Several years ago, my wife and I felt that we’d like to settle down for good in Florida. We weren’t yet at retirement age, and our younger children were still in school. However, dreams being what they can, we decided to relocate after we were satisfied with research we did regarding the area where we’d be living. We were certain that it would be perfect for us and our kids.
We were wrong. Although we met many wonderful people, who remain friends to this day, we realized that Florida, as the stereotype goes, is geared to those who have retired or want to feel retired, i.e, party and be happy all the time. Of course, that’s a great state of mind, but it was one that our family couldn’t adopt then.
So, we moved back to the Washington, DC, suburbs in Northern Virginia, back to the hub-bub, back to the bumper-to-bumper traffic. The DC area has always felt like home for my wife and me, although we, like most DC denizens, are transplants and not natives to the area.
Palm Coast, Florida, and Flagler County where it is located, is a wonderful place – for the right people and the right time. We weren’t the right people and it wasn’t our time. During our four-year stay, I penned scores of articles for The Flagler Times, a twice-weekly newspaper, edited ably by Kathleen Bishop.
For the Floridians reading these, my impressions may not square with yours. I offer these writings out of respect and consideration. I trust you’ll receive them in that fashion, too. As always, send an e-mail with your reactions, thoughts, etc.