990`s and early 2000`s, economic wealth and access to relatively low cost and accessible credit fuelled a property boom in the region as many investors saw the region as one that offered opportunities for capital growth as well as a second home opportunity. Since the banking crisis of late 2007 and the subsequent recession, property prices have tumbled by up to 50% as foreign and domestic owners have struggled to repay mortgages and demand has dried. New housing starts have reduced to a trickle and visitor numbers to the area have reduced significantly. With its high proportion of elderly residents and strong Hispanic influence (due to immigration from Cuba and other Caribbean countries), the State now takes on a unique and quite different feel to many others of the US.
Short term prospects for the region remain uncertain but the investment and infrastructure has been made so that any upturn in visitor numbers can be easily absorbed. Rental property is now cheap and the relatively weak US dollar makes it a low cost destination for residents of many areas. Although the number of airlines globally is shrinking, most major carriers and some charter companies operate direct or connecting flights to the excellent McCarron International Airport or the slightly quieter Sanford International. Both offer excellent and easily arranged car hire and the driving is easy and stress free. Unlike car rental Nice airport where you are straight out into the hurly burley of busy and congested roads!
