From Port St. Lucie:

We love it here. Yes, there has been explosive growth since we moved here in
late 1999, but the city was underpopulated prior to that. We live on what is
called a "greenbelt", a swath of water which is part of an extensive network
of non-navigatible canals. It is 100' wide (behind our property, so
provides a good buffer between neighbors), and is home to a great variety of
wild life, birds of all kinds, large and small, turtles, etc. We have the
occasional eagle, hawks of course, an owl or two that we have heard but not
yet seen, painted buntings, you name it. The occasional bobcat sends Casper
the Wonder Cat running from the screen proch into the bedroom. (Way to go,
brave kitty!)

Would we like to have a little more land than what we have? Probably yes,
but we don't want big acreage either - to take care of - so we are happy
here. If we were to move north west it would be essential to have a larger
plot, because I would insist on a greenhouse due to the colder weather. As
things are, we added on to our screened area a few years ago, and we are
always looking for new ways to maximize growing areas.

Personally, I think the Homestead area is totally funky and wonderful, and
has retained its rural atmosphere despite being convenient to services, but
we won't be moving any time soon. I can understand why WT likes the rural
life, and respect it too. But we like our conveniences; it's nice to be able
to travel for five minutes - literally - to a supermarket. And probably most
of all, we don't want to be 30 miles away from a nail or a screw, let alone
having to travel an extra hundred miles to go play.

Bottom line: it's all a matter of one's priorities, isn't it? The Miami and
Fort Lauderdale areas have been congested since I lived there in the 70's,
so nothing is new there. Palm Beach County has been crowded for a long time
too. St. Lucie County is making some mistakes - we need to change mayors
here in Port St. Lucie before he unwisely spends any more money on his
beloved "City Center" in an area where few will go - but that can happen
anywhere.

Happy in Port St. Lucie, I remain

Your Faithful Correspondent,

Diana Kulaga