There appears to be a consensus that an urban life style is stressful, expensive and perhaps unhealthy. Cities like New York or Chicago may provide certain economic opportunities, but the question is, at what cost? Most sense that the pace of life in these cities is too challenging and if other living opportunities arise, many are opting for a different (more relaxing) life style. For instance the populations of New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and most other larger urban centers has declined over the period from 1950 through 2000, despite the fact that general population within the U.S. has increased.

How Healthy is City Life?

There may be many reasons for this decline, but chief among them are stress, cost, noise and air pollution. All of these factors have taken a toll on not only the total population count, but the overall well being of the city dweller, as well. A recent book, entitled Unhealthy Places by Kevin Fitzpatrick and Mark LaGory zeroes in on the ecology, sociology and general unhealthiness of urban life. Certainly, virtually anyone with a daily newspaper or seeing the evening news can see the number of deaths attributed to crime or traffic.

While these statistics may actually indicate a decrease, the general perception however, is that living or working in large city is either dangerous or unhealthy. Economic factors also play a role in the population decline. Many city dwellers in years past have fled the large urban centers for the “safety” and relative security of the suburbs. However, urban sprawl has also assailed the safe harbor of the suburbanite and many in suburban areas bordering the city are seeing their taxes and crime spiking upward.

The Effects of a Rise in Stress

This is particularly true of the suburbs surrounding cities like New York or Boston with state income and real estate taxes continuing to rise. With a continuing increase in stress factors, it has been pointed out that many other bad lifestyle choices contribute to a decline in overall health. According to Science Daily.com, “When people are under chronic stress, they tend to smoke, drink, use drugs and overeat to help cope with stress. These behaviors trigger a biological cascade that helps prevent depression, but they also contribute to a host of physical problems that eventually contribute to early death.”

A Change in Location Venue Will Help

How best to address these problems? Many are solving the problem by simply moving away from it entirely, mostly to the southern states. Whether they can find useful work or simply retire is certainly a factor. However, with population growth within the southern states continuously rising, various industries will undoubtedly provide employment for many.  This movement away from urban centers to the south has been occurring over the last several years. As indicated below from 1990 through 2000, the populations of the southern states rose substantially compared with New York and Massachusetts:

• Florida                  increase: 3,044,452             a change of +23.5%
• Georgia               increase: 1,708,237                        a change of +26.4%
• North Carolina    increase: 1,420,676             a change of +21.4%
• South Carolina    increase: 525,309                a change of +15.1%
• New York           increase: 986,002                 a change of   +5.5%
• Massachusetts     increase: 332,672                a change of    +5.5%

Notice that the two northern states listed have the highest overall state taxes. With declines in tax revenues which are tied to the weak economy, these states have imposed even more taxes! So many more northern state dwellers are fleeing southward. Most who have moved southward feel that the move overall was worth it for both health and economic reasons.

Florida’s is a great place to consider.

Many from the north are attracted to Florida for several obvious reasons: no state income taxes, relatively low real estate taxes and the fact that there are real bargains to be found  in real estate. These features makes Florida an ever more attractive place to live and work.

If one is searching for vacation and/or home value, the Florida Keys offer an excellent place to live, work or retire. The Florida Keys, possess a special charm rooted in a history with a perpetual vacation mind set featuring excellent fishing, diving and boating. The Keys is an excellent choice and there are properties to be found whatever your taste and budget is.

Article courtesy of By N. B. Schklair

Looking for a tropical get-away that does not require a passport? Look at the Florida Keys. Stretching from around fifteen miles south of Miami to less than one hundred miles from Cuba, the Florida Keys offer a multicultural living and vacation experience to fit every budget.

Financing a Tropical Dream

Once reserved for the rich and the famous, a second vacation home can now be part of a smart investment portfolio. Mortgage rates are low, making financing a home in the Florida Keys more affordable than ever. Also, unlike the rich and the famous, the average individual is likely to rent his vacation home out to tourists when he is not using it himself.

Waterfront property is especially popular as a vacation spot. It offers the amenities of the local community – restaurants, attractions, transportation, security – and the beauty of communing with nature. The income from these rentals often covers the entire mortgage, enabling the owner to enjoy a free vacation in the Keys whenever he pleases.

Waterfront property also tends to appreciate in value over the long term due to its lasting popularity. The savvy homeowner of a Key West waterfront vacation home is also building equity while he vacations there and rents it out – equity that can either be cashed in at retirement or lived in on a full-time basis.

Peace of Mind

Ask any therapist. The soothing sounds of the ocean provide the perfect background for relaxation. With a vacation home in the Florida Keys, no tapes or compact discs are needed.

Simply open the windows to enjoy the ocean’s relaxing sounds.

Also, as stress is a significant risk factor in elevated blood pressure, a vacation home in the Florida Keys benefits the homeowner physically as well as mentally.

Stress melts away with the ebb and flow of the tide, with the beauty of the sun rising or setting over the ocean, with the gentle ocean breeze.

One can almost feel his blood pressure lower with the laid back lifestyle. Or, if the need for some company arises, the Florida Keys offer a variety of restaurants, museums, parks, and attractions to amuse and entertain.

Add to the scenic view, soothing sounds, and peace of mind that comes with knowing that. No matter how stressful life becomes, a little slice of paradise awaits. It is a reward at the end of the summer, or at the end of a career.

This mobile home can be yours or buy it with the property next door and rent one. See MLS#552289 Each are currently rented for $800/mo. Price for both properties is $225K.

552288 Residential Active $120,000

Provided as a courtesy of

Karen L. Angle

Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.

Fax #: (305)743-7012

Mobile: (305)731-6219

Office Phone: (305)289-6504

Toll-Free: (800)366-5181 ext. 6504

11050 Overseas Highway

Marathon,FL 33050

karen.angle@cbschmitt.com

http://www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com

Two Homes for the price of one! Motivated seller. These side by side mobile homes can be yours or buy them separately for 120K. They each have over 4700 sqft of property that can be combined or build two new homes. Live in one and rent the other. See MLS# 552288 & 552289. Each are currently rented for $800/mo.

552290 Residential Active $225,000

Provided as a courtesy of

Karen L. Angle

Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.

Fax #: (305)743-7012

Mobile: (305)731-6219

Office Phone: (305)289-6504

Toll-Free: (800)366-5181 ext. 6504

11050 Overseas Highway

Marathon,FL 33050

karen.angle@cbschmitt.com

http://www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com

* Hospitals,3
* Assisted living, 3
* Health Care clinics, 8
* Skilled Nursing facility, 3

For more information (other facilities and their address) see http://facilitylocator.floridahealthstat.com/
See the health department Web site http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdcollier/services/services.html

Another great site that has all the local resources for Monroe Colunty is at
http://www.aidshelp.cc/html/local_resources.html

Hospitals

* FISHERMEN’S HOSPITAL
* 3301 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY
* MARATHON, FL 33050
* TELEPHONE#:305 743-5533
* http://www.fishermenshospital.com/

* LOWER KEYS MEDICAL CENTER
* 5900 COLLEGE ROAD
* KEY WEST , FL 33041-9107
TELEPHONE#:305 294-5531
www.LKMC.com
Owned by Health Management Assoicates www.HMA.com

* MARINERS HOSPITAL
* 91500 OVERSEAS HWY
* TAVERNIER, FL 33070 TELEPHONE#:305 434-1582
* OWNER: BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA

A list of Services for people with disabilities
http://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/Pages/MonroeCoFL_CommServ/guide

For names and numbers of physicians in the Keys go to http://www.mcms.org/contents/refserv/referralservice.htm
In addition to local facilities, the world class health facilities of Miami are 3 hours away from Key West.

]]> http://www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com/blog/fl-keys-health-medical/florida-keys-health-and-medical/feed/ 0 http://www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com/blog/fl-keys-short-sales/marathon-fl-short-sale-5/ http://www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com/blog/fl-keys-short-sales/marathon-fl-short-sale-5/#comments Wed, 12 May 2010 14:22:52 +0000 admin http://www.allfloridakeysrealestate.com/blog/?p=113

Major renovations needed. Property has been abandoned. Call Agent for details Property is a shortsale with only one mortgage so I believe it can be done in 90 days or less. Packet is almost ready to go. Commission will be determined by lender and any reduction in commission will be split between both agents.

$100,000

Provided as a service of

Karen L. Angle

Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.