Florida Primary

The Florida Primary 2012 is today, Tuesday, January 31st. After winning in South Carolina, it is anyone's guess if Newt Gingrich will come out ahead of Mitt Romney—especially given the recent GOP debates and Mitt Romney's sudden rise in the polls. Nonetheless, there are plenty of voters to woo in the Florida primary in 2012. It has 18 million residents, and is the 4th most populous state in U.S. behind California, Texas, and New York. No wonder there is so much at stake in this election there.

As far as those voters who live in Florida, many move there from the Northeast because of the gorgeous year round weather. I know plenty of snowbirds who head to Florida before the first snow falls outside their Northern homes, and plenty of others who have decided to move to Florida full time, thanks to the weather.

Given retirees preference for living in warmer climates, it's no wonder that recent Census Data showed that more than 17% of Florida citizens were age 65 or older. Compare that with the entire United States, which has 13% only in that age group. According to one Florida website, 1,000 people a day move to the Sunshine State.

While many people move to Florida seeking better weather, others do so because of the abundant and inexpensive housing. It is true that your dollar will go further in the Sunshine State, but, unfortunately, too many people have gotten too far in debt with housing in Florida.

As Mitt Romney pointed out during a recent campaign stop, nearly 25 percent of the United States home foreclosures are in Florida. Even celebrities who live in Florida aren't immune to these foreclosure woes, including rock star Rick Derringer and Miami Heat player Antoine Walker. Clearly, this is bad news for the folks who own foreclosed homes but it could be good news for those looking to buy a house on the cheap.

Other primary facts about living in Florida:

• Florida residents can buy a discounted annual pass to Walt Disney World in Orlando.
• Florida's most populated metro area is Miami/Fort Lauderdale.
• There are 1,800 miles of coastline in Florida.