South Florida--particularly Miami--is often lusted after by party-goers, adventure seekers, snow birds and more. From South Beach to the Everglades to the Miami Heat Dream Team or Reggie Bush and the Dumbfins...eh, Dolphins...South Florida attracts those with a taste for luxurious, exotic or athletic escapes.

Yet, three different studies have verified that there is certainly a separate category-- South Florida escapers: those making a great migration OUT of the area.

Indeed, The Miami Herald reported this week that young adults between 25-34 years old are leaving Miami and its suburbs for many reasons. Some interviewees cited lack of competitive or sophisticated jobs as the reason for leaving. Others noted the opinion that Miami is not exactly an" intellectual city." Still, others consider the city to be simply unaffordable.More than one respondent preferred a city like Seattle for its astute cultural, cost of living, and employment opportunities. Go ahead and read the entire article here.

With some 41 colleges and universities representing approximately 113,657 full and part time students, many are tuning into these findings.Indeed, Miami-Dade College, Florida International University, Barry University and St. Thomas University possess the highest student enrollments, respectively. (Broward County boasts another twelve colleges and universities.)

It's little wonder, then, that college administrators, politicians plus corporate decision-makers are closely analyzing this apparent six-year pattern of young adult exodus. Stakeholders must gauge the factors that cause young adult, even natives, to decide that South Florida is a great place to study and party, but a subpar place to live.

Certainly, the body of Christ should also pay attention. South Florida-based young adult ministries like Trinity Church's Rendezvous or NEWD Magazine's own sister group, Soul Movement Crew, have tapped into the twenty and thirty-something pulse. As the studies indicate, migration appears to be a symptom, not a diagnosis. The root of young adult migration is often joblessness, quality of life, contentment or, perhaps, purpose.

I would argue, then, that we ought to use these preliminary results to help advocate for better jobs, wage improvements and overall living conditions. Perhaps, we will put our collective thinking and praying caps on so that we can create innovative efforts toward retaining young adult college graduates. More importantly, this is a great opportunity for believers to reach out to disillusioned young adults--primarily to invite those who face hardship to find wholeness in Christ and, secondly,to encourage young adults to use their energies to advance Kingdom work.

Let's weigh in: what solutions do you think would work in helping South Florida's young adults feel a greater sense of purpose, prosperity and community?

Ana Valeska is a not-so-naughty librarian, college instructor, book editor and--yeah,baby--NEWD columnist. Her forthcoming work, Tu Eres (You Are), is a devotional based on modern-day worship psalms. Ana Valeska longs to help redeem urban, young adult culture for the Lord Jesus. Her daughter, Selena, and cat, Puffles, have her wrapped around their little fingers.