Many reasons, lets discuss a few and add others:
Job Market, Florida does provide one of the largest and most diversified job markets in the US. This is true for government jobs, aeronautical, government contractor, agricultural, construction, marine sales, tourism, security, consultants, home sales, golf industry, culinary diversity, insurance sales, and probably another 200 areas.
--Does accommodate all type of jobs qualifications, from the well educated to the high school graduate.
--As long as we have the tourism industry as a source of income, all of the above areas will continue to thrive
--Easy jobs for individuals on 2nd or 3er career; this might not help the salary concerns, but individuals (older than age 50) have a easier opportunity to get a job and work their way up
Note on immigration; construction jobs do employ white folks too. Please remember that many employers are allowed to bring legal workers from other countries to work under the Visa Work Program. This happen because we don’t have sufficient manpower to satisfy the market. This program is also use by many fast food companies to ensure sufficient manpower during summer and holidays.
Get away from the frigid winters
Famous beaches and lakes
Accessibility to all major amusements parks, state parks, and public parks
Cheaper utilities compare to the frigid north
Less congested towns; folks like to be close to a larger city, but not necessarily live on the Orlando, Miami, Tampa, etc..
Your turn to add more…