Many people from Florida are leaving as a result of the storms in the last few seasons. The insurance rates have more than quadrupled and property taxes have gone to extreme highs. Those who had insurance are getting pennies on the dollar for repairs or to rebuild. A tax bill that was $300/year with homestead exemption is now $1500+/year.

Crime may play a part in the exodus. We have had an increase but then we have had an increase in people. Just not those with money. Many are in the construction trade and it's not real clear how many are illegal. I, myself, see many sending a lot of money by Western Union every Friday to Mexico. We used to see this only during picking season, now it's all the time. Lots of motels are now housing for these people.

One good reason I can think of to locate in the mountains is that the area is just plain beautiful. That is why we love to travel there every chance we get. Snowbirds come here for the beaches and we natives leave to get away from the tourist at the beaches.

Pam