BETA
Reshaping the natural flow of water
In 1948, Congress authorized the Central and Southern Florida Project, constructing 1,000 miles of canals to drain wetlands. While this created dry land for housing, it disrupted water flow, threatened native wildlife, and reduced natural drinking water reservoirs.
Chapter 1
The spark of the Sun Belt
Chapter 2
Designing the retirement utopia
Chapter 3
The cost of paradise
Chapter 4
The new retirement frontiers
Ch 3 · The cost of paradise
hank Drag retirees into Sun Belt cities to learn how rapid migration squeezes local housing.
hank Sun Belt Retirement Dream
Dreaming of the Sun Belt's sunny shores? Rising costs are knocking at your doors!
hank Rapid suburban development and heavy groundwater pumping have made certain retirement zones highly vulnerable to sudden sinkholes.
Fun Fact
Everglades drainage: To create dry land for Florida suburbs, engineers built over 1,000 miles of canals, diverting water away from the Everglades.
hank Low taxes have been a massive driver of the retirement migration, with states like Florida offering no state income tax.
Glossary
homeowners insurance (noun)
A form of property insurance designed to protect an individual's home against damages and liability. By 2026, skyrocketing premiums in Florida forced many fixed-income retirees to relocate to more affordable states.
A form of property insurance designed to protect an individual's home against damages and liability. By 2026, skyrocketing premiums in Florida forced many fixed-income retirees to relocate to more affordable states.
Quiz
What economic sector dominates retirement areas over manufacturing or heavy industry?
Quiz
In what year did Florida amend its constitution to permanently ban state income taxes?
Quiz
Which massive wetland ecosystem was partially drained to build South Florida's retirement suburbs?
Quiz
What happens to the underground water table when millions of gallons are pumped out for suburban lawns?
Quiz
What type of porous rock makes up Florida's underground geology, making it prone to sinkholes?
Quiz
What natural disaster poses the greatest property damage risk to coastal retirement developments in Florida?