This Old House

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For the last two days  I have been studying the local real estate market from my saddle.  Two factors (at least) play a critical part:
1/  countless trillions of elderly Mericans flock here - either permanently to live out their remaining years or for the colder winter months (so-called Snowbirds).
2/  there is a local law that prevents property assets being seized from convicted criminals, even where it us obvious they were purchased with the proceeds of crime.
So, on the one hand there is massive demand for property, and on the other hand there are a bunch of drug dealers looking to invest in property.
The result is that for many of the last 150 miles we have been cycling past huge developments of apartments, condos, retirement complexes and long-stay hotels.  There are literally thousands of them.  Incidentally 4 out if every 3 seem to have been built by Mr Trump.
This is not as ghastly as it sounds.  The developments are 'high end' with beautifully tended grounds and give the whole area a feel of affluence.

There are also areas of huge ocean-front mansions.  Yes they are ostentatious and vulgar but you can't help but be impressed.  Yesterday we went past a newly built place that was for sale.... $158,000,000 if you are interested!
We are in Fort Pierce after a 2nd day of glorious riding in the sunshine. It was another early start/finish as we continue to adjust to the time difference but hopefully tonight we will stay awake until at least 9pm and start to acclimatise.  The riding is fab - mainly thanks to the weather - but the roads are good with many cycle lanes and soooooo flat!
Once again we are busy rehydrating (Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA if you are interested) before going foraging for calories.

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