15 February 16  |  Living   |  

Florida is The Best Place To Live

Georgia and Alabama look on from the north. To the west is the Gulf of Mexico and to the east and south is the Atlantic Ocean. The peninsular state is 500 miles long and 160 miles wide.

Why do we at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club mention these statistics about the Sunshine State? Because Florida is the best place to live for so many reasons. Let’s explore the raw numbers first.

The state’s geographic center is in Hernando County, 12 miles north-northwest of Brooksville, which is about 50 miles due south of Golden Ocala. That means Golden Ocala is really in the heart of Florida – so maybe the Sunshine State does have a heart of gold.

As the nation’s 22nd largest state, it covers 65,758 square miles. On the other hand, Florida recently became the nation’s third most populous state.

Florida’s population passed the 20-million mark late last year, according to Florida Today. The state grew faster than any other state last year except for Texas. Florida’s migration rate from other states and countries was the nation’s fastest.  Florida’s growth “had been a significant driver in economic growth for many, many years,” said Sean Snaith, the director of the University of Central Florida’s Center for Economic Competitiveness. “It’s the most basic form of economic development.”

Florida’s land area covers 53,997 square miles, making it the nation’s wettest state, behind Alaska and Michigan, which are frequently on the chilly side of life.

Florida’s highest point is Britton Hill, Lakewood Park in Walton County located in the Panhandle. The lowest point is sea level where the Sunshine State meets the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida’s average elevation is 100 feet above sea level. Its major rivers are St. Johns River, St. Marys River and Suwannee River. Its major lakes are Lake Okeechobee and Lake George.

Now let’s discuss some of the super-duper reasons why Florida is a great place to live. Let’s talk coastlines. Florida ranks No. 2 in the nation for having the longest coastlines – 1,350 miles – behind Alaska’s 6,640 miles. (You just try spending an afternoon at the beach at the Arctic Ocean.) California is No. 3 at 840 miles and Hawaii is No. 4 at 750 miles.

Now let’s talk weather. According to Current Results, Florida’s overall average daily temperature is 70.7; it is ranked as the nation’s hottest state, but isn’t that why we have all the water and the nifty green, rolling terrain?

California is 59.4. And Alaska, with those long coastlines? 26.6. Michigan is 44.4. Even neighboring Georgia (63.5) and Alabama (62.8) require jackets. (These numbers come from the government’s National Centers For Environmental Information.)

And now, the most important of all, who has the most golf courses?

We pause momentarily for dramatic effect. And the winner is … Florida (1,261)!

Next is California with 1,007, chilly Michigan with 971 and big, brawny Texas with 906.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Florida’s best golf course, which, by the way, just hosted an LPGA tournament.

Golfers at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club play on the Ron Garl-designed 18-hole championship course that includes tribute holes from some of the world’s finest courses. How about playing at Augusta, Royal Troon, Baltusrol, Muirfield or St. Andrews – and still be in the Sunshine State?

Golden Ocala golf course

A 10-acre short game with two practice holes and a driving range helps players hone their skills. The Golf Shop offers clubs, clothing and golf accessories.

PGA professionals, John Elliot Jr, Nick Montanaro and Daren Robinson, offer private lessons for golfers looking to improve.

Come and experience wonderful Florida. Keep up with all of the latest news from Golden Ocala by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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