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Florida has achieved this “port in a storm” status by remaining relatively free of the riots/demonstrations (particularly on school campuses) that have roiled much of the country. In fact, U.S. News & World Report has designated Florida as the nation’s top state for education for the second year in a row, stressing that its number-ONE standing is “largely fuelled by several stellar metrics in higher education, and strong performances in the pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade stage.” For growing families, and those who have built them, stability is a non-negotiable priority. In the case of Florida, that stability is likely to hold fast despite the fractious dynamic of federal politics, as the current DeSantis administration remains intact until 2026, after which he is no longer eligible (by term limits) to run for governor. And as for the state’s growth trajectory, Florida TaxWatch (an independent research institute and government watchdog) projects that the state’s population will increase by about 1.45m from 22.7 to 24.1 million by 2028, and then will moderate slightly due to increased costs of living, higher property taxes, costs of living and housing, and traffic, more and more of it in the urban areas. Ah: traffic – there’s the rub, especially in the densely populated coastal regions. But even then, at least we know that it’s never far to the nearest Publix, should friends “down” from Canada drop in for lunch. Medical and international affairs writer Milan is a dual Canadian-U.S. citizen. He resides with his family in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and welcomes your comments via mkorcok@aol.com. Discover one of America’s Great House Museums “An absolute must-see” - National Geographic Traveler www.FlaglerMuseum.us (561) 655-2833 A National Historic Landmark When it was completed in 1902, the New York Herald proclaimed that Whitehall, Henry Flagler’s Gilded Age estate in Palm Beach, was “more wonderful than any palace in Europe, grander and more magnificent than any other private dwelling in the world.” Today, Whitehall is a National Historic Landmark open to the public as the Flagler Museum, offering guided tours, changing exhibitions, and special programs. Winter 2025 Exhibition January 21 - April 20, 2025 The exhibition features 25 original works of art by Maxfield Parrish illustrating his genius for evoking a dreamlike world between reality and reverie. Sponsored by: The Ethereal Worlds of Maxfield Parrish CSANews | WINTER 2024 | 21 Travel

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