NEW FLORIDA RESIDENT BLOG

Welcome to Paradise! The first home I ever built for myself was in New England and was a Salt Box Reproduction with onion lights, service stairs and a brick foundation.  It looked great and fit in amazingly well plus, I only had one obnoxious neighbor.  I mean I liked the guy and spent a little time with him but, he commuted to work via a Sea Stallion Helicopter and his security guys NEVER knew who I was.  So obnoxious. However, looking back I realize that the house only looked good in that neighborhood.  It had low ceilings to conserve heat, a hilly yard and a quasi-private road that was impossible to ascend when it snowed (six months per year). That place would be D*U*M*B in Florida. We like high ceilings, lots of light colors and some cool hidden nooks for reading or what not.  Plus we spend 12 months per year outside having fun so, a yard that's not good for activities probably wouldn't work here.  And, although there are many, many Spanish Revival homes almost anything wor

Welcome to Paradise. When you (finally) make the decision to move to Florida, chances are that every one of your friends and family may not be able to make the move with you.  What do you do?  I moved to Florida 20 years ago this December and didn't know another person in my town when I got here. Not a big deal, between working and meeting clients I got to know a ton of people and made some good friends.  In fact, I thought it would be interesting to see how my son made friends as he started elementary school.  Up until now, we picked his friends but, wondered what would happen when mom and dad were left out of that loop. Honestly, I thought it would be pretty easy for him to make friends, he's kind to other kids and has a million interests, so we weren't very surprised when our son made a bunch of friends in first grade that were quality kids.  He has his skateboard friends and his wakeboard friends plus school and church - excellent kiddos all the way around.  It's im