My grandparents retired in the sticks in central Florida. I spent several long summers there. They had 110 acres in heavy cattle infested area. They lived and worked in Clearwater all their lives until it grew up around them and had to get away from the coast.

no urban creep, pandhandlers, meth head trailer parks (then) in the 70s-80s

Springs, lakes, Crystal River, Weeki Watchee River. Inner tubing with alligators. 👍

Sure it's all crap now with those NY lardass gerrold nadler types now. What a shame.