I’m a local born and raised here. Every year it gets worse and here’s why:

1. cheaply made overpriced “luxury“ apartments replace local businesses
2. it gets harder to find a job even with a college degree every year. (The national average for my degree is $80k for entry level jobs but the state pays $47k. State jobs are soul crushing. My job now has nothing to do with my degree and I make $41k/year 2 years out of college. The only reason I found this job is because someone recommended me.
3. Traffic gets worse every year. I see more and more people almost running over pedestrians due to impatience. Pedestrian fatalities are increasing especially around FSU. Even the ones not J walking get hit. Accidents are everywhere all the time.
4. Homeless people are everywhere. Housing is unaffordable, jobs are scarce, and even most of us with a degree don’t make a livable wage.
5. Once you graduate good luck finding an affordable consistent hobby group, friend group, etc.
6. The transient town attitude. It’s an unspoken rule here that people are just passing through and the way they treat each other shows.
7. Every green space is quickly becoming yet another fried chicken chain, coffee chain, or smoke shop. There is literally always a Starbucks across from the Starbucks everywhere you look.
8. income disparity
9. housing, gas, and grocery costs go up every year but jobs and salaries do not

I am desperately trying to leave. All of this is making me so depressed. I feel like I’ve done every activity there is available 100 times and visited anywhere local about 100 more. Anywhere with actual things to do and decent beaches with clear water is 3-4 hrs away.