What's the difference between a $300,000 property and a $5,000,000 property? Aside from $4,700,000, there is the size of the property, the quality of construction and the location. But what does it mean when they're all located on one small island?

In most parts of the country and certainly in the Northeast where I'm from, you don't usually find multi-million dollar properties within a mile or two of $300,000 properties. In fact, it was one of the first things I noticed when I moved to Florida – how much diversity there was in housing within close proximity to each other. This is especially true on Anna Maria Island, where the level of diversity and value is sometimes shocking.

So, let's look at the pricing differential first, accrued from www.realtor.com. At the time of this writing, Cortez, not on the Island but certainly close enough to be considered, has properties for sale starting at $375,000 to $1,850,000; the city of Anna Maria has properties from $325,000 to $5,495,000; and the combined cities of Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach have available listings from $160,000 to $3,995,000.

As you can see big swings within the three cities and in Cortez, but no one seems to care because it gives everyone an opportunity to live in a great community no matter what price point you're at. And the variety of properties available is just as impressive as the variety of listing prices.

The historic village of Cortez has quaint streets with older smaller homes that were built to accommodate the fishing industry as well as a Bayfront trailer association. On the other side of Cortez Road from the village are high end, single-family homes, villas and condos most of these properties are waterfront, and many have boat slips for their residents.

Anna Maria city is comprised mostly of single-family homes, grandfathered duplexes and one condo association. Prices are all over the place, with many of the original one level beach cottages still around, right up to large, multi-level new construction. You can choose from beachfront or canal front with docks, walking distance to the beach or to Pine Avenue, near the two piers or tucked away on a quiet street.

Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach are certainly the most diverse with a large number of condos, town homes, a famous trailer association and tons of single-family homes. You can even live on an island off of an island, which has its own vibe different from the rest of Anna Maria. These cities offer wonderful bay views from many properties and some Gulffront properties. It's a boater's paradise.

Of course, Manatee County in general has a lot of housing diversity certainly along the waterfront communities. But if you like subdivisions and master planned communities that are gated and consistent in nature, the county has those as well. Essentially, something for everyone.

And if the housing diversity isn't enough of a reason to live in our part of Florida, check out the finance website www.wallethub.com. In its 2017's best and worst places to retire analysis, Florida came in as the best place to retire. Friendliness, affordability, ahead on health-related issues and cultural factors led the list.

For almost 20 years now I've been saying that everyone, even those with a small income and very few assets, can live a good life in Florida. Much of that is due to the diversity of housing styles and pricing. Guess I was a head of the curve on that one.